Unlike on the way there, the trip back was pretty noisy
Taehee, who was chattering nonstop, whether she’d fully woken up or not
looked more excited than anyone else
After a few rounds of weird wordplay
we soon turned into the neighborhood alley
After turning off the music blaring loudly, I got out of the car
Maybe because I’d been driving long distance
I automatically stretched the moment I got out
Even Taehee, who had seemed so excited in the car
let out a yawn right away, as if tired
I was so worried that I walked her all the way to the front door
The night air I felt on the way to the apartment parking lot
was especially cool and refreshing
I took a deep breath and tilted my head back
Above the pitch-black night skytiny stars twinkled
It looked like a drawing made by
dabbing white paint onto black drawing paper
As if possessed, I took out my phone and pressed the camera shutter
In the gallery I went into with high expectations
the pretty star photos were nowhere to be seen
and there were photos with dull colors instead
Clicking my tongue in disappointment for some reason
I shoved my phone into my pocket
The car, with only me inside, was dead quiet
As Taehee’s nonstop chatter disappeared
I could feel the emptiness all too clearly
The lonely mood felt awkward
so I lowered the volume and played my favorite song
I hummed along and stepped on the accelerator
"Damn it.."
Not long after I’d set off, the car in front suddenly cut in
I frowned as I hit the brakes
When I gave a short honk
the car in front turned on its hazard lights as if apologizing
As I wound the wheel this way and that and passed through the curved alley
I soon arrived in front of home
While waiting for the elevator
I found myself humming the song I’d listened to with Taehee
As soon as I stepped into my room, I changed clothes
and threw myself onto the bed
When I pulled out my phone, which had been vibrating a few times in my handan Instagram notification was there
It was Taehee
The moment I saw the few message bubbles, I snickered
Just imagining Taehee rushing to the toilet the moment she got home
I just couldn’t hold back my laughter
Laughing out loud
I tapped away at the keyboard
Only after sending two message bubbles did I put my phone down
Even after turning off the lights and closing my eyes for tomorrow
the laughter kept slipping out
Trying to cover my mouth as laughter spilled out
I buried my face in the pillow, but I still laughed
And so, after laughing foolishly for a long while, I fell asleep
Laughing at nothing but poop talk
I guess neither you nor I are close to being adults yet either.
