Fourteen

Last day of the field trip. Morning.

As this is the last day, they were given freedom to explore the place. Hayan and Sean immediately went sight seeing together and Hajin leaving so early when they were still asleep.

They were now walking on a quiet hallway with small souvenir stores on the way.

"Are you disappointed?" Sean suddenly asks, grinning at him.

"What do you mean?"

"You still haven't seen Hajin, right? I wonder he left so early."

"Well, it's not his business to let us know. Besides, he's with us for two days in a row. He... He might..."

"Grow tired? After he held your hand?" Upon mentioning of that, Hayan's face went red making Sean burst out in laughter. "He only held your hand and your acting that way. What more if he kissed you, huh? You'll probably melt on the ground... Like an ice cream." With that, he laughed out loud again while Hayan got stuck with the idea of them kissing.

M-me and Hajin... Kissing?

He started imagining Hajin getting nearer, their lips almost touching each other, until...

Sean laughed even more when Hayan sat on the ground hiding his face. He can clearly see his ear and neck getting really red.

"Wow Hayan, what are you thinking, huh? I didn't know you had such a dirty thought!"

"I-i-m not! You... You started it!"

"Stand up, will you?" Sean grabbed him by the arm and forced him to stand up. His face still red and frowning. "Why are you frowning? Don't you like the idea of kissing Hajin?"

"It's not like that." He looked away. "Stop giving me false hopes. We all know that's not gonna happen."

"What do you mean? He held your hand, remember?"

"I-it's probably to make me walk. Maybe he's impatient because I won't walk."

Sean stared at him hopelessly and then held him on both shoulders while trying to catch his eyes.

"Hayan, listen to me. You won't hold a person's hand for no reason, okay?"

"What do you mean?" He asked in an almost whisper.

"What do I mean? Hajin might actually like you."

"H-ha? Me... Me? Why? I... I..."

Sean sighed and took a step back. "It's about time you have confidence in yourself. There' s a lot out there who probably likes you. You even received a love letter, right?"

The two of them grew silent as Hayan is still panicking inside, this time at the thought of Hajin liking him too.

He's suddenly reminded of what happened yesterday and it's as if he could still feel Hajin's warm hand on his.

*What if... Hajin really likes me?

Badump... Badump... Badump*...

"But-"

"I found a store that sells cute things. Let's go there." Sean insisted and started walking away. His face finally showing what his real emotions are that he tries hard to hide infront of Hayan.

-

"Sean, what do you-" He stopped talking when he noticed Sean's not beside him. He looked around and didn't see him. He put down the Keychain and went outside the store as he look for his friend.

"Sean?" He called as he walk slowly while constantly looks around.

Where did he go?

"Sean-"

Hajin!

He panicked and immediately hide at the corner when he saw Hajin going outside the store. He really didn't want to hide if not for the girl who also got out of the store and stopped Hajin. Hajin's back faced him as he talk to the girl.

"I... I have something to say." The girl softly said, her face red.

Is she going to...

"Sure. What is it?" Hajin said with his usual friendly tone.

D-don't listen to her. Please...

How he want to grab Hajin and run far away. But all he could do is watch.

I should go. It is bad listening to other people's conversation.

He decided to turn around and walked away but he still heard what the girl said next.

"I like you... Hajin."

He started running away, his tears slowly falling.

Why am I crying?

The girl's word echoes on his mind. He didn't even got the chance to hear Hajin's reply as he ran away.

Hajin probably said yes. Maybe they're going out now. Why did I get the illusion the he might like me? We're not the same... What I wanted would never happen. How foolish of me to think that way.

He ran away even faster in hopes that his tear will dry up and the pain he feels goes away. But he stops immediately when he felt his chest getting tighter making him unable to breath. This time, he didn't know if it's because of his asthma or because of what he witnessed earlier. Everything's becoming overwhelming for him.

He sat on the ground gasping for air.

It hurts... I don't want this feeling.

"What's- Hayan?!" Red stared at him in shock. His face is already puffy from crying and his body is full of sweat. "Hayan, what happened? Are you okay? Where's Sean? Why... Why are you crying?" He bombarded him with questions as he wipe the tears on his face.

Hayan didn't answer. He looked down, sniffing. Red cupped his face and held it up.

"I hate seeing you like this. What's wrong?"

Hayan could finally recognize who he is and hugged him on impulse. Red froze on the spot not knowing what to do. This is the first time Hayan did this to him.

Who made you cry like this? He thought as he caress his hair. I feel hurt seeing you like this.

"Is it because of Hajin?" He guessed but it seems like that he's right as Hayan flinched and hugged him even tighter.

I really hate violence but I might hurt someone right now.

"I feel so embarrassed..." Hayan said after a while, still hugging him. "W-why did I... Why did I think that he might like me too... They... They deserve each other. I... I wish them the best."

So he did not confess.

"If you only looked at me." Red whispered. Hayan looked at him, his eyes still red and puffy from crying.

"Then... Wanna go out with me?"