To say that I slept well last night would be a lie. I did anything but. Last night was just me tossing and turning in my bed, probably annoying my roommate, given the nasty glare she passed me on her way out this morning.
But could you blame me?
I had so many things going on in my mind that I wanted to understand and find answers to but of course, like always I was left in the dark.
But there wasn't much that I could do last night either when we were interrupted by Yeonjun and the other woman.
It was clear that Soobin knew her and she knew him, both had an air of familiarity with each other. It was evident that the woman had something to say but did not wish an audience while doing so.
I checked with Soobin to ensure that he was okay being alone with her but I don't think anything beyond her presence was on his mind at that time.
And my walk back to my cabin with Yeonnjun was just as awkward as me standing between Soobin and that woman because Yeonjun just graced his face with a scowl and refused to speak much other than monosyllable.
Frankly I did not understand why he was frowning. I was the foolish one who searched for him when I didn't see him during the start of the trip. I was the one who stupidly kept a space for him during dinner. I was the one who had to be the laughing stock during the game. I was the one who walked out. He was glued to someone the entire time, having the time of his life I suppose.
I know I didn't have any right to be angry at him. It's not like we were dating or something but all the mixed signals were getting to my head.
I understand he is biased towards Soobin and I was too for some time but it is hard to stay mad at someone based on how they have acted with someone else and not you. Especially when their action towards you has mostly been helpful.
I tried explaining it to Yeonjun but he just nodded and made off handed comments. It angered me. If he was this angry that I was hanging out with Soobin, why did he not follow me out? Why did he come to me so late? And what made him so obliged to make sure that I do not walk alone till my cottege?
As I brushed my teeth in the morning, with all of these thoughts tangling and untangling in my mind made a resolution of staying at least five feet apart from Yeonjun on this trip, all of the time.
I planned on having a good time and everything was going good until the game last night until I made that comment during Soobin's turn.
Hell, I should make an oath to stay away from the Royals and their business but if my past self is the witness, she will probably cackle.
But taking an oath to stay away from the Royals because it seems to bode ill for me is one thing but staying away from Yeonjun is more necessary for clearing my head. There was no point in getting overworked on something that wasn't even possible and I am sure once Yeonjun has calmed down a little, we'll be able to converse normally.
As I walked through the open area, the morning sun cast a warm glow over everything, making the dew on the grass glisten like tiny diamonds. Birds chirped cheerfully in the trees, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and fresh earth.
It was a perfect morning, yet my mind was anything but calm.
The events of last night played on a loop in my head. The tension, the awkwardness, and the unanswered questions kept resurfacing, making it hard to focus on anything else. I decided to join the group of students for breakfast, hoping a hot meal and some company might distract me.
When I reached the dining area, the usual chatter and laughter of my classmates filled the air.
The air was also filled with the sweet smell of fresh baked bread and fragrant stew. Today the plan included a long hike till lunch commences so I planned on eating a heavy meal to fuel me through the hike.
I filled my plat with all the food I wanted to eat and try and started searching for place to sit.
I spotted Soobin sitting with a few others, his usual friendly smile in place. He had his politician's smile and it made me wonder what happened last night. He caught my eye and waved, but I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to join him or find a quieter spot.
Just then, Yeonjun walked in, his expression as stormy as it had been last night.
I took a deep breath and reminded myself of my resolution: stay at least five feet away from Yeonjun. With that in mind, I headed to an empty table near the edge of the dining area, grabbing a cup of coffee on the way.
As I sat down, I noticed Soobin standing up and making his way over to me. My heart sank a little, knowing that wherever Soobin went, stares were to follow. But I put on a brave face and smiled as Soobin sat down across from me.
"Hey, Yuri," Soobin greeted, his voice warm. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Better, I guess, just a lot on my mind." I replied, trying to sound more positive than I felt.
"Yeah, last night was...," Soobin said, his expression conflicting. "
It's okay. You helped me a lot yesterday. Even with my reluctance you stuck by me and somehow I realize I didn't want to be alone at that time. Thank you, I appreciate it."
Soobin nodded, looking relieved.
"If you ever need to talk or just get away from everything for a while, you can always come to me. We're friends, right?"
"Right, thanks" I said, smiling genuinely this time.
"So, I don't mean to intrude and you can completely opt to not answer my question if you feel like I am stepping out of line - "
"She is Jia Chen" Soobin cuts me off.
"Oh" I don't know what else to say. He says it like I should know who she is but I am not familiar with her or her name. One thing I have noticed happen a lot here is that people introduce others with their name and everybody is just supposed to know who they are.
It is equal part tiring as it is confusing.
My cluelessness is obvious because Soobin chuckles, his dimples making a brief appearance on his face before he takes a sip of my coffee before I can say no.
"She is the eldest daughter of the Chen family, the leading political leaders in China. She is an alumnus to our School" he informs me and I nod.
"Oh, okay. Is that how you know her? Is she visiting our school? But then, why is she here during the student trip?" I ask before my brain and register I am asking personal questions.
Lack of sleep can affect one's brain to mouth filter.
"I see you are very curious about her. Do you want me to introduce you to her? She will be here for a week I think" he jokes but there is something that feels a little off about him.
"No no, I don't know what I was thinking. I am just spewing whatever comes to my mind today. I suspect something was mixed in my pork buns" I try to lighten the mood and he chuckles.
"Jia and I have some history. She came here for business and when she heard that I was here, she wanted to meet me" he confirms and I nod.
I bite my tongue to avoid asking further question and smile.
The net few minutes is Soobin talking about the hike and the other places I can explore.
I scan the crowd to see a few whispers around the room and I sigh. Of course.
I wasn't sure if Soobin sitting here with me was helping or worsening my situation.
"You left with Yeonjun last night. Did you guys go somewhere?"Soobin asks and I focus my attention on him again.
"Uh, no. He just dropped me off to by cottage. I didn't feel like joining the party again" I shrug.
Yeonjun's mention makes my eyes wander to the crowd again but this time for a whole different reason.
As if I manifested it, I see Yeonjun approaching our table, his scowl deepening when he saw us together.
But before he can reach our table, the bells rings indicating end of breakfast time and the chaperones call for the students to assemble in front of the gate to discuss the itinerary.
Using this as an excuse, I pick up my plate and walk away.
After washing my hands I join the group of students outside where I see four minibuses on the road, each a different color and in front of each bus stands one of the Royals - Soobin in a blue t-shirt with the same colored bus behind him, Taehyun in green, Kai in yellow and lastly Beomgyu in a red t-shirt with a couple of blue bandanas in hand.
The teacher announces that the students will be divided in groups and that is how we will travel to the starting point of the hike. Once we reach there, we have surprise waiting for us. Each group is headed by a leader and they will be calling out the students in their team.
If the Royals were captains of each team, why didn't Yeonjun stand there with them? Even though I think this is the last thing he would want to do but is it not painfully obvious how he is being called out as an outcast?
I feel sad for him but then remind myself that I am supposed to be mad at him.
One by one each student is called and the group keeps becoming small.
I hear Yeonjun's name being called and I check that he is in Beomgyu's team. He ties the bandana on his bicep, ecited to have Yeonjun in his team but Yeonjun looks distracted at the best.
Another round of names are called and I finally hear my name - "Yuri! You're in my team!" Beomgyu exclaims a little too loudly and I nods as I walk towards him. He hands me another bandana.
"Oh we're going to crush the other teams" Beomgyu says once our team has been completely divided.
I nod along with everyone else but my mind is focused on the brooding black haired boy standing next to me.
So much for five feet apart.
A/N: Hello lovely people! Finally an update is here!!!!! I am recovering from a nasty viral flu and I am high on medications so please pardon the typos. I just didn't have it in my to recheck for typos.
What do you think of this chapter? How is your life going? Anyone else suffering from the flu because of the weather change or is it just me? But be careful and take good care of your health.
If you like this chapter, let me know in the comments below and I love asking this question because each and everyone of you have such vivid imaginations - what do you think will happen next?