never not. | 선우 √

09 ) is it a *date?* pt. 1

As speechless as I was before this, I could feel my whole body going limp. From my head to my toes, it felt as if my spirit had left my body. "Of course, it's for practice when the lover in my letter asks me out. You know, you're right. I should be more open-minded and try to figure her out! I could get closer to her... if she were to reveal herself in front of me."

"What if she does?" I suddenly blurt. There was no going back from that question. "What would you do if she revealed herself in front of you?"

"Depends who it is," Sunoo gives it some thought, humming in content. He taps his lip briefly, then snaps his fingers before pointing at me. "Either I reject her because she's not her, or I kiss her in front of everyone. All depends on the 'her' in question."

"Who's her, Sunoo?"

He shrugs, smiling to himself. "Isn't that supposed to be my secret? Until you get a crush, I won't tell you. When you do, then we can mutually trade that secret."

I would never tell you I like you, Sunoo. I would never tell you now that I know you have someone in mind of that letter, of someone on your mind every night. I don't even know her, but if I did, what would I have done? She's his type, she's his everything, she's a colorful crystal that catches his eye in a preview window. It wouldn't be me unless I told him unless I put in the effort.

"Alright," I say, my eyes widening slightly. "Let's go on this date, then. I'll help you practice when you guys go together. Could you give me five minutes to change, though? This outfit doesn't feel fit for an amusement park or coffee..."

"Sure! I'll change too. See you soon, Areum~" He walks away from me and back to his apartment door, waving at me before closing the door behind him. That's when I swiftly unlock that damn, cursed door, running through the hallway as I turn to my room. Jiyoon is too busy curling her hair and Jongseong is too busy brushing his teeth to even care, but I see them turn around at the loud noise I see to step with.

"He asked me on a date!"

"WHAT?!" Finally, the attention is put onto me, Jiyoon widening her eyes as Jongseong drops his toothbrush. "Are you sure you're not hallucinating? Why, in a million years, would the pure Sunoo ask you on a date?"

"He said he wants to practice dating... the girl in the letter," I responded to Jiyoon's remark, causing my brother and sister to meet eyes. "It's not a practice date if he knew the truth, so I need to make this the best date we'll ever have. Maybe then, he could consider me. Maybe then, he won't be in love with the girl he has in mind!"

Jiyoon itches her head, half of her hair straight while the rest is curly. "Don't worry, my love. Jongseong, go grab the white dress in my closet. I believe that Areum can fit that. When you try that on, get in here. We only have five minutes."

"Yes, ma'am!" Jongseong and I run, excited for a day that only one of us will experience.

I tap his shoulder, my other hand fisting up as I wait for him to turn around. "Oh, Areu-" We both were stunned, the boy wearing a beret and his glasses. He felt vintage in a sense, and that his whole outfit was the thing that sent me out of space. He blushes, I can see it on his face as I look at his shuffled blonde hair.

"Areum, you look, really, really nice today!" He laughs awkwardly, almost ruining himself under the pouring sun. He pushes up the bridge of his glasses, meeting my eyes. "Well, shall we go, then? I'm so excited to hang out with you outside of school!"

"I... am too," I almost stammer, but it doesn't stop me from clasping my hands together. "I can't drive."

"That's why we'll take the bus! No worries."