metal straw | ast. cha eunwoo

four

The second Eunwoo walked by, all eyes went to him and him only. Compliments and praises were common as well as jealousy and hatred of others. He was known to be perfection.

Just when Eunwoo received his tray and turned to find a table, he was immediately surrounded by numerous girls. Lips were stuck out, eyes were fluttering oddly as they tried to catch Eunwoo's attention.

"Oppa, do you want to eat with me?"

"Back off! Move!"

"Eunwoo, I have a seat for you next to mine~"

"Let's eat together, oppa!"

Just the sight of the girls caused a headache to stir up, let alone their high-pitched voices piercing through his ears. Nevertheless, he ignored their invitations and calmly walked over to a table by the corner. They immediately filled up the tables surrounding him and just sat there adoring the boy, lunch was completely forgotten.

Right in front of his table, he could see a girl getting nudged playfully by her friends. They giggled as they continued to convince her to go to him. She mustered up her courage and slowly approaches the quiet boy as he ate silently. All was tense to her until someone suddenly sat down to sit across him.

"Hey, Eunwoo!"

Eunwoo didn't have to look up nor listen to know who it was. Her presence already spoke of her enthusiasm for metal straws and turtles. He lifted his head and turned to find the same girl who's been following him like a lost puppy, holding tightly onto her bottle flask. Her smile widened when they made eye contact, showing her white pearls. He could see behind her the looks the girls were giving Soyeon and none of them was a smile.

"Here," he said, passing her the metal straw. "Don't worry, I washed it."

Soyeon immediately smiled, remembering that to be the first thing she said when they met. Soon, Her eyes naturally moved down to his tray and her smile fell. Eunwoo followed her gaze and realised she was talking about the plastic straw that was sitting in his drink.

"Here, why don't you just..."

Just when she was about to place the straw into his drink, Eunwoo immediately stopped her hand from coming across the table to his drink.

"I'll drink it from the cup," he said, gently bringing her hand with her straw back to her. He took out the plastic straw from his drink and placed it down on the tray. A smile immediately appeared on her face.

"See? Isn't that better?" she asked, her white-pearls-smile never leaving.

"Wah, she went there and sat with him?"

Soyeon's smile immediately left as she heard sudden whispers behind her. The air suddenly went thick for her and Eunwoo.

"How does Eunwoo not stand her?"

"Does she think Eunwoo is that easy?"

Eunwoo didn't have to turn his head. He was able to see a group of girls whispering among themselves in the corner of his eye as well as sending Soyeon nasty glares. He looked up to Soyeon and noticed how she kept on smiling as she toyed with her bottle. The corner of her lips trying endlessly to keep up. As if she was forcing herself to be positive despite the situation.

"Eunwoo's standards must be that low," a male senior suddenly voiced out amid the whispers, chuckling with his friends. "Can't believe he would—"

"Shut up, dumbass."