c h a p t e r 11

I could physically feel myself decrease in size as Hyunjin was greeted by almost every student that we passed by. I knew he had a good reputation, but being next to him as he effortlessly made small talk with people, got me feeling like I was his assistant and he was the president.

"Hyunjin!" Someone hollered from behind.

"What's up, Daehwi." He greeted.

"Could you take a look at this? The adviser is asking for the final arrangements." The boy handed him a paper.

I chewed on my bottom lip, waiting for his conversation with the boy to end. Feeling a little uncomfortable with all the attention that he's been getting, I decided to keep my distance and just waited for him outside the gates.

I sat on one of the stone benches outside and tuck my hands inside the pockets of my hoodie. Sitting here alone as he conversed with a number of people inside made me realize how different we were. How different our worlds were. As dramatic as it sounds, it was true. Maybe those girls from the library was right. Who did I think I was? Do I really think that I'm worthy of being their friend? I can't believe I'm letting this bother me. I should throw myself a pity party.

I laughed at my thoughts and the cruelty of the world. "When?" I whispered, looking up at the clear sky.

Hyunjin suddenly appeared in front of me. "You've got to stop disappearing on me." He panted, his hands resting on his knees.

I looked at my palms, flipping it around. "I'm still here, man." 

He clicked his tongue. "I meant quit leaving without saying where you're going." He brushed his long hair out of his eyes.

I stood up, ready to leave. "You were talking to someone. I didn't want to interrupt." I explained already walking ahead.

With his long legs, he caught up easily. "You're not an interruption." He said. "Technically, he was the one interrupting." He muttered. 

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." He coughed. "Anyway, where should we get ice cream?" He smiled giddily.

"We could just get some at the nearest convenience store." I pointed at the one ahead of us.

He suddenly stopped walking. "What? No!" He exclaimed.

I looked at him, confused. "Why not?"

"I.." He trailed off, looking everywhere else but me. I raised my brow, waiting. "..don't eat ice cream in a plastic wrapper." He finished with a nod.

My mouth hung open. This brat. Was he for real? "They have cones, Hyunjin." I informed, in case he didn't know.

"I don't like eating ice cream in cones. It's messy." He beamed a boyish smile.

"They have them in plastic cups."

"I'm lessening my usage of plastic. Save mother earth." He lifted a fist in the air.

I tried to get out of this spontaneous ice cream run only to have him relentlessly point at my pants saying it is on fire for being a liar. To be fair, I didn't think we'd leave the library until morning seeing as his progress with the worksheet was so slow. It is beyond me on how finished it in 10 minutes. I refuse to believe that it was because of the damn ice cream.

"We love an environmental advocate." I deadpanned, already lost the argument.

"Aw. You love me?" He cooed.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Whatever. So where do you propose we go?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Let's go to the nearest ice cream parlor." He said without a second thought.

What a high maintenance palette.

"And where would that be?" I asked, wanting it to get over with.

"It says here.." He trailed off, carefully scanning the screen of his phone. "Itaewon." He finished with a smile.

"Itaewon?!" I shrieked. "Are you serious? That's like- an hour away!" I threw my hands in the air.

(a/n: i dont have a specific location for their highschool so lets just assume hehe)

"I know. We have no time to waste." He walked ahead, humming a tune.

I quickly followed, trailing behind him. "Are you sure you want to go all the way there just for ice cream?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I love ice cream."

•••

"I can't believe I'm doing this." I muttered, annoyed as I sat down on one of the empty seats in the bus. "Don't you have anything better to do?" I asked, Hyunjin as he plopped down next to me with a satisfied sigh.

"Nope."

"That doesn't mean I don't."

"Well, do you?" He glanced at me with a smirk.

I averted my gaze and focused on the view outside the window. "No." I murmured, dejected.

He laughed. "Quit whining, Pororo. We're gonna have so much fun."

"We're just gonna get ice cream, not roam around Itaewon." I pointed out.

"You can't go to Itaewon and not roam around, Pororo." He looked at me with crinkled nose. "That's an unspoken rule." He said sassily.

"Since when?"

"Since now."

•••

The bell of the glass door jingled as we entered the most contemporary looking ice cream parlor I've ever seen. I say 'most' since I haven't been to any ice cream parlor. I haven't even been to Itaewon.

It was a Saturday, so it was slightly packed. "Should we go to a different one?" I glanced up at Hyunjin who despite the long bus ride, still had a smile on his face.

He shook his head. "No. They have the best ice cream in town." He scanned the area for empty tables. "There! Go, Pororo before someone else takes it." He nudged me and pointed to a couple by the window, about to leave their seats.

I sighed but still jogged over to claim the seats. I sat down and observed the busy streets of Itaewon. Since it was getting dark out, the stores are turning on their night lights, illuminating the area. I looked in awe as a guy performed in front of the store, giving me a perfect view. He was surrounded by an audience as they applauded while he danced. I, too applauded. While he performed his next number, Hyunjin came back with two paper cups of ice cream. He set the vanilla one in front of me and took the pistachio one.

"You didn't ask what my order was." I glared at him.

"Didn't you say you liked vanilla while we were in the bus?" He sat down, taking a scoop of his.

"That doesn't mean that it was gonna be my order."

"What was your order?"

I tried to think of a different flavor but failed. I really didn't like other flavors. I didn't have a problem with their tastes, but I did have a problem with having to choose. I liked the simplicity of vanilla.

"Whatever." I took a scoop of mine, having lost the argument again. "How much is it?" I asked, realizing he paid for mine.

"It's free. They said it was free ice cream day." He waved a hand dismissively.

"Really?" I exclaimed, surprised and shot a look at the counter. "But why are those people paying?" I asked, seeing a girl hand her payment.

"Beats me."

I shrugged it off and continued to watch the dancer in front. I let out a low whistle as the guy smoothly did a wave. "Damn." I whispered. "That's hot." I said absentmindedly.

Hyunjin shot me a look. "You think he's hot?"

I nodded and then shrugged after a second. "I don't know. His dance was." I scooped another spoonful. "All dancers are hot." I added.

I now understand why they had so many customers. Then again, Hyunjin said it was free ice cream day so I don't know.

He hummed. "I can do better." His lips curled at the guy in front of us.

"Sure, sweetheart." I murmured, my spoon still in my mouth.

"I'm serious."

"I didn't say you weren't."

He watched the dancer in silence. After a while, he stood up from his seat. "Hey, where are you going?" I called out as he ignored me and headed towards the door. Was he seriously leaving me after dragging me out here?

I almost choked as he joined the guy in front and did a  little showdown. The crowd grew larger as Hyunjin effortlessly danced to the song that was playing. Even the people inside the store was already by the window, wanting to take a peek at him.

True to his words, he was indeed better than the guy. I didn't know much about dancing but the way he moved exuded confidence. You can tell that he knew what he was doing. While dancing, he shot a wink my way making the people around me squeal in delight. I blushed, completely overwhelemed by the way he moved.

Not long after he came back inside. He was applauded by the customers inside to which he returned with a grateful smile. He bowed continously to them until he reached our table. He greeted me with the smuggest smile I've ever seen. "Well?"

"Your ice cream's melted."