Chapter 18

The rays of the morning sun filtered in through the curtains and turned out to be very mild in casting themselves around Juwoon's room. He blinked awake, momentarily disoriented, then remembered what happened last night. He gave a groggy sigh and shifted before realizing that Min-ho was missing. Just beside him lay a small note on the pillow.

"Went home. Don't miss me too much, darling~"

Juwoon exhaled sharply, crumpling the paper in his fist. Of course, Min-ho would leave behind something obnoxious. So annoying. Why was he everywhere? It was suffocating. No matter where he went or what he did, Min-ho was always there, seeping into every corner of his life like a stubborn stain. He didn't even like Juwoon- so why did he insist hovering around him?

Juwoon shook off the thoughts and got up, padding toward the kitchen. He opened the fridge: empty. Frowning, he shut the door with a sigh. He hadn't stocked up in weeks. He couldn't live off takeout forever. At least he was already dressed-grey sweatpants, white polo, and grey zip-up hoodie-so he grabbed his bag and headed out. 

Dreary weather overcast with slight rain that thankfully found no wind. Streets were silent. The ordinary morning rush diminished with this ambience. Juwoon hoisted up his hood on his way to the store and immediately picked a few of the essentials. Mostly easy-to-make meals because he usually forgot meals or simply could not be bothered cooking. He paid and began his walk back home, drifting off with his mind on unrelated things. 

BAM! 

Juwoon stumbled slightly back and stared wide-eyed. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see-" His speech trailed off, realizing the person standing before him. It was that girl in his math class, the one who had asked about him when he was absent. 

She slightly tilted her head. "Hey, you're Juwoon, right?" 

He nodded. "Yeah. And you are the girl from math?" 

"That's me," she replied, smiling a little. "What are you doing out here in such weather?" 

"Grocery shopping. You?" 

"Getting coffee," she said, lifting a takeaway cup. "Want to join me?" 

Juwoon hesitated. Not that he was in the mood for small talk, but he had nothing to do at that time." Sure." 

They walked together to a nearby café, where he ordered a black coffee and she ordered her similar drink. Engrossed in watching her stir her drink absentmindedly, he suddenly realized he hadn't asked her name yet. 

"Hey, I didn't catch your name." 

"It's Yeona," she said, looking up at him. "Nice to officially meet you." 

"Cool."

A comfortable silence settled between the two as they sipped their coffee. At last, Yeona spoke again.

"So, Juwoon. How are things between you and Min-ho? I remember him getting really mad at you in math class."

Juwoon almost choked on his coffee, coughing away and setting the cup down. "What?"

Yeona raised an eyebrow. "I mean, there's some gossip about you two going on around school. And I happened to see him post about you guys hanging out."

Juwoon tightened his grip on the mug. He could already picture whatever nonsense Min-ho must be spreading. "Ugh, yeah... that's complicated and annoying."

"Oh?" Yeona's eyes glittered with curiosity. "So, you're not dating each other?"

Juwoon nearly gagged. "Hell no! I hate that guy."

With another sip of her coffee, she said, laughing, "So not what the rumors say."

Juwoon groaned. He raked a hand down his face. "Great. Just what I need."

"Hey, it's at least entertainment," she teased. "Min-ho seems pretty... intense. But I won't go digging."

With a sigh, Juwoon let the subject twirl away, and they spoke of college, assignments, and random things. Surprisingly easy was the conversation; straightforward but not too much in your face was Yeona. She turned out to be far less cold and intimidating than he thought at first.

What was supposed to be a short coffee break ended up taking hours. At one point, they simply decided to go to the amusement park on a whim, where they spent the afternoon riding roller coasters, and playing arcade games. Juwoon really could not remember when was the last time he had fun without the burden of something or someone weighing down on his mind.

It was already past 7 PM by the time they finally parted ways somewhere down the road. As Juwoon wandered home, he felt this peculiar comfort wash over him. Perhaps this day was not that much of a waste after all.

__________________________________________________________________________