[PG-13] Wishing on Airplanes (14/28)

[airplanewishes]

Title: Wishing on Airplanes
Characters: Donghae, Kyuhyun, Hyukjae, OC, Super Junior
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Comedy, Drama


Summer had finally come. Jooyeon couldn’t help but spread her arms wide, inhaling the salty scent on the sea. She loved water ever since she was a kid. The blueness and the wideness of it made her feel so free. It was finally their summer vacation and they were at Heechul’s parents’ resort. They had a whole month free from schoolwork.

“If we’d known you love the beach so much, we’d have brought you here sooner,” Donghae said, standing beside her, his hands in his pockets.

“Oh oppa,” Jooyeon said, putting her arms down to her sides. She smiled. “I thought you were resting.” They had just arrived the previous evening and Donghae had driven most of the way. He slept most of the day.

“I feel more rested here,” he told her, smiling a little.

They were quiet for a moment. It was weird being quiet with him like this. The past two weeks had made them awkward. Or maybe she was just the one thinking it. She turned to him to say something, but he interrupted her.

“Do you want to take a walk?” he asked. He lifted his hand to her, offering to take her hand.

She looked at his hand then smiled at him. She linked her arm with his instead. “Let’s go,” she told him cheerfully.

“So…” Donghae began as they began their walk down the shore. “I heard about your date with GameKyu in Kangnam.”

“It wasn’t a date,” Jooyeon said, chuckling. “I think he just wanted to show off his gaming skill—GameKyu?” She stopped walking and looked at him. “How did you know about that?” She didn’t remember telling anyone else about that.

“These things get around,” he told her with a warm smile.

She couldn’t help but smile back at him. When Donghae smiled like that, she understood very clearly why girls swooned over him.

“It’s good that you’re getting close to Kyuhyun,” he went on, looking at her seriously. “He’s a good guy.”

“He is,” she agreed. “Even when he pretends he’s not most of the time.” He chuckled softly.

“How are your soccer practices going?” she then asked him.

“You would know if you bothered to watch,” was his reply, looking at her knowingly.

To cover up her embarrassment, she laughed lightly. “I don’t want another Eunhye-like incident with Mira.” He looked at her curiously. “Oppa, you should’ve asked Mira to come so that we could meet her properly.”

He looked at her in surprise. “Why would I invite her here?”

“Being oppa’s girlfriend, shouldn’t she be here with your friends?” she asked, smiling as she looked back at him. “I’m sure she would have a lot of fun. Plus, we could get to know her better. Tiffany and Taeyeon love doing girl-bonding stuff, like shopping or going to spas. I’m sure Mira would love that, too.”

“Jooyeon—,” he began.

“Jooyeon! Donghae!” Heechul called from the cottage. “It’s time for dinner!”

Jooyeon brightened up at the mention of food. Donghae smiled, shaking his head.

~ * ~

Jooyeon watched as the boys played around on the beach under the sun, splashing each other with water like little kids. Kangin carried a complaining Hyukjae and threw him hard on the water. Afterwards, Kangin immediately apologized to Hyukjae because Tiffany gave him a look. It seemed that everyone was having fun. Even Heechul, who usually acted cool, was laughing loudly.

“This is exactly why I love those boys,” Taeyeon said, stepping out of the house into the porch with her. “They’re people I want to take care of. They make me want to take care of them. But, at the same time, they take care of me, too.”

“I know what you mean,” Jooyeon responded softly, smiling a little. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so secure with guys before.”

“Didn’t I tell you that they like you?” Taeyeon reminded her.

Jooyeon smiled. Until then, she still couldn’t understand why. Remembering something, she turned to her best friend. “Is everything okay with you and Siwon oppa?”

It was Taeyeon’s turn to smile. “Don’t worry about it. Everything’s fine.”

“Taeng,” Jooyeon persisted. “Why won’t you say anything?”

“Because everything will be fine soon enough,” Taeyeon told her.

“But things don’t look fine,” Jooyeon gently replied.

“Nothing’s perfect,” Taeyeon responded in a whisper after a couple of seconds of silence.

Jooyeon thought about what she said. Since she hadn’t been watching basketball, she didn’t know what happens during then. But she did notice that Siwon spent less time with them during lunch and after school.

“What are you saying?” Jooyeon asked.

“Happily ever after doesn’t always happen even when you have a prince charming,” Taeyeon said, smiling sadly. Suddenly, she clapped her hands. “Anyway! Aren’t you going to go swimming?” she asked, removing her robe and revealing a purplish blue two-piece swimsuit.

“I’ll follow,” Jooyeon said with a chuckle. She watched as Taeyeon ran towards the water, the boys cheering. They yelled at Jooyeon to join them, but she just laughed and waved back.

“Why aren’t you swimming?” a voice behind Jooyeon said, which made her jump.

Turning around, she saw that it was Kyuhyun. She hadn’t realized until then that he wasn’t in the water with the others.

“I don’t feel like it at the moment,” Jooyeon answered. “Why aren’t you swimming, oppa?”

“You’re not afraid of the water, are you?” Kyuhyun snickered, ignoring her question.

“No,” she defiantly said, turning red.

His snickering turned into laughter. Judging by her reaction, there was some truth to his question. “Want to take a walk then?” he asked, surprising her. “I don’t feel like swimming either.”

She shrugged. “Okay.” It wasn’t that she was afraid of water. They just didn’t get along very well.

They went down the house to the beach and started walking.

“Where are you two going?” Hankyung called from the water. Everyone was watching them.

“What do you care?” Kyuhyun shot back before Jooyeon could say anything.

“Jooyeon-ah, be careful with Kyu!” Kangin yelled.

Kyuhyun dismissively waved at them and put a protective arm over Jooyeon. “You’re all just jealous,” he yelled back, smirking at them.

Jooyeon couldn’t help but laugh at the boys’ reactions to Kyuhyun’s statement. As they started walking again, their bare feet getting wet, she realized that his arm was still around her. Gently, hoping not to offend him, she shrugged his arm off.

“Sorry,” Kyuhyun muttered with a chuckle.

“It’s okay, oppa,” Jooyeon said at once. “It’s just…”

“You don’t have to explain,” he told her, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

She smiled. “It’s so nice here,” she began, looking around. “Heechul oppa is so lucky to own such a beautiful and exclusive place. The water’s so blue. It’s the perfect place to relax.”

“I wonder how you can love the beach so much when you’re not a fan of swimming,” he deduced. As expected, she turned a bright shade of red. He chuckled. “But you are right. It is the perfect place to relax and just forget things.”

“Swimming is not the only thing that can be done on the beach, you know,” she retorted.

“Oh yeah? Like what?” he challenged.

“We’re doing it now,” she reminded him, smiling knowingly.

“You’re funny, you know that?” he responded, snickering at her.

“I know,” she replied smugly. “I’m famous for my humor.”

“I’m sure,” he muttered. “Are you ready for tonight’s party?” Heechul turned a year old on July 10, but was having his party just now.

“No, I still don’t have a gift for Heechul oppa,” she shared worriedly. “I’d forgotten to buy.”

“Hyung doesn’t care for gifts,” he said, amused that she was so concerned about actually having bought a gift. “What’s important is that you’re there dressed to have fun.”

“About that,” she said. “Do we really have to dress up formally? I mean we’re at the beach.”

“That’s the beauty of it,” he told her knowingly. “At a party one should always look their best.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” she muttered with a soft sigh. Kyuhyun always looked good. He looked like a model even in just wearing the school uniform. “I didn’t really bring anything fancy.”

“You should talk to Taeyeon about that,” he replied. “Not me.”

~ * ~

“Here you go,” Taeyeon said, handing Jooyeon a white paper bag. It was early evening and they were getting ready for the party that evening. Tiffany was in front of the mirror, doing her makeup.

“Thank you so much for lending me another dress,” Jooyeon appreciatively said, putting the paper bag down on the bed.

“It’s yours,” Taeyeon told her, going to the closet to get the dress that she was going to wear, a black asymmetrical one.

“It’s mine?” Jooyeon repeated, confused.

Tiffany chuckled. “Just take it out and put it on already,” she said, glancing at her through the mirror.

“Did you guys buy me a dress?” Jooyeon asked with a smile. She opened the shopping bag and unwrapped the very same white dress she tried on when they went shopping a couple of days back. She looked at both Taeyeon and Tiffany, who were watching her. “You guys shouldn’t have…” Jooyeon said, but with was smiling.

“We didn’t,” Taeyeon said, starting to change, while Tiffany went back to doing her makeup.

“What do you—?” Jooyeon began to ask.

“Just change, Joo,” Tiffany interrupted her, smiling.

Jooyeon changed into the beautiful white dress. She had secretly thought about going back to the store to finally buy it, but had decided against it. Tiffany, without warning, then pushed her to sit down in front of the mirror after being done with her makeup.

“What are you doing?” Jooyeon demanded.

“We need to beautify you,” Tiffany said, smoothing Jooyeon’s hair. She turned to Taeyeon. “We should leave it down, right?”

“Definitely,” Taeyeon said, standing beside Tiffany and looking at Jooyeon’s reflection. “I think a little bit of blush and some light pink lipstick will do the trick.”

“Trick for what?” Jooyeon dumbly asked.

“Shush,” Tiffany said, starting her makeup.

Jooyeon closed her eyes the whole time. She wasn’t used to wearing makeup. The only thing she put on her face was face powder and lip balm so she really wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. She hoped it wouldn’t look horrible.

“You can open your eyes now,” Tiffany said.

Jooyeon slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Taeyeon and Tiffany grinning like mad people. And then she saw herself.

“Not bad,” Jooyeon remarked, amazed. Blush and light pink lipstick really did do the trick.

“Not bad?” Tiffany repeated, looking offended.

Taeyeon chuckled. “Good job, Fany,” she said, standing up and smoothing her dress. “We should go. Hankyung has texted me three times.”

“The party is just downstairs,” Jooyeon said. She could already hear the loud music.

“They’re hungry and they won’t eat without everyone there,” Taeyeon told them.

“Let’s go then,” Tiffany said. She turned to Jooyeon who was looking at her reflection in the full-length mirror. It wasn’t everyday she saw herself so made up. Her hair fell in lovely waves on her shoulders, her bangs framing her face. Tiffany smiled at her, standing at her side. “You look beautiful.”

Jooyeon smiled appreciatively and turned to her. “You too!” she told her. Tiffany looked really hot in a red tube dress. Her hair was tied up in a messy but pretty bun. “Kangin oppa’s not going to know what hit him.”

Tiffany blushed.

The party was in the ballroom, which had a veranda and balcony. When the girls walked in, it was already in full swing. Tables and couches were littered in the center of the room. There were balloons and décor everywhere, which made the place very festive and not so formal. Waiters were walking or on standby at the sides, carrying trays of wine and entrees. At the end of the room, a DJ was spinning the music. Some of the boys were already dancing, or rather, horsing around, while others were chatting with each other, seated on the couches. Shindong, Kyuhyun and Hankyung were at the other end of the room, eyeing the food on the buffet table. It seemed too grand for Jooyeon. There were just 11 of them.

“There you are!” Hankyung said when he looked up and saw them. He walked over and grinned. “Wow, Jooyeon! You look great.”

“Thanks,” Jooyeon shyly said. “You look good yourself.” He was wearing a gray suit with a gray hat. Very stylish.

“You’ll save me a dance, right?” Hankyung asked without hesitation.

“Of course, oppa,” Jooyeon agreed with a chuckle.

Hankyung beamed at her. He saw Tiffany, who was looking around. Suddenly Hankyung yelled, “Kangin!!!”

“You really didn’t have to—,” Tiffany began but was cut off by Kangin arriving.

“Tiffany’s been looking for you,” Hankyung said, winking at Tiffany, who blushed. Kangin led her away to one of the tables. Hankyung then looked at Taeyeon. “Siwon’s outside,” he told her, gesturing to the veranda. “Says he wants to talk.”

Taeyeon gave him a small smile and walked towards the veranda.

Jooyeon had just decided to check out the buffet table when Hankyung pulled her towards the middle, where Hyukjae was talking to Heechul.

“Who do we have here?” Heechul said. He stood up once he saw Jooyeon being dragged by Hankyung towards them.

“Oppa, happy birthday!” Jooyeon greeted him happily. “I’m sorry I don’t have a gift for you.”

“Yes, you do,” Heechul said, opening his arms wide. Jooyeon complied by walking into his arms and hugging him. He kissed her head. “You look very pretty.”

“Thank you, oppa,” she said, feeling pleased. “You’re very handsome.”

“Of course I am,” Heechul responded, very pleased with himself. He always looked good in suits.

She looked at Hyukjae, who was ogling her. “You look good, too, oppa.” She smiled.

“Ya, Hyukjae,” Heechul said, snapping his fingers in front of his face. “Stop embarrassing yourself.”

Hyukjae snapped out of it and grinned embarrassedly. “You look really nice, Jooyeon,” he said, almost shyly. Hankyung rolled his eyes.

“Oppa,” Jooyeon said, trying hard not to laugh.

“Are you hungry?” Heechul asked her, shaking his head. “Hyukjae, be a gentleman and escort her to the buffet table. I’ll just change the music.” He then headed to where the DJ was.

As Jooyeon was finishing eating, Hyukjae left her for a while to help Shindong calm down a drunk Hankyung. Donghae then sat down beside her.

“Hey,” he greeted with a smile.

“Where have you been, oppa?” she asked. She hadn’t seen him until then. As she continued to look at him, she looked away. He looked too handsome in his dark suit and bowtie. She was afraid he would notice.

“Were you looking for me?” he teased. He smiled inwardly when a pink tinge appeared on her cheeks.

“Have you eaten?” she asked, changing the subject.

“Yeah,” he answered. A slow song started playing. He looked at her. “Do you feel like dancing?”

While they were standing up, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the ballroom. Jooyeon stretched her neck, wondering what was going on. Her eyebrows creased when she saw what—or who—had caused the hubbub. Eunhye and her friends had arrived.

Hyukjae was immediately at Jooyeon’s side, putting a protective arm around her shoulders, as Eunhye strutted over in her tight-fitting, body-hugging black dress.

“Jooyeon,” Eunhye greeted, smiling sweetly. “I didn’t expect to see you here. If I’d known, I would’ve come earlier.”

“You weren’t invited,” Shindong boldly said, walking over.

“How can I not be invited?” Eunhye said, smirking. “My family owns half of this place.”