★ | #54 | s'mores
"we weren't flirting."

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ nicole's radio station
is now playing...

say yes to heaven • lana del rey
"if you go, i'll stay. you come back, i'll be right here."

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HOURS passed, as the sun was soon replaced by the bright moon — stars much more visible than they were back at home as they highlighted the moon and all of its glory.

It was their final night left on the short-lived camping trip before going back to their hometown in the morning, returning to daily school life.

The few teachers that had tagged along had left to a different part of the camping grounds, a mere five minute walk away as they had their own discussions — mostly regarding work and whatnot.

Whereas, the group of students were all settled around the site, lingering outside of their tents as they all conversed freely with each other, being left to do whatever they pleased, given it was the final night.

Seong Haewon was settled onto the end of a log. To her left sat Lee Heeseung, with Jay and Jake on the other side of him. Whilst Sunghoon, Miyeon and Minjun were on the log beside them.

Holding small, wooden sticks provided by staff, the girl held the marshmallow she was roasting over the fire.

She almost zoned out as she stared at the open flame beneath it, rolling the stick between her fingers as she rotated the marshmallow endlessly as she waited for it to turn into a golden hue.

Heeseung's shoulder brushed unintentionally against hers, as his head turned towards her at the contact. He raised a brow, letting out a soft laugh as the reflection of the fire danced in her softened brown eyes, lost in a whirlwind of her own thoughts.

His hand gently tapped her knee, bringing her back to reality as their friends engaged in their own conversations, too immersed with whatever they were discussing to notice the small interaction between the pair.

“You alright?” He muttered, just for her to hear as she turned her head slightly, just enough to meet his curious, doe-eyed gaze.

Haewon hummed in response, nodding loosely as she gave him a smile. Though it was vague, it was genuine — in her sparkling eyes he could see.

He found himself subconsciously returning the smile, head lolling to the side ever so slightly as he skimmed over her features, admiring them so dearly with the soft orange glow from the campfire, or the bright light the moon provided, shining down on them.

She was beautiful, in ways like no other. He could feel his heart practically squeeze at the thought, too shy to bring it up; to make a real move.

“I’m great.” Haewon replied in a soft mumble, a hum sounding so gentle, reaching his ears as he nodded slowly, reaction delayed as his heart pattered in his chest, recomposing himself.

“And you?” She countered, her full attention fixed solely on him as a lopsided smile tugged at the corners of his lips, releasing a soft breath.

“Same as you. I'm doing just fine.” He replied quietly, gently bumping his shoulder with hers as she raised her brows, humming contently in response.

Exchanging quiet murmurs, hushed laughs between each other, a voice broke through to them, calling out her name with a small laugh.

“Uh, Haewon,” Jake called out, catching her attention as she shifted her gaze over to the boy, tilting her head as she let out a small noise, waiting for him to continue. “Your marshmallow is on fire.”

Haewon averted her gaze quickly towards her marshmallow, of which she held over the campfire. Lo and behold, it was in fact on fire, completely burned and inedible.

“Oh, sh— shoot.” Haewon let out, nearly cussing but quickly catching herself as she brought the marshmallow stick closer to her, her hand pressed against her chest, holding back her hair as she blew out the fire quickly.

Her friends laughed, including Heeseung, who suited an amused smile as he watched her.

He shifted slightly on the log they were sharing as he averted his attention to his own marshmallow, pulling it away from the flames as it was roasted perfectly.

“Awe, man, I really wanted that.” Haewon groaned, gently shaking her stick off as a trail of smoke followed it everywhere she waved it around.

“Maybe if you two weren't busy flirting, you would still have it.” Sunghoon chimed in teasingly, as her cheeks flushed pink, luckily masked well by the orange hue of the lighting.

“We weren't flirting.” Haewon scoffed, denying said claims as Jay tsked softly, shaking his head with a knowing smile.

“Sure. In other words, you both were just totally entranced with each other.” Jay added on, as Haewon snickered and scrunched her nose up subtly.

She expected Heeseung to pipe in, defending himself. But, as she shifted her gaze towards him, she found that he was far too far on something to muster up even the slightest response.

“Don't act so shy, Haewon. It’s cute.” Miyeon spoke up, her head laying on her boyfriend's shoulder comfortably as she took a bite out of the s’more she had just made a minute later e so prior.

Haewon nodded meekly, as the conversation topic luckily shifted, instead focusing on something entirely different.

In the midst of it, Heeseung perked up, head turning quickly to look at her once again as he extended a s’more towards her.

“Here you go, have mine.” The boy suggested, as she tilted her head in confusion, brows tied in a knot.

“My s'more. You burnt yours.” Heeseung recalled, pursing his lips as she took it carefully, the sweet scent lingering and filling her senses as the marshmallow was tucked between two graham crackers, a small piece of chocolate wedged in-between.

“Are you sure? Don't you want it?” The girls asked, as he scrunched his nose up slightly and shook his head, beckoning her to accept it.

“No, I'm fine. You can have it, really.” Heeseung continued, until she accepted it into her hands, a smile planted onto her pink colored lips.

“Thank you.” Haewon let out gratefully before they settled back into the conversation held between their group of friends, chiming in and adding onto the conversation occasionally.

Minutes passed, before chattering and laughter grew louder from another group of students, as a few people approached the campfire that they were having.

“Guys, we're playing spin the bottle, come on!” A random student giggled, waving them on as Haewon pressed her lips into a thin line.

Her eyes skimmed over all of her friends, noticing how they all stayed quiet — not opposing the idea.

However, a small, sheepish smile settled into her lips as she bowed her head slightly, silently declining. “No, thank you, sorry.” She let out awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable with such a game.

“Oh, come on, Seong Haewon!” One of the students complained, as the others groaned, beckoning her on.

“Yeah, it's the last night at camp. Live a little.” Someone else chimed in, arms crossed over their chest as they raised a brow.

Haewon's cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment, feeling pressured into the game upon their judging stares. Her head turned slightly, meeting the gaze of Heeseung, who stayed silent, tilting his head.

“Don't be boring. It's just a game.” Another person pestered, as she sighed, her body language filled with visible hesitance, nodding her head slowly.

“Okay.” Haewon muttered, biting down on her bottom lip nervously as she stared down at her lap.

“Great, good to know you're not totally lame.” A girl joked, albeit still being rude and hurtful before they all wandered back over to the larger group of students, who were setting up the game in a circle on the ground.

“You don't have to play if you don't want to, Haewon. You're clearly uncomfortable with it. Don't let them pressure you into it.” Heeseung spoke, shaking his head as Haewon hummed and pursed her lips.

“It's fine. I'm fine.” The girl let out in a quiet mumble, embarrassed beyond control over something as little as being deemed as lame, though it was something that shouldn't matter to her at all.

Slowly pushing herself to her feet, she dusted off her clothing, as Heeseung frowned slightly and stood up after her, his fingers grazing up against hers as he subtly held her hand.

“You guys playing?” Minjun asked, furrowing his brows as Jake, Sunghoon and Jay nodded reluctantly, not necessarily having any care for it — but deciding to join nonetheless.

“Sure. Maybe Jake can finally have his first kiss or something.” Jay teased, as Jake rolled his eyes and shoved his friend playfully.

“I told you, I was a ladies man back in Australia.” Jake grumbled, as Sunghoon couldn't help but to laugh at him, shaking his head.

“Clearly not in Korea.” Sunghoon teased, clicking his tongue as they engaged in friendly banter.

Sighing, Miyeon stood up beside her boyfriend, hands tucked into the pockets of the thin hoodie she put on beforehand, covering her skin from the mosquitoes that swarmed the area.

“We'll come with you guys, but Minjun and I aren't playing.” Miyeon said, shrugging her shoulders as Haewon hummed, heaving out a troubled sigh as she reluctantly followed her friends towards the larger group of people, Heeseung trailing off after her as his hand was wrapped around hers.

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★﹐authors corner ．﹗﹑ 1.5k words.
this chapter was so easy and fun to write omg yayayay i'm so happy 😚

anyway guys streets outside are flooded help 😭 crazy omg ?? and i have practice tonight and it's like a 1hr+ drive there and back so hopefully it gets better 🤞

anyway, cutting myself off right here. thank you so much for reading !! i'm so so happy to be writing this and i'm so glad you all seem to be enjoying it as we go along.

i'm very very appreciative — more than words can explain. thank you so much for all the support!

i love you all so much 🫶
july 25th, 2024 — 1:20pm.
not proofread.