New, Awful People Called Friends
Your Words
"Ahjussi! Another round, please!"
Sunggyu couldn't help but smile widely at Mina's reddening face. He still wanted to weasel out the truth about her being Ari, and to his luck, she wasn't completely opposed to drinking.
He also liked that, under the influence, she seemed to frown less. She even smiled a little, and somehow, he took that as a good sign.
"Ayee, chincha, I really can't do another," she said, waving her hands. But he was already pouring her another shot.
"Ani, ani. At least one more."
She scowled, but then picked up the glass. Her eyes shined brightly, and her speech already slurred. "What should we toast to? We've already toasted to your singing, my writing, standing on park benches, Infinite..."
He grinned widely. "How about to love?"
At that, she frowned hard. "Ani," she said seriously. "I don't believe in love." Then, she smiled brightly. "I know! To new, awful people called friends!" Without waiting for him, she downed her drink, tottering dangerously back.
He eyed her over the rim of his glass. She was clearly in a good state to share her secret, but at the same time, he didn't want to let her last comment slide. "Why don't you believe in love?"
She leaned heavily on her hand, letting her eyes close. The alcohol was hitting her hard. "Because it's a dumb illusion! It's security, a sense of belonging, and the fake idea that someone else cares for you like you were the world." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Really, it's just a way for people to convince themselves that it's okay to lean on someone else for help."
He took a moment to admire her articulateness under the influence, but then frowned. "What's wrong with getting help?"
She opened her eyes, staring hard at him. "I don't need anyone's help."
"Everyone needs help sometime--" he started to say, but suddenly she stood up. "Sunggyu. I'm quite tired. Can we go home now?" She began leaning far to her right, and he rose quickly to steady her.
"Woah, okay." He left a good wad of money on the table and then took hold of her arm, guiding her to the door. "Gaja, Mina."
*******
Outside, the streets were empty. Mina pushed away from him, insisting that she could walk on her own, but when she started to stumble, he quickly grabbed her hand.
She looked ready to fight him, but then suddenly she looked up to the sky. "Oh! Sunggyu! You could almost see a star tonight!"
He followed her gaze, eyeing the city's smoggy sky, and didn't have the heart to tell her she was looking at a towerlight.
"Pretty, isn't it?" she said, beaming.
He chuckled, and then eyed her. "Very pretty."
She caught him looking at her, and she frowned hard, speech slurring. "Yah. This night doesn't change anything. I still don't like you."
He grinned widely. "I know." Then, her frown turned into a grin, and she happily pulled him by the hand, leading him down the street.
*******
In a small matter of time, Mina began complaining that she didn't want to hold his hand anymore. Miraculously, though, he convinced her to jump on his back, so he could give her a piggy-back ride back to her apartment. He hardly coaxed an address out of her before she seemed to pass out, leaning her head heavily on his shoulder. He made a mental note not to give her so much alcohol next time.
He chuckled to himself. Here I am, already hoping for a next time.
He climbed a rickety set of stairs, stopping at an old, chipped brown door. The hallway smelled vaguely like fish. "Yah, Mina. I need your keys."
She grumbled incoherently.
He bounced a little, hoping the shaking would wake her. "Yahh. Mina. C'mon."
She sighed, frowning slightly. "No," he could almost make out.
He chuckled, then spotted her purse swinging about her shoulder. He reached, grabbed hold of it, and dug around until he found them, ing them into the lock.
He scanned her small dilapidated studio. The walls were cracked and yellowed with age, and in the mess of clothes, papers, and coffee mugs, he spotted a small low bed at the corner.
He picked his way through the clutter, trying not to step on anything. Finally, he got to the side of her bed, and gently lowered her down. She sighed contentedly, readily scooting into the mess of blankets and pillows, and then mumbled more lost words.
Sunggyu took a moment to straighten out her clothes, pull off her shoes, and tuck the blanket around her. When he finished, he paused, sat at the edge of her bed, and gazed at her.
This crazy girl, he thought, shaking his head affectionately. What am I to do?
He made to turn off the lamp on her nightstand, and then froze. On the desk, there was a mess of notes and books. But amidst all that, there was a single, small picture frame.
He took it, holding it up to the light to see. Mina's rare smile beamed back at him through the picture, one arm wrapped around a tall, thin boy who gazed affectionately at her. Something about the boy in the picture seemed oddly familiar.
Sunggyu frowned. Is this the person that she used to love?
Just then, he felt a warm touch on his hand. He tore his eyes from the picture, and found that Mina had her eyes half-open, bleary with intoxication, and was tugging at his hand.
"Kibum. Don't leave. Come to bed," she whispered.
Sunggyu frowned, turning back to the man in the picture. Kibum. Then, he looked down at her. She seemed so fragile, so different from the hot-tempered person he's come to know. A weird mix of feelings warred in his chest. Then, before he could stop himself, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. At his touch, she lay back, shut her eyes, and fell asleep.
---
What's this?! A complication?? But really, you didn't think this would play out straight like a perfect love story, did you?? Please... I'm like incapable of writing such things XD
Well, that's it for now. I'm going on my trip, and I'll see you all next week!! The story gets... interesting >:) Please look forward to it! Thanks for reading and see you soon, my beautiful readers!! <3
WOOHH I never thought it would ever happen to me, but this story has reached 100 subscribers!! Thanks for the love everybody :) Mina and Sunggyu forever XD
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