Sweet Holiday - CNBlue

Chapter 22: Sweet Holiday.

“There’ll be a surprise test for all the subjects tomorrow so everyone better study tonight.” Suho announced as the students looked back at him in confusion. “Well, it’s not much of a surprise now actually, since I already told you guys about it.”

“Why the sudden test, Mr. Kim?” Haeri asked, utterly confused by the sudden announcement of the exam. Usually, the school would give them exams just before the summer break, but looking at their school’s timeline, it’s too early. “It’s not yet summer break next week right… or is it?”

Upon hearing Haeri’s query, a lopsided grin suddenly appeared across the class adviser’s face, causing for the whole class to cheer in delight. “Actually, it is. We’re having an early summer break this year!”

The students quickly rejoiced at the news and immediately spread the word around. Although, every homeroom adviser was sure to announce it to their own classes, the news already reached the students before their adviser can even do so.

As soon as Suho finished announcing all news to the students, the said man quickly dashed out of the room, causing for the students to look at him in confusion. It was peculiar, summer break isn’t supposed to be this early. Knowing the faculty members of the school, they’d push the summer break as far as they could just to finish all lessons still not tackled. Though this time, they even dropped a few lessons and rushed the exams.

The students weren’t complaining though. They were more than happy to receive such news. It’s not always that they get to have an early break so might as well rejoice for it.

Although Jaera was curious about the reason for the early summer break as well, she was more than elated to hear the announcement. Not only would she be able to save money by not riding the bus but she can also ask for more shifts since they don’t have school.

Albeit, it would certainly be nice if she could also go out and play during the break like how typical high school students do, but she doesn’t have anyone to hang out with anyway so might as well just work.

“Well, that’s one early summer break.” Jaera commented, slinging her bag over her shoulders as Sehun nodded at her in agreement.

“You know why the higher ups decided to give us an early summer break?” Tao asked, showcasing a knowing smile on his face as Jaera and Sehun shook their heads with curious expressions. “I heard the president’s going to treat all the faculty members to a trip to Jeju Island.”

“Since when did the president stop being so stingy?” Sehun scoffed, pursing his lips as the three of them walked down the stairs.

“I don’t know, since awhile ago when Mr. Kim announced the news?” Tao said, shrugging his shoulders.  He then pouted with a sigh. “But I want to go there too, though. I don’t want to spend my summer practicing Wushu!”

 “Haven’t you been to Jeju, hyung?” Sehun furrowed his eyebrows as Jaera gave Tao a shocked look.

“You haven’t been to Jeju Island?!” Jaera exclaimed, standing in front of Tao as the three of them halted walking. “That’s ridiculous! Jeju Island’s like the most famous tourist destination of South Korea! I even came from there!”

As soon as the words slipped off from Jaera’s mouth, Sehun’s eyes widened as he and the former watched as Tao’s eyebrows slowly creased. “I’ve been to Jeju Island for countless of times before… but I didn’t know you came from there.”

Jaera turned to Sehun discreetly, giving him a helpless look as the latter just rolled his eyes. It’s not like it’s actually a grave thing to let Tao know about where she came from, the boy was a bit gullible and he surely won’t care about it anyway, but what if it was Mr. Kim? What if she accidentally told Mr. Kim the truth as well? Then all their efforts in acting and pretending would go to waste.

Jaera would be expelled from the school and be brought to the orphanage. Sehun wouldn’t see her again and he clearly doesn’t want that to happen.

“Yeah, Jaera came from Jeju.” Sehun answered, pulling Jaera beside him as Tao continued to look at them curiously. “Lu Han-hyung’s other relatives are from there as well. Her family just moved here in Seoul after middle school.”

“Y-yeah, what he said.” Jaera nodded eagerly as Tao eyed the two suspiciously for a couple of seconds before breaking out into a huge grin.

“Wow, that’s so cool!” Tao exclaimed as Jaera just chuckled nervously.

As the three of them continued walking again, Jaera nudged Sehun with her elbow and mouthed him a ‘thanks’. Sehun just stuck his tongue out at her in return, causing for the girl to pout slightly before turning to Tao again. As soon as Jaera turned, a smile immediately spread across Sehun’s lips as he chuckled inwardly.

What would the girl do without him?

Just as they reached the bus station, Tao’s phone suddenly rang. He was about to wave goodbye to Jaera and Sehun as they were about to head to their part time job, when a familiar voice on the other line made Tao stop and usher for the two to go back.

Jaera turned to Sehun in confusion as the latter just creased his eyebrows in annoyance. “What now?”

“It’s Xiumin-hyung, wait I’ll put it on loudspeaker.” Tao said as he pressed a button on the screen.

Upon hearing a new name, Jaera pulled the hem of Sehun’s polo before tiptoeing. “Xiumin-hyung? Is that one of ahjussi’s friends?”

Within a split of a second, Sehun found himself blushing at the sudden close proximity. His heart pounded as his eyes widened. Feeling Jaera’s breath near his ear made him flinch a bit. Nevertheless, he tried to keep calm, even though deep inside, he was already hyperventilating. He was caught off guard, he wasn’t ready. Even though you couldn’t really count it as a skinship, he still felt as if his stomach was being overrun by butterflies and fireworks.

Sehun might be arrogant, cocky and expressionless, but whenever the girl he likes gets close to him, he still feels nervous. He still feels lightheaded.

“Yah,” Jaera nudged Sehun again as the latter was brought back out of his trance. “Answer me.”

Raising his left hand to his left ear, Sehun swallowed hard as he nodded hesitantly. Jaera was already back in her place yet the boy’s breathing was still irregular. With one deep breath, he regained his composure and immediately replaced his dumbfounded look with his infamous blank stare.

“Hyung—“ Tao was about to call Xiumin again, when the latter quickly cut him off.

“It’s already your summer break next week, right?” Xiumin asked as Tao looked at Jaera and Sehun in bewilderment.

“How did you know—“ Before Tao can even ask the caller, Xiumin, once again, interrupted.

“A friend of Lay’s told us about it.”

Hearing a new name, Jaera turned to look at Sehun once again as the latter nodded quickly in return. It wouldn’t be good to have his heart racing again.

“So what if it’s indeed our summer break next week?” Sehun chimed in, staring at the phone with a bored look. “What about it?”

“Pack your bags because we’re going to the Philippines next week.”

“Are you really bringing me with you, hyung?!” Tao’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden news.

“Would I even call you if I don’t have any intentions of tagging you with us?” Xiumin snorted, causing for Jaera and Sehun to shake their heads with a chuckle.

Tao really does get bullied by his hyungs quite often.

“No but… aish.” Tao answered, ruffling his head in annoyance. He then looked up at Jaera and Sehun with a pout, mouthing a ‘see you tomorrow’ before stomping off into the opposite direction.

“Wow, that’s nice.” Jaera mumbled looking at Tao’s fading figure while giving out a smile as Sehun turned to look at her with a raised brow.

“What’s nice?”

“I mean, you get to go on a vacation. You’ll even get to go to another country for the summer break.” Jaera said, biting her lower lip as she and Sehun started walking back to the bus station.

“Don’t you have a passport?” Sehun asked.

Hearing Sehun’s query, Jaera turned to him with a nod. “I do have a passport, the owner of the orphanage that I used to stay in applied one for all of us kids there, that’s why I was able to fly to Seoul.”

“Then why don’t you come with us?” Sehun suddenly asked, causing for Jaera to stop for a second. She then broke out into a bitter smile afterwards.

“I… I don’t have enough money to buy a ticket.” Jaera said, biting her bottom lip. “And besides, I think it’s much better if I just work during the summer break, I’ll have extra shifts and earn more money.”

“If you want, I could lend you—“ Realizing what Sehun was about to offer her, Jaera stopped in her tracks and gazed at the former seriously.

“Sehun, thanks but I won’t accept any money from you.” Jaera said, smiling at Sehun as the latter gazed back at her with a deadpanned expression. “I hate being a bother and I already have bothered you cousins enough. I wouldn’t want to add more debt to what I already have.”

The two of them entered the bus on the way to their work afterwards. Neither of them spoke, not because they’re awkward with each other but because both of their minds were preoccupied. Jaera does indeed want to go to the said vacation. She has always been busy with work every summer ever since she arrived in Seoul so she hasn’t tried relaxing over the break. She had always wanted to try resting for awhile, not thinking about her work, school or any other kind of stress. She just wanted to break free from everything, but of course, she couldn’t simply do that. Even if she did want to play, she’d still rather work and earn money. She doesn’t have much time in her hands so she’d rather use it wisely.

Sehun as well, wanted Jaera to join them. He wanted to let the girl ease off even just for once and experience a memorable summer vacation. She has always been overworking herself with work that she never had the chance to let herself enjoy life to its fullest. He wanted to see Jaera smile, he wanted to see Jaera happy. He was even willing to pay for all her expenses if he had to. The girl was, in no possible way, a bother—but it already came out from that she wouldn’t accept anything from him. The girl wasn’t someone who abuses something she was given and he couldn’t possibly force her into something she doesn’t want to.

Sure enough, it was only for Jaera’s sake, but Sehun respects her decision and he’s willing to keep it that way even if it means having to part from her for the whole summer break.

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