𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚 - 𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐢

5. homesick

‧˚₊⋅ ୨୧ ⋅₊˚‧

homesick by wave to earth 🎧

     Niki did not in fact text you later. Days passed quite quickly and soon the week was coming to an end. You tossed and turned in your bed. It was 2 a.m. for crying out loud. Insomnia has overtaken your nights for quite a while now. Since the school year started to be exact. There was no doubt it was due to homesickness. During these sleepless nights, your heart ached for your parents. For your small town that you once swore you hated.

"my freezing breath, frozen memories"

You slipped out of bed. Maybe a late night snack would ease this feeling. Zipping up a hoodie and tying the laces of your sneakers, you made your way out the door.

"oh where my house has gone, i lost my bearings"

The bright lights of the convenience store pierced your eyes even from a distance. Making your way in, you greeted the elder woman with a soft smile. Usually you craved something sweet, but right now you found yourself reaching for the instant ramyeon and tteokbokki. Convenience store trips added more of that uncomfortable weight to your heart. The feeling of missing home cooked meals pierced your soul as you walked through the ais-

The ring of the door which signaled another late night customer. You continued to search the store continuously until you felt satisfied. But for some reason you didn't. In fact, at that moment, you felt complete and utter unease. As subtly as you could you looked up from your hands occupied with food. There, on the opposite side of the aisle, stood a man. A businessman. A drunk one. And if it weren't for him, you probably would've been on your way. But you weren't. And you also weren't stupid. He found what he wanted a while ago.

Every aisle walked through, he creeped closer. And closer. And closer. Panic filled your body, entering your lungs as you struggled to breath. Keep calm. Keep calm.

Now he was walking towards you.

Keep calm. Keep calm.

His hand reached out.

keepcalmkeepcalmkeepcalmkeepcalmkeepcalm-

"What are you doing?"

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧ ⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧ ⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧ ⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊⋆

"God. I hate my life." Niki contemplated ending it all as he made his way to the convenience store. It seems challenging Heeseung to a game of Mario Kart wasn't one of his brightest idea. Because now not only does the boy have to pick up snacks for his friends, but he also has to pay for them. He entered the convenience store, greeting the elder woman with a smile. He grabbed a basket and walked through the store, phone in hand as he looked through the group chat with all his friend's requests.

Two pink Buldak ramen. As he grabbed the ramen, he finally looked up from his phone. He wasn't alone in the store apparently. Situational awareness was something Niki did indeed lack. His eyes stopped at a small figure wrapped in a black zip-up. What child is up at this time? Aren't their parents worried about them? Wait. That zip-up looks familiar. Y/n?

Niki took a step forward. It was you. But as he took another step, his face that once held a smile, turned to a look of confusion. You looked...scared? His eyes caught the movement of another. Some drunk. He was walking towards you.

He.
Was.
Walking.
Towards.
You.

Confusion turned to anger in an instant. He didn't know how, but in a flash his arm wrapped around your waist as he pulled you to his side protectively. Making sure you were tucked away and out of reach from the man.

"What are you doing?" Niki asked bitterly as he looked at the stranger.

The man looked at the excessively tall boy, bewildered.

You also looked up at him. That one small peek managed to wash away all your fears. That one small peek managed to fill your mind and body with ease. Your once tense figure physically relaxed into his arms. Niki took notice. He looked down at you. His stern look quickly replaced with a smile.

"Where have you been pretty girl, I was waiting for you for so long?"

Your heart skipped a beat.

"M'sorry my love I was busy figuring out which snacks to choose from."

Niki's heart skipped a beat.

He chuckled. "Well did you find what you wanted?" You nodded, looking up at him. "I wanna go home now."

Niki and you watched as the businessman staggered out the store as fast as he could in his drunken state. His snack long gone.

You both silently went to the front and paid. Now you were both standing outside the store. Niki didn't know what to say. He looked up at the moon. You looked up at him, grabbing his sleeve. His gaze shifted back down to you.

"Please take me home."

"Of course."