Chapter 10

"So that was my my mom, she wanted to make sure I knew when my flight was. I think she was worried that I would decide to stay in Korea and never come home. Not that it wouldn't be nice to just stay here, halfway around the world. Not having to worry about what others are going to think. Or have to deal with the sympathy stares from my family. Here it is just so quiet and no one knows who I am or what happened. No one knows how pathetic I really am. The food isn't bad either."

"You talk a lot" Jinyoung says, his smile making little creases by his eyes.

He is really cute when he smiles

I hadn't realized I had gone on a tangent and felt my cheeks start to get pink.

My stomach makes a loud gurgling sound and we both look down at it.

" You must be hungry, let's go get some food", he grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door.

"Wait, let me change first" looking at the clothes that I had been wearing since the night before. I go into the bathroom and put on my jeans, the striped tank, and sweater. I shove the old clothes in the shopping bag, look in the mirror and retie my hair in a messy bun. Knowing that's the best it was going to get, I come out of the bathroom. I grab my phone, the shopping bag of clothes, and purse on the way out, Knowing I probably won't be coming back before my flight. Not having much choice but to let him drag me along. We get down to the lobby and Jinyoung has already put on his face mask. I quickly check out before he drags me through the lobby, out of the hotel and out onto the street. We stop briefly, letting go of my hand, Jinyoung pulls out his phone and searches what I assume is a place to eat.

"This way", he starts walking away from the busy traffic and towards a more residential street.

After what seems like forever of walking, Jinyoung turns and walks into a little restaurant, holding the door open for me to follow.

I walk in, the smell enveloping my entire body, and I suddenly feel like I haven't eaten for a hundred years.

Jinyoung picks a table in the far back corner of the restaurant and sits with his back to the wall, giving him full view of the entire restaurant. I sit across from him and pick up the menu

Of course, everything is in Korean.

I place the menu back on the table and just sit there, starting to chip the nail polish from my thumbnail. Jinyoung looks up from his menu and notices me just sitting there. He puts his menu down and leans back, interlacing his fingers and letting them rest on the table.

When the waitress comes over I must of showed the panic on my face because Jinyoung says something in Korean, the waitress nods, and takes our menus away.

"Should I be concerned about what you just ordered? I have seen a lot of videos of octopus and full cooked fish and I don't think I am ready to try any of that" Just the thought of eating something that still moved made me scrunch my nose.

Jinyoung smiles and shakes his head, "Nothing like that, just ramen"

He looks really nice when he smiles. Kind of like those characters in the graphic novel my sister reads.

"I bet you have girls falling for you all the time?"

Jinyoung looks a bit shocked, His eyes wide.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I did not mean to say that out loud."

He relaxes and smiles again. "I guess, but I don't date so I haven't really thought about it"

The shock of his statement must have shown on my face because he continues, "Due to my field of work, I have no time left to date. It's been like that for a while".

Still confused, I want to ask him so many questions but then two massive bowls of ramen are placed in front of us along with two cups of water.

It smells so good that I don't hesitate. I go to pick up a fork but I can't seem to find one. I look up and see Jinyoung eating his ramen with...Chopsticks.

How the heck am I supposed to do that? Why did I chose to get myself stuck in a country that doesn't use silverware

Jinyoung notices my confusion and offers to help. He pulls my bowl across the table and I move to the seat next to him. He holds out his hand and shows me how to place the chopsticks on one finger and pinch the other one with my other finger. I try a few times but am having no luck.

To make matters worse, my stomach decides to take this moment to make more gurgling noises. Jinyoung picks some noodles out of my bowl with his chopsticks and holds them up, motioning me to eat it. I let him feed me, completely embarrassed. After a few bites to calm my stomach, I decide to try again with the chopsticks. I finally get it to where I can successfully get a small amount of noodles out of my bowl and into my mouth. I am so proud of myself, I accidentally elbow Jinyoung in the shoulder.

" Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!"

He smiles, slightly wincing at the pain and waves me off. He had finished his bowl and was just waiting on me. Not knowing how to help him, I just sit there in all my klutziness and shame.

He assures me he is fine once again, then excuses himself to the bathroom.

Jinyoung locks the door behind him in the one stale bathroom and checks his phone. He had been getting constant texts from the guys but had his phone on silent so that Elle wouldn't know. He opens up he texts and starts reading them

Wangpuppy: Why aren't you come to the fitting? Is Elle ok?

JB(pops): When you get the chance, update me

Dabboy: Have you seen by black boots? The one with the buckle not the one with the point. Also how is Elle?

Wangpuppy: Whatcha doin?

Wangpuppy: :) :) :) :) :)

Wangpuppy: We're done! Can we come see Elle?

Mark: Hope your having fun

Wangpuppy: Are you and Elle ok?

JB(Pops): We're done with the fitting, heading to the practice room. Update?

After reading through all the text, Jinyoung texts JB

To JB(Pops): Not sure when I will be back, Elle is doing better. Tell the guys sorry. Tell Jackson to chill and that Elle is feeling better. Her flight leaves soon.

He sent it and put his phone away, none of the other messages urgent or important.

Unlocking the door and heading back to the table, Jinyoung sees Elle slurping the rest of the ramen out of the bowl. Getting some ramen broth in strains of her hair that had fallen out of the bun on her head. Why is she so clumsy?

Jinyoung sits down, and uses a napkin to wipe the broth out of her hair.

"Thanks Oppa" Elle says tucking the strand of hair behind her ear

Jinyoung freezes, his hand on his cup, looking at Elle in surprise. Does she know?

"Oh, did I say that wrong? I was watching TV yesterday and isn't that how to address a friend?" Elle trying to think back to how they used it on the show she had watched.

At that, Jinyoung can't help but laugh. By the time he caught his breath, he had tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh" Jinyoung now noticing how pink Elle had gotten from embarrassment.

"What you called me is more of a term of endearment, it can be used as slang for boyfriend"."

Elle turns a darker shade of pink, realizing her mistake. Jinyoung puts his arm around Elle's shoulder, leaning over and speaking just above a whisper in her ear, "You are welcome to call me oppa any time, if you would like". With that Elle lost all color in her face. She knows he was teasing her but he was just so close. Wishing to disappear, Elle stares down at her lap, not moving, even after Jinyoung removes his arm from around her.

BUZZ BUZZ

Jinyoung took out his phone and smiles

"The guys are here to say goodbye", with that Jinyoung grabs Elle's hand and they head for the door. Jinyoung pays for the meal before heading out the door where the GOT7 van was already waiting.