Could Love be Hard as Math?

Chapter 54

"Eh? Why? The backdrop was fine. And you will look super cute with this." She squeals.

"Can't I be the crap." I whine.

"No. Chaeyoung is." She said.

"Wait. Chae-." Someone cuts me.

"I don't mind wearing the hula skirt." Chaeyoung joins in.

"You're okay with that?" Nayeon surprised.

"Yeah. Mina doesn't like dresser and skirt. As long as she don't mind the stuffy crab." He said. I just nodded agree with Chaeyoung.

"Fine. Follow me. Hopefully its fits." Nayeon and Chaeyoung retreat inside while Jeongyeon starts wiggle out of his costume.

"Are you sure Mina? You're going to be steamed crab in this thing." Jeongyeon sigh holds up the sweaty and red abomination.

After managing to get my costume on, Chaeyoung finally emerges with Nayeon. He seems to have managed to fit into the grass skirt. Its become a mid-thigh hem for Chaeyoung. His chest is bare only slightly covered by the lei made from colourful plastic cutouts of flowers. Soon, the line for the beach backdrop was the longest after the girl seeing Chaeyoung.

"You look crabby." Chaeyoung smiles.

"You look grassy." I replied.

"Isn't hot in there?" He asked.

"Yup. I should taken of my sweater, but its too late. This thing was harder to get into than I expected. You?" I said.

"I can feel the breeze." He grins.

"You-hmm, have something under that skirt right?" I asked.

"Yup. Shorts. Why?" Then, he dramatic gasp.

"You're pervert Mina." He tease.

With that, my face reds. Dang! Luckily, it fits with my red crab costume. With each pictures, the girls get closer and touchy with Chaeyoung. Some might grab his arms and giggling profusely. If my claws worked, I would be pinching every one of them. Well, maybe I'm too getting much into the character. After an hour, Nayeon and Jeongyeon finally return same as Momo and Dahyun releasing me for this hell. I can't tell what was worse, baking myself alive or watching a line of people grinding near at Chaeyoung.

"Thanks for covering." Nayeon and Momo helps me take off my dangling claws.

"No problem. I should be getting back to my booth." I sigh.

I try to outrun Chaeyoung, but its faster for him to kick off a grass skirt, lei and pull on a tshirt. I went back to my booth and Chaeyoung walk behind me following me.

"Hey, Mina. Its time for your break." Seulgi said.

"Ehh? I just on it." I said.

"You're covering for your friend. So, its an exception. Go and have fun." She said.

"No. Its-." Chaeyoung cuts me.

"Great. I can steal Mina from you guys right?" Chaeyoung catches up with me.

"Go ahead. We got it. Oh, take some snacks." Seulgi hands us some churros and chips.

"What lemonade?" She asked.

"Mint and strawberry. I will pay for them later." I replied.

"No worries. Everyone in the club got a freebie." She said.

I hand the strawberry lemonade and chips to Chaeyoung. He automatically follows me to sit somewhere in the grass without me telling.

"Strawberry?" He asked.

"Yeah, I know how you so addicted to strawberry." I blunt out, but Chaeyoung seems happy by my words.

"What was that about?" Chaeyoung sudden asked.

"What?" I'm confused.

"Crabby things. You were frowning the whole time." Chaeyoung said.

"It was hot." I replied.

"You should worn the skirt then." He said.

"No. I won't looked as good in that." I said.

"You think I looked good in it?" He grins widen.

"That's beside the point. How ironic how girl can't show shoulder but you, a male, could be shirtless." I said.

"So you were upset I was shirtless" Still grins.

"Yes-no, I just point out the unfair school policies." I replied.

"So, you want guys to not be shirtless or girls able to?" He asked.

"Just forget it. I just in character. You know, a crabby crab." I said.

"Really? Cause I see a jealous crab." He said smirk.

"No, I'm not. Why should I be?" I scoffed.

"I'm just teasing you." He said sigh. His face dropped and he turned away.

"Gosh, it's hot." I started peel off my hoodie but my shirt crawl up with it. Chaeyoung gently held down the hem for me.

"Thanks." I said. He just nodded and quietly coughed afterwards.

"Well, I still got forty minutes. Might as well do something. Wanna walk around with me?" I said look at him.

"Yeah, sure." He reply.

We threw away our trash and left my hoodie behind the booth alongside everyone else's belongings. Walking around, Chaeyoung and I were not sure what to do. Suddenly, we got pulled aside align with few other people. The track coach coughed a few times before turning on the mic.

"We are going to have a friendly competitions. Its piggy back race. Winner gets a prize that will be revealed later! So, gather around the track and watch." He said.

He clicked off the mic and turned to the group to briefly explain the event.

"So, one person per partnership is going to carry the other. Don't drop them. Whoever make a whole lap first wins. Simple right? Have fun." He said and walk away from the track.

"Hmm, I think you should run. Unless, you want me-." I suggest awkwardly.

"Yeah. I will carry you." Chaeyoung said.

"Cool." I replied.

"Get in your positions people." The coach yelled.

Chaeyoung kneels down, so I'm able to climb on. I wrap my arms around his neck and he hooks his arms under my legs. The memories from fall break seems to wash over me and its feel like yesterday.

"Ready, go!" The coach shoot.

Chaeyoung starts to bolt, my wandering mind takes time to readjust to the present. Almost as quick a it started, it ended.

"Congrats to Chaeyoung!" The coach cheers.

"You two just won a couple of free tickets to prom." He hand us each a slip a paper.

"We start selling them today. If you're interested, there's a booth in front of the school." He add.

"You're really fast." I said awkwardly. He just smile.

"Well, I better get back to my booth. Bye, thanks for.. this." I said wave the prom ticket.

"Oh, thank for being my partner." He said.

I just smile and nodded. We walked away, giving Chaeyoung last glance, I tucked the ticket into my pocket and got back to my booth.  From then on, it was long struggle. Its a bit exciting when Jihyo, Sana and Tzuyu stooped by but the rest it was boring. It was already dark by the time we finished clean up. Everyone else had pretty much already left, but it was worth it. We raised more than the last five fundraiser. I reach into my pockets for my keys, but they aren't there. Panic, I try to remember then I realise that I don't drive as I came here with Nayeon. I sigh. Guess I'm walking. I walk through the parking lot when I someone catch my eye and making me yelp.