the pokes on your shoulder get incessant as you make your way down the hall. seungcheol keeps tapping you, following you around like an excited puppy, to your locker where you keep your books and take your bag out to leave.
"what, seungcheol?" you turn around in a single motion.
"whatchu doin' later this week?" he asks, a stupid, bright smile plastered on his face as if the last fifty-something rejections by you havent faltered him even in the slightest.
it's getting endearing, really.
seungcheol and you have been friends since high school, all because you made the mistake of lending him a pencil, and he's been at your side since then. he's been there through your first crush, first kiss, first school dance where he winked at you as you awkwardly followed your date. he's also been there along with the tubs of ice cream you finished because your first love 'broke your heart'.
he followed you to college, and gets to see your first-hand embarrassment when he finally shoots his shot and asks you out in your second year. he says it's all for fun with just a little meaning to it, and squirms slightly whenever he becomes emotional about you, but you secretly enjoy it, even though you pretend not to, because you can see how much he cares and how much you mean to him. and even through all facade, you believe he knows how much he means to you too.
"cheol, i already told you. i have a workshop to attend this weekend." you say, fishing for your stuff in the locker.
"maybe i can come along..."
"i'm not going anywhere with you." you shut the door, smiling when you see his little pout.
"also, you're always wearing these cool racer jackets, and yet i never see you riding a bike." you walk towards the exit, the boy tagging along.
"got it from a sale i went to with mingyu," he runs to stand in front of you, and continues walking backwards to keep up with you. "you like these? maybe i'll wear it more often then."
"oh, bug off. seriously. i need to get to the cafe before they turn off the wifi," you push him away and walk off.
the next week, you're walking out of class with an awkward realisation of silence surrounding you.
seungcheol's nowhere to be seen.
even though you would rather die than admit it, you wonder where he's at as you push your books into the locker you always promise to clean one day, and take out your stuff to leave.
as you exit the building, a revving sound stops you in your tracks. it's distant, but it's approaching, and just like the engine picks up speed, your heart starts thrumming faster.
the bike stops in front of you, and seungcheol's face emerges as he removes the helmet.
"seungcheol? what are you doing?" you run over to him.
"you said you've never seen me on a bike. so i got one," he places the helmet on tank and rests his head on his hand.
"i need you to know that i hate to admit it, but you look very freaking hot right now."
"i mean, i'm always hot, but i'll take it. so does this mean you'll ride with me?"
"yes, yes, yes please!" you perk up at the question. he chuckles before handing you the spare helmet, and holds your bag as you wear it and get on the bike.
"but you said you aren't going anywhere with me."
"don't push your luck, choi, or i might rethink my decision to kiss you later." you place your hands on his shoulders. he takes your hands and wraps it around his chest instead.
"well, hold on tight then. wouldn't want you to be dizzy before you even kiss me."