c h a p t e r  16

I looked across my room to check the list that was plastered on the wall.

Three pairs of pants, check. Four tops, check. A sweater, check. Undergarments, check. Toiletries, check. Medicine, check. I nodded in satisfaction as I ticked off the last box which was an umbrella. You never know when it'll rain.

I zipped up my small suitcase, strolling it towards the door, ready to leave. I cast a look at myself from the full length mirror. I wore a black long sleeved, high neck shirt with a knitted vest over it, tucked inside some light washed jeans.

Before I could leave my room, my eyes landed on the scarf that was hung by my door. I wasn't sure how long I was contemplating whether if I should bring it with me. The longer I stood there, staring at it, the louder Hyunjin's voice echoed in my head.

"Bring the scarf."

"I'm asking you to wear it."

It was a damn scarf. Why the hell am I getting so worked up?

With a frown, I snatched it from where it was hung and quickly wrapped it around myself wanting to stop thinking about it. It was only reasonable to wear a scarf since it was cold and we were headed to the mountains! It's freezing! Right? Right.

I exited my room, trudging the suit case with me. "Mom, I'm leaving." I announced.

She stirred awake on the couch sparing me a glance before collapsing again. "Uhuh. Be careful. Have fun." She grumbled pulling the couch pillows closer to her.

I sighed. "I went grocery shopping and prepared some meals for you. You can heat those up. Make sure you eat properly, okay?" I headed towards the door.

She hummed which I took as an okay sign. "I'll be home soon." I called out before shutting the door behind me.

•••

I played with the handle of my suitcase, enjoying the squeaks that it made as I pulled it up and down. As I do so, I scanned the field of our school, where the seniors were supposed to gather since it is where we will be boarding the buses.

"I can't believe we're required to spend a week in the mountains!" A girl I do not know groaned.

Amen, sister.

"I know right? I hear that they required it because the principal's son requested it." Another girl piped in.

"Damn whoever that person is." The girl sneered.

I almost wanted to give the girl a high five for speaking my thoughts.

"Hey, Miso!" Bang Chan waved at me with the cutest smile ever before slumping down next to my right side on the grass field. "Are you excited?" He asked with the biggest smile, rubbing his palms together.

I couldn't help the smile that cracked out of me. "Bugs and dirt, sure." I shrugged. "I'm assuming that you are too." I gestured to his bouncing frame.

"Oh, I'm stoked." He exclaimed.

"He likes outdoor related stuff." A boy popped up on my left side. I grew silent not knowing what to say since I did not know him. "I'm Kim Seungmin." He laid out his hand for me to shake.

"Park Miso." I shook his hand once, sparing a small grin.

He was easily one of the cutest boys I have ever seen. And believe me when I say that the list was short. He somehow reminded me of a puppy.

"Yeah, you're the Hyunjin-punching-Pororo. I've heard of you." He chuckled.

I felt my cheeks heat up. "That's nice." I murmured, a little embarrassed by what had become my nickname.

"It would have been nicer if I was there." He pouted.

"I see that you're a pervert too." I deadpanned.

Bang Chan gasped dramatically. "Seungmin!" He exclaimed with a hand covering his mouth.

His eyes grew wide, quickly waving his hands. "No! I meant that I wanted to see him get punched!" He defended with flushed cheeks.

"So violent." Bang Chan clicked his tongue.

"Hey! You enjoyed hearing about it too!" Seungmin cried out.

Bang Chan raised his hands in surrender.

I pursed my lips. "You're friends with him. It's not implausible for you to be one too." I narrowed my eyes at Seungmin, having a little fun.

He flushed another shade deeper. "I-I promise you, I'm n-not-"

I chuckled, waving my hands dismissively. "Chill. I was just kidding."

"She's mean." Seungmin told Bang Chan with a pout.

Bang Chan threw an arm over my shoulder, slightly rocking. "And that's why I like this one." Not long after, his arm was pulled off me.

"What are we talking about?" Hyunjin crouched down behind us. "Hello, Pororo. Nice scarf." He winked, biting his lip with a smile.

I glared at him, before turning away to hide the blush creeping in.

•••

I climbed up the bus and took one of the first seats which almost everyone avoided during school trips since it was near the adviser's seat. I slumped down on the seat by the window and placed my suitcase on the seat next to me, knowing that no one will sit there. I waited patiently for my classmates to fill the bus.

"Hey, can you move this?"

"You're my classmate?" I asked, surprised as Seungmin stood by my seat.

Bang Chan who was in the seat directly in front of me spun around. "Yeah. He's just always not around so you probably didn't notice him." He informed.

I blinked twice, still confused. "Well, don't you want to sit next to him?" I gestured to the smiling boy in front of me.

Seungmin took the initiative to raise my suitcase on the shelf of the bus. "The class president sits next to the adviser." He heaved before slumping down next to me.

I scooted farther away, afraid that I was taking up his space. He whipped out his phone and angled it, about to take a selfie. I hid my face, not wanting to ruin his shot. "What are you doing?" He asked with a raised brow.

"Salvaging your photo?"

He tugged on my arm, pushing it lower. "Nonesense. It's our photo. Now smile!" He quickly pressed the button before I could react.

He scanned the photo, laughing. I didn't bother to look at it since I was confident that I still looked amazing. Maybe not.

Right after Seungmin had finished fiddling with his phone, my phone buzzed in my pockets. I took it out, reading the text message.

From: pervert
Look to your right.

I turned to my right and saw Hyunjin by the window of the bus next to us. He had on a frown before typing on his phone.

From: pervert
Don't fall asleep. That guy's trouble.

I look back up at Hyunjin, seeing him point at Seungmin and then making a cross with his fingers. I turn to Seungmin who was innocently munching on some jellies. Some trouble.

I typed back a reply.

To: pervert
It takes one to know one.

I saw him smirk before he sent another message.

From: pervert
Exactly. You already have a guy that's trouble so forget about him and focus on me.

I suddenly forgot all the words in the dictionary. My extensive vocabulary flew out the window. Instead, I shut the curtains of my window, blocking Hyunjin.

"Too bright for you?" Seungmin asked.

I remembered Hyunjin's smile.

"Yep."

(a/n: happy 220 reads ;^;)