Chapter 30: Winter Break Starts Now!

Friday | December 15th, 2023 | 4:11 PM

I yawned, making sure not to move too much so as not to wake her. It just so happens that on the 3 hour train ride up north, Nakyung decided to sleep on me 20 minutes in, and I have yet to move because I'm that good of a friend. With my yawn, I looked around the somewhat empty compartment, occupied by just us and the Goobers.

Some of them were sleeping like Joy and the fashion duo. Some were peacefully in their own worlds, like Yeji and Jinho who both had their headphones in and their attention elsewhere. Others were quietly conversing, like Haechan and Saerom along with Sana and Tzuyu. And others were being louder like Wooyoung, who couldn't sit still and continued to wander about the train cart and inspect every nook and cranny.

Nakyung and I were off in our own area, seated comfortably, and we didn't bother anyone. It was peaceful, and the calm environment was nice. This was a well deserved break for everyone, and we were looking forward to having some fun at Wooyoung's cabin. I'll admit, with the layers of clothing I was wearing, I was a little hot now that there was another source of heat sleeping on me.

Then again, if I woke her up, I'd be subjected to the nonstop conversation and her never ending energy. So maybe a few beads of sweat wouldn't hurt.

"Psst, Minjae," I heard someone say. Turning my head, I saw that the noise came from Sana and Tzuyu, who both were seated a few feet away from me and Nakyung.

"What?" I replied, making sure to keep my voice low so as not to wake anyone, including Nakyung.

"We were talking about the rooming situation for the cabin," Tzuyu began. "Wooyoung let us know just earlier that his cabin only has 4 bedrooms."

I try not to do math when I'm not at school but that meant 4 bedrooms split across 12 people. That was a lot of people and not a lot of room to share. "Oh, well, how are we splitting it?"

"Well, Wooyoung insisted he get his own room," Sana explained. I nodded, "Yeah, that's fair, it's his family's place."

"And Haechan and Saerom were planning to ask Yeji and Jinho later if they could room with the two of them," Tzuyu continued. The three of us shared a look. It's not confirmed by either of them, but the rest of the group is pretty sure that Haechan and Saerom are together. The time they spend together and the way they interact says a lot, and everyone else seems to know about their relationship, despite neither confirming or denying it.

"Makes sense," I said, trying not to be too loud.

"At first, Sana and I were going to ask Joy and the others if they wanted to share a room but damn, five girls sharing one room? There'd be no space at all. We figured we'd split the remaining girls between the last two rooms," Tzuyu told me. I was getting the picture.

"Ah, so I'm sleeping by myself, probably on a couch?" I asked.

"I feel bad, but yeah, basically," Sana nodded. "Unless you wanna sleep with us, but it'd be a bit cramped." The two of them frowned at me, pitying my circumstances.

"No, it's fine. I know how much girls love their personal space, I’ll probably find a comfortable couch and call it a night. I'll survive," I joked. The girls giggled.

"Sorry again, we'll take Nakyung into our room and let Joy sleep with Jennie and Xiaoting in their room," Tzuyu explained, giving me an apologetic look.

"We'll worry about it when we get there, let's just enjoy ourselves for now," I waved it off.

"Yeah, you're right, and I'm gonna try and sleep before the train stops," Sana chuckled, stretching out on her seat and leaning back.

"Sweet dreams," I laughed, and the two went quiet. Looking at Nakyung, she was still peacefully sleeping on me, and her face was relaxed.

"I know, I'm a really good pillow," I said to no one in particular. I turned my neck to look outside the window and watch the scenery pass by. It was pretty, and the train was quiet. The gentle hum and the rocking movement was comforting and relaxing. The layer of white snow made the view seem picturesque, and the trees were decorated with a fresh coat of ice and frost.

The sky was overcast, but the sun was peeking out and providing some light. With the gentle rocking, and the soothing environment, I myself was slowly beginning to nod off. That was until I felt my side vibrate from my phone going off. Reaching into my pocket, I grabbed my phone and viewed the incoming message:

Chaewon

i just finished my first exam of the dayyy

hows the train ride

I smiled at the message. I felt bad for Chaewon, our schools had exam weeks that started a week or two differently, and so while we were able to go on our trip, Chaewon had to finish her last two exams today:

the ride is good, quiet. nakyung is sleeping on me

i cant move haha

Chaewonaww that sounds like fun though

i havent been on a train in years

how much longer is your ride?

abt 2 hours

time feels so slow right now

Chaewon

stillll enjoy ittttt

dont worry, i am

what are you gonna do after your exams

Chaewonidk yet, maybe meet up with my friends and chill

sounds good

it sucks our schedules clashed

i wouldve loved to spend a weekend in the snow with you

Chaewon

sameee

but thats alright

break gives us more time to spend together

so im excited for that

definitely

and its a lot better than spending the holidays alone

Chaewon

yeah