| Fan Fiction |
by Take_Flight
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Nadine asked as she grabbed her phone, lip balm, a compact mirror and her purse and tossed it inside the sling bag that Ri In had got for her from Jeju Island. She saw her planner lying on her bed and stuffed it inside the bag as well. Leaving it there might invite Ri In to read whatever she has written there.
"You're all dolled up. How cute" Ri In said stepping into her room and tapping her chin. "I like what you're wearing. I'm sure Changmin will like it as well" she added with a glint in her eyes. Nadine looked down at her simple black short sleeve sweater and the purple and black floral printed knee-length skirt. She let out a frustrated sigh when she saw the cheeky look on her friend's face as she put on her watch. It's times like this she wished Changmin will get here as soon as possible so that she can escape from Ri In but then again, she was actually nervous about going out with him. They were not going out on any official business this time....it was only a...casual weekend...getaway?
"Looks like you're going for a date actually" Ri In was saying as she sat on Nadine's bed. Nadine avoided her friend's gaze. Amazingly, Ri In was able to pick up Nadine's thoughts nowadays..especially when the topic is on Changmin, and it was kind of creeping her out.
"It's not a date. He's only helping me to get some stuff for Miranda's birthday" Nadine pointed out. "And with his help, I can get a good discount as well" she added, dusting her skirt.
"You know, I can't help thinking that he wants to get closer to you, I'm just saying" Ri In said as she stood up and walked out of the room. Nadine counted to five before grabbing her bag and heading to the living room. She walked past Ri In and went to the shoe closet and picked out a pair of black ballet flats with a buckle at the front. She felt Ri In's eyes on her back as she slipped on the shoe. Just then she felt someone pulling the elastic band from her hair and her came tumbling down her back. "Rinnie! What do you think you're doing?!"
"I thought you look better with your hair down" Ri In explained as she tossed the elastic band away with a triumph smile. "Okay, now you're good to go. Don't be home too late araso?" she added before pushing Nadine out of the apartment. Nadine turned around to scold her but the door was already slammed in front of her face. Nadine sighed and made her way down the corridor and waited for the lift to come. She absently combed her fingers through her hair, hoping that everything was in place. Fact was, she was actually nervous about going out with Changmin. It's true that she had met him a couple of times...but today..it feels different.When the lift took Nadine to the ground floor, her phone beeped. Nadine checked the message and when she read it, all she could hear was the thump-thump-thumping of her heart in her eardrums.
The message read "I'm already here". Just three simple words from Changmin and it was already enough to make her knees weak.
Nadine was telling herself to breathe as per normal as she stepped into the lift lobby and turned to her right where Changmin and his car was waiting for her. She gulped when she saw him leaning on the side of the car in a casual wear which consists of a brown checkered bermuda and a white shirt with a funky print on the front. "Nice shirt" Nadine commented on it as she walked towards him. Changmin looked up with a start and then grinned at her. "I like the skirt" he said in return and Nadine felt her cheeks warming up. But the moment was like being in a super hot oven when Changmin suddenly reached out and dusted something on her head. He then proceeded to smooth down Nadine's hair and then awkwardly put his hand down when Nadine was staring at him the whole time.
"T..There was something on your head...and umm..you're hair was a bit in a mess...so..umm.." Changmin stammered as he opened the passenger door and motioned for Nadine to get in. Nadine quickly slipped in, the blood rushing to her head as she leaned back on the seat and put on her seatbelts.
"Thank you" Nadine told him as he got into the driver's seat and started the engine. Changmin gave her a puzzled look. "For what?" he asked. Nadine rolled her eyes. "For making sure my hair's in place. That was very nice of you. Or else I'll end up looking like a sloppy woman" she told him as the car drove out of the apartment building and into the streets.
Changmin laughed softly to himself. "You're not...sloppy" he said, his eyes glued on the road. Nadine shrugged as she fiddled with the strap of the seatbelt. "So where are you taking me?"
"Happy Ocean" Changmin replied, stopping the car at a red light. Nadine raised her eyebrows and saw Changmin glancing giving her a sideway glance. "What's that? A funfair? Circus?" she asked, looking a bit bewildered. "A..Are there clowns present there?"
Changmin laughed when he heard her saying that. "Clowns? What does Happy Ocean's got to do with them?" he asked as he drove the car down the highway and Nadine could see the beach coming into view. Somehow the route that they were driving on looks familiar.
"Because I don't like clowns and Happy Ocean sounds like an amusement park?" Nadine said to him. Changmin shook his head. "It's a cultural spot actually..very popular among tourists. You never hear about it?" he asked her.
Nadine shook her head. "Nope. Maybe I missed it out while reading on that tourist guide book."
"Tourists usually come to this area as it offers them a wide range of...almost everything there. We once had a charity event there and everything was top noche! Not to mention how awesome the weather was. It was held in autumn you see, and everything fell into place. From the theme, the band...every guest left the event feeling very satisfied with the reception. It was like...luck was on our side!" Changmin was saying as he drove passed a restaurant.
Nadine immediately recognized it as Renzo, the one Jaejoong had took her for their first dinner together. No wonder the route seems familiar. She did not quite favor the place since Jaejoong unfortunately had chosen a place quite near to where the band was playing that night so she got distracted with the noise and to mention his constant rambling. She knew Jaejoong was trying to make it an enjoyable evening but she got disappointed with it actually.
"Nadine? Nadine?" Changmin said, waving his hand in front of her face. "H..Huh? You were saying?" Nadine stuttered, as she looked up into his kind soft eyes.
Changmin chuckled. "Did I bore with my stories?" he asked. Nadine shook her head. "A..Aniya..your stories were amusing..I was--
Changin leaned back on his seat, giving her a warm smile. "Tell you what. Before we go shopping, why don't I take you somewhere to perk you up?" he suggested.
Nadine watched as he took off his seatbelt and then she looked around, only to realize that they were parked at a crowded parking lot with cherry blossom trees towering down the lot. Nadine watched in awe as a few petals slowly fluttered down, some landing on the window shield. She had never, in her life, seen so many of these trees before.
"So are we going to sit here all day or what? "Changmin's voice broke into her thoughts. Nadine gave him a sheepish grin. "Mianhe. I got so caught up. It's...so..gorgeous!" she said as she stepped out of the car.
"You haven't seen gorgeous yet. Come on, there's so many things to see and do here" Changmin urged her. They walked side by side as they trudged down the parking lot and then walking slowly at the twisted slope that leads them to where a lot of people were mingling around. The path was sort of narrow and Nadine carefully avoid from stepping onto any sharp rocks. She almost tripped backwards but she felt Changmin's hand on her back, supporting her.
"Woah there. Don't get too excited" Changmin teased her as he walked up front to lead the way. He then held out his hand and Nadine grabbed hold of it as she took a leap from stepping onto a puddle. Their hands stayed interlocked with each other as they both observed the chaotic mess of the crowd hanging out at Happy Ocean. Nadine did not mind that Changmin was holding on to her hand as they maneuvered their way amongst the crowd.
Cause right now, it feels like heaven to her...