ephemeral | lee heeseung

★ | #43 | jealousy

★ | #43 | jealousy
"i'm not being mean, i'm just telling the truth."

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ nicole's radio station
is now playing...

there she goes • the la's
"and i just can't contain this feelin' that remains."

____________________

WITH fingers intertwined and a lighthearted conversation sounding out between them, the boy paused mid sentence as he leaned forward, adjusting their locked hands slightly as he tugged her closer.

Using his freehand, his fingers wrapped around the door handle to a local diner, pulling it open as he stepped aside. “After you.” Heeseung let out with a smile, bowing his head playfully.

His hand dropped hers, instead resting on her lower back as he guided her into the diner with care — to which she huffed out a small laugh and hummed in content.

“Woah, such a gentleman.” Haewon teased, nose scrunching up slightly as she tilted her head off to the side, stepping into the diner — the cool air from the AC a contrast to the warmth outside.

“Thank you, thank you. I try my best.” The boy breathed out with a sheepish grin, his hand finding hers yet again. “Where do you wanna sit?”

Haewon paused, lips tucked into a thin line as her eyes wandered around momentarily. Spotting a vacant booth in the corner, beside a window — she smiled and tugged him along with her.

“Here.” The girl stated, as he nodded and hummed softly in return, helping her into the booth before taking his seat on the leather cushioned seat across from her.

“You have fine taste in seating arrangement, I will say.” Heeseung chuckled, reaching up to push his hair out of his eyes as she smiled cheekily.

“Do I? Wow, that's an honor.” She huffed out jokingly, shifting in her seat slightly as she leaned over the table, eyes falling along the small menu sheets placed in front of them.

“I'm paying, by the way. So order whatever you want, I don't mind.” Heeseung said, as she lifted her head to connect her gaze with his.

“That's alright, let me pay for my own meal. We can split.” Haewon muttered, shrugging her shoulders. “After all, I actually have money to spend now that I have a job.”

“Don't blow your first few paychecks right away. Let me treat you this time, yeah? Save that up for something else. Like the manhwa you love so much.” He reasoned, waving off her words.

“Are you sure? I can afford it just fine, and still have plenty of money left over to spend if I want to.” The girl pointed out, pressing her lips into a thin line.

“Positive. I asked you out tonight, so let me be the one who treats you. I'm more than happy to do so.”

Haewon nodded reluctantly in return, lips pressed together in a thin line as she narrowed her eyes slightly. “Hm, okay then. Thank you.” The girl spoke, giving him a grateful smile, to which he returned.

“I've got the bill next time we go out, though. So we're even.” The girl claimed, as he scoffed and shook his head.

“Yeah, sure, we'll see.” He replied, rolling his eyes playfully as she snickered and peered down at the menu, pondering what to order for dinner.

“You know,” Haewon began, eyes fixated on the menu. “You're being really nice so suddenly. You sure you don't wanna tell me something?”

“You're too paranoid for your own good. I just wanted to treat you today.” Heeseung clicked his tongue, dismissing her suspicions as she forced her lips into a small pout.

“I don't know. It's just suspicious to me. Can't wipe the feeling that something is up, but if you say nothing is wrong, I'll believe you.” The girl nodded, sitting up right in her seat as she pushed the menu away, having found what she wanted to order.

“I will be mad if I find out you are hiding something from me, though.” She quickly added on, shrugging.

The boy breathed out a small laugh, a hum sounding from the back of his throat as he bit down on his bottom lip. “Okay, okay. Just have some trust in me.”

The girl smiled, shaking her head slightly. The two placed their orders, waiting patiently for their food to be cooked and served. In the meantime, they were started off with the soda they had gotten for themselves to pair with the meal.

Haewon stuck a red straw into the glass cup, lifting it carefully towards her as she sipped at the soda, as the boy began to speak.

“After this, would you rather stop somewhere to get ice cream first, or wait a little to digest after dinner?” Heeseung asked, trying to map out plans in his mind.

“Mm, depends on how full I get after this.” The girl shrugged, as he chuckled and nodded in understanding.

“Okay, fair enough. We'll just wing it then. Whatever you wanna do.” He smiled, crumpling up the paper straw wrapper in his hand, smiling to himself.

“You know what I just realized?” Haewon raised a brow, setting her drink down on the table before she leaned against it.

Heeseung tilted his head off to the side, shaking it slightly as he hummed — letting her know to continue.

“I didn't tell my mom I'd be with you tonight. She might be expecting me home by now.” The girl pointed out, as he raised his brows.

“Oh, wait, I kinda forgot about that.” Heeseung let out sheepishly, bringing his hand up to scratch the back of his neck.

His head turned off to the side, peering out the window. “There's a payphone. I can call your home phone and let her know if you'd like me to.”