The bus ride after my conversation with Kai - if you can even call it that - was pretty uneventful. I saw Taehyun get in a little later and sit beside Kai. Taehyun looked at me and his expression turned sour.
He glared at me but I held his gaze.
Two could play this game.
I was getting tired of this back and forth and I had better and more important things to do with and in my life. I was about to look away but Kai spoke to Taehyun and he begrudgingly looked away from me first.
I just put my headphones in and took my place at the end of the bus and kept to myself. San kept texting me in between, checking up on me from time to time - although I think it was mainly because he promised my parents he would take care of me.
Slowly the cityscape with tall narrow buildings and traffic faded and the countryside of large paddy fields and clear skies came into view.
Soon enough we were at our location.
I waited for everyone to get down before I grabbed my bag and got down onto the beach.
I took a deep breath in and let it out. You could taste the salt in the air and the hues of colors in the sky were beautiful, making the sunset look almost picturesque.
Our buses were parked in the parking lot on a private beach. We were all staying at the luxury cottages of the Choi Group for this weekend.
I heard a lot of students murmur in awe about the cottages we were supposed to stay in. Everyone was mesmerized by the sheer size of the hotels but I couldnât take my eyes off the water.
If I walked for a minute or so, I would cross the beach and my feet would touch the water.
As I stepped onto the soft sand, I felt its warmth seep through my shoes, grounding me in the moment. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore created a soothing rhythm that seemed to synchronize with the beating of my heart.
A cool breeze caressed my skin, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of the sea, a fragrance that always stirred something deep within me.
Glancing around, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty that surrounded us.
The beach stretched out before me, a vast expanse of golden sand meeting the azure waters of the ocean. In the distance, seagulls soared gracefully against the canvas of the sky, their cries adding to the symphony of nature's melody.
Nearby, the luxury cottages of the Choi Group stood like elegant sentinels, their architecture blending seamlessly with the coastal landscape.
The buildings exuded an air of opulence, with sprawling balconies and pristine white exteriors that gleamed in the fading light of the setting sun.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I have never been in a place this expensive before (The Choi House does not count) and I hardly think I will ever get a chance to experience it again.
I am definitely going to make the most out of this trip.
âBet now you understand why you would have regretted not coming on this trip huh?â San comes and stands next to me.
âDon't be a smartass. It is beautiful. I don't remember the last time I was near the oceanâ I take in another large breath of air.
âExactly why you need to relax and let loose a little on this trip. Don't think about anything, no responsibility, no obligations. This weekend, you're just another student at Royals High, living a normal life, enjoying a weekend away from school pressureâ he rubs my shoulder as if sensing the tensed muscles.
âHow is Royals High normal again? I don't think I've had a single normal day since I joined this schoolâ I chuckle but it is the truth.
Sanâs expression is sympathetic. I shrug it off. No self-pity on this trip.
âYou need to take attendance and whatnot right? Go on. I'll just dipy feet in the water before coming backâ I encourage him to go about his way.
âDon't go too far. It's getting dark and the tides are highâ he warns and I nod.
As San left and my classmates dispersed, excited chatter filling the air, I found myself drawn to the water's edge.
The waves were as if calling my name.
With each step I took, the sand shifted beneath my feet, the sensation oddly comforting. The warm sand was a welcoming contrast against the cool breeze.
When I finally reached the shoreline, I kicked off my shoes and let the cool waves wash over my toes, the sensation sending a shiver of delight up my spine.
Lost in the moment, I barely noticed when someone approached from behind.
"Hey," he said, his voice carrying over the gentle roar of the waves.
I whip my head around faster than I should have cause I instantly get a cramp in my neck.
âYeonjun?â I couldn't hide the surprise in my voice.
âYou sound surprised. Didn't want me here?â He jokes. His hair is ruffled from the wind and there is a slight pink tint on his cheeks.
He has dark circles around his eyes but there is lightness to his posture.
He is wearing a light pink shirt and baggy jeans - a very simple outfit -Â but there is a way he carries himself that makes this simple outfit stand out much more than it should.
Or maybe it is just me.
He is squinting his eyes from the sun but I am graced with a rare smile of his.
It takes my breath away.
I don't think I've ever seen such a beautiful man before.
âI-I just didn't think this was something you'd be interested inâ I stutter like a child.
âAnd why is that?â he smirked and put his hands in his pockets, facing me, patient.
âI - um - I didnât think you would want to join a whole class of students for a school trip. It just doesnât seem like youâ I shrug.
âWell, it was a last-minute decision. I wasnât going to come initially but last night I enrolled myself for the tripâ I nod at his answer.
âSo my assumptions were right. Also, I am glad you changed your mindâ I shrug and he raises an eyebrow at me.
âAnd you know? you could have just asked me if I was coming. You have my numberâ he shrugs and I feel the pink creeping up my cheeks.
If only he knew how many times I thought of texting him. But I just got into my own head and in the end, decided not to.
I cannot tell him all of this so I break eye contact and focus my vision on the sunset in front of me.
I know he is teasing me but my reaction should be more controlled. Why am I acting like this?
âYou seemed to be in a chirpy mood todayâ I observe. Ever since he came and stood next to me, I could feel that he was in a good mood.
His shoulders looked relaxed instead of the usual tensed He didnât have a brooding expression but a smile - not that he would ever admit it.
If I pointed it out, the chances were high that he would push me in the water.
âToday was a good day. I won an argumentâ he says vaguely and it piques my interest.
âAlso, I was surprised to find your name on the student list last night. I didnât think youâd be interested hereâ He changes the topic quickly but I stare at him with my mind whirring at the speed of light.
He said he changed his mind last night about going on this trip. He saw my name on the list last night. It was all just a coincidence, right?
I was making up stories in my mind because I wanted to believe them.
There was nothing else.
He glanced out towards the horizon, where the sun was painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. "I have to admit, the beach has a way of calming the mind. It's nice to just... unwind for a bit."
"Yeah, it really isâ I followed his gaze, feeling a sense of peace wash over me.
For a moment, we stood there in comfortable silence, the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop to our conversation. Then, Yeonjun turned to me with a curious expression.
"So, what about you? What made you decide to come on this trip?"
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.
"Oh, you know, just felt like getting away for a bit. Plus, San practically dragged me along," I admitted with a laugh. I was not lying. Just partially telling the truth.
"Well, I'm glad he did" Yeonjun grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
I felt my cheeks grow warm at his words, grateful for the fading light that hid my blush.
"Yeah, letâs see how this trip turns out," I say as a gentle wave sweeps over my bare feet.
âI am sure now that I am here, your trip will be eventfulâ he playfully smirks and I give him a dry look.
âIt is really beautiful, isnât it?â I turn to look at the sun, now half submerged at the edge of the water, the reflection causing the water to ripple like liquid fire.
âYes, beautiful, indeedâ his voice echoed beside me. I did not stare at him but I could feel his gaze on me.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at my lips.
With one last glance at the sunset, I started walking towards the shore, feeling lighter than I had in a long time.
A/N: a comparatively shorter chapter but early update!!!
I love reading your comments and theories, so let me know what you think will happen next.
Also, 15k+ reads along with #1 in #hueningkai and #beomgyu!!! Now we only have #Taehyun left. I still can't believe it.
I love you all for reading this story.