"If you don’t come back inside, you’re going to catch a cold"
This wasn’t some inspiring story about an overly ambitious protagonist practicing for hours in rain, snow, or sunshine. This wasn’t some tearjerker where flashbacks of his good pal’s voice resonated through the back of his head as he ran through the cold in search of a cure for this friend’s mystery diagnosis X. What this was… was a stupid bet that he made that day.
Lee Jeongmin was a pretty nice guy, and things were going great as they had a few drinks, but Jaewon wanted to spice things up. This was something close friends did, and since he was born in America, the hyung-dongsaeng relationship wasn’t anything special to him. Jae was just a few years older than him, so a bet like this would have been fine. Obviously with any bet, there was a fine line on what was to be betted for, and what was to be betted on.
“Yah, Lee Jeongmin,” the model chuckled as his words slurred in his drunken state. “Tomorrow night, we’re going to Victoria’s Secret, and we’re pulling the best prank ever.” The other seemed really hesitant at first, but continued to listen. “Whoever goes out of character first loses and gets to choose the punishment.” The two shook on the bet and set off to the mall once they were both sobered up the next evening.
Jaewon half regretted making this sort of wager as they stood before the infamous women’s go-to lingerie and underwear store. Keeping his cool, he walked in from corner to corner until he found a target. “Excuse me, sir, how may I help you?” He was inquired as she kindly smirked at him. Jae was ready with his own story with his wingman, Jeongmin by his side.
“Yes, we’re two male strippers looking for some costumes for our show tonight, and we were wondering if you could help us find our breast sizes,” he said coolly. Having rehearsed these lines this many times, he had yet to explode in laughter. Handing the lady his card, his stage name as “Helicopter Mark,” she was the first to raise a brow and ask him why.
“Well, young miss, it’s because I–” Jaewon cut off before flailing his arms, rotating his hips like a hula-hoop in a circular motion. “I’m a helicopter, you feel me girl!?” He was proud of what he had done, a bollywood actor if he thought so himself. He would make great heights with this level of acting if it weren’t for Jeongmin’s next remark.
“And I’m Big Meat Pete!” Those five words, the lamest thing he’s heard his entire life caused an explosion in Jaewon’s body, an uproar, a burst of laughter loud enough for the patrons to hear and turn their heads at the two seemingly flamboyant men who wanted their breasts measured for bras for their show. Jaewon grabbed Jeongmin’s arm as the two ran out of the mall together and getting back home at his apartment.
With a sigh of relief, Jaewon fell back on his bean bag chair in the living room until Jeongmin brought back up the whole bet. Feeling generous, the other decides his punishment, and with reluctance, Jaewon finally does it.
There he stands in nothing but his boxers outside in the somehow freezing cold night of April. “If you don’t come back inside, you’ll catch a cold.”
“Shut up!” Jaewon retorted.
