SS- Chapter 8

Chapter 8

It’s been a week since Bom’s first chemotherapy session and her parents had her checked in the hospital to make sure that everything went okay. I and my mother visited her the next day but she was so out of it that she was sleeping the whole time we were there. I just left her a short note with words of encouragement and to let her know that we dropped by. She was absent Monday. By Tuesday morning, she traipsed inside the classroom like nothing happened and by second period; she was back to her old jolly self. She said her treatment will be every two weeks and she already made arrangements with the school since she was advised by her doctors that it’s going to be inevitable that the drugs will take a toll on her body and she might have to stay away from school for a few days for the succeeding treatments. She was all relaying these to me like its regular everyday news and I tried my best to match her courage.

Meanwhile, school life got exciting with the flurry of activities left and right. The Student Council election is now done and Taeyang won by a landslide as expected. As for the school play, I was pumped up for the auditions and I’m almost sure that I will get the female lead. For Romeo, it was a well known fact that Song Joong Ki will play the part. He was indisputably the best actor in the drama club and also very good looking. He was the school’s flower boy heartthrob. If Donghae oppa wasn’t there, I would definitely have had a crush on Joong Ki. We weren’t particularly close so I was kinda surprised when he was kind enough to offer his time and practice lines with me. We stayed behind at school Wednesday and we made very good progress.

By Thursday afternoon, Seunghyun found us practicing some lines again for the audition which will happen Friday, under the biggest acacia tree near the cafeteria. Seunghyun and I had be constantly texting each other after our visit at his house although we rarely talked at school. I texted him earlier telling him that I will stay at school again with Joong Ki to practice.

Seunghyun casually stopped in front us and said hi. I introduced the two guys and then Seunghyun just casually said that he’ll wait for me and sat down beside me and began fiddling with his phone seemingly not paying attention to our practice. This was a first. He never publicly waited for me before. I told him that Joong Ki and I already made plans to get some ice cream after so I asked him if he would just like to join us. He raised one thick brow at me and then at Joong Ki.

“But you already agreed to have dinner with me and grandpa” he said.

I knotted my brows in confusion. “I did?”

“Yeah” he nodded. “Remember? You said yes last Monday.”

“But I didn’t know that it’ll be today” I argued.

“So you don’t want to?” His tone was low.

“Of course not. That’s not what I’m saying. I-It’s just that I wasn’t prepared …”

He didn’t say anything, but just kept looking at me as if expecting something. I sighed.

“I’m sorry, Joong Ki. It looks like we have to reschedule that ice cream.” He looked so downcast so I added, “Promise, it’ll be my treat, okay?”

His face lit up at that and due to the weird vibe between the two guys that I suggested for an early wrap up. I was confident that I had the lines memorized anyway.

“How about tomorrow after the auditions?” Joong Ki suggested. “Call?”

“Call!” I replied gamely and we smiled as we said our goodbyes.

He left first and Seunghyun and I walked over to the parking lot to get to his motorcycle.

“You could have told me earlier that the dinner will be today, you know” I gently admonished. I may appear casual about the whole invitation thing but inside, I was giddy. I mean, he previously said that he would cook for us. It may not be a romantic dinner date with the fact that we will be with his grandfather but still, it’s a big thing when a guy cooks for a girl right?

“I just felt like having spaghetti now” he answered. He mentioned before that his specialty is pasta.

“Ooohhhh … so I get to finally taste the best spaghetti in the world?” I teased.

He smirked. “It’s gonna be soooo good, you’re going to forget your name.”

And Seunghyun did deliver. It was the best spaghetti with meatballs ever. While he cooked, I played Go Stop with Psy oppa and Mrs. Lee, the ahjumma next door. We then had dinner together and being a school night, I left soon after.

We are now sitting in front of each other at the little wooden swing with a roof that my Mom had installed two years ago in front of our porch. Mom already said hi to Seunghyun when she heard his motorcycle when we arrived and invited him to come and have dinner with us one day. He said he’d love to and Mom left us then. The night wind was kind of warm for a change and both of us seemed reluctant to end the night but tomorrow is a big day for us so I reminded him that it’s getting late.

He let out a sigh. The swinging motion stopped and he stepped out but I remained inside the swing. He faced me, holding on to both ends of the bars of the swing, kinda leaning over inside. “Good luck tomorrow on your audition. I’m sure you’ll get the lead part.”

 “You, too.”

All classes tomorrow afternoon are cancelled to give way to Org Week. It’s mandatory for all students to join at least one club and I persuaded Suenghyun to try out for the Soccer team.

“Too bad your try out and my audition will be held around the same time.” I sounded forlorn. “I really do want to see you play and cheer for you.”

“That’s okay” he shrugged. “Maybe you can catch up after you’re done.”

“That’s the plan” I grinned.

With heavy feet, I stood up and walked him to his bike. “Drive safely, okay.”

He hopped on Monster and picked up his helmet but delayed putting it on. “Tomorrow …” he began.

When he didn’t continue, “What about tomorrow?” I prodded.

He ran his fingers though his hair. “Tomorrow, are you really going to that date with that guy?”

“Huh?”

“That guy. Ice cream.”

My mouth formed an O shape.

“You remember now?” he said childishly and I smiled inwardly.

Seunghyun is acting cute. Gah! I composed myself. “It’s not a date.”

“Sounds like a date to me.” He pouted. Kyeopta. Can I spazz?

“It’s not. I just wanted to treat him for helping me …”

“He likes you, you know …”

“What?” I exclaimed, surprised. “He does not. How can you tell? You just met him.”

“He does. Can’t YOU tell?” he asked, turning the tables on me.

I decided to tease him. “I can’t. You know, I’m the type of girl who can’t tell if somebody likes me especially if the guy doesn’t say the actual words.”

“Really?”

“Yup” I nodded and folded my arms. “In fact, I wouldn’t know if a guy likes me even after say – picking me up at school and driving me home, or cooking me some dinner … that kind of stuff … I’d still be clueless if he doesn’t confess face to face.” I said boldly.

“Is that so?” he appeared to be thinking and then he said, looking at me with a straight face. “And I thought you’re a one smart woman.”

Once his words sinked in, “Did you just insult me?” I feigned to be angry. “Ya! Choi Seunghyun!”

He chuckled and started his engine, revving it up. “Hey, tangerine girl”

“What?” I answered grumpily.

“Don’t go.”

“Bwoh?”

“Just … don’t.”

And just when I thought he was going to drive off, he suddenly leaned over and kissed me swiftly on the cheek making my heart skip a beat and then he casually put on his helmet.

“Night, Dara.” He gave a final wave and just like that time when he first kissed me, I stood there immobile until I couldn’t see him anymore.

When I gathered my wits, I went inside the house and leaned my back on the front door after closing it, feeling the beat of a thousand drums in my chest.

“I saw that.” Came my Mother’s voice all of a sudden which made me jump in fright. My heart rate was already at a lightning speed and it was a miracle I didn’t experience a cardiac arrest.

“Mom!”

“Aren’t you going to tell me something?” she asked, with her arms folded in front of her chest.

“There’s nothing to tell.” I mumbled, making a beeline to my room trying to escape her watchful eyes. “G’nyt Mom!”

********************************

Dear Diary,

Seunghyun is either making my heart skip a beat or make it run a mile a minute. I swear my heart is going to collapse one day due to confusion.

But then again, he was soooo cute acting jealous. That’s why I’ll forgive him for stealing another kiss.

Next time (assuming there’s a next time), I’m going to be angry … errr … pretend be angry at least. Giddiness overload!

~xoxo

D~

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It’s now 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Miss Eun Hye, our club adviser, made me stay to help screen the newbies who wanted to part of the club. Auditions for the main characters are done and everybody already congratulated me and Joong Ki for getting the lead roles. There was no official announcement yet but it was pretty much a foregone conclusion. Chaerin, who’s in charge of the wardrobe design team, was already yapping about the wonderful gown that she has planned for me. Bom and Minzy are at their Glee club so they weren’t with us.

The rest of the club members are sitting in the auditorium as well as the aspiring actors waiting patiently for the official list from Miss Eun Hye. She promised to have the names ready by 5 o’clock and everyone’s eager to see the list.

I wanted to sneak out to catch Seunghyun’s try-out but being the President of Drama club, I had my responsibilities to attend to. So here I am, standing on the stage, occasionally playing different parts to help the hopefuls read their lines if the scene needed an acting partner. If a male character is needed, it was Joong Ki who stepped up.

We were down to the last auditionee and the poor guy was so nervous that he was stuttering and blanked out in the middle of reciting the lines of Mercutio. Miss Eun Hye took pity and just said thank you to end his suffering.

I gave a huge sigh of relief. Finally!

I was about to jump from the stage to sprint out but all of our attention was caught by the sudden opening of the auditorium door and in came a guy who was rushing inside. I see his silhouette from where I was, his outline was framed by the light outside. He appeared to be catching his breath with both of his hands on his knees. When he straightened, I was shocked to see Seunghyun. What was he doing here?

“I’m sorry for being late” he announced, walking closer to the stage. “Are the auditions done? I would like to try out.”

My jaw dropped to the ground.

“What are you doing?” I murmured, with only the right side of my mouth moving. Seunghyun and I are standing side by side on the stage after he was allowed to audition.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him that only he could see. His smirk grew bigger.

“What are you auditioning for? Mister …?” called Miss Eun Hye.

“Choi. Choi Seunghyun” he supplied and then shrugged. “Any role’s fine.”

“You didn’t even prepare” I chided in a low tone.

“Is that the script?” he asked me and reached out to get the binded folder I was holding.

“Shall I try out for Romeo?” he whispered with a wink.

“We already have one” I whispered back.

We heard a clapping of hands. We turned our attention to it.

“It’s running late, you guys. Go ahead and start. Might as well just read the Romeo part” suggested our adviser.

We decided to just focus on the Romeo and Juliet interaction. I already have Juliet’s parts memorized so I just let Seunghyun have the script to himself. He began:

Romeo and Juliet: Act 1, Scene 5

---

ROMEO

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night

Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,

As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.

The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,

And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.

Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!

For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

ROMEO [To JULIET.]

If I profane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand

To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

 JULIET

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,

Which mannerly devotion shows in this;

For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,

And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.

ROMEO

Have not saint’s lips, and holy palmers too?

JULIET

Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

ROMEO

O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;

They pray — grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

JULIET

Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.

ROMEO

Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.

[Kisses Juliet.]  Seunghyun kisses my hand.

Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.

JULIET

Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

ROMEO

Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!

Give me my sin again.

[Kisses Juliet on the lips.] Seunghyun made a move to kiss me on the lips this time just like the play but I moved back. Was he really going to kiss me in front of everyone?

“I think that’s enough” I said, a little tad breathless. My cheeks felt warm and I resisted the urge to cup them.

I faced Miss Eun Hye and her hands are clasped in front of her as if praying and the rest of the spectators were buzzing with hushed talks. Joong Ki on the other hand doesn’t look happy. I don’t think any of us expected Seunghyun to be good at acting. Not only was he good, he had presence on stage! I think he’s feeling threatened.

I watched Seunghyun’s back retreating to take a vacant seat among the rest of the students. I joined Miss Eun Hye at our table where she has the rest of the student profiles.

“He’s good.” She told me.

I felt a sudden feeling of pride. “He is” I agreed.

When the list was posted, I wasn’t really surprised that Seunghyun was chosen. What I didn’t anticipate was he was given the also coveted role of Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend. Not only that, he will be the understudy of Romeo. I expected some grumblings especially coming from the senior members but I guess they are still pretty much intimidated by Seunghyun so I didn’t hear any. If anything, they were gladly welcoming him into the fold. Already, I caught several girls trying to get his attention.

Who elected him as Mister Popularity all of a sudden? I sent them death glares inside my head.

Chaerin cornered me and dropped into a conspiratorial tone. “What’s the real deal with you and him?” She glanced at Seunghyun who was being surrounded by his instant fans.

“Nothing” I responded.

She arched her perfectly, elegantly shaped brows. “I don’t believe you.”

I refused to take her bait. “It’s late. I’m tired. See you Monday!”

“Ready to go?” came a voice behind us.

Oh crap. All afternoon, I was waiting for the right timing to tell Joong Ki to reschedule our ice cream “date”. Now it’s too late. It was all Seunghyun’s fault. I kept on second guessing what he told me last night. Right before he planted the idea that Joong Ki might like me, I was completely unaware and that thought never crossed my mind. But now, whenever Joong Ki smiles at me or being extra solicitous, a sudden question pops into my head. Does he like me? Does he not? Gah! It was all Seunghyun’s fault for messing up my head and making my interaction with Joong Ki awkward.

“Where are you going?” piped Seungri. He also stayed since he is the head of the production design team.

“Dara’s treating me ice cream” Joong Ki announced proudly.

Chaerin was giving me a cat like grin. “Oooohh?” she mused. “Innnterrresting …”

“It’s just ice cream.” I felt like I had to defend myself.

“Great! I feel like eating ice cream, too.” Seungri placed his arm on Joong Ki’s shoulder who paled.

“Where’s the ice cream?” asked Lydia who is also part of the wardrobe design team.

I couldn’t help but notice Joong Ki’s expression and smile getting dimmer. Poor guy. Does he like me? Does he not?

I mentally shake my head.

Pretty soon, the word got out that we are having an “ice cream party” and almost everyone decided to join in even Miss Eun Hye. She said that as a celebration, she will pay for half of our orders which was very generous of her.

Once we got in the ice cream parlor, Chaerin took the seat beside me while Joong Ki sat on the other. Lydia and two other girls from their team sat in front of us making Seungri pout. He then sat on the table next to ours inviting Seunghyun to sit with him. I was still feeling slightly irritated with Seunghyun for some reason so I pretty much ignored his presence. Sulli and the other junior students were busy flirting with him anyway and he looked like he was having the time of his life.

When it was time to go home, I latched on to Chaerin bumming for a ride home since she was going to be picked up by her father. Joong Ki offered to take me instead since he has his own car but I politely refused. Does he like me? Does he not?

I could see from my peripheral vision that Seunghyun was staring at me but I pretended not to notice.

The rest of the team began to disperse and thin out. Only me, Chae, Seungri and Seunghyun were left behind. Seungri was animatedly telling Seunghyun a story about some kangaroos but it looked like he wasn’t paying much attention.

All of a sudden, I received a text message. We were about 3 feet away from them. We were sitting outside the ice cream parlor under the huge beach umbrellas with cute little tables. The boys are on another table.

“R u mad at me?” I read.

“Y would I be mad at u? Is there a reason for me to be mad about?”

“K”

K? K! What in the world does he mean by “K”?!

I silently fumed inside.

I got another text after a couple of minutes. “U look like an angry rabbit.”

I blinked my eyes rapidly at my phone and then turned my face to him. He looked amused.

I scrunched up my face. “U look like a dinosaur!” I texted back. Don’t ask me where I got that idea. I honestly don’t know where it came from. Gosh! What a lame retaliation.

He laughed out loud.

Seungri looked elated. He elbowed Chaerin. “I told you my jokes are funny.” His chair is right behind hers.

“Whatever, Seungrat” Chae snapped. “From what I can see, he was not laughing at your jokes.”

Seungri’s face looked confused. Chaerin’s on the other hand looked like a satisfied cat that has caught a big fish. Her eyes tell me that the fish is me. Omo!

What? I mouthed at her trying to look innocent.

She raised her right eyebrow and made a side glance at Seunghyun’s direction. Now, I’m finding her eyebrows increasingly irritating.

After around 10 more minutes of waiting, she received a message from her father saying that he will be running late. “Ottokae? He said it will take him around 20 minutes more to get here …”

I glanced at my watch and its past 7PM. “I guess I’ll just take the bu-“

“I’ll take you home” piped Seunghyun.

“Omo! That’s great Oppa!” Chaerin exclaimed clasping her hands together. Oppa?! “I’ll be very worried if Darong here takes the public bus.  You never can tell with the all the crimes these days …” Overacting much?

I rolled my eyes at her. “Jeju is pretty much safe, you know.” I told her.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets home safely.” Seunghyun said, now standing beside me.

“How about you? Will you be okay waiting here?” I asked Chae.

“I’ll stay behind” volunteered Seungri. “Chae-cat here might get into trouble.”

She tried elbowing him but he dodged. “I can take care of myself, you know. There’s no need to worry.”

“Who says I’m worried about you?” Seungri faced her. “I’m worried for the poor soul you might terrorize later.”

“Ya! Seungrat!” Chaerin started beating Seungri much to our delight. I swear these two are the modern versions of Montague and Capulet.

We took our leave and it was a short walk to Seunghyun’s bike. I wore the extra helmet and hopped on without a word. He, too, was silent and no one broke the silence until I noticed him going the wrong way. I tapped his shoulder but kept one arm around his waist and pointed in the other direction signaling that we should be taking the other road. He just shook his head and drove on. Before long, we arrived at Turtle beach.

“What are we doing here?” I immediately asked after I took off my helmet and got down.

“It’s still early. It’s a beautiful night.” He started walking towards the beach and I had no choice but to follow him.

The sounds of crashing waves always have the power to calm me. The wind was chilly and it was a good thing I was wearing a cardigan over my school uniform. I stood watching the half-moon and the stars and I guess I must have stared far too long coz I didn’t notice Seunghyun standing closely beside me until he cleared his throat.

“A penny for your thoughts?” He smiled.

I flushed. Looking into his amused eyes, I realized I’ve been behaving badly and childishly. “I’m sorry” I said quietly.

He must have understood what the apology was for and he only nodded. “Did you really not want me joining the drama club?”

“What? No. Of course not.” I tried to explain.

“Well, you didn’t look too happy since I walked in that auditorium …”

I shook my head. “It’s just that … you … caught me by surprise … again.” I uttered, breathily.  “You always make me lose my balance, you know? I feel like the world is either moving in a slow motion or whirling like a spinning top when you’re around. You always do things I don’t expect.”

He was silent, digesting what I told him. “You don’t like surprises.” He declared.

I never thought of it that way but I guess he was right. “I take comfort in routines.” I said.

“I respect that.” He slid both of his hands inside his jacket’s front pockets. “I used to be that way until after my parents started having marital problems. I resisted when Dad decided to pack up and bring us to Japan. I used to hate it when they send me away during summer. I felt like they didn’t want me around. That was until Grandpa started taking me in. He showed me that the world has too much to offer and there’s so much left to explore. You can also find comfort in the unknown, Dara.” We stood face to face. His dark eyes are shining. “When you step out of your comfort zone, there’s more room to grow and you’ll find time for adventures and excitement.”

I can’t believe Seunghyun was getting deep on me. I couldn’t resist ribbing him. “You sound like a life coach.”

He chuckled. “I actually got that from Grandpa” he confessed. “I was a brooding kid and he made me look at the brighter side of things. He doesn’t believe in making long term plans and just lived in the moment. My mother sometimes blames him saying I inherited his recklessness. She says I’m too rash and doesn’t think of the future.”

“Well, don’t you?”

He sighed. “I admit. Right now? I don’t. I already have too much on my hands to think of anything else, much more the future.”

“If you need any help, you just let me know … I can help you with assignments or maybe help watch over your grandfather” I offered.

He pinched the bridge of my nose. “Thank you, ssantokki.”

I scrunched up my nose a couple of times to get rid of the tingling feel from Seunghyun’s touch.

“See? Just like a rabbit.” He voiced.

“Ya! Why are you always calling me names?”

“Just because …”

I scowled at him.

“What happened to your soccer try out by the way? Didn’t you make the cut?” I changed the subject.

“I did.”

“Then why …?” I asked in confusion

He shrugged. “The coach told us that there’s going to be practice every day after school and on weekends when there are games. You know I can’t afford all that time … I might lose my job.”

“So you just randomly chose Drama club?”

“It wasn’t random." he looked at me pointedly. "Besides, I played Peter Pan in grade school.”

“Really?” I was delighted. No wonder he was good. “You did a really good job earlier. You sure took us all by surprise.”

“Good surprise?”

“Good surprise.” I nodded.

“Too bad I didn’t get the lead part” he mused.

“You were good but Joong Ki was still the best” I teased.

“I bet if I practiced too, I would be Romeo.”

“Arrogant much?” I arched my eyebrow, very Chaerin like.

He was about to reach out for my nose again but I’ve anticipated his move so I got away. He got this playful look in his eyes and was about to chase me when my phone rang. It was my Mom. I answered. I also noticed then that I received a couple of text messages from Bom.

“I think it’s time to go home” I said.

We reluctantly said goodbye to the beach.

Mother was waiting outside our front porch when we arrived. I excitedly related that I’m going to play Juliet and that Seunghyun will be part of the play, too. She said her congratulations to both of us and even asked him to bring home a packed kimchi that she has prepared for Psy oppa.

She stood together with me when we said goodbye to Seunghyun. I suspect she didn’t want another repeat of the episode she’d seen the other night that’s why she didn’t leave us alone.

Darn.

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