CHAPTER TWO. Best Friends and Shopping

 

--

 

“Jiyeon, look to your right!” Hara yelled as she forced Jiyeon to face her right. And much to her surprise, she saw the most devastating scene of her life.

Her boyfriend, in a major lip lock with someone she never imagine could betray her: Krystal.

“I think I need to see an orthopedic.”

“No, damn it,” Hara said as she started pushing her to the direction of her traitor bestfriend and boyfriend. “Don’t be so stupid.”

She can’t believe her eyes. Krystal Jung, her friend for five years, is kissing her boyfriend.

The two seemed to be too busy with their illegal scene – they’re inside the school premises, for Pete’s sake! – that they didn’t notice them coming.

When they’re just few inches away, she grabbed Krystal’s hair. Hard.

“,” she murmured to her ear before slapping the hell out of her. Both Krystal and Myungsoo gasped.

Krystal gasped because of too much pain. Myungsoo gasped because of too much surprise.

“How dare you!” Jiyeon snapped, and she’s now hitting Krystal’s face. “Damn you and your pretty face! What did I do to deserve being betrayed by you!” she shouted in between hits. Krystal couldn’t do anything but cry. Myungsoo can’t stop Jiyeon’s outburst because Hara was holding him.

“I’ve never really loved you, Jiyeon!” Myungsoo shouted. That stopped Jiyeon from hitting Krystal. The poor girl now slumped on the ground. “I just dated you because you are Krystal’s bestfriend! You’re the only way so I could get close to Krystal!” Krystal isn’t close to any guy in school because she’s shy and the only people she really talks to are Jiyeon and Hara. And then she started talking to Myungsoo when Jiyeon started dating him.

Gah, too much for being shy.

“I can’t pretend to be in love with you anymore,” Myungsoo continued. “It has always been Krystal. When you asked me to date you, I said yes, because I can’t hurt you because you’re Krystal’s friend. All I did for our relationship, it’s all for Krystal.” He looked at her. Jiyeon noted that Myungsoo had never looked at her the way he looks at Krystal now.

Jiyeon turned her back on Myungsoo and faced Krystal. “You can still date him after all this? He used me, Krystal!”

“I know… for me…,” she murmured. “You’ve been a great friend, Jiyeon… but I love Myungsoo…”

“What?!” Jiyeon and Hara chorused. The two were skeptical.

“I’m sor—“ Instead of Krystal’s apology, what they heard was the sound of a hard hit. She looked at Krystal and Hara. Krystal’s face almost kissed the ground because of Hara’s slap.

She can’t believe this is all happening. Myungsoo was her perfect guy. And Krystal… she was Jiyeon and Hara’s fragile friend. No matter how mean they could be to others, they’d always been nice to her. They protected and stood for her. And now… she has the audacity to steal her boyfriend.

Or was Myungsoo really Jiyeon’s?

The thought that maybe she was the one who stole Myungsoo from Krystal wretched her insides.

“Aaaahhhhh!!!”

Jaebum woke up from Jiyeon’s voice. He’s about to hit the annoying girl when he saw her eyes still shut, but tears were flowing from them.

Wow, despite her tough façade, she’s still a girl who cries.

Jiyeon looked so fragile with tears. Jaebum can’t imagine this was the girl he’d been bickering with for the last few hours. He shook his head and let Jiyeon sleep some more.

See, I could be nice too. Even though you woke me up, I still let you sleep.

He checked his phone for the time and was shocked to see it’s already 12:25 PM. Aside from the shocking time, he also saw 35 missed calls and 127 messages. When he looked at those, 30 of the missed calls were from Jinyoung, the five from his Mom. The messages, thankfully, was from different people, greeting him a happy birthday.

After replying “Thank you” to the messages, he decided to wake Jiyeon up.

“I’m hungry,” she said as soon as she woke up.

Jaebum thought deeply of a proper reply for a girl who just cried in her sleep but he can’t think of anything. Instead, he handed her a tissue box. “Tears.”

“What?” Jiyeon felt her face and realized it was wet. Her face turned pink because of embarrassment. “I yawned; of course, tears would come out.”

“Yeah, right.”

Jaebum was about to turn the third corner when Jiyeon spoke.

“Where are we eating?”

“I don’t know. Do you have any suggestion?”

“Wow, you’re asking for my suggestion. Sleep really could do things, huh,” Jiyeon commented. Jaebum rolled his eyes. “I’ve never been her yet, I think.”

“What if I lose you here, what do you say?”

“You’re so evil.” Jaebum smirked at her. “Uhm, can I ask you a favor?”

“As long as you won’t ask for Jaeyoung, then go.”

This time, it was Jiyeon’s turn to roll her eyes. “Let’s go to a mall, please. Let’s eat there. And shop.”

“Did you say shop?” Jaebum frowned.

“Oh, right. Guys and shopping aren’t complementing. Maybe we should just eat.”

Jaebum chuckled. “No, I’m actually fine with shopping.” Having Jinyoung as a bestfriend felt like having a female bestfriend.

“Really?” Jiyeon’s face lit up.

“Depends on how you’re attitude will be,” Jaebum teased.

“Eesh.” Then they were quiet.

When they arrived at a mall, it was Jaebum who will decide on where they would eat. And being the gentleman that he is, sarcasm included, he forced Jiyeon to pay for their meal.

“I can’t,” she said.

“Then don’t eat.”

“It’s not like that, okay?” Jiyeon’s voice was an octave higher. “I’m not poor. I can buy this whole mall if I wanted to. But…”

“But… you’re poor?”

“Gosh, I said I’m not!” she pulled her card from her wallet. Jaebum should be surprised, but he wasn’t. He’s used to seeing a premium card; he has one for himself. “Since you are too stupid to get it, I’ll explain.”

“You’re too rich to afford a car; don’t ride with me already.”

“Shall I explain or what?”

Jaebum chortled. “I’m just kidding. Come on.”

“Well, I also ran away from home,” she started. Jaebum laughed because that was what he exactly told her. “But they don’t know I did. And I can’t have Dad track me; he’ll force me to go home.”

“They’re just concerned for you welfare.”

“I don’t need your reasonable self now.” Jaebum laughed, but told her to go on with her story. “That’s it. Dad can use my card to track my whereabouts. I want to be away from home as long as possible.” I want to run away from the people who hurt me.

“He can still track your phone.”

Jiyeon smirked. “I told you, I’m not as stupid as you. Of course I left my phone at home.”

“What? Seriously?”

“Yep.” Jiyeon slumped lazily on her chair like it was some kind of a lounge chair. “I can live without my phone. My bestfriend is just a few walks away. I can practically jump out of my balcony and land on her room.”

Jaebum can’t believe Jiyeon. Are there still people on earth who can survive without a phone? Unlike the old times, mobile phones are necessities now and not luxury.

“Okay. I’ll present a deal.”

“I don’t trust your suggestions.”

“You agreed on going to Seoul, and that is my suggestion.”

“Let’s see how feasible your deal is.”

Jiyeon smiled. “Let me use your card, and once we’re back in Busan, I’ll pay you.”

“Huh. No.”

“Yah! You did not even consider!”

“I did, and I’m saying ‘no’.”

“Listen. Starting today, at this hour, in exchange of your good heart—“

“Stop your sarcasm,” Jaebum interrupted. Jiyeon ignored him.

“—I’ll pay for our meals. Please note the pronoun I used.”

“Tempting.”

“Just don’t threaten to push me out of your car. Ever.”

Jaebum laughed. “You really think I’d do that?”

“Yes, because you’re evil.”

“You keep on calling me evil.”

“Because you are.”

“Excuse me?” Jaebum raised his eyebrow. Gosh, why does he look hot doing that?

“So, our deal.” She offered him her card. “I’ll give this to you so in case I ran away with your card – which I can’t do, by the way, because I need your signature on every transaction – you can track me.”

“Can’t I just keep them both? Besides, you can’t use them without me.”

“No. How can I blackmail you if you keep both cards?”

“What if you lose it?”

“Then kill me.”

“Wow, really?” Jiyeon rolled her eyes. Jaebum seemed to be so happy and willing to kill her.

“Yes. Give me your card.” And he did.

After eating, they proceeded to shopping, as Jiyeon requested. Jaebum half-expected Jiyeon to be buying expensive things since she can afford, but he’s wrong. When they roamed inside looking for clothes, Jiyeon walked away from the branded shops. She’s looking at every tag price and can’t even bring herself to spend $50 on a pair of jeans.

“I’m thrifty on everything, just not on food,” Jiyeon answered when Jaebum asked her why is she not buying stuff on high end boutiques.

They spent the rest of the day roaming inside the mall. Jiyeon even forced him to try clothes, but he doesn’t buy cheap clothes so Jiyeon was forced to enter the boutiques she’d been skipping all afternoon.

After eating dinner on the mall (Jiyeon’s treat, as promised), they decided to spend the night in a hotel. They needed rest, because tomorrow would be the start of the trip of their life.

 

---

 

Having enough sleep, Jiyeon woke up with a bright vibe.

She was more than thankful to have met the grumpy Jaebum. Even though they always bicker, Jaebum still hasn’t left her. Or kicked her out. Maybe it was her blackmail (Jaebum’s card), or maybe Jaebum still has a soft spot.

Since her bad dream yesterday afternoon, Jiyeon decided to forget all the ty things that happened. She ran away from Busan to forget all the bulls, and she should enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Plus she has a really gorgeous driver, so she really should enjoy.

After preparing, she packed all her stuff on her backpack. She silently thanked herself for agreeing with Jaebum when he insisted she should buy a bag. In an hour, she’s done with herself and is ready to meet Jaebum on the adjacent room. But before she went out, she checked herself on the full length mirror.

Black bandeau. White loose tank top. White shorts. And red flats.

I really like this pair of red shoes.

Satisfied, she went out and knocked non-stop on Jaebum’s door.

Damn it! She’s so annoying! Jaebum thought as he walked to open the door. One day is enough to know Jiyeon won’t stop knocking unless he lets her in.

After opening the door, they both stopped for a moment.

Jiyeon stared at Jaebum’s bare top. Water’s still dripping from his black hair that covers his forehead and almost touches his nose, and on his entire body. He obviously just got out of the bathroom. Only his lower torso was covered, and damn, boy was he hot!

Jaebum stared at Jiyeon’s long legs. Jiyeon is shorter than him, but wearing shorts made her legs look longer. And when he saw her shoes, he smirked inside. Jiyeon is really a head turner, but wearing red shoes like that, she would make everyone stop on their tracks and stare.

“So? Have you memorized my legs already? Can I get in now?” Jiyeon teased.

“As if you’re not staring at my abs,” Jaebum retorted.

Jiyeon feign shock. She covered to complete her pretense. “Oh? What abs? I can’t see; all I see is your tummy,” Jiyeon jokingly slapped Jaebum’s abs, and she had to walk faster away from him before she touch his abs again.

“Cheeky ,” Jaebum commented before closing the door. Jiyeon has already turned the TV on before he walked back to the bath room to wear his clothes.

When Jaebum went back on the room, he was already wearing clothes.

Wow, he looks good with his white body fit tank top, white pants and white shoes. He looks good in white, damn. And hot.

Okay, stop your thoughts, a part of Jiyeon interrupted. She shook her head to push away the thoughts.

“I don’t want to eat here. Hotel foods are not my thing,” Jiyeon told Jaebum before she could praise his built out loud.

“You decide; anyway, it’s your treat.” Jaebum grinned. Jiyeon rolled her eyes.

They decided to eat at a nearby café. New café for Jiyeon’s eyes. New café, same order. Jaebum actually laughed at her when he saw her frappe. They did not stay long since they need to start driving, but they stayed long enough for Jaebum to gain a little less than 10 fans.

“Wow, that was a good ego boost,” Jiyeon comments as they walk back to Jaeyoung. Jaebum just grinned at her.

For more than an hour, they were both quiet inside the car. Jaebum was focused on driving, and Jiyeon was busy admiring the view. I should travel more.

As noon was nearing, the sun was getting brighter for Jaebum’s eyes to handle. He slowed down a bit and checked his side for his snapback. Grabbing one, he pushed his hair away from his face and wore it.

Jiyeon watched as Jaebum wears the snapback. And she can’t help but admire his forehead. Now, that’s my favorite thing on his face.

The silence the two were sharing was broken by a ringing phone.

“Of course that’s yours,” Jiyeon said when Jaebum won’t budge.

“Unless you want to die, I can’t answer the phone.”

“Argh. It’s noisy, you know.” The phone kept on ringing. “Don’t you have a ringtone or something? So when your phone rings, it’s not annoying.”

“You’re louder than the ringing,” Jaebum retorted. He, too, was getting annoyed on the ringing phone. “Do me something.”

“Say please.”

“Then be annoyed by the ringing.”

Jiyeon stomped her feet. “Fine! What?”

“Check the caller ID.” Jiyeon did, and it was Jinyoung.

“Who’s Jinyoung?”

“Why do you care?”

“I’ll answer this if you don’t tell.”

Jaebum thought about it. Hm, if Jiyeon would talk with Jinyoung, I guess we could reach Seoul and they’re still not done. “That’s a great suggestion. Go, answer it.” Jiyeon frowned but did as told.

“Jaebum-ah!” Jinyoung’s voice roared inside the car. But before he could speak, Jiyeon hushed him.

“Jinyoung-ah~” Jiyeon said with her sweetest voice. Thank god Jaebum did not speak; she just wants to play with this Jinyoung whom she’s betting is his bestfriend.

“Who’s this?” Suddenly, his voice became stiff.

“You should know. You’re the one who called.”

“I called Jaebum’s phone and not somebody else’s. If you’re a thief, then just cut this call. If you’re someone who found this lost phone, kindly return it.”

“I’m his girlfriend,” Jiyeon teased.

Jinyoung laughed on the other line, then he stopped abruptly. “Im Jaebum, I’ll fire your entire room if you don’t speak now. It’s enough that you ran away from all of us; quit playing, will you!”

“Yah,” was the only thing Jaebum could utter. Then the laugh he’d been holding back poured out.

“Stop playing, will you!”

“I’m not. You think that was me?”

That made Jinyoung think. “So you’re really with a girl?!” Jaebum can imagine him freaking out. He nodded at Jiyeon who was also stifling a laugh.

“Jinyoung-ah, annyeong,” she greeted.

“Don’t ‘annyeong’ me. Who are you?”

“Someone who’s not as nagger as you. Shizus, Jinyoung. You’re such a girl. Are you gay?”

“What!”

“Jaebum ran away to be with me. Bear the painful truth: he chose me over you.”

“That’s it,” Jinyoung said before he hung up.

“What the hell!” Jaebum said but he was laughing.

“Is he really easy to tease? How can he manage to be with you when he can’t handle me?”

“Believe it or not, I’m nice.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I knew you won’t, but that doesn’t erase the fact that I really am nice. Some people can just effortlessly pull my string of patience; thus, I snap.”

“Okay, point taken.” Jiyeon laugh. “Shall I call him back or what?”

“Call him back. He’d annoy the hell out of me if you won’t.” And so she did. Jiyeon called him back.

“If this wasn’t Jaebum then I’m hanging up.”

“Jinyoung,” Jaebum spoke.

“Are you gonna tell me where are you right now?”

“Do you think I’ll believe you don’t know?”

“I really do not know!” Jinyoung replied immediately. “Mark threatened the hell out of me. So even if I’m getting more worried by the day, I won’t check your location. I promised Mark.” Jaebum just nodded. He knows how worried Jinyoung could get, but he also knows how he’s not a liar.

“Girl,” Jiyeon whispered.

“Who are you with?” Jinyoung asked. Jaebum hit Jiyeon’s arm for being noisy.

“Yah!” she shrieked.

“I’m with a beggar needing a ride,” Jaebum answered.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Video call,” Jaebum said then ended the call. “Do it,” he ordered Jiyeon.

“No,” she answered.

“Jiyeon.”

“Is he good-looking too?”

“What do you think?”

Not as good as you. “I’m the one who asked.”

“Don’t be discriminating. Talk to him whether he’s good-looking or not.” Jiyeon rolled her eyes and did as she was ordered.

When Jinyoung’s face appeared on the screen, Jiyeon spent a good 30 seconds staring at him.

“, he’s got a pretty face. He’ll pass as your girlfriend.” Jaebum laughed at her comment. “Hi!” he greeted Jinyoung who was also staring at her.

Jinyoung was used to seeing Jaebum with girls, but this one particular girl is way above the level of Jaebum’s flings. Appearance wise, that is.

Seeing her pleasant face, Jinyoung smiled. “So, there’s really a girl. I wanna see Jaebum, please,” he asked her.

“And he knows how to use ‘please’. Nice,” Jiyeon commented which made Jaebum snicker. Jiyeon moved from her seat, as the pretty Jinyoung requested. She removed her shoes and crossed her legs on the car seat, her back on Jaebum’s side. She held his phone out front so Jinyoung could see them both.

“So, why did you call?” Jaebum asked.

“Aren’t you the one who called?”

“I meant, earlier. I asked Jiyeon to call you back because you sounded pissed.”

“I am, because you’re playing with me.”

Jiyeon laughed. “Don’t take that seriously, Jinyoung. You’re stressing yourself too much.”

“Who are you again?”

“Jiyeon. Jaebum’s girlfriend.” She gained a hit from Jaebum for that. “Damn it!” she hit him back.

“Hey, stop! He’s driving!” Jinyoung said on the other end.

“Oh, right,” Jiyeon said and moved a little away from Jaebum. “Now that you saw Jaebum and me, can you hang up now? I can’t enjoy the scenery with you interrupting me.”

“Then hand Jaebum the phone.”

“He’s driving, can’t you see?” Jiyeon retorted.

Jinyoung sighed in defeat. “Fine.” But before he could hang up, Jiyeon stopped him to ask something. “What is it?”

“In any case, aside from being Jaebum’s bestfriend, do you have any deeper, more intimate relationship with him?”

Jinyoung stopped for a moment. Then he answered, “Yes. I’m his girlfriend. That’s why I don’t believe you when you say you’re the girlfriend.” Jiyeon laughed out loud with that, and later on Jinyoung joined in too. Jaebum just shook his head to the two, and before he knew it, they were already having a conversation. All of a sudden, their pissing off scene earlier was forgotten.

The conversation between Jiyeon and Jinyoung lasted longer than Jaebum expected. He felt as if he was non-existent the whole time—which was good, at least, because Jinyoung is too busy talking to Jiyeon about random nonsense things that he’s not asking him his whereabouts.

Jaebum thought the conversation would never end because the two were laughing nonstop, but then Jiyeon suddenly spoke.

“Jinyoung-ah,” she called. He looked at her. “Jaebum’s battery is low. I need to end this call now.” Jaebum looked at his phone, and it has more than 50% charge.

“Oh, right. Okay, I’ll call you later,” Jinyoung call.

“Please tell me you’ll call me and not her,” Jaebum said. “That is, if you’re still not changing me as your bestfriend.”

“Bromance level: Jaebum and Jinyoung. Eww,” Jiyeon commented which gained herself a hit on the head from Jaebum.

“I’ll call you,” Jaebum said. Jinyoung nodded. He bid goodbye, and the call ended. “So…,” Jaebum started when Jiyeon faced her back on him to look at the buildings outside.

“You’re welcome.”

“You lied; my phone’s battery is not low yet.”

“We’re in Seoul already. Do you want him to see a familiar structure and realize we’re in Seoul?” Jiyeon eyed him like he was so stupid to not know that.

“Well… thanks,” Jaebum said instead if arguing, focusing his attention back on the road. Jiyeon just smiled to herself.

“So, as a sign of your gratitude—“

“I’m taking it back,” Jaebum interrupted. Again. But Jiyeon ignored him. Again.

“—I will suggest our first destination!!!”

Jaebum grunted. “As if I have a choice.”

“Of course you do. Am I the one driving? No? Then by all means you do have a choice.”

“But you’re making me agree to you.”

“And that’s a choice you made. You choose to agree with me.” Jiyeon giggled.

“Ugh, fine. Let’s hear it.”

“Hear what?”

“Your suggestion,” Jaebum said. “Stupid,” he whispered, but Jiyeon heard. Obviously. Because he won’t be hit on his arm if she hadn’t heard him.

“Insadong!”

Jaebum frowned. “How did you know about that? I thought you’re not familiar with Seoul?” He was suspicious.

“I’m not. But there are places Hara and I want to visit in Seoul, so I kinda know some go-to places.” She smiled widely at him.

“Do you know what Insadong is? Or you just know the name?”

Jiyeon cleared . “Uhm…” She put her hand at the back of her head. “Hehe.”

Jaebum heaved a deep sigh. Since he doesn’t have an itinerary, he’ll just go with the flow—which is unusual of him, because he usually leads the flow. “Fine.” Then off they go.

 

---

 

Jaebum almost laughed out loud seeing Jiyeon so amazed. As if her wide eyes weren’t enough to showcase her surprise being in Insadong, was also opened wide.

But she’s still so freaking pretty.

Jaebum silently took a photo of her.

“Come on, come on!” Jaebum quickly hid his phone on his pocket and it almost fell because Jiyeon pulled him while running.

After Jiyeon’s sprint, they stopped by a food shop and ate ice cream. Jaebum insisted Jiyeon should pay because it is still a meal. And Jiyeon promised to pay for all their meals. So she did. Jaebum laughed to that.

“So, tell me about Jinyoung,” Jiyeon said while she was looking at the hats on a shop.

“Why are you interested with my best friend?” Jaebum asked.

Jiyeon lifted the brown hat with white ribbon she found pretty before answering him. “Does he have a girlfriend or something?”

“I won’t tell.”

Jiyeon glared at Jaebum. “Ahjumma, how much is this?” she yelled instead of replying to Jaebum. It took her just five minutes to buy and pay for the hat. Thank god she brought cash with her. “Why won’t you tell?”

“Because he’s my best friend and he deserves privacy.”

“Privacy?” Jiyeon snorted. “He told me you sleep half-. How’s that for privacy?”

“What the hell?!” Jaebum freaked out. Okay, he sleeps half-, but that’s only when he’s alone! And how did Jinyoung know about that? Of course, they’re childhood best friends and they technically grew up together.

Jiyeon laughed out loud. Earlier, when Jinyoung and she were talking on the phone, he shared things about Jaebum. Jaebum did not hear some of the things Jinyoung said, but Jiyeon perfectly heard and remembered them.

“Damn it.”

“Besides, what I’m asking isn’t as personal. What’s so wrong with asking if he has a girlfriend or none?”

Defeated, Jaebum sighed. I’ll kill Jinyoung when I get home. “He doesn’t have one. Well, we all don’t have one.”

“By all, you mean, the rest of the gang?” Jinyoung mentioned something about their gang earlier, though she wasn’t able to ask about them because Jiyeon and Jinyoung were busy talking about themselves.

“Yes,” Jaebum said. He was thinking if he would tell Jiyeon about his friends or what.

“Do you have a picture of them?” Jiyeon inquired. They were walking up the stairs of a building. Why they did, is something Jaebum doesn’t know.

“Of course.”

“Let me see.”

“No.”

“Come on!”

“You’ll just look through my—“

“No!” Jiyeon defended. “I won’t look through your messages, if that’s your worry. I respect privacy, you know.”

“Wow, respect. Really?” Jaebum mocked. Jiyeon rolled her eyes. Jaebum decided to let her see his friends so he took out his phone and scanned his gallery for their pictures. They stopped on the side and leaned against the railing.

While Jiyeon was looking through his gallery, Jaebum checked her out. The brown hat she bought fit her head perfectly, leaving the rest of her long hair to be carried by air. Her nose looked smaller on the side. He also noticed how her long lashes were curled. He was looking at her cheeks which were rosy because of the heat when he saw her smile. She has a small smile; maybe she saw one of Jackson and Bambam’s selca. Then Jaebum realized, Jiyeon looks innocent, which apparently is the opposite of her attitude. She’s nowhere near innocent.

“Oh my gosh!” Jiyeon’s shriek brought Jaebum back from his reverie.

“What?” He leaned on her shoulder to see what she saw. And he laughed himself when he saw the photo.

It was a photo—an up-close photo—of Jinyoung’s . Maybe Jackson took this, Jaebum thought.

“Are you a group of ert guys or what?”

“Hey, we’re just having fun. Plus, you’ll never see an like Jinyoung’s.”

“Is he even aware you took it?”

“Correction: I was not the one who took it.” Jiyeon looked at him suspiciously. “I’m telling the truth, okay? Maybe Jackson did.”

She swiped the screen of the phone. “Is this Jackson?” Jaebum nodded. “I just knew it. A group has to have a retarded one.”

“I’ll let Jackson know,” Jaebum teased.

Jiyeon scanned the pictures some more. Looking at them, she knew they’re close, and they’re having so much fun with each other. “How does it feel to have boy friends?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“I said ‘boy friends’ and not ‘boyfriend’. Deaf.”

Jaebum chortled. “Well, I’ve never had a female friend so no one to compare.”

“Jinyoung’s a female.”

“Will you please stop calling him female?”

Jiyeon laughed. “He really looks like one.” Thinking Jaebum won’t provide a decent answer, she continued scanning.

But then, Jaebum spoke. “I may not be able to compare them with female friends, but I just know one thing: I won’t exchange them for anyone.” Jiyeon stopped what she’s doing and looked at him. He was staring into the pool of people below. “They’re always beside me which is annoying sometimes, but I’ll never want them anywhere but there. They understood all my issues and even if they don’t, they support my decisions. My ty decisions, as I quote Yugyeom.” Jaebum smiled.

Jiyeon knows Jaebum’s smile right now is a genuine, honest smile. Just like the one he has on this one selca on his phone. His face and the rest of his friends’ faces were forced to fit the frame. Although she can’t see half the faces of the people on the sides, she could perfectly see Jaebum’s smile. Then she realized how much he cares for his friends. No matter how mean he is to her, at least he’s nice to the people he’s close to.

Now I wonder how it feels to be cared by Jaebum.

“I wonder if tagging me with you is a ty decision.” Jiyeon grinned. She returned the phone to Jaebum.

Jaebum took it back and started walking. “We’ll see about that,” Jaebum replied with a smile.

They roamed the shopping centers in Insadong for the rest of the day. Jaebum almost regretted agreeing to be in a shopping center because Jiyeon bought something from almost all the shops. As a punishment, he let her carry all her stuff.

“You’re so mean,” she grunted.

“So I’m told,” he’d reply.

Until dinner time, they were like that. Talking nonsense about random things they saw, and bickering because Jiyeon would talk him into carrying her stuff.  In the end, Jaebum still did not carry her things. So when they got back to Jaeyoung, Jiyeon said she was too tired to even eat. Jaebum laughed the hell out of him, but he just went on driving and looked for a hotel to stay.