Heart Strings

Chapter 20

"Hey! It's good to see you again!" WinWin smiled as Geoun buckled her seatbelt and he started to drive.

"You too! So where are we going?" Geoun smiled at her new friend.

"I don't exactly know," WinWin chuckled.

"How about a park? I think it'd be nice to just relax in nature. Peaceful too," Geoun suggested as she turned up the radio.

"A park it is. And I know the perfect one. It overlooks the river and the sunset is gorgeous. Want some takeout to eat there?" WinWin changed lanes.

"Maybe just some rice cakes? I'm not very hungry."

"Ooh that sounds really good. Rice Cakes it is. There's food vendors there so we'll grab some."

About five minutes later, WinWin parked in front of a beautiful park. The floral arrangements were a sea of organized color and it took Geoun's breath away.

"It's so beautiful!" Geoun smiled as she got out of the car.

"It is. It's one of my favorite places in town," WinWin got out of the car as well and led Geoun to the food vendors at the park. "Two orders of rice cake please."

The vendor smiled and handed the food out as WinWin paid. Geoun was busy taking in the park's natural beauty. WinWin handed her the food and her smile grew even bigger.

"Let's go sit on the rocks," WinWin pointed to some rocks that led onto a little 'island' on the river. Geoun followed him and they sat on the rocks enjoying the peaceful lullaby of the flowing water and people passing by.

"So what's been so bad about today?" WinWin spoke after a few minutes.

Geoun had just taken a rice cake in her mouth so she held up a finger and quickly chewed. "Well. Remember the guy who kissed me? And the guy who's been harassing me? They started hanging out together and we think that they are staying together. And then Yugyeom asked to meet with me and apologize but it was super sketchy - Yugyeom's the one who kissed me by the way - anyways, I didn't show so he sent me a weird and somewhat threatening text and now I just don't know what to do. And on top of this, things between me and Chan - the one who let me stay with him - have gotten kinda weird. Our friends all apparently ship us together and my roommates make it a point to tease me about him because I definitely do like him, but like. I don't know. I don't want a relationship right now. But things keep happening that make me want him."

Geoun let out a breath and looked over to WinWin who had wide eyes. She giggled and pushed her hair back. "Sorry, I know that was a lot."

"I see why you needed this break now," WinWin smiled at his friend. "Wow that's a lot. Uh. I'm not exactly sure how to respond to that." WinWin chuckled and took a rice cake in his mouth.

"Eh don't sweat it. Honestly just getting it out felt good. I feel better. And this park has brought my stress and anxiety levels way down," Geoun smiled and closed her eyes as a few rays of sun shone on her face before disappearing behind a cloud.

"So. I don't know what to say about the situation with Yugyeom, was it? But as far as Chan goes, I might be able to tell you a few things. First, let whatever happens with him happen. The more you try to stop it, the harder it will try to happen. You'll save yourself and him a lot of confusion and possible hurt by not fighting it."

Geoun nodded her head. "I just. I really don't want a relationship right now. I need to focus on school."

"The more you push it away, the more it'll occupy your mind. Seems backwards, but think of it this way. The harder you try not to think about something, the more it occupies your mind, right? Same thing with this. But a big part of this also has to do with a question I should have asked first. Does he like you?"

Geoun nibbled on her last rice cake. "I don't know. Everybody thinks so, and sometimes I think maybe he does. But I just don't know. Things will happen and we'll both be red in the face and nervous, but then as soon as they're over, we're back to being really good friends."

"What kind of things?"

"Well like. Last night, we went to the music studio to work on some stuff with his friend, and it was raining. So he unlocked the studio then I ran in, but the floor was slippery so I slid, and he caught me around the waist and stopped me and was basically hugging me to his chest and it felt really good. But I was so flustered that I didn't let it stay that way. It felt so right but I felt weird. I wanted more. But as soon as I left his hold, his friend spoke and it was kinda awkward."

"Not gonna lie, that's pretty cute. But I see now. So there is chemistry between you two, but it's not active flirting. It's little things here and there?"

Geoun nodded her head and ate her last rice cake.

"Ah. I see now. That's how it was with my boyfriend and I before we started dating. When my father died and I took over, I was a young inexperienced businessman and my father's previous assistant helped me learn the ways of the company. There were lots of business dinners that he would accompany me to, and late nights where he'd stay over because there was so much work I had to take it home and he helped me. Obviously there was a lot of awkwardness at first. Then it grew to a friendship, then he started flirting just a little and then we got awkward. But hey we turned out pretty great! 3 years later and we're still going strong!" WinWin smiled.

"Aww WinWin! I'm so happy for you!" Geoun hugged her friend's shoulder. "That does honestly make me feel better about this. Like. Maybe I shouldn't try to avoid it. I should just let it happen," her voice got softer and she pulled her knees to her chest.

"Well I want to hear how it turns out, but I must get going. There's a business dinner at my place and I need to start getting ready for that, I'll take you to the dorms first." WinWin stood up and helped Geoun up.

She checked her phone and an idea popped in her head. They hadn't been out long, maybe an hour. "Hey! Do you think you could actually drop me off at um. Chan's studio? He invited me right before you picked me up."

"Of course, but I'll need the address," WinWin started walking back to his car.

"Uhh. Oh! I got it!" Geoun remembered sending the address to Chungha two days ago and pulled it up as WinWin started the car and drove her to the studio.

Her stomach became full of butterflies when she saw Chan's car still parked outside, a smile stretching across her face.

"Alright I guess this is it," WinWin smiled as he stopped in front of the studio.

"Thank you for today WinWin! I loved everything about it!" She smiled as she got out of the car.

"Anytime, my dear. Take care and get your man!" WinWin chuckled as her face went red and he drove off.

Okay here we go

Geoun raised her hand to the studio door and stepped back once she had knocked.

The door opened to reveal a sad looking Chan who suddenly had the biggest smile on his face when he saw her.

"You came!" Without thinking, Chan hugged the girl in front of him. His body tensed as soon as he realized it.

But Geoun took WinWin's advice and let it happen. Her body's natural instinct was to hug him back which immediately eased the tension in his body.

He stood there hugging her and breathing in the scent of her hair for a few moments before grabbing her hand and bringing her into the studio.

Hmm. Maybe letting it happen with Chan won't be so bad.

———

okay uh AuThorS nOtE ??

um heyyy how y'all doinnn

i know not a lot of people are reading this, but how is it?

should i include some shrecksy scenes with chris? my mind has plenty to choose from