13 | Sweet Escape 2.2

 

***

 

After like seems to be forever staring to each other's eyes, Seohyun finally found her voice to speak,

 

"What does that mean?" And it came as another whisper. At this moment, she's too puzzle with what she heard from Yoona. That beat of her hearts are just unusual, but she refused to mind about it and wanted to know the meaning behind the doe-eyed girl's words.

 

"Eh?" Yoona was dumbfounded, as she thought about the words that came out from . Apparently, it's hard to explain about what she feels. It's something like 'special' somehow. But she couldn't figure it out, yet.

 

"You told me your heart... " Seohyun's eyes averted to Yoona's pocket when she heard it ringing. The doe-eyed girl hastily took her phone out and sighed upon checking the caller. "Hmm? Who's that?"

 

"My friend. Um, hold on." Yoona pressed the answer button and pressed it against her ear. "Hey Amber. What's up?"

 

[Captain, I didn't know you went to Paris? How could you not tell me!]

 

Yoona let out a chuckle. She took a glance to Seohyun and answers back, "I told you before. You just didn't take it serious. Blah... blah... blah..."

 

While Yoona's in her distinct chat with a friend, Seohyun's in the side watching in awe, and at the same time, curious as to why the older girl suddenly thought about skipping a beat of her heart? She certainty doesn't know a thing about it. Why would somebody's heart does something like that? And she was the cause? What did she do to make her heart skips a beat? Was it because of the kiss on the cheek or was it because of  her gratefulness about her being in her side. It's really a big question to her. 'I should ask Director Shin later'. If Yoona can't explain it to her, then she might as well ask her trusted friend/second father.

 

"Aigoo, I can't believe her. She just call for a non sense topic." Yoona ended the call right away after she defended herself over Amber's questions. 

 

"Why?"

 

"She called because she bump into my ex girlfriend yesterday. And that girl told her about me being in Paris. Wait, How did she actually know I'm in Paris?" Yoona just seem to realize she never told her ex girlfriend about her current location.

 

"She has your number. She must have track it? You know there's an app about tracking now." Seohyun replied simply.

 

"Hmm, that's actually true. Yeah, maybe like that." Yoona just shrugs, as she somehow agreed with the younger girl.

 

"But what did So Eun told your friend?" A sudden curiously can be seen in Seohyun's expression. "And she called you?"

 

Yoona sighed as she put her hands over the pocket of her jacket. "Likewise, she talked bad about me. Oh, she also mentioned I am now dating after our recent broke up. Didn't she knew Amber won't ever believe her? She's just fooling herself." Chuckles her at the end of her words.

 

"She honestly... thought I'm your girlfriend, remember? I mean when So Eun called the other day." Seohyun mindlessly shared what comes to her mind upon hearing about 'dating'.

 

Yoona's eyes widened and did her heart once again skips a beat. "She told you you're my girlfriend? How come?" But later she chuckled, finding it funny. She somehow didn't remember anything about it.

 

"I don't know. Probably because I answered the phone call and it's new for her ears. I don't know. But I hope she won't bother to call you anymore. You know she's bad influence, Yoongie."

 

Yoona grinned. "You care for me, No?"

 

"I told you about her already!" Seohyun exclaimed.

 

"Fine. Fine. Fine. I know what you're talking about. I was just teasing you." Yoona snickered. She pinched lightly her cheeks, as she finds her being so adorable again. "Glad you're smiling again." Thus, she realized something she didn't see earlier.

 

Sighing, Seohyun poke at Yoona's nose. "It was because of you. You really know how to make me feel better again. And I thank you for that."

 

"Who actually says that's free? Yah! You have to pay 20 bucks." Yoona playfully opened her palm, only to received a slapped from the girl on her hand. She chuckled, open her one arm and place it around the latter's shoulders. She was about to drag her to the stairs behind them when Seohyun pulled away from her and runs to the stairs, where some foreigners are resting. Yoona laughs and followed suit right away.

 

They take their seats next to each other at one of the steps in the middle of the stairs. Still having this magnificent view all over the city of Paris. 

 

"But true, she's a bad influence. However, I'm not an idiot to be influenced by that girl. I'm more than matured to know what's wrong and right." Yoona mutters while eyes are on the city.

 

"Who's Amber by the way? You haven't shared about your other friends too, Yoongie." Seohyun however is curious about this new name that came through Yoona's mouth. "Is she also close with you?"

 

"Yup. She's one of the players in our team. In fact, I can actually say she's also my best friend. Because everything she knows about me. Even my deadly secrets. Hehe. Oh, except for this. I'm in Paris and she doesn't know until So Eun bump into her."

 

"What a bad friend." Seohyun giggles.

 

"What?! I'm not bad. I'm just forgettable sometimes. Hehe." Yoona sheepishly answered.

 

"It must be because you're excited to see Paris."

 

"Exactly." Yoona chuckled. "How about you, Peng? Do you have a best friend too? I haven't heard anyone that calls you from Seoul?"

 

"I have... of course. But only few. And they're seems busier than me." Seohyun replied, with a pout. The truth is, she only have one friend that she also called as best friend. The others are just classmates. And none of them aren't that close compared to her friendship with Irene. Perhaps since she's the only one who really step up to be friend with her. 

 

"Why?"

 

"You know I just graduated. Most of them are busy now, searching for the best University to attend." Seohyun said as a matter of fact.

 

"And you happened to attend outside Seoul?"

 

"Hmm? Oh, I did an exam for this, so yeah. Plus, I love the school, Yoongie." 

 

Yoona's turn to pout, sadly. "I love mine too. Too bad we don't have the same school, Peng. Would have been better."

 

Seohyun also pouts her lips, but not because she's sad. "Aww... Yoongie. It's okay. Like I told you, we will still hang out." but because she's flattered with the doe-eyed girl's concern. 

 

"But admit it, would have been better if always. I mean, we'll see each other."

 

"Yeah, it's actually tempting to see you always. It's sad we did not have the same school. Would really better. But--"

 

"But we really have to stay connected." Yoona cut the younger girl's word, as soon as an idea came in her mind.

 

"That's definitely gonna happen. Oh wait... " Seohyun opened her pinky finger. "I think we haven't locked this for a promise."

 

"Yeah." Yoona quickly tangle her own pinky finger with the younger girl's. "As soon as you land in UK, you also have to promise that you will call me."

 

"Sure. But as soon as you also follows, you also have to call me." Seohyun added, smiling cheerfully.

 

Yoona giggles. "That's likely going to happened." copying the latter's words.

 

"Wait, can you give me your phone?" Seohyun opened her palm, as something crosses her mind.

 

"Why?" 

 

"I'll put it in your reminder, so you won't forget like the way you did to Amber."

 

"What?! No! I won't forget! Don't worry!" Yoona covered her pocket, afraid Seohyun will steal it from the inside.

 

"Just give me your phone. In case you will forget it."

 

"Ugh, aren't you trusting me? I'm sure going to call you. We just promise earlier, Didn't I?"

 

"I'm just making sure, Yoongie! Give it to me please!" Seohyun can't hold herself and whine.

 

Can no longer argue, Yoona took her phone out and handed it to the younger girl with a pout. Seohyun amusingly smiled when she realized the lock screen of her phone is her and the doe-eyed. Back in their trip two days ago. It's only a photo lock screen, so she only has to slide it and opens her reminder. 

 

"You are following next week, right?"

 

"Yes."

 

"What time is your flight?"

 

"8am, France time. And since I'm taking Air France, only for 30 minutes." Yoona informed, knowingly.

 

"Hmm, so I will put the reminder 15 minutes after the arrival." Seohyun mutters as she process the reminder and also the time to alarm, so Yoona will be reminded to call her. 

 

"I think I should do the same to yours, Peng." Yoona grinned, but she was ignored by this little Penguin. She got her phone back while the latter is flashing her a victorious smile. "Aigoo, I can't believe you."

 

"I will really be disappointed if you will not call me." Seohyun warned firmly.

 

"Yeah, yeah. I get what you mean, princess." Yoona shrugs her shoulders. Little did she know, Seohyun was a little surprised when she called her 'princess'. But later did Seohyun just ignored it. "So are you still up?"

 

"What?" Seohyun blankly replied.

 

"After this, we'll go to another place." Yoona smirked.

 

"Oh, this isn't the only place you're taking me?"

 

"It will be so short if this is the only place. So... do you want to tag along or we will go back immediately to the hotel?" Yoona got up and offered her hand.

 

Seohyun gladly took the older girl's and she pulled herself up in support of her pull too. "But can we take a picture together first?" Heck, she can't leave the place without a memorable snapshot. She hastily opened her phone's camera, as Yoona excitedly moves closer to her. Yoona didn't think twice and sneak her arms around her waist, as she put her face next to the younger girl. Their faces are skin to sin. Both smiled together in front of the camera. Behind them is the city of Paris, which made the selfie beautiful and nice.

 

Click.

 

Both girls excitedly checks on their selfie together. And there's only one word that came from their mouth, "Perfect."

 

And with that, Yoona stole Seohyun's phone, quickly running away. "I'm going to put a reminder here, as well!!!" she said aloud.

 

"Yah! Give me back my phone!!!" The younger girl chases.

 

Yoona's just running around in the stairs, which made them looked like two kids, playing a chase game.

 

 

***

 

 

"We haven't tried this."

 

"Yeah? What's in your mind?" Seohyun crossed her arms and looked at the older girl, whose eyes are apparently not on her, while they're standing at the stairs of the famous site in Paris, Arc de triomphe.

 

"Climbing to the top of Arc de triomphe. But let's put some twist. Let's have a race. The first person who arrives to the top will get a piggy back once we get down from this place." Yoona smirk, surely planning to win this game she just made out of her mind.

 

"Are you sure with this?" However, Seohyun is also determine to win. Being piggy back again is going to be awesome ride. She won't let the other girl to win such game suggestion.

 

Yoona scoffs. "Look who just smirk too. I won't ever lose this, remember that."

 

"Let's start then." Seohyun turned to the entrance to the spiral stairs of the said place. 

 

Yoona also stepped forward. "At the count of... 3... 2... 1. Go!" Heck, just before she can step to the first step of the stairs, Seohyun's sure so fast and she just almost loses her balance. "Yah! Yah! Yah! Slow down!!!" she can't think of anything but to ask the younger girl, as she finally climb to the stairs. Much to her dismay, Seohyun's so fast this time.

 

"How could a captain outruns by a simple cheerleader only?" Seohyun chuckles, echoing her voice around.

 

Yoona stops for a while to take a deep breath in and fastens her run with determination to catch up. Their steps are the only loud noise they can hear around. And for Yoona, her breathless.

 

Moments later, Seohyun have already passed the half way of the stairs while she's still lagging behind, sweats all over their face and forehead. This spiral design of the stairs isn't helping as Yoona felt dizzy a little. Thus, it's not a hindrance to continue and it disappears the more she keeps on going. Until she had reached the half of the stairs, she suddenly came to a halt upon feeling a pain in her right knee. She clutched into her knee, close her eyes tight and endure the pain. 'Damn, not this time. Not at this moment... pleasees...'

 

Seohyun who just arrived at the top felt weird when she heard a deafening silence when it's supposedly Yoona's steps. Turning around, she went back and looked down, only to see the older girl holding the handrails on her left while she's bending down. And she looks like she's holding into her knee? Also, her heavy breathing are loud. "Yoongie?! Why did stop?! Hey! Are you okay?"  Which quickly worries her. She take few steps down, to have a better sight.

 

"Yup! I'm fine! You want me to win, No?" Yoona looked up to grin, as if she's just fooling around. Then, continued on her steps and flashed Seohyun an assuring smile. Although she's enduring the pain.

 

Thinking that the doe-eyed just fooled her, Seohyun hastily and animatedly went back to the top.

 

However, unlike before, Yoona's now too slow. As soon as Seohyun was off sight, she decided to just walk with all her might while trying to endure the pain, 'Please... stop it now... stop it... you can't get worst at this very moment. You will ruin my date if you continue.' right knee is now shaking uncontrollably the more she get's closer and closer to the top. 

 

Upon sensing Seohyun will come back to check her out, she stopped, turned around and sits down to the step, holding her right knee that instant and began massaging it - hoping the pain will go away. 'Come on. Not right now. Not right now...' Her head also lowered to cover up her knee. 

 

"Yah! I already reach the top, Yoongie! There's no more drama!!!" Seohyun still thinks her dear friend is acting again. "You should-"

 

"But if you go down here, I would surely take your place and win this race." Yoona cut Seohyun's words. She turned to face the girl. "So better yet stay there." she warned, grinning.

 

"Are you okay?! You look like you're not, Yoongie." However, Seohyun did not missed the weak voice from Yoona, totally different now from earlier. She was about to go down when the latter hold up her left hand, stopping her.

 

"I warned you, Peng. If you go down, I'm going to step up all the way there!" Yoona slowly stood up and turns to lift her right feet for her first step. "Wait for me there." And once she successfully did it without screaming out of pain, she continued with her left, and then right... she continued on and on, although not running anymore.

 

Seohyun was convinced and returned again to the top, where she can see again the entire city of Paris. It's even better because it's closer to the city, compared to their first stop earlier. She can't wait to be piggy back by Yoona as soon as they left the place, though. While she waits, because obviously, Yoona is just fooling around, she took her phone out and take photos.

 

"Aigoo, I didn't know climbing here would loss my power." came Yoona's voice, much better and stronger now, after a couple of minutes. The pain is still there, but it's not as worse as earlier anymore. Her constant massage on it seemed to work. And it wasn't shaking anymore too.

 

"What the. You didn't even wait for me and you are now enjoying the view?" she chuckled when she realized, Seohyun is taking photos, oblivious with her pain. But she's glad she didn't noticed anything.

 

"Say cheese." Seohyun turned just to greet Yoona with her camera.

 

Yoona quickly pose with two v signs along with her goofy grin. 

 

Click.

 

Seohyun giggles. "That was so adorable."

 

"You're more than adorable." Mutters Yoona as she take a step forward, standing next to Seohyun.

 

"Omo. Do you have a handkerchief? Why you're sweating a lot?" Seohyun gasps as she had a full view of the older girl's sweats on her face and neck, asks about it. She only shook her head which lead her to take her handkerchief from her messenger bag and was about to wipe her sweats off when she stopped because she held her wrist.

 

"No. It's okay. I can-"

 

"Let me do it for you." But she really can't just stand without doing anything. So she transferred the handkerchief to her left and reached for her forehead first, wiping off the sweats there. "You're so silly though... fooling around on me, which made you stay more in that close place. You know there's not enough of air or wind that will enter. This must be the reason of your sweats, no?"

 

Yoona finds herself staring in disbelief to Seohyun's stubborn nature. Despite the pain, she smiled and feel that beat of her heart again. Like the way she kissed her on the cheek, it was the same feeling.  Her arms and hanging low as she slow relaxed from the latter's touch, though through the handkerchief. "Aigoo, you're really something." 

 

"What? Who's actually something? Being so dramatic and threatening me earlier? I almost thought you were hurt or what?" Seohyun playfully glared to Yoona, while she's now wiping her cheeks and then her neck, that made Yoona looked up, giving her an access. "But glad you are okay and made it. Otherwise, you can't piggy me bac