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THE END of this school trip is near...
In two days, this whole trip will end.
As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm golden hue across the room, my eyes fluttered open. The gentle light felt like a soft blanket, wrapping around me and pulling me from the depths of sleep. With a slight groan escaping my lips, I gradually propped myself up against the plush pillows, shaking off the remnants of slumber. My gaze shifted to the other side of the bed, where Jungwon lay peacefully, his face turned away from me, lost in dreams. 
I let out a long, leisurely yawn, stretching my arms above my head as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The cool wooden floor greeted my feet, sending a shiver up my spine. I took a moment to gather my thoughts and let the quiet of the morning wash over me, the world outside still hushed and serene. 
Deciding to embrace the day, I made my way to the bathroom. The cold water from the shower was invigorating, sending jolts of energy through my body as I lathered up, washing away the remnants of sleep and preparing myself for whatever the day might hold. After finishing my routine, I emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed and revitalized, dressed in a comfortable new outfit that hugged me just right. I inhaled deeply, a sense of pride swelling within me for completing my morning ritual.
Turning back to the bedroom, I found Jungwon still cocooned in his blankets, a picture of calmness and tranquility. A soft sigh escaped me, a mixture of fondness and a hint of nervousness bubbling to the surface. With my stomach grumbling softly, I decided to venture into the kitchen to whip up a quick breakfast of cereal.
As I approached the top cabinet, a wave of frustration washed over me when I realized the cereal was just out of reach. I stood on my tiptoes, stretching my arm as far as it could go, but it was futile. With an annoyed groan, I felt a cramp beginning to form in my toes from the awkward position. Just as I was about to give up, a hand reached in front of me, effortlessly grabbing the cereal box. Startled, I turned to see Jungwon standing there, his hair tousled and his eyes still squinting from sleep. He looked utterly adorable, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Ah... thank you, Jungwon," I stammered, my voice a little shaky as I accepted the cereal box from him. He merely hummed in response, passing it over before walking off toward the bathroom. A rush of relief flooded through me as I exhaled the breath I had been holding, my heart racing. Ever since I had come to terms with my feelings for him, I often found myself feeling anxious in his presence, my breath catching in my throat at the smallest interactions. I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling the erratic rhythm of my heart and biting my lip in frustration at my own nervousness. The embarrassment washed over me, making me shut my eyes tightly as I recalled the awkwardness of the moment.
Determined to shake off the feelings swirling inside me, I settled down at the small kitchen table, pouring the cereal into a bowl and adding milk. The familiar crunch and taste of breakfast brought me some comfort as I enjoyed each bite. Just then, Jungwon emerged from the bathroom, looking sharp in his clothes, radiating an effortless charm. He glanced at me briefly before heading to the door, and I felt an instinctive urge to call out to him.
"Yah—" I began, but my words were abruptly cut off as he closed the door behind him. Puzzled, I tilted my head, curiosity piquing. "Where could he be going?" I wondered aloud, finishing the last of my cereal in a hurry before slipping out of the cottage to follow him.
I spotted Jungwon in the distance, weaving through a group of people lounging in the grassy field before walking into the trail that goes through the forest. My heart raced as I decided to tail him, sneaking quietly behind trees to avoid being seen. The forest loomed ahead, a maze of intertwining branches and leaves, and I followed him cautiously, my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
Suddenly, Jungwon paused, and I held my breath, panic surging through me. Had he noticed me? But to my surprise, someone stepped out from the shadows of the trees. It was Minji. A knot of confusion twisted in my stomach as I watched them engage in conversation, laughter spilling into the air. Is that... really Minji? An uncomfortable ache settled in my chest, and I felt the urge to retreat, unable to bear the sight any longer. 
As I turned to leave, I heard Minji's voice carry through the air, "Who's that?" My heart dropped, and without thinking, I began to run back to the cottage. 
Once inside, I collapsed onto the bed, the soft mattress cradling me as I stared blankly up at the ceiling. The familiar wooden beams above seemed to close in on me, the weight of my thoughts pressing down like a heavy fog. My mind raced, replaying the scene I had just witnessed in the forest. 
What was Minji talking to Jungwon about? The thought twisted in my gut, feeding an overwhelming sense of insecurity. A thousand scenarios danced through my head, each more unsettling than the last. What if she liked him? What if he liked her? The feelings I had tried so hard to navigate now felt like a tempest, swirling and chaotic, leaving me breathless.
I rolled over onto my side, pulling the blanket closer around me as if it could shield me from the storm brewing inside. Memories of Jungwon's laughter and the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled flooded my mind, contrasting sharply with the image of him standing with Minji, their laughter echoing in the woods. 
"Why does this hurt so much?" I murmured to myself, frustration bubbling up. I wanted to be happy for him, to see him smile and laugh, but the idea of him sharing that joy with someone else felt like a dagger to my heart. My thoughts spiraled as I clenched the blanket tightly, the fabric crumpling in my fists.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil inside. "Okay, think rationally," I told myself. I needed to face my feelings head-on. I had to figure out what was real and what was just my imagination running wild. 
With a sigh, I pushed myself up, sitting on the edge of the bed. I took a moment to collect my thoughts, reminding myself of the times Jungwon had looked at me, the way he made me laugh, how comfortable we were together. Surely, that meant something, right? 
But then another thought crept in—what if I was just reading too much into things? What if I had built up this fantasy in my mind, only to have it shattered by the reality of his interactions with Minji? The uncertainty gnawed at me, and I found myself pacing the small space of the cottage, my mind racing.
 *___________* 
A\N
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