The spring wind greeted me as I adjusted my light pink cardigan over my shoulders. Decked in a white tee and a comfortable pair of light denim shorts, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the hall. With a clipboard on my hand, I surely looked professional and composed and whatever – what you didn’t know was the tiny beads of cold sweat running down my back. How could I not? I would be spending three days and two nights with two people I least wanted to be spending my time with: Jongin and Krystal.

“Oh, she’s here!” Joonmyeon’s statement made all the heads turned to my direction.

Ugh, Joonmyeon!

“W-well, I hope you had a good night sleep yesterday because we’ll be on a five-hour ride. We’ll stop for three toilet breaks in total so manage your bladder well.” I said matter-of-factly.

Some of the students snickered while a few others remained unbothered.

“Okay, I’ll take your attendance now and once your name is called, you may board the bus.” I ordered.

One by one, I started calling their names out. Some looked genuinely excited, but most of them looked a little pissed. Well, Mister, if I had a choice, I’d stay in bed too. But I chose to ignore those kids.

Once attendance taking was done, me and Joonmyeon informed our teachers-in-charge and went to board the bus. I didn’t realise I was responsible for so many students until I saw how full the bus was. Not to my surprise, Jongin sat with Krystal somewhere near the back. I could only sigh at the sight. I didn’t want to look pathetic so I was thinking of sitting together with Joonmyeon but he was already sitting with his good friend, Minseok, captain of our football team. Great.

Joohyun. Where is she? I hope she hasn’t had somebody sitting with her.

I spotted the crown of her head and I was about to jump in glee but Ms. Song beat me to it. Ugh!

I scanned the entire bus for an empty seat and I spotted Sehun looking so intently at me. I tried to find another empty seat but the one next to Sehun was my best option. I gulped and tightened my bag straps before heading for the hottest seat on board.

“Err, d-do you mind if I sit here? Every-” I didn’t get to finish my sentence when Sehun stood up.

Oh wow, he surely is tall.

I had to look up just to see what this guy was about to do. He adjusted his cap and went to take my bag.

“W-what are you doing?” I asked, a little alarmed.

He ignored my question and went to hoist my bag up to put it in the cabin above our heads.

“Oh.” That was all I could say before Sehun motioned me to sit first.

I did as he told and he followed, sitting nearer to the aisle.

Oh great. This would be the most awkward bus ride I’ve ever had, I thought to myself. I tried to fish out my phone from my pocket, hoping that my earphone would be in one of my pockets too.

I was so busy with finding my earphones that I didn’t notice what Sehun was doing. I wasn’t about to give up on my search but Sehun suddenly put one of his earphone in front of my nose.

“Here.” He said coolly.

“A-ah, it’s okay.” The idea of us sharing earphones would be the last thing I would want to do right now. I didn’t want to make this ride more awkward than it already was.

“We have five hours to kill.” He said with eyes looking straight into mine.

I didn’t even get to say on the matter because Sehun was already placing his earphone on my left ear while he had one on his right ear. I was a little stunned because I had only seen this kind of thing in drama. Rather than feeling all fluttery and giddy, us sharing earphone brought the whole awkwardness into another whole new level. He didn’t place it quite right but I didn’t dare to adjust it. And I felt like moving my body a little to the side to lean on the window but I was scared that I would pull his side of earphone off. Oh, goodness. What am I supposed to do now?

My body was completely stiff until I heard a familiar tune coming off the earphone.

“You listen to Sam Smith, too?” I asked, excitement written all over my face.

“Yeah. He sings pretty well.” Sehun answered, tilting his head a little so that he could see me better.

“I know right! His voice is so heavenly. You’re like the first guy I’ve ever met who listens to his songs. I’m so happy.” I squealed.

I guess, this ride wouldn’t be as awkward as I thought it would be, I thought to myself and flashed him a grateful smile.

To my obliviousness, Sehun chuckled and shook his head a little; a faint smile plastered on his handsome face.

Uh oh, is Sehun falling for Haneul, too?