Chapter 18
It was evening already although I had slept and when I woke up my phone was ringing. It was Jo, then he told me he was outside already and I had to just take a quick shower and I went outside. So Jo and I talked for a while. Well, Jo was a handsome dude.
As I walked alongside Jo, the evening air felt alive with the sounds of chatter and music from the nearby shops. We strolled over to a cozy restaurant, the aroma of delicious food wafting out to greet us. We took a seat, and I couldn't help but notice how natural it felt to be with Jo again.
Over dinner, we laughed and talked, catching up on each other's lives. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and I felt like we'd never been apart. As we finished our meal, Jo smiled and stood up,"Want to take a walk in the park?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with suggestion.
I nodded, and we headed out into the evening, the park's tranquil atmosphere a soothing contrast to the bustling streets we'd just left. As we strolled through the park, the stars began to twinkle overhead.
Jo suddenly veered off towards a row of colorful machines, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Let's try our luck," he said, his voice low and smooth.
The machines were claw games, filled with plush teddy bears and other prizes that seemed to tantalize me with their very presence. Jo strolled over to one of the machines and turned to me, his gaze piercing. "Do you know how to play this?" he asked, his voice husky.
I hesitated, feeling a flutter in my chest. "I'm not really good at it," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Jo's smile didn't waver. "You should try," he said, tossing some coins into the machine with a clink. "Try," he encouraged, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
I took a deep breath, determined to give it a shot. The machine seemed to loom before me, its metal claws gleaming like skeletal fingers.
I grasped the controls tightly, my eyes fixed on the adorable teddy bears nestled inside the claw machine. I was determined to win one, to prove to myself that I could do it. With a deep breath, I concentrated, trying to maneuver the mechanical claw to grab the prize.
But every time I thought I had it, the claw would slip, and the teddy bear would fall back into its cozy spot. I felt a pang of frustration, but Jo's chuckles beside me were infectious. "Don't give up!" he encouraged, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I smiled, feeling a surge of determination. I tried again and again, my fingers moving deftly over the controls. But no matter how hard I tried, the claw just couldn't seem to grasp the teddy bear. Jo's laughter filled the air, and I couldn't help but giggle too. I was having fun, despite my lack of success.
As we played, Jo would add more coins, and I'd try again. The game became a fun, lighthearted competition between us. I loved the thrill of the challenge, the suspense of not knowing whether I'd win or lose. My competitive spirit was piqued, and I was determined to come out on top.
But as I glanced at Jo, I realized that maybe winning wasn't the only thing that mattered. I was having a great time with him, laughing and joking together. Maybe the real prize was the fun we were having, rather than the teddy bear itself.
Jo's hands wrapped around mine, guiding my movements, I felt a spark of electricity run through my body. His taller frame loomed behind me, his hands gently directing mine as we controlled the machine together. With a subtle adjustment, the claw closed around the teddy bear, and it was lifted out of the machine.
I turned to face him, my eyes widening in surprise. "Oh my God, you're good!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with admiration. Jo chuckled, a low, smooth sound that made my heart skip a beat.
"I've been playing this since I was a child, probably ten or eleven," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I felt a surge of competitiveness, and my determination grew. "Let's try again," I said, my eyes shining with excitement.
Jo smiled, feeding more coins into the machine. "You're on," he said, his voice filled with challenge. Together, we played again, our hands touching, our laughter filling the air.
As we walked away from the claw machine, Jo handed me the teddy bears, and I couldn't help but smile. I was having a blast, and Jo's company made everything feel more enjoyable. He suggested we get ice cream and I agreed.
"mint chocolate chip" he told the ice cream man.
"Mint chocolate chip?" I repeated, wrinkling my nose. "I hate that flavor."
Jo's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Trust me, it's the best," he said, his voice confident.
I raised an eyebrow,however, I asked for vanilla. The ice cream man handed us our cones, and we walked over to a bench in the park.
As we sat on the bench, the sweet taste of ice cream melted on my tongue, but my mind was elsewhere. I turned to Jo, the words spilling out before I could catch them. "Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realized what I'd done. Why was I even asking? Jo's eyes sparkled with amusement, his gaze piercing as he turned to me. "Why are you asking?" he countered, his low, smooth voice sending a shiver down my spine.
I felt my face grow hotter, the warmth spreading like wildfire. "Well, you know what, just forget about it," I said hastily, trying to brush it off. "It was a slip of the tongue."
But Jo's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes never leaving mine. "Well, I don't have a girlfriend," he said, his voice casual, "but there are tons of girls lining up to be my girlfriend." His words were laced with a hint of confidence, but I detected a flicker of wariness beneath the surface.
I looked away, my heart racing with a mix of emotions. Jealousy? Curiosity? I didn't know, but I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be one of those girls, to be the one he chose above all others. The thought sent a pang through my chest, and I found myself stealing glances at Jo, my mind whirling with questions and doubts.