39. Suspicious PDA

Lee Somin

After such an adventurous art-filled Friday, Somin dreaded going back to the dorms.

She didn't want to see, or even worse listen, to Mia and Teho together doing... it. She feared it would happen one of these days. The possibility of another walk-in hung above her shoulders, threatening the girl with a panic attack.

I'm such a third wheel.

Imagining his soft hands stripping Mia of her tight clothes hurt. It felt stupid to feel this jealous for a boy she just met and who pushed her buttons this severely.

Get a grip.

What will be worse, seeing the clothes scattered on the floor or hearing the sounds from Mia's room?

Somin tortured herself with these questions.

The scene repeated itself over and over again. Somin, unlocking the door, suddenly having too many options like in a "choose your own adventure" story. Two scenarios emerged: seeing their naked bodies mangled in a blanket or the version with closed doors, the sounds echoing around the apartment to haunt Somin's dreams.

Her terrifying daydream warped in her mind. Where usually Mia's tiny stripes of lingerie covered in a see-through joke of a top were caressed by his hungry touches, Somin's body was instead. His soft fingers touched her skin as the shirt went up around her breasts. Both their bodies were dangerously close and his sweet breath tingled her skin as his kisses mapped up her neck.

On top of everything, Teho and Mia had started the awful "public display of affection" phase of their almost instant relationship.

How come they want everybody to see?

Am I jealous, 'cuz I was robbed of these moments by Cholsu's cold strictness?

The unpleasant memory invited itself into her brain.

...

Somin was excited for their first year anniversary, despite the fact the relationship with the tall sculptor felt more work-based from the start. Although the older boy was very demanding of the young girl to perform, she fell for him blindly.

When Cholsu met her in front of the high school, dressed in dark brown jeans and a black leather jacket, she almost fell down the steps. His then-ashy hair flew in a mild wind and gave him a rebellious aura.

"What are you doing here?" the black-haired girl asked giddily.

They hadn't set up a meeting for today and she had hoped that maybe he'd take her out to celebrate.

"I'm waiting for you, obviously," he snickered, sitting on a park bench in front of the building, sketchbook in hand, drawing absentmindedly.

Somin fought the urge to kiss him, happy that he for once had done something unexpected and unscheduled for her. She found courage in the fleeting moment and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.

"Not here," he commented.

"Why?" she asked, the kiss was light and soft.

How could he object? The young girl couldn't comprehend it.

"Don't embarrass yourself," he just said, "You're not twelve anymore."

"But," she started, hurt words on the tip of her tongue.

"But?" he arched his brow, "You know I hate when you start and pause. It's really irritating," Cholsu snapped.

Somin sat next to him, composing herself quickly. It was a new skill she'd learned in hopes of not upsetting him more.

"Could you please talk continuously?" he softened his tone a little. She nodded, suddenly sweating after the scolding.

Fuck, why am I like this?

The pressure to be perfect was at an all-time high and she always dreaded not delivering it. Cholsu saw her inner fight and hoped it'd make her more resilient, crafting the partner he desired her to be. Molding her likeness like clay. He hoped she'd endure the critique and grow up for him, be the silent and composed woman he saw in her young self.

"... I'm sorry Cholsu ...the other couples at school they..." she paused, but quickly added "...they're very hands-on," she defended herself.

"So what, you want me to touch you here in front of everybody passing by?" he asked.

A bit agitated, but still trying to focus on his automatic drawing of the school building, he glanced back at her. His fingers held the pencil confidently and his sketch had a very relaxed and bold nature to it.

Somin took a breath to support her argument, but he cut her off.

"That's childish, you're better than that. You wanna be on my level, don't you?" he asked, still holding back his anger.

"Yes," she let out, wanting him to brush her hair, to hold her waist, to be more "hands-on."

"I thought so," he finished.

And with that, he switched topics to his own art projects. She listened intently and tried to ask related questions, determined to be worth his while. She wanted to make him happy. Those fleeting moments when he relished in her interest in him were very important to her. She misinterpreted his coldness as the cool demeanor of a mature boy.

But I don't wanna be an adult just yet.

The young girl thought as he kissed her in the privacy of his studio after she had sat as a model for him for a few hours after school.

I wonder how it feels to be wanted.

...

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💔 What do you envy other couples? 💔

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🎨Illustrations of each chapter are available on my Wattpad acc, AO3 acc -klubickoArt🎨