"I want to move across the hard times

and hold your hand."

》...《

A quiet click of a bedroom door was heard, as a girl cautiously walked passed her mother- mindlessly watching tv, not having any concentration on her daughter's prescence.

No words had been said leaving the air heavy with the mood of neglect hanging. The coldness between the two figures was almost tangible with the usual silence that reflected on the plain walls.

Ryujin had her belongings ready to go to the sleepover, but hadn't gotten her permission to leave the apartment, causing for a monotone voice to hault her from moving.

"Where are you going?" -her interest still on the screen, not having the strength to look at the girl.

Having one hand on the door handle, Ryujin muttered a reasonable excuse that she'll be out late as she had to attend a study group. Startled, she was left on edge, desperately clutching onto the only way to escape from the desolated place.

Ryujin knew that her mother usually didn't care where she was going nor what time she'll be back, as she'd occasionally lie about it. The only purpose for her mother to normally ask about her daughter's whereabouts, was because she had to act like she was doing her duty as a parent.

Not that the woman really cared for her daughter as she knew that Ryujin wasn't one to mess around, making her mother's life seem easier.

As they lived without constant burden nor the humiliation she would have to face if her daughter did involve herself with anything inappropriate for her age.

+×+

With his usual cheeky smile, a boy waited outside an apartment door wanting to surprise the girl as he thought it'll be more convenient for them to arrive at the sleepover together.

But, the suspense was almost draining him as the girl hadn't opened the door yet. Beginning to second guess himself- even checking the time to see if he were the one who was late, Beomgyu searched for her number on the groupchat, impatiently trying to contact her as he currently felt like a fool just staring at the door.

Actually the real truth was, that beomgyu just thought of an excuse to hang out more with ryujin; staying intrigued about her.

+×+

However, in a matter of seconds Beomgyu felt a strong force swung onto the side of his head- causing for the boy to stumble back as he clutched his head in pain.

"Ow..." The boy had muttered, closing his eyes as he didn't expect to be hit by the apartment door opening in his face.

"Are you okay?!" A worried voice was heard as they approached him and soon the very touch of their fingertips began to soothe the pain.

"I'm fine Ryujin" -Beomgyu had chuckled at how stupid he looked infront of the girl, whereas he was still met with a nervous expression from her; quickly changing into laughter as she too found the situation funny.

"But, why are you waiting outside here?" Ryujin tilted her head, questioning the boy's actions as she supposed that he had already left to go to the sleepover.

"Well...i thought-" "Were you waiting for me?" The girl seemed to already have an idea and thankfully, it saved beomgyu from saying any else that can make him seem weird.

With a sheepish smile, the boy scratched the nape of his neck as he nodded as his answer. Resulting for ryujin to feel relieved as if he said 'no', she would've felt pure shame at herself- not wanting beomgyu to think she was a cocky person.

"Wanna go together then?" Beomgyu had gestured towards the elevator, letting her go in first as he, as usual, followed her from behind not gaining the courage to walk beside her.

Beomgyu just wanted to prevent those cliché moments from the movies he'd watch, when the main characters would suddenly touch hands whilst walking next to eachother. Since he respected the girl's personal space, he'd rather follow her.

But also, he knew he'd possibly make that mistake of touching her hand someday if they were to be next to eachother.