𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐗

🍪

We scoured the area in search of useful items, discovering canned food, knives, and even a baseball bat that Seungmin stumbled upon. As we cautiously explored an arcade, I came across a cute, clean, fluffy blue teddy bear. It reminded me of Hae Won, so I tucked it into my backpack before calling the others to regroup.

"C'mon guys, let's head back," I called out.

Returning to the shelter, we encountered only one minor altercation with zombies, which we swiftly dealt with.

"Hey everyone, we're back!" Chan announced as we entered the shelter.

Ascending the stairs, we found Jeongin and Hae Won fast asleep, Jeongin wrapped around her protectively.

"They're adorable," Bangchan remarked softly.

"We should wake them," Seungmin suggested.

The boys gently roused them from their slumber.

"Hi, Channie," Hae Won greeted sleepily.

"Uh, hi," Jeongin mumbled, blushing when he realized their position.

"Sorry," he stammered awkwardly.

"It's okay," she replied with a nonchalant smile.

"Are you hungry? We brought back some supplies," I offered, smiling.

"Yes, I'm starving!" Hae Won exclaimed, darting off to the kitchen.

She's so endearing and childlike.

"Here, Wonnie, I got this for you," I said, handing her the fluffy blue bear.

"Aww, really? You're so sweet, thank you, Lixie!" she cooed, embracing me.

"Sure," I smiled, feeling a warm sensation spread through me.

After dining on carrots and canned beans, we took turns washing up.

"Daffyyyyyy, come hereeeeee," I heard Hae Won call from the rooftop.

"Coming, Wonnie," he replied.

Intrigued, I decided to eavesdrop. Concealing myself behind a wall, I watched as Hae Won greeted him sweetly.

"Hi," she said, snuggling up beside him.

"Hey," he chuckled, wrapping his arm around her.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she confessed her fears.

"I'm scared," she admitted softly.

"Don't be. I'm here with you. I promise I won't let anything happen to you," he reassured her, enfolding her in a tight embrace.

I heard her stifled sobs as she buried her face in his chest, and he gently stroked her hair, offering comfort and solace.

I felt jealous. They had each other. They were really close since childhood, they could count on each other for anything.

As I stepped back into the living room, I couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at me. I had intruded on a private moment, a vulnerable exchange between two friends, and now I feared the repercussions of my actions. But before I could dwell on it further, Hae Won's voice broke the silence.

"Lixie, there you are! We were just talking about you," she said, her tone playful yet tinged with curiosity.

"Yeah, we were wondering where you went off to," Hyunjin added, casting me a quizzical look.

I felt a flush of embarrassment creep up my cheeks as I struggled to come up with a plausible excuse. "Oh, um, I was just...uh, checking on something downstairs," I stammered, my voice betraying my nerves.

But Hae Won's keen gaze bore into me, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she could see right through my feeble attempt at deception. "Really? It sounded like you were right outside," she remarked, her tone laced with suspicion.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest as I searched desperately for a way to diffuse the situation. "I, uh, must have been...uh, fixing my shoelace!" I blurted out, my mind racing to come up with a more convincing explanation.

But it was too late. The damage had been done, and the truth hung heavy in the air, an unspoken acknowledgment of my transgression. I braced myself for their inevitable disappointment, the reproachful glares that were sure to follow.

Instead, to my surprise, Hae Won's expression softened, her lips curling into a small smile. "Well, next time, just join us," she said gently, her words carrying a hint of forgiveness.

Hyunjin nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting a similar sentiment. "Yeah, we're all in this together, right?" he added, offering me a reassuring smile.

"Uh, yeah, I'm really sorry," I said, feeling a mix of embarrassment and regret.

"It's okay, we forgive you freckle boy," Hae Won said sweetly, giving me a warm hug.

She was so forgiving and caring.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Well, I'm really sleepy, so I'm going to sleep now, bye pookies," Hae Won said, blowing us cute kisses and going to bed.

Me and Hyunjin stared at each other.

A uncomfortable silence lingered between us, after that happened we were both kind of embarrassed.

As Hae Won drifted off to sleep, the atmosphere in the room shifted, leaving Hyunjin and me in an awkward silence. I could sense his eyes on me, assessing my every move with an unreadable expression.

"Uh, yeah, sorry for that" I said, looking in every direction but his eyes.

"Sure, it's fine. You can just come and hang out with us instead of listening. We're friends, right?" he said smiling genuily.

"Yeah. Thanks" 

After that, the silence wasn't awkward. Instead, it was confortable.