“Omma, I read from somewhere that carpooling helps reduce stress levels because you can avoid high- traffic situations” Yonghwa said while having breakfast before going to school

“uhuh. That’s nice”

“And you can save a lot of fuel expenses too”

Mrs. Jung gave Yonghwa a pointed look “The point is?”

Yonghwa dawdled a little before saying “I was thinking… can you ask Mrs. Seo if we can do carpooling?... you know… Seohyun and I are of the same school…”he trailed off

“I’m going to think about it…”  

“It’s green omma!  We can save mother earth!”

Mrs. Jung chuckled “You don’t have to go that far son…”

Yonghwa dragged her outside to Seo’s residence as soon as she finished her morning rituals without hearing her protests.

It’s a good thing that they were just going out themselves.

“Joohyun omma” his mother started as she stopped her from getting inside the car “I need to discuss something with you. It’ll be quick”

He bowed to her mom before going to Seohyun and elbowed her. “Yah..” he said grinning

“What’s this all about Jung Yong?” she asked as she watched their mother talked and seemed to have agreed.

Yonghwa gave him a knowing smile in return

“Okay, as of today, we’re going to carpool. I’ll send you to school today. Tomorrow will be Yonghwa omma’s turn.” She said “now, get in or you’re going to be late for school”

“But omma…” Seohyun started to protest

“It’ll at least lessen the pollution, dear, we can help save mother earth” her mom interrupted with a slight grin on her face, she knew her daughter too well. She couldn’t say no to that

Seohyun blinked at her, thinking…. Then opened the car door and went inside without a word

Yonghwa’s smile widened. “Thanks omma, I love you!” he whispered before he gave his mom a peck on the cheek and waved goodbye.  

--

They arrived at school and Shinhye was there waiting for Joohyun. Her eyes widened when she saw Yonghwa slips out of the car after her friend.

She hurriedly goes to her side and whispered “Why is he in your car Joohyun-ah?”

Joohyun let Yonghwa pass them by before whispering back “Carpool”

“Carpool? Why?” Shinhye asked in confusion. She was absent for the past few days because of her shooting schedule and now this?

“We’re neighbors. And it’s a long story…” Joohyun stopped talking when she saw Yonghwa detoured and stopped in front of them

“Seohyun, your phone” he said  

In confusion, Joohyun took her phone from her pocket “W-why?”

Yonghwa grabbed the phone making Joohyun flinch and tried to get it back as Yonghwa moved it away from her while typing on her phone

They heard a ring on his pocket, with that he gave the phone back and said “That’s my number. And I got yours. I’ll text you later after class” and then he was gone

Shinhye looked around and she was not mistaken, curious eyes were on them.

She sighed. Wow, I missed out a lot.

 A bubble of jealousy started to form in her chest. “Seohyun?” Shinhye asked instead

She saw Joohyun took a deep breath and let it out forcefully. “Yes, and he’s Jung Yong”

Shinhye looked at her in surprise “That childhood friend you’re talking about?”

She saw her nod weakly.

And her heart sank, her smile turned bitter. She shouldn’t feel that. She knew, but she can’t help it.

--

Joohyun has been uneas