Chapter 13: C-11

C-11

"Hey."

I look up to see the owner of the white sneakers in front of me. Minho is wearing a blue button down with folded sleeves and black trousers. We're coincidentally matching, but that doesn't matter because he's back with his poker face again.

I don't know what I did, but he's been acting strange the whole day at school. I thought we're past the awkward stage already but he's back to his old self again, not that there's much difference to the Minho I'm acquainted with.

"Hey... I think Jisung will be late."

He just nods, then he sits down beside me and takes out his phone. I pout as I do the same. It's as if he's distancing himself and I don't get it... We were so alright the other day.

My phone starts ringing and it's from Jisung.

"Hello?"

[ "Noona, I'm sorry! Something came up and I think I'll be late. You can go home if you want, let's just reschedule." ]

"Oh... I hope everything's alright?"

[ "Don't worry, my mum's just making me run errands." ]

"We don't have to reschedule then."

[ "Okay, just text me the location and I'll go there after I'm done here. Take care!" ]

"You too, Han!"

The phone call ends and that's when I notice Minho frowning at me.

"Was that Jisung?" he asks.

"Yes."

"Are you two dating?" he asks again and I almost choke.

"What?!"

"You called him Hon, didn't you?" He averts his gaze, scoffing as he crosses his arms. "You keep calling him 'honey' at school. Is PDA even allowed?"

"No!" I shake my head. "I called him by his surname. Han Jisung, remember?"

He tilts his head, still looking confused. "But your parents like him and you go home together..."

"That's because we're neighbours."

"Ah." His mouth gapes a little.

I can't help but laugh at his silly expression. "Oh my goodness!"

"Shut up." He rolls his eyes. "So you two aren't together?"

"Why would we be together? Can't you hear him calling me noona all the time?"

He bites his lower lip, looking like he's holding back a laugh. "That's good."

"I guess it is since he likes that nickname so much."

"Damn." He chuckles and shakes his head.

"What's funny?"

I'm the one confused this time. I don't get what he's so amused about, but at least we're back to being acquaintances again.

Minho doesn't answer and stands up instead. "I thought we're gonna start with the project? Let's go."

"Oh, yes." I stand beside him and show him my to-do list. "We're going to Namsan Tower today!"

"Tsk. Can you get anymore clichéd?"

"They have love locks and they're pretty. That's romantic, right?"

He shakes his head and starts walking.

"Where are you going?"

"To the train station."

"No way!" I stop on my tracks.

"Then how can we go there?"

"We'll take the cable car."

Minho's face turns a little pale after hearing what I said. "What?"

"Is there a problem?"

"No, but why don't we just take the bus?"

"But the cable cars are more fun."

"Go by yourself then. I'm not riding that thing."

"We're supposed to go together-- wait..." I squint my eyes at him. "Are you scared?"

"No."

I try to suppress my smile when he replies so fast. "Really?"

He closes his eyes and heaves a deep breath. "So what if I am? What are you going to do about it?"

"So you're really afraid of heights?" I grin.

"I am NOT!" He glares at me, and then he turns to the other direction.

"Minho, where are you going?"

"Proving you wrong," he says as we stop in front of the ticket booth. He pulls me towards the cashier and pays for the both of us.

"Are you serious?" I ask, but he just shrugs.

Oh boy!

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

It was a bad idea, no doubt.

The cable car ascends and I watch Minho with concern as he breathes hard with closed eyes.

"Fvck," he mumbles, his knuckles almost turning white from his grip on the railings.

"Minho? It's alright, open your eyes."

"No."

"Come on, it looks so cool!"

He inhales sharply before opening his eyes to look at me. I smile and gently pat his back.

"Look down. Isn't it nice?"

He closes his eyes once more before looking down. "Yeah, it is."

I grin and slowly pause from patting his back. Just then, the cable car shakes when a child starts jumping.

"Shit!"

Minho is suddenly hugging me with his face buried in the crook of my neck. One of his arms is on my shoulders, whilst the other one is secured around my waist. It takes me a couple of seconds before I realise our position. His warm breath on my skin makes my face heat up... and now he's not the only one finding it hard to breathe.

"Minho..." I only manage to say his name.

"Just... until we're off?" he asks and I just nod, because I suddenly feel too shy to talk.

Minho's hug is so unexpected, but for some reason, it doesn't feel uncomfortable. I'm pretty sure I didn't eat anything bad, but my tummy feels a little funny.

"We're here."

We slowly break the hug, but as we exit the cable car, I feel Minho taking my right hand. I let him, even when I've been blushing for the umpteenth time.

We stop at a corner to get ourselves together.

"I'll just message Jisung," I say as I let go of his hand, typing immediately, and then I put my phone back in my pocket.

"Done?" he asks and I nod meekly.

I ball my hands and hang my head in shame. "I'm sorry, Minho. I wasn't trying to make fun of you, I was just surprised that you actually have a fear because you always look tough. I didn't mean to put you through that."

"Tsk." I prepare for harsh words, but he just scoffs. "You say sorry too much. What's done is done."

"I still feel bad though. How can I make it up to you?" I blink repeatedly because I can feel my eyes watering. Here I go again!

"Don't cry, I guess?"

"Okay." I sniffle.

"I'm the one you're apologising to but you're the one crying." He flicks my forehead. "It's fine, I mean it."

"Sure?" I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. "What else do you want? Aren't you hungry?"

"Sure. Just get whatever makes you feel better, people might think I'm making you cry," he says as he looks around.

"I want a milkshake." I look up at him expectantly.

"Then let's get that." He chuckles.

"It's right there." I point to the shop.

Minho reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers together. "There's so many people, I don't want you to get lost."

I look at our hands and the funny sensation in my tummy soars. Whatever this nice feeling is... I like it.