𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚜 | Haechan

Chapter Ten: Returning Home

It was finally a break from school. Finally passed all exams. I packed up some of my things in my dorm, since there was no more school I didn't have to stay at the dorm anymore. I stretched my arms. "I can finally go home to see my family." I yawned. I grabbed my suitcase and headed out of the dorm. I immediately saw someone as I walked out, it was WinWin. Standing in the hallway, with a backpack hung around his shoulder. "Oh.. I guess we came back to get our stuff at the same time?" I chuckled. WinWin made a smile. "You're right. It's so weird." We both gestured and started walking together. "Are you heading home?" He looked over at me. "Yeah. It's about a half-hour away. But, I'll be there for a while." I smiled and nodded. "Oh.. me too. I'm not going home but, I'm going to my apartment I mean." WinWin shuffled his feet. For some reason, he was acting a bit strange. "Oh. Do you have an apartment? That's nice.. I should really move out of my parents' house soon." I chuckled to myself. He made a quick smile as we arrived outside. "Too bad summer isn't longer than just a few months. We'd be coming back here soon." "Yeah, I guess I'll see you then?" WinWin made a quick smile and placed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah. I'll text you." I waved to him, as I proceeded to walk to the bus station. I sat on the bench and looked at my phone. "Are you returning home today?" My brother Renjun texted me. "I'll be there soon." I texted back. He never texted me, for some reason he sounded excited. I smiled as the bus arrived. I walked in and got in one of the middle seats. Someone was beside me, it was Mark. I popped up as I saw him. "Mark.. hello!" I made a little wave. "Oh hey, bro.. I just recognized you." He took an earbud out of his ear. "Guess we are going in the same direction?" I shrugged. "Yeah." Mark fixed his glasses. "Oh.. I wanted to ask." A question came to my mind. "Where does WinWin live?" Mark seemed surprised by my question. "Oh... he doesn't live far.. uh." Mark scratched his head. "You mean his apartment?" Mark realized. "Does he have more than one house or something?" I thought. "Um, yes." I nodded. "It's in the city, one of the biggest buildings. The Dong Complex or something like that.." Mark looked down in such a shocked manner. I nodded. I felt as if they were hiding something from me, but it was probably for the better that I didn't know. I got a text from Haechan suddenly: "How have you been? You haven't talked to me since that night." As he texted me, the memories of that night came back to me. "Why did he make me feel that flustered? Why was he acting that way?" I thought. I texted him back: "I'm doing good. I'm heading home. I've just been busy that's all." I made it brief. I just felt so awkward for some reason. "So uh.. I wanna tell ya something." Mark got my attention. "What is it?" I asked. "Can you help me with something?" Mark looked around. "What is it?" We leaned in. "Can you help me get Taeil and ChungHa together? When we get back that is." He shrugged back. "Oh... Sure!" I agreed. "WinWin will help us too. I find they make a good couple and could go together for the Fall Dance." Mark crossed his arms. "That'd be great. I think they match well." I nodded with a smile. "Yes! Just like you and WinWin, right?" Mark made a sly smile. "Oh!" I blushed. "No. It's nothing like that!" I waved my hands. "Of course..." Mark shook his head.
The bus had come to a stop, and I got off. It was in the city. I had one more vehicle to go on until I get to my house that's on the outskirts of town. There was a huge bridge in the city, that crossed the ocean. It seemed so big, so I loved looking up at it from the streets. There were so many people around me. I grabbed hold of my things and made my way to the subway station. I looked around and noticed someone in the crowd. Looking around, back and forth. It was Haechan. I immediately hid my face from him so he couldn't see me. I pushed through people and made my way onto the train. "Why is he here?" I screamed to myself and hid my face in my shirt. I noticed he went on the train too. He was holding onto the handle at the top of the train, looking at his phone, and holding his bag. I turned in the opposite direction of him. "Is he following me?!" I screamed to myself. I then felt a tap on the back of my head. I grabbed hold of it, and turned around. It was Haechan. I hid my face from him. I knew he had a smile, but I was to embarrassed to look at him. "Uh... aren't you happy to see me?" Haechan hung his head in front of mine, trying to get me to uncover my face. "That's not it." I popped my head up. "Why are you here?" I pouted. "Can I not be here?" He said sassily. "I mean.. you can. But, aren't you spending time with your family?" I asked and straightened myself out. I figured he forgot what he said to me the other day. "Well, yes. But, I'm just taking a day trip to spend in the city. I'd figure I'd visit your family while I'm here." Haechan shrugged. "I guess so." I looked down as the train stopped. We both got off together. We were both silent as we made our way to my house. Haechan being there with me felt kind of awkward, but I was smiling because his presence there made me feel safer. I knocked on the door and I walked in to see My mom cooking and Renjun playing a game on his phone. He stood up when he saw me, with a smile. We gave each other a hug. "Nice to see you, bro." I patted him on the back. "Hi, how are you?" My mom came up to me and gave me a hug. They both noticed Haechan. "It's been a while!" My mom gave him a smile and Renjun Gave him a fist bump. I walked into my room, I remember when I was younger having this room. It was light blue and covered in books and art on the walls. I placed my bags on the floor. Haechan walked in. "Your mom said food is done!" Haechan smiled. "I'm coming." I turned around to find Haechan to be oddly close. I flustered as he stood out of the way for me to get by. We walked into the kitchen and sat at the table beside each other. There was a lot of food on the table, Rice, chicken, beef, vegetables, fruit, and noodles. We got our plates and started eating. "Where's dad?" I said with my mouth full of noodles. "He's working at the office again. He'll be back later tonight." My mom said. We all were eating together. I was so happy my family was together again. I have missed them a lot. "Sooo... are you guys dating yet?" My mom asked suddenly. I choked on my food. "Uh.." I started coughing. "Not yet." Haechan said as he took another bite. He didn't seem to be bothered. "Uh... what?" I screamed in my mind then hit him on the shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean?" I was confused about what he said. I crossed my arms. "Oh come on. We know you guys have been close ever since you were little." My mom said. "Well.. that doesn't mean anything." I said softly as I took another bite. Haechan just looked at me and smiled. "Where are you staying, Haechan?" Renjun asked. "Oh.. I'll only be here for a day. But, will it be okay if I stay here tonight?" As he said that my heart about exploded and I choked on my food again and started coughing. My mom started nodding. "I don't have a problem with that." My mom said. All I could do was stare at them. "Are you serious?" I looked at all of them. "You look so surprised. You've known him for so long so what's the problem?" Renjun ate some more food. They all looked at me. Haechan looked at me with a smile, while eating. I didn't know what to say under pressure so I just said. "Sure. Okay." I hid my face. I couldn't look at them, especially Haechan. My heart kept beating and going way too fast. I finished my food, then left the room. Haechan watched me as I did. "What's wrong with her?" My mom said. "I don't know." Haechan chuckled nervously. The thing is, didn't know WHAT was wrong with me. I sat on my bed. "In the past, he's stayed here and I was comfortable then, but why... why am I not comfortable now?" I flustered with myself. I then got a text from Yuna. "Hey, girl!! Did you make it home safe?" I decided just to call her. The phone rang, then she picked it up. "Hey! Wassup?" I could hear her enthusiasm. "Not much. I did end up coming home safe.. but Haechan is staying at my house." I scratched my head. "He's what?!" Yuna screamed. "For real, though. Does he always want to be around you?"
"I don't know. It seems like he's always trying too.." I chuckled nervously. "Well, he could be into you!! But are you okay with that?" By Yuna's question, I felt my heart flutter. "That's definitely not it. Maybe he just wants to hang around me because of our friendship?" I shrugged. "Sure. You can believe that." Yuna teased. "But, really think about it. Think if you're okay with this. If you're okay with him being around you. And if you aren't, figure out why. Okay?" Yuna said forwardly. "Yeah... I'll try," I said. "The thing is I don't KNOW how I feel. I don't know HOW to deal with this." I thought. "Just text me and let me know! Try to figure out your feelings.. anyway! I'm home too and Yuta is meeting my parents so I'll talk to you later." We both hung up. I walked out of my room to see Haechan and Renjun playing video games together. "Ahhhhahahha!!!" Haechan was making goofy noises. All I did was watch them, and smile. "His smile.. it sticks out." I thought. His smile while playing around with Renjun made me happy, even if I didn't want to, that's how it was.