Chapter 16: Yugyeom

The car drove out of the neighbourhood and onto the main road. Taking glances at the couple, I shook my head. It was obvious the two liked each other so why aren’t they dating yet? Unless…! My eyes widened and I snickered under my breath when Mark gave Saehee her favourite Starbucks drink.

“Anyways,” Mark continued, “Sora asked me to pick her up.” With my jaw hanging, I quickly composed myself as if nothing was wrong. My sister was definitely going to grill me after the ride. As we pulled up onto Sora’s driveway, her white pomeranian greeted us. It ran up to the car and started barking gleefully, scratching on the passenger side door. It was evident Mark was unhappy.

“Go get Sora. The faster we leave, the faster the dog stops scratching my car.” he grumbled. Stepping out, I bent down and took the dog. It my face and I couldn’t help but laugh. Walking onto the porch, I was about to ring the door until I realised something. Are her parents home? My finger shook as I slowly pressed the doorbell. The ten seconds that passed felt like eternity for me.

“Who is it?” a voice called from behind and the door flew open. A woman in her early thirties stared at me with a phone and purse at hand. “Oh, are you Kim Yugyeom?” I was shocked. Who knew I would meet her mother so early. Nodding, I gave her a small smile. “Sora will be down in a little bit. Come inside if you’d like.”

“Thank you, but I’m alright out here. My friends are waiting in the car.” I nervously replied. My palms grew sweaty as I watched her inspect me up and down. Then, I heard footsteps coming from behind her and there she was in her school uniform.

“Morning,” she smiled and immediately, I reached out to grab her bag as she wore her shoes. Her mom was grinning (perhaps fangirling) when I greeted her back. “Mom,” Sora turned around, “I’m leaving now.” I was surprised by my girlfriend’s boldness. She took my hand and tiptoed to my height; kissing my cheek before we made our way to the car.

“I expect him to be at dinner tonight!” her mom called out and my cheeks started to burn from embarrassment. I glanced at the front of the car and I found Mark and Saehee giggling like high school girls. Wanting to hide in a corner, I quickly entered the car and ignored their teases. Life really isn’t fair…

Waiting outside of her classroom, I checked my phone and grinned at the silly texts she was sending me. They were cute but my smile immediately turned into a frown when I found out that her phone had been taken away.

Please do not text Kang Sora while she is in class. Thank you

-Miss. Jang

It was a simple but meaningful reply. Sighing, I took a seat in the main lobby where I waited for the bell to ring. Time slowly passed and I couldn’t help but feel restless. Staring at the clock, I counted down the seconds. 5...4...3...2...1… I walked to Sora’s locker. Watching her come out of her class, I gave her a grin and she ran up to me.

“How was class?” I asked her and she gave me her infamous pout.

“She embarrassed me in front of the whole class!” Dialing her combination, she opened her locker with great force, “I mean, what’s wrong with texting your boyfriend in class?” My cheeks flushed again. You’re going to be the death of me. “She showed everyone our texts and now the whole school’s going to tease us!”

I laughed and engulfed her in a hug. “Let them tease.” Wiggling out of my grasp, she continued pouting. While slamming her locker shut, she took my hand and we walked out of the school. Most students crowded at the front gates and as soon as we stepped down from the steps, they all stared; mouths agape. “They’re jealous.”

Sora grinned and laughed,“So, where to?” I thought about it for a moment before grinning.

“Let’s go watch a concert.”

Her smile was contagious. Throughout the concert, she was singing along with a large smile plastered on her face. Waving her lightstick, she took my hand and raised it in the air as well. The crowd wasn’t as hyped as she was, but I knew that the artists were enjoying themselves.

“Yugyeom!” she shouted as the guitarist introduced the next song, “You’re the best!” I wasn’t a fan of K-Indie, but if she was enjoying herself, I decided to enjoy myself as well.

“You’re welcome!” I exclaimed and I grew shocked. She jumped and hugged me, bouncing up and down as she laughed; throwing her head back with a wide smile. It was a beautiful memory that I wanted to keep forever. The band played their final song, Wi Ing Wi Ing (위잉위잉) before ending the concert. The crowd shouted and cried in satisfaction and slowly, they dispersed. Sora walked up on stage and started talking to the frontman, Oh Hyuk, who gladly signed her notebook.

“All of you were so amazing, I hope to attend one of your concerts again!” her voice went up another octave as the band thanked her. She came down from the stage, giving the band room to put away their instruments and squealed when she approached me. “Oh man, Yugyeom this was a wonderful day! I can’t believe you had tickets to them!”

Shyly, I rubbed my nape and smiled, “Glad you had fun.” We walked out of the building and onto centre street when her phone rang. “Who is it?”

“Oh no!” picking up the phone she started off apologizing. I led her across the street where we sat at a nearby cafe. “Don’t worry Mom,” she glanced up at me with a smirk, “I’ll make sure to bring him. We’ll be there in about twenty minutes alright?” Blood drained from my face; It was way too early to meet her parents. Sora hung up and clung onto my arm, “Guess who’s coming over for dinner?”

“I-I’m not ready!” I exclaimed, burying my face into her neck.

“Everything will be fine,” laughing, she a hailed a cab. “Mom isn’t that scary. It’s just Dad who’s a grouchy bear.” My legs collapsed when I entered the car. Will they like me? I started to become sweaty and jittery; legs shaking and eyes wandering.

Dragging my feet, I slowly made my way to the front porch. Sora was laughing as she fumbled to insert the key into the lock. “T-Take your time!” Suddenly, a car drove onto the driveway and a familiar man in his mid forties stepped out. The air was out of my body when she went to go greet him. I started imagining worst case scenarios. Who knew her father was an MMA fighter...

“Hi Dad! You’re home early today,” she giggled. The older man smiled until he saw me. I was about to bow to him, but I was too nervous. Frowning, he nodded at me and entered the house. “Don’t worry about Dad,” Sora grinned, “He’s really nice once when you get to know him.” She led me into the house and I took off my shoes, admiring the interior. It was a vintage house with dark red walls. A chandelier hung above the stairs and the wood floor made tiny squeaking noises with each step. Abstract paintings from people to scenery hung on the walls; expressing different themes and moods. “Mom, Yugyeom’s here!” My thoughts were interrupted when Sora took my hand and led me into the kitchen where her parents were. Her mom wore an apple apron with a spatula in hand when she greeted me. Her warm smile made me less nervous but it was her dad that seemed like he didn’t want me here.

“Darling,” he cleared his voice and Sora turned to look at him, “why didn’t you tell me he was coming over?”

“Oh no, Mom told me today to bring him here.” she replied. “He’ll be staying for dinner tonight.”

“I-If you want I can leave!” I quickly said and the women started to protest.

“No,” he answered, “We don’t mind having you over.” He looked me in the eye with a smirk; it drained the last of my energy and my courage.

“Dear,” her mother voiced and looked at her husband, “Don’t scare the poor boy. He looks like he’s ready to run out the door.” My face became flushed and I looked around for Sora. “Anyways, go wash your hands Yugyeom. Dinner is ready.” I took the chance to flee from her father’s glare.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I started making faces. I need to be brave! After wiping my hands, I stepped out and went to find Sora.

“Gyeom, I’m in here!” her voice called out and I found her lounging in her room. It was spacious and organized; her desk was in the far right corner of her room while her bed was on the left. In the middle was a large, circular, colourful rug. Posters hung on the white wall and stuffed animals filled the empty spots of the floor. Walking over, I grinned as I saw a picture on her desk.

“Who took this picture?” I asked, picking up the picture frame.

“Huh? What are- Oh my gosh! You weren’t supposed to see that!” she exclaimed, taking the picture frame from me and hiding it under her blanket.

“Hey, that’s a nice picture!” I teased and her cheeks turned red. “It tells everyone who walks in that you’re taken by me.” Leaning in, I kissed her forehead with a grin. “Mine.”

“You erted monster,” she giggled and pulled away. “Come, dinner’s ready.”

I followed her like a lovesick puppy until a searing pain shot through my head. Taking a hold of the handrailing, I leaned against the wall and started panting. The pain was more painful than ever, as if someone had hit me with a baseball bat. A light flashed before me and everything went black.

“...Yugyeom…!”

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