Over The Seas [Kim Sunwoo The Boyz]

Chapter Fourty-Four

Sunwoo and I got off at the bus stop and headed towards my house, talking about our different music tastes (with Sunwoo constantly bringing up all of The Boyz' songs on my playlist). As we got closer, I noticed that my parents' car was in the driveway.
"My parents are never home this early." I whispered to myself.
He walks me up the door and thanks me for spending time with him.
Before he walked away, I asked, "Do you want to come in? I think my parents are home."
He seemed perplexed. "All of a sudden?"
"Yeah, I remember my dad saying that he doesn't see you that often anymore so maybe you can pop in for a few minutes."
Sunwoo looks down at his very casual clothing. "I'm not sure if I'm really dressed appropriately."
"Pfft, you're clothes are fine." I assured him.
"How come you want me to come in and see your parents?"
I paused before giving my answer. I haven't really thought much on it but the idea made sense. "I just think my parents should know about us. It feels weird keeping them in the dark about this."
"I don't know...I don't want your parents to get involved in case something happens." He said in a worried tone.
"I understand." Even though I was a bit disappointed, I knew there would be consequences if my parents knew. Plus, I'm sure they'll know at some point, it's just that right now isn't the right time.

It's now the weekend and I have to run a few errands with my mom. While we were buying groceries, I got a random call from Areum.
"Hey, Ar-"

"Help!! I need help!!"

"Help? Help from what?"

"No time to explain! Just come over quick!"

Concerned as to what she's up to, I ask my mom if she could drop me off at Areum's apartment.

"Thank, Mom. I'll see you at home later!" I say as I run towards the door. I knock on the door and am presented by a calm Areum. I peek inside to see if there's anything out of the ordinary. "What's wrong? What do you need help with?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing." She replied with a mischievous smile on her face. She opened the door a little more to which I saw Sewoon sitting at her desk, looking down in shame. "I was just bored and wanted to see you guys so I thought I'd do it in a fun way."
"You could've just asked." Sewoon commented, obviously annoyed.
"Relax! At least now I know you actually care about me."

I walked in and sat down at the end of Areum's bed and observed her apartment. I noticed it was rather small for a whole family.
"Do you live alone?" I asked Areum.
"Yeah, kinda just happens when your parents turn out to be jerks." She says very nonchalantly. I ask no further questions.
Areum and I continue to talk for a bit, with Sewoon occasionally butting in to make a snarky comment. We began to get a bit bored so Areum suggested going out to the mall. I agreed and surprisingly, Sewoon did too.
"I need to get more tops." He argued.

Once we got to the mall, we walked around and went inside a few stores. Areum and I didn't get much, unlike Sewoon who already had five bags.
"If you guys had a job, then you wouldn't be complaining."
"Your job was basically handed to you." Areum retaliated.
"That's not my fault."

After an hour or so of walking, we decided to eat something in the mall. We took our seats at a restaurant serving pizza and ordered our food. We took this time to get to know each other on a deeper level. Since it seemed like Areum really wanted to be friend with us, Sewoon and I were willing to share a few things. Sewoon talked about living with his dad and working in his small bookstore. It honestly wasn't too exciting but Areum was surely interested.  I went next and told her my life story. To no surprise, she was in complete awe and disbelief.
"There's no way you actually lived in the US!" "Does that mean you're fluent in English?" "How's life like over there?" "Have you met any big celebrities?" "You need to show me a picture."
I ignored the other questions and took out my phone to reveal a picture of me with my adoptive family.
"Wow, that's really you. Can I get a closer look?"
I handed her the phone and she stared intensely at it, studying every little pixel.
Sewoon leaned towards me and whispered, "Don't you ever get tired of this?"
"No, it's entertaining every time."
My phone suddenly vibrated and knocked Areum out of her trance.
"You got a message from..." Her facial expression quickly changed when she read the name. "Sunwoo? Where have heard that before."
I snatch the phone away from her and check the message.

Sunwoo: Hey, can I ask you a quick question?
Sunwoo: What goes best with a black shirt?
Sunwoo: Nevermind, I think I'll just wear a black hoodie over it :)

I put my phone faced down on the table and try to change the subject.
"It's getting kinda cold in here, no?"
"Wait! I know where I heard that name before."
Sewoon and I exchange worried looks.
"It's that guy you and that mean girl both like, right?"
I shook my head vigorously.
"It's a different 'Sunwoo'."
"Yeah, there's plenty of people with that name." Sewoon backed me up.
She still seemed a bit suspicious but decided to give up.
"I believe you. What are the chances of you actually talking to a kpop star?"
Sewoon and I both sigh of relief.
She took a singular bite of her pizza before adding to her suspicion.
"But didn't you say you had a brother who went to Hanlim?"
"Yeah..."
"So there is actually a chance of you knowing a kpop star!"
"I thought you said you couldn't care less about kpop." Sewoon commented.
"Not usually, but I'm especially curious right now." She had her eyes on me. "Are you friends with a celebrity?"
I looked to Sewoon for any help but he was clearly done with trying to convince stubborn Areum.
"Should I just tell her." I mouthed at him while hiding my lips with my hand.
"Is that really the best idea?" He mouthed back.
"Why not? She knows enough about us already."
"Don't you have to talk to Sunwoo about that?"
I thought about it for a bit.
"Who is she going to tell?"
"We can't trust her!" Sewoon tried his best to express his emotions.
"It's not like she knows who he is."
"Fine, do whatever you want. Don't blame me if this backfires." He spoke out loud.
I turned to Areum who was staring at us like we were both crazy.
"So, you're not completely wrong."
"Ha! I knew it!" She said excitingly. "Which part was I right on?"
"I do know Kim Sunwoo personally."
"So he is your friend! Does that mean you lied to me that day we met about you being a fan and biasing him? Isn't it weird to be a fan of your friend?"
"I said your not completely wrong which means your also not completely right..."
"Oh, what did I get wrong?"
I took a deep breath before revealing the truth.
"I'm actually dating Kim Sunwoo."
She gasped. "No way." She looked at Sewoon for clarification. He slightly nodded.
"How?!"

After explaining everything from start to finish, Areum's eyes had not blinked once; I don't think she was even breathing.
"I really didn't think you'd have this type of reaction, Areum." I said, a bit concerned.
"Me neither." Sewoon added.
"It's just- I never perceived you as being into celebrities. I didn't even think it was possible! My friend is literally dating a celebrity...What does that make me-"
"There she goes rambling again."
"You basically reacted the same way when you found out, Sewoon." I teased him.
"How come you don't have a girlfriend?" She boldly asked Sewoon. He became flustered and unable to form a proper sentence.
"There's your answer."