☀︎︎𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 EIGHT☀︎︎
"We're friends."
2000
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Ji-hye just sat there looking at her unopened notebook and textbook, she was like this for the first fifteen minutes once she entered the study sessions. Truth is, she really didn't want to go home after work, she wanted to hang out with someone and not be home. If that led her to begin a study session to not be home she took advantage of it.

  "You've been looking at nothing this entire time. People are starting to look at you weird." Sang-woo whispered to Ji-hye. Her attention went over to Sang-woo who was sitting next to her.

  "If I'm being honest, I just came to this session because I didn't want to go home."

  "Well studying is a good way to get distracted."

  "Eh, depends on if you're into it. It's a Saturday night, and it really isn't a study mood."

  "Well if you don't want to study, you and your boyfriend could be quieter and leave. There are people who do want to study." A random girl looked at them both. Ji-hye and Sang-woo were both caught off guard when the girl thought Sang-woo was Ji-hye's boyfriend.

  "We're not a thing... we're friends." Sang-woo awkwardly laughed

  "Yeah what he said. I already have a boyfriend."

  "Really?" The girl's face turned red in embarrassment "Sorry, I thought you two were a thing—you two would make an amazing couple. I mean- like I said, if you don't want to study you can just leave."

  "Thank you?" Ji-hye bit the inside of her cheek. "Well, I guess I'll get going since I don't want to study." Ji-hye got up and was about to grab her notebook but Sang-woo grabbed it from her, shoving it in her bag.

  "Let's go, my mom invited you for dinner." He smiled at her and walked out the room, Ji-hye followed behind him.

  "Really?" Sang-woo nodded "Thank god, I really was craving her food. She makes the best dinner."

  "I guess my mom did have a big impact on you."

  "Oh she did. She's literally the kindest person I've ever met and she's just amazing."

  "Yeah she is. I guess I'm lucky to have a mom like her."

  "You really are. Anyone would die for a mom like that."

  "Your mom didn't provide for you well?"

  "I mean she did but she kicked me out when I refused to get married at 16. Like, I still had a lot to live for and I really didn't want to marry someone for money."

  "That has to suck."

  "Yeah it did. So after moving out of Yongin I came to Seoul, finished High School and I entered SNU. Most of my family seemed surprised, which kinda hurt but at least I'm here living a good life."

-

  After Ji-hye and Sang-woo ate dinner, Mrs.Cho recommended to Ji-hye she should take Sang-woo out since he never leaves the house. Mrs.Cho wanted her son to at least live his life and not always be in his room studying. Ji-hye decided to take Sang-woo to a mini live show that was happening in Yeouido.

  "Cmon Sang-woo, you'll love the show, this band plays the best music." Ji-hye looked at him

  "I don't know, I'm getting tired."

  "Well I didn't say you had a choice." Ji-hye stated firmly "We're going, even your mom wants you to leave the house." Ji-hye grabbed Sang-woo's arm, dragging him to the bus stop. Sang-woo tried to use his force to stop her but she was stronger than him. "I really thought you were the Athletic type."

  "I used to be." Sang-woo said offensively "Besides, I'm not using all my force." Ji-hye just rolled her eyes

  "Luckily for you I know all the bus' schedules so the bus should be here any second."

  They finally got to Yeouido after a short bus drive. Ji-hye smiled seeing all the lights in the middle of Yeouido. Ji-hye didn't know the band's name that was going to perform but all she knew is that they had the best music ever.

  "I don't see the excitement in this." Sang-woo examined every detail that was around him. His eyes wandered everywhere.

  "Of course you aren't, the band hasn't even started singing. You really do need to get out of the house more. Here's a good thing, while the band plays music there's mini shops where you can buy food or stuff."

  "Sounds interesting." Sang-woo shrugged, his attention went over to the stage as instruments
began to play and voices began to sing.  Ji-hye moved her head to the beat and hummed.

  "I heard that there's a woman around here who makes jewelry." Ji-hye said out of nowhere. "We should check it out."

  Ji-hye's behavior was a little weird when she walked off, Sang-woo caught that but just followed behind her. Ji-hye acted dumb and acted like she was new to the place.

  "Ji-hye, are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." She chuckled, "Let's just go see the shops." Sang-woo knotted his eyebrows in confusion on why she was acting like this. Even if they knew each other for a year Sang-woo would tell something was going on.

  "You're acting suspicious, are you hiding from someone?"

  "Definitely no, just-" Ji-hye pulled Sang-woo to be behind her as she stood in front of him looking through a container of jewelry. "Just stay there and pretend you're helping me pick out jewelry." She whispered

  Sang-woo did as she said, he leaned up a little bit forward, the side of his face was a couple millimeters apart from Ji-hye. Ji-hye breath hitched, this was the closest they've ever been. I should really rethink my life right now.

  "This ring looks pretty." Sang-woo picked up a beautiful gold ring with a pink flower on it . "It suits you." He turned his head to almost meet Ji-hye's lips. They both looked tensely at each other. Ji-hye didn't know what to feel, it felt like everything was going into slow motion as they were staring at each other.

  "Ji-hye?" Their eye contact broke as Ji-hye turned her head seeing Cho-hee. "What are you doing?" Cho-hee looked in between them. Sang-woo just looked down, Ji-hye was speechless.

  "Uh, Sang-woo was helping me choose a ring." Ji-hye stepped away from Sang-woo nervously

  "Yeah." He looked up

  "Mhm. I've never seen two acquaintances just randomly stand so close to each other and were about to kiss even though both of them know that someone has a boyfriend."

  "It wasn't like that- "

  "Oh save it Ji-hye, I saw you trying to hide once you saw me. You know you aren't supposed to be around Sang-woo because this was one of the reasons why Joon-ho didn't even want you to be around Sang-woo. He knew that something like this would happen."

AUTHOR: it's just getting started ;)