Chapter 4: School Camping Trip

As the week came for the school camping trip. Jihoon was excited. He wondered what they were going to do. When his alarm went off this morning, he was fast out of bed and into the shower. Wrapping his towel around his body, he walked so fast to the closet, almost falling face first on the floor. He puts on casual clothes. Grabbing his black duffle bag, he started packing in clothes. Like shorts, t-shirts, socks, blazers, trousers, sleepwear, phone charger, earphones, spray & rollon, body wash, and shampoo. When he was done packing, he carried it towards the kitchen, where he prepared egg rolls and bibimbap. Done eating, he washed the dishes. Walking to the front door, he grabbed his shoes and duffle bag. Walking out the door, he locked it and started walking to school.

Ariving at school, he saw two busses ready for transportation. The student gadering around the busses trying to get to the spots they wanted. Finally, when almost everyone was inside, Jihoon took the opportunity to take a seat next to the window. When everyone was seated their were suddenly another pair of footsteps approaching where he sat. Looking up, he saw that it was the one only person he hated, Seungmin. "Was their not another spot anywhere but next to him?" Jihoon thought. Looking around their was none. Seungmin took a seat next to him. Jihoon heart was pounding, and Seungmin colon made him feel dizzy. Trying not to show how Seungmin affected him, he puts his hoodie over his head, earphones in his ears and his head against the window. As the drive to the campsite began, Jihoon began to fall asleep. Seungmin hesitated before he stretched out his hand towards Jihoon's head, pushing his head onto his shoulder. The drive was long. Seungmin didn't even notice when he fell asleep, but his head was placed on Jihoon head.

The rest of the bus ride passed in a blur. When the the finally arrived, Jihoon woke up groggy and disoriented. The first thing he noticed was the awkward angle, his head still leaning against Seungmin shoulder. He quickly sat up, his heart beating fast. Seungmin seems to stir, blinking sleeply as he stretches.

"Wake up, Jihoon, we are here." Seungmin said, his voice calm as the ocean. As though the previous awareness never happened.

Jihoon didn't reply. He jumped on the feet, grabbing the duffle bag rushing off the buss eager two to put some space between them, and his rapid heartbeat. Stepping on the grass, taking in a breath, trying to shake off the feeling that has settled on his chest.

The campsite was buzzing with excitement of the students. The scattered eagerly claiming spots were that they would place their tents.

His classmates were getting involved in the setup. Some help to pitch tents, other unpacking supplies, and a few just hanging around. Jihoon was not interested in any of what they were doing. He enjoyed the quiet and solitude away from the noise. As his eyes scan for a peaceful spot where he could gather his thoughts when...

"Hey Jihoon!"

Jihoon froze at the sound of that voice. He knew that voice. It was Seungmin. He turned around, slowly trying to hide his discomfort.

"Are you setting up your tent? Seungmin asked with a casual smile, almost carefree.

Trying to hide his inner turmoil, Jihoon nodded stiffly. "Yeah, I guess so." He glanced over the pile of tents on the ground. Seungmin seems to notice his hesitation. "Need help?" he asked, not waiting for an answer stepping closer. Jihoon wants to refuse, but something in his voice makes him pause. It was the first time Seungmin seemed sincere. Like he wanted to help.

"...Sure," Jihoon muttered.

Together, they set up the tent. Th whole situation felt so unreal. The tension from earlier is still lingering. But the work side by side. Something felt strange. It wasn't uncomfortable.

Seungmin noticed Jihoon silence struggle and spoke up. "You're not going to bite my head off today, are you?" he asked teasingly, his voice light.

Jihoon's hand froze in mid-motion. He shot Seungmin a quick glare, but it lacked the usual intensity. "I wasn't planning on it." Jihoon replied his tone sharper than it was meant to be.

Seungmin chuckled. "Just make sure." You got a funny way to look at me sometime." Jihoon turned his head back to the tent, his face burning slightly. He didn't want to admit that Seungmin was right. Jihoon stepped back as the tent was finished, felling stratified. Seungmin, however, eying him curiously.

"So, what's with the attitude. I know we don't get along, but I can't figure out why you hate me so much, " said Seungmin.

Jihoon was caught off guard by the directness of Seungmin question. He was going to brush the question of but something about Seungmin curiosity made him pause.

"I don't know. You just...annoy me. You never leave me alone, and everything you do feels like you do it to mess with me." Jihoo replied slowly. The words coming out before ge thinks too much.

Seungmin raised an eyebrow, clearly not offended. "That it? Because I mess with you?"

Jihoon nodded, his head felling a little stupid foe admitting the truth. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Maybe I do because I find you interesting. You are always so serious, so... stuck up, but beneath that their is something worth getting to know." Seungmin said, leaning against the tent, folding his arm against his chest.

He didn't know how to reply to that. Seungmin wanted to get to know him.

"You think I'm stuck up?" Jihoon voice goes softer than he intended.

"Not stuck up exactly, but you act like you're better than anyone else. I mean, I get it. You got your thing going on, and maybe you don't twant anything to do with people like me, but you are not so different, Jihoon. Seungming replied, shrugging, unfazed. Jioon was stunned at Seungmin's blunt honesty. The silence between them grew, but I was not awarded. For the first time, he saw Seungmin more as just the guy who made his heart race.

"I don't know what you want from me," Jihoon muttered honestly, his gaze shifting down to the ground.

"I don't want anything from you. I just think you're a little more interesting than you let on." Seungmin said with a mischievous smile clapping him on the shoulder.

Seungmin walked away just like that, making Jihoon wonder what the actual hell just happened between them.

...

"You are weird," said Seungmin

"Define weird," said Jihoon, giving him a sidelong glance.

"Annoying. I'm just messing with you all the time. But...maybe I do it because it's the only way I get a reaction from you. You are always so composed, and I guess I'm curious what beneath the calm exterior. Seungmin is thinking outloud his tone lighter.

Rubbing his neck, Jihoon exhaled and said, " i don't what underneath. I guess... I just don't like letting people in." It was strange how easily Seungmin could get him to think about things he had never considered before.

"Why not?" replied Seungmin, glancing at him with an unreadable expression.

Because people don't really care. They just want what they want. I don't cate about you, just your time and attention. a

said Jihoon, feeling a pang that he couldn't quite place.

Their is a long pause. Jihoon wasn't sure why he said that. Maybe it's the peacefuless of the night or the warmth of the fire, but for some reason, he felt like he could admit something he buried long ago.

Seungmin was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh and said, "I get that. But maybe you're not giving people enough credit. I think sometimes they don't know how to approach you. You're not the easiest person to read."

"I'm not trying to be difficult." said Seungmin, blinking at him.

"I know you're not. But sometimes people want to get close to you but they don't know how. It's easier to make jokes and mess around than actually face something real." said Seungmin, smiling slightly, his eyes reflecting the firelight.

For a moment, Jihoon didn't know what to say. He wasn't used to people speaking openly about him, and surely he didn't think Seungmin would do it of all the people. Maybe people didn't know how to break down the walls he built.

Before Jihoon could respond, Seungmin stood up, stretching his arms above his head.

"I will let you have your space. But if ever need someone to mess with you know we're to find me," Seungmin said with a grin.

As Seungmin walked towards the campire disappearing among the group. For a moment, Jihoon sat in silence, absorbing everything that just happened. Seungmin was seemingly different. Less teasing and strangely understanding. It wasn't much, but maybe their could be something between them.

...

The next morning, on a hike.

"You know I had to think about what you said the other night. About people just wanting your attention." Seungmin said after a long pause, breaking the silence between them. "I didn't mean it like that. It's just... easier to keep people at a distance. said Jihoon slightly offensive. Seungmin didn't respond right away. He seemed to be considering and said his voice soft, "I get it, but sometimes it's okay to let people in Jihoon. I don't mean that they just want something from you. Maybe... they just want to be there. Not just for your time and attention but because they like being around you."

Jihoon felt his chest tighten. He wasn't used to this kind of conversation, especially with Seungmin. " I'm not good with that. Letting people in. Jihoon admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Seungmin just nodded slowly and said, " I know. But that doesn't mean you can't try. People aren't perfect, and neither are you, and that's okay.

Jihoon glaze flickered briefly towards Seungmin, though he quickly turned his attention back to the fire. It was something different about Seungmin words that made his heart beat a little faster. With Seungmin, there was no judgement, just understanding.

"I'm not sure how to do that," Jihoon muttered almost to himself, but Seungmin heard it. "You don't have to know how to do it all at once. Just... take it one step at a time. Maybe start letting people like me sit next to you without thinking it's some kind of an attack on your space. Seungmin said, his voice reassuring and steady.

"I'm not sure I can promise that," Jihoon said, chuckling softly the sound unfamiliar after days of tension.

"Well, one step at a time, right?" Seungmin said, grinning nudging Jihoon playfully with his shoulder.

Seungmin was trying to figure out the best way to talk to Jihoon without being too pushy. After a few minutes, a walking, he finally broke the silence.

"You know, you are starting to loosen up." said Seungmin, glancing sideways at Jihoon.

"What do you mean?" Jihoon asked, shooting him a questioning look.

"Well, you are not avoiding me as much anymore, and you actually smiled when I said something stupid earlier. That's progress. Seungmin pointed out his voice teasing but not unkind.

Jihoon paused for a moment, unsure how to respond. Was he really loosening up? Had he been avoiding Seungmin. "I guess I'm not... used to people talking to me like this. You know, without all the sarcasm." he muttered, feeling a trace of self-consciousness.

"I get it. It's easier to keep things light, right? But that doesn't mean we can't have real conversation, Jihoon., said Seungmin smiling as his expression softens.

Jihoon wasn't good with having "real" conversation, so he was not sure how to reply to that. He spends so much time building walls around himself that letting them down, even just a little, felt strange. But somehow, being with Seungmin, his walls begin to slow come down.

The instructor gave everyone a break to rest and drink some water. Jihoon, sit down on a large rock, grateful for a chance to catch his breath. Seungmin, always full of energy, stood nearby, scanning the area with a mischievous look in his eyes.

"You know, you are more interesting than I thought." Seungmin began looking directly at Jihoon.

Jihoon raised an eyebrow, feeling a familiar sense of discomfort in his chest. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked unsuretend.

I mean, you are not just some quiet guy who shuts everyone out. You have a sense of humour. It's subtle, but it's there." said Seungmin, chuckling and walking over sitting beside him on the rock.

"Subtle? I don't think I'm funny." said Jihoon, blinking, surprised by the observation. He didn't know whether to be flattered or uncomfortable.

"You are just not in the usual way. You don't laugh out loud, but you make little comments, these sarcastic remarks, and they get to me. It's like.... a dry kind of humour. I think it's funny. "said Seungmin, insisting. Jihoon wasn't sure if he was being teased or genuinely complimented. He had never thought of himself as funny. But the more he thought about it, the more he realised that. As the edges of a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

...

As the buss drove the home the next day, Jihoon wondered if thing would change from now one or if it would stay them same as it was before. Was he even ready for something more?