"Hi, Yuri," a voice startles me just as I finish filling my water bottle at the dispenser. I spin around, my heart jumping a little, only to see Soobin standing there.
"Oh! Hi, Soobin. You startled meâ" My words trail off as I take in his new look. His hair is dyed a very light blonde, almost white, styled in a neat side part, and he's wearing thin glasses that highlight his dark eyes.
The change has me open-mouthed, and I know I'm going to start drooling if I don't get a grip on myself.
"Wow! You look... different!" I manage, a bit awestruck.
"What's with the big change?" I didn't peg him to be the kind of guy who would dye their hair, especially such a bold color. But it definitely suits him.
Soobin smiles, his dimple appearing on his right cheek.
"Do you like it?" he asks with a raised eyebrow. His eyebrows are still the dark color and provides a stark contrast to his hair, making the angles of his face stand out even more.
"It's... a lot to take in, but hey, you're handsome. You can pull off anything. I bet you'd even look good with a buzz cut or a purple mohawk." I chuckle, hoping to sound casual. I was joking of course but it was true that he is handsome. It was not like a secret or anything.
And I am sure he was self aware to know the attention he garnered even without his name from the opposite gender. And the same gender in some cases, given how people passed their stare on us.
He lets out a laugh, running a hand through his hair.
"Noted. Although, maybe I just did it for... well, you know." His eyes glint with a bit of a feeling I couldn't quite place.
"How am I supposed to know?" I ask, rolling my eyes.
"I thought you liked guys with dyed hair? Although this color might be as bright as you may be into" he counters not missing a beat.
At first I look at him with confusion but soon realize what - or rather who - he means.
I feel my cheeks flush at the insinuation, and I laugh awkwardly, glancing away.
"Oh, well... It's nothing like that. But yeah, your new look is growing on me" I smile at him.
I feel like we have overcome some hurdles in our friendship during the trip but the topic of Yeonjun is definitely a sore topic for Soobin and I didn't want to ruin a normal conversation by bringing him into this.
I am sure Yeonjun would have separate opinion but I couldn't side one way or another and I couldn't avoid Soobin because Yeonjun didn't like him.
Plus, in the past weeks, even with everything Soobin has proved to be a good friend to me.
He falls into step beside me, his mood shifting to something a bit quieter. After a moment, he says,
"It feels like I haven't seen you much since the trip" he muses.
I nod, feeling a little guilty.
"You're not the first to say that. You have to get in line. I've been dealing with some stuff lately. Nothing major though" I say. Yeonjun was just part of everything I had been dealing with lately.
As the year was coming to an end with only a couple of months till New year, I had to focus on my studies and hash a plan for next year and decide on my options on college.
The money I had saved were gone for the lease for our shop and without that, I wasn't sure how I was going to apply to the writing programs I was initially hoping for.
Also, every time the topic of college came up, both my parents forced me to look into majors that will help me secure a civil servant job or a corporate job because according to them, it is what that will give me a stable future.
I understood where they were coming from but I couldn't take a decision that would affect my entire future based on what other's thought was best for me.
All of that, keeping secrets from my friends, and then sneaking out with Yeonjun really did not leave enough time for me to catch up to everyone in my life.
I needed to find a better balance.
"Yeah, I get it," he replies softly, studying my face for a beat.
"It's just... sometimes it feels like I don't know what's going on with you. Or maybe that I missed my chance to." His gaze is intent, and there's something in his tone that gives me pause.
I swallow, the weight of his words settling over me.
"It's not like that. I just... I didn't mean to drift away. Sometimes, life just gets complicated."
"I know." His voice is low.
"I guess... I just wanted you to know that I'm here. I can safely say we crossed the initial threshold during this trip. Even if we don't talk as much as before, that doesn't change. You're still... someone I care about. A lot."
My heart skips a beat, and I can't bring myself to meet his eyes.
"Thanks, Soobin. That... that really means a lot to me"Â His words confuses me but I am not sure what to make of it but I am sure he means it as a friend.
After a brief pause, he shakes his head and smiles a little to himself.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to get all deep on you. Anyway, where are you headed? I'll walk you."
"Oh, I'm going to the student activity center," I say quickly, hoping to shift the tone.
"But it's fine, you don't have to come along. Don't you have classes?" I don't want him to miss his classes because of me.
"I have a pass to leave campus. Emergency board meeting. My dad wants me there"Â He shrugs.
"Oh, wow. Sounds... intense," I say, noting the faint weariness in his eyes. Now that I look at him more closely, he does look more tired and the usual spark and composure he naturally carries with him is missing.
He lets out a sigh, nodding.
"It can be. But it's part of the deal, right?" He gives me a small smile, but I can see a shadow lingering there.
"Is everything okay? I mean, you seem..." I hesitate, unsure if I should pry.
He gives me a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking about a lot of things lately" he muses.
We walk in silence for a bit before he speaks again.
"So... I heard something interesting." He glances over at me, and I can see a slight edge in his expression.
"About Yeonjun" he finishes after a pause.
My shoulders tense immediately.
"Really? Like what?" I don't know what he will say but I am sure I will not like what he will say.
Soobin tilts his head, studying my reaction.
"I heard a rumor that someone saw him sneaking around during school hours. With someone."
"Oh?" I keep my voice light, but I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
"People love rumors" I try to sound dismissive. Clearly Yeonjun and I were not as subtle as we had thought. I knew it was a bad idea to meet in that classroom.
"Yeah, but this one..." He hesitates, then adds quietly.
"I know it was you, Yuri. I saw you two that night. And I saw you with him going into that classroom"
My face flushes, caught off guard. I didn't think anyone had seen us that night.
"Iâuh, I don't know what you're talking about" I lie.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
He saw us. Not just in school . But also at the beach.
How?
If he saw me, then whose to tell others didn't see me?
There was a high chance that others might have seen me as well. But then, I am sure if any student would have seen me, they would have attached my name with the rumors' as well.
He narrows his eyes slightly, but there's a faint smile on his lips.
"Yuri. You don't have to pretend. These glasses are so that I look smart. I'm not blind, you know."Â he jokes tapping the rim of the glasses he is wearing.
"Are you... are you dating him?"Â He pauses, his gaze steady.
The question hangs heavily between us, and I don't know how to answer. The words catch in my throat, and I feel myself looking away.
I don't want to lie to him when it is clear that he caught me red-handed. But admitting that I am dating Yeonjun still sounds so daunting in my head. I am not ready to tackle that when I have so many other things going on in my life.
Plus, I want to first tell it in person to San and then I'll admit it to others.
When I don't respond, he takes a step closer, his expression both earnest and determined.
"Alright. Since you did not answer, I am taking my shot" his words make me look at him.
"If you're not dating him, then I'll make this clear." His voice drops, softer but more intense. He is close enough that I can smell the fait cologne on him.
I take a step back, away from him because the close proximity makes me uncomfortable.
"I'll sway you. I'll do what I can to change your mind, Yuri." he challenges.
His words send a shock through me, and I'm left speechless.
"Soobin, I..." I can't even finish my sentence because my mind is clouded with his words.
I am too shocked to speak.
He holds my gaze, his eyes softening as he speaks.
"I know I've not known you for a long time, Yuri. And I know things might be complicated right now, but... I have come to care about you, more than I probably should" He lets out a slow breath, as if he's said something he's been holding back.
I feel my heart racing, torn between so many emotions I can hardly keep up.
"Soobin, I..." I still can't find the words to complete a full comprehensible sentence.
"Don't feel pressured to answer me," he says, giving me a small, understanding smile.
"I just thought it was time you knew. So... if things with Yeonjun aren't serious, or if you're unsure, or... just think about it. Entertain me" he smiles.
My breath catches as I watch him, emotions whirling inside me.
He nods slightly, stepping back, as if giving me space.
"Anyway," he says, with a soft, resigned look.
"I'll see you around, Yuri. Think about what I said." With one last lingering glance, he turns and heads toward the exit, leaving me standing there, filled with conflicted feelings.
A/N: Hello Lovely people! I know I have been MIA and I don't have excuses. Everytime I promise a regular update, something or else happens in my life that makes me take a back seat on my writing. So this time I will not promise anything. But just know I am trying my best to update as soon as I can, with chapters that add value to the story and not just for the sake of a chapter.
Also, major twist. How many of you saw this coming? What do you think of this chapter?
And what has been going on in your lives? Tell me. I want to know. Any juicy gossip? I feel like I am your older sister waiting for you to tell me what is going on with you all. Lol.
Hope you like this chapter.