Hot Summer - f(x)

Chapter 25: Surprise Blow.

4 days has passed ever since the flight from South Korea to the Philippines and yet it’s as if the pack just arrived yesterday that they can’t stop playing on the beach. For 4 whole days, Lu Han, Lay and Sehun played nonstop in the waters, Jaera and Tao didn’t give up on their dream sand castle whereas Kai and Xiumin continuously flirted with the local and foreign females alike.

Everyone would gather once in a while to eat together but would soon go and do their own interests afterwards. They didn’t bother forcing one another into something as they all knew that this vacation would only happen once in a while. They all knew that this vacation was their sweet escape from the reality that was awaiting them back in their country so playing to their hearts’ content was the unanimous decision.

Although, their energies eventually drained as the temperature for the day rose up. Feeling a tad too lazy to play under the scorching sun, Lay, Lu Han and Sehun decided to skip playing for awhile and just rest on the shores together with Jaera and Tao who also halted with their sand castle construction.

Grabbing the hand fan that he bought awhile ago, Lay fanned himself while slouching his back. “Ah… it’s really hot today.”

“The main reason why I don’t want to go from under here.” Lu Han said in a dry tone, gesturing for Lay to share the fan with him. “My skin’s really delicate and I’d get a sunburn.”

“Until now you’re still thinking about that?” Lay scoffed in disbelief as he continued to fan Lu Han and himself. Lu Han just gave him a nasty look in return. “And I thought you were the manliest.”

“Ugh, I want to swim but it’s too hot and my throats dried up as well…” Tao chimed in, crawling behind Lay and Lu Han to also get fanned. “A nice cold watermelon would be great right now—“

Upon realizing what Tao said, Lay and Lu Han immediately turned to look at the youngest male before breaking out into an approving smile. “That’s it, watermelon! So you do use your head once in a while, huh.”

“Ey, what do you take me for huh, hyung?” Tao pouted at the two before turning to Jaera who was too engrossed in playing with the former’s phone. “Yah Jaera, give me back my phone.”

“Are you going to use it?” Jaera asked disappointingly, not really wanting to stop playing but gave the phone back, nonetheless.

“No, I’m just taking it back for awhile since you’re going to buy a watermelon for us.” Tao simply answered as Jaera ogled at him.

“What? Why me?”

“Yeah, why do you keep on making Jaera do the errands that you’re supposed to do?” Lay nudged Tao with his elbows before pointing to Lu Han who was too engrossed with the hand fan. “Lu Han-hyung would get mad at you for picking on his dear baby cousin—“

“Nah, it’s fine. She’s the youngest anyway.” Lu Han said softly, his eyes still focused on the ocean which made Jaera give him a look of utter disbelief.

“Wow, gee thanks Lu Han-oppa.” Jaera said with pure sarcasm as Lu Han snorted before tapping Tao’s shoulder with the fan.

“But you’ll have to come with her Tao or else I’ll make you go buy it alone.”

“Hyung, just let Sehun go with her.” Tao complained, stretching his left foot towards Sehun’s sleeping figure. He then kicked the latter’s arm lightly, gaining him a cold glare in return. “Yah, get up and accompany Jaera in buying watermelon.”

Seeing as he just got up from his short nap, Sehun stayed still for a couple of seconds before getting kicked by Tao again. “Hey, get up now. Move faster—“

“I’ll seriously tell your mom about your summer Gucci splurge if you don’t move your stinky foot away from me.” Sehun hissed annoyingly, threatening to slap Tao with his sunhat as the latter immediately pulled his foot back and stuck a tongue at him.

“Just go with Jaera and stop complaining,” Tao whined, putting a hand on his head dramatically. “I’m too tired to walk…”

“You didn’t even do anything, you lazy panda!” Sehun retorted, standing up from his place before turning to look at Jaera. “Come on, let’s just get this over with—“

“Wait,” Lu Han suddenly called, causing for Jaera and Sehun to stop and turn back. He then pulled out the black and white striped shirt that he gave to Jaera from Lay’s picnic basket and threw it towards the girl. “I told you to wear that, didn’t I?”

Jaera was wearing a white shirt and navy shorts for the day so she didn’t think it was necessary to wear the shirt. She was sure that she left it behind in her room but for some reason, Lu Han managed to have it and it certainly raised Jaera’s curiosity. “How did you—“

“Aish,” Lu Han abruptly stood up from his seat and snatched the shirt back. With an annoyed expression, he folded it into two and wrapped it over the girl’s lower body, tying it onto her waist. “Stop asking many questions and go. Move faster, you two!”

Jaera frowned in confusion before quickly trotting over to Sehun’s side, leaving the three boys under the sun umbrella. “I really don’t see any reason for me to wear this, I mean it’s really hot today—“

“Just follow Lu Han-hyung, okay?” Sehun said, tying the shirt tightly before pulling off his sunhat and placing it on Jaera’s head. “Wear this too.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Jaera asked, fixing the hat on her head before eyeing Sehun’s body. “You’re the one who’s only wearing a pair of trunks.”

“And so?” Sehun asked back, pulling off a smirk before setting off. “Everybody would love to see this milky white abs of mine.”

“Tsk, being the conceited jerk again.” Jaera mumbled to herself as she shook her head while narrowing her eyes on Sehun’s . She then made sure she was all set before running back to the boy’s side again.

After buying the watermelon from the supermarket, Jaera and Sehun decided to finally head back. The weather was too hot for their liking and staying any longer under the scorching sunlight would surely melt them.

The two of them were walking silently on the road when Sehun suddenly stopped on his tracks. Noticing that she was walking alone, Jaera turned back and gave the boy a weird look. “What are you doing?”

“Yah, haven’t you noticed something?” Sehun asked with creased eyebrows as he eyed the surroundings warily.

“Notice what?” Jaera asked, copying Sehun as she looked around. There were trees, tricycles and houses, the usual things that one can see on the way to and from the local supermarket. Jaera was about to ask Sehun what’s wrong when it suddenly hit her. “We’ve been here… right?

“And it’s actually our third time passing by.” Sehun said, his voice getting harsher by the minute as he continued walking.

“So we’re lost?” Jaera asked, following Sehun behind as the latter sighed.

“Obviously.” Sehun said, switching the plastic bag containing the watermelon from his left hand to his right. “Come on, let’s just continue walking.”