29. Sunbathing

Somin and Mia

The morning was tough as Somin woke with a "bang" on the cold floor wrapped in a bed sheet.

Everything hurt. Sleeping on the couch hadn't been the best choice.

The now rested girl eyed the cold dinner on the counter, sniffed it, and put it into the fridge. After an hour or so she was back on track which was a daunting task after such an exhausting week, but she managed to feel like a person again. Hair was washed and blowdried, there was even an effort put in to make curls. She was clothed in a warm blue dress with a bee print and she finally felt ready to tackle another day with a new attitude.

The morning's silence was broken only by the preparation of coffee and breakfast. Not only for her, but for Mia—to pay back her yesterday's care. While making pancakes Somin got homesick, she wanted nothing more than to snuggle in her mom's arms and be caressed. No more troubled thoughts, only the caring hand massaging her scalp. The distressed girl recalled their night talk and the tone of her mum gave away her immense worries.

Dang, I shouldn't have scared her. I should call her and apologize.

She thought about what she'd say to make her sweet mum feel at peace.

A closing door made Somin's heart jump, but when she turned it was only Mia with her exercise mat.

"Oh, you live!" Mia exclaimed happily and Somin shuffled her feet in embarrassment.

"Sorry, I've been a mess the last couple of days," she put the last plate on the coffee table and puffed the sofa pillows.

"I made us breakfast," Somin presented happily.

"It looks like a date." Mia made an O shape with her mouth, "Exciting! Are you taking me out?" the relaxed dancer exclaimed and signaled, she had to shower.

"You really look beautiful." She smirked in appreciation on her way to the bathroom and Somin blushed.

The sad girl outdid herself with the preparation of the morning liked to imagine she was at home. Napkins were placed under the plates and some pinecones decorated the surface in between. The open window brought in fresh air and let the sun rays in.

"Somin-ssi you made me feel like a queen," Mia gushed after her shower and quick dress-up.

"Do you have any plans for today?" Somin asked apprehensively.

"No, I'm going with the flow," Mia answered. "Girl date then?" she happily offered.

"I finally want to go outside," Somin admitted, "The sun's calling to me, I wanna have a chill day."

"Sounds good to me, " Mia stuffed her face with the pancakes and Somin wondered why the ever-present boy hadn't shown up that day.

"I thought you'd have a date with Teho," Somin let out bluntly.

"I should," Mia agreed, "But not today." She smiled for herself as her resolution set in.

"Hasn't he asked you out? You seem to be close," Somin's mind raced and jealousy peaked to the surface from the depths of other painful feelings.

"He implied a lot," Mia said, "I probably should take him up on his offer, you know, to get closer," Somin felt her face turning pale so she quickly changed the subject.

"So, my lovely date, what would you want to do?" the paintress sipped her coffee, forcing a smile at Mia.

"Well, knowing you, I'll choose hanging around dorms. What do you say we catch more vitamin D and I don't know, you can read a book or something, draw and I'll just bask in the sun. I must admit I'm feeling a tiny bit socially tired," Mia ended.

"You, feeling socially tired? That's unbelievable," Somin joked.

...

The girls prepared snacks and more coffee to put it all in Somin's picnic basket.

"Why would you bring so much stuff?" Mia asked, intrigued. She eyed the stylish basket with a blue checkered cloth inside. Small ceramic plates and tiny wine glasses were pinned to its side by thin leather straps.

"That must have been pricey," Mia said out loud and Somin made a face at her nodding.

Recalling saving money for so long to be able to afford this surprise gift to amaze Cholsu with new date ideas. Drawing at the park while having the cutest picnics, elevating the possibilities, like he always said.

"Well, I hoped to get many more dates," Somin sadly admitted, "but so far I'm still on zero," the pink-haired girl made a joke to gather herself.

"Dang, the boyfriend thing, I'm sorry," Mia caressed her hair gently, picking up some warm blankets and a few pillows.

"If it feels any better I'm on a zero too," she joked.

"I think I'm slowly coming to terms with it," Somin said, "I feel more numb and empty than sad and heartbroken," Somin shared, "I don't know why."

Mia hugged her tightly and caressed her hair, "Not on my watch."

"And your zero doesn't count, 'cuz you have a suitor," Somin joked back.

"That's like half of a date already," she softened her previous depressive speech.

Don't bring others down. Somin remembered her mum's mantra.

...

Mia picked a spot near the river further away from the usual commotion than expected. The bushes obscured them from the busy cycling track nearby which went through the dorms surroundings away from the city. Both girls basked in the mild sun, clothed warmly and covered with more blankets. The were content as they rested outside, listening to the sounds of nature and unpacking the magic basket which held all kinds of treasures.

"You picked a nice spot," Somin said.

"I've already exercised a few times outside, so I scouted the surroundings and thought you might like this corner," Mia put a piece of cut peach into her mouth.

"I do, it reminds me of home," Somin started to talk.

"There was this small pond hidden far away in the forest. You have to walk a good 40 minutes on foot to get there," she picked a cut apple coated in sugar and bit into it.

"That's too far for my taste," Mia smiled, "How was it? Make me see it, my artist friend!" she encouraged Somin to talk more.

"Haha, alright," Somin lay down and watched clouds on a blue sky, putting her hands below her head.

"I'd say it was really a coincidence when I first stumbled onto it. I really needed to pee and my stomach hurt. I panicked that I was visible from everywhere and I saw this rock. I had to climb carefully around it and then I found a small ledge, not bigger than me, but it was too beautiful to be peed on," Somin was red with embarrassment and Mia laughed.

"Oh my god, the pee problem," the black-haired girl exclaimed, "Hey, don't worry, it's a common issue," she continued.

"So... I didn't pee there of course, but I've started to return there more often. The view of the pond below it was too gorgeous to be left alone. I never knew there was a pond in the first place. My spot was concealed from the world and had a moss part that was nearly as comfortable as a pillow to lay on. Sort of like this place, but more intimate," Somin finished.

"Did you ever bring a boy there?" Mia asked shamelessly.

"What the hell? No, it was mine only," Somin's heart raced.

Maybe I should have brought him there. She entertained the thought.

Would it matter? She reminded herself that the "could have beens" were the wrong mental path to choose.

"I would," Mia stuck her tongue out cheekily.

"But hey, at least it isn't ruined by the sad memories," Somin concluded, trying to lift her own spirits.

The quietness settled in and Somin looked for a frog-shaped cloud. The talk about this special and personal place brough Teho in the forefront of her mind.

Such a stupid crush, grow up. She pestered herself.

"I like when you talk, " Mia said out of nowhere.

"What?" Somin was caught off guard, waking up from her fantasizing.

"You have a way with words, you're funny and it's pleasing to listen to. It's a shame nobody else knows," Mia said warmly.

"I only care if you like it," Somin giggled.

"You should open up with others more. If you want, you can tag along when I go out, I can help you ease into my circle," Mia offered.

"I don't like you having a bad reputation," she explained.

"Do I already have a rep?" Somin asked .

...

The offer hit so close to home as Somin once wanted so desperately to fit in. But that was a different girl, this new "her" gave up.

I have to learn how to be my best friend, my own biggest fan.

I can't allow myself to be dependent on someone else again.

...

"Well, according to the comments..." Mia started.

"What comments?" Somin's face gave away the surprise.

"The ones under the video," Mia watched her friend's change of expression.

"I don't follow at all, sorry Mia," Somin said, baffled. "What's going on?"

Mia unlocked her phone and showed Somin the app with the infamous conversation.

"This one. Don't you have this installed?" the gorgeous friend asked.

Somin scrolled through, and moved her head in denial, "No," she whispered.

"I vaguely remember something about this from an email we got, but they said it wasn't mandatory and I figured, why should I have more apps on my phone?" Somin explained her choices.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Mia said, holding Somin's cold hands, "Do you want to set it up together?"

"I'm good," Somin had to catch her breath from the sudden rush of stress, quickly seeing all the comments, trying to instantly forget them.

"I have had enough of trying," Somin finally stated, " I'm fine as long as YOU like me," Somin forced a smile and Mia reached with her hand and caressed Somin's cheek.

"I'm sorry," Mia whispered again.

"Don't be," Somin said, shaking a little.

I don't need "the poor thing" sympathy. Somin bitterly remarked to herself.

Their quiet thoughts were interrupted by the sounding of an incoming message.

"Who's that?" Somin asked cautiously.

"Teho," Mia said, "I'm trying to get to know him better before I let him..." Mia winked at her and chuckled.

"Oh," Somin said, uncomfortable.

"...buy us another lunch of course," Mia softened the hanging implications.

"Why are you making him buy us food all the time?" Somin asked.

"I like when a man puts effort in," Mia answered, lying down with her eyes closed.

"Isn't it mean?" Somin asked.

"It's gentleman-like," Mia answered, "I want to teach him how to treat me."

"Huh," Somin let out.

"What do you want in a man? A new man for that matter," the dancer quickly added.

"Hmm I have to think about it," Somin contemplated the question.

"Yeah, take your time," Mia poured a hot juice, spiced with cinnamon, which Somin prepared for the picnic.

"I want a partnership," Somin concluded after a while, hypnotized by the surface of the nearby river, getting more and more calm as she watched the small waves swaying on it.

"To be equal partners in life, in love. To not be the one loving more, but to trust the other one's words too," she finished.

"Sounds like too much work," Mia laughed it off.

I want no strings attached.

Mia thought, but already felt the attachment to the cute boy who sweetly indulged in her wishes.

...

😳 Author's corner 😊

🍇 Do you like picnics? 🍇

...

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