Dove doesn't look back, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor as she follows the student guide to her dorm. Her heart races, though her expression remains perfectly composed.
Dove's
Of course he's here. Of course, the universe decided to drop me into the one place I couldn't avoid him. School.
"Here we are!" The guide chirps, stopping in front of her room. "You'll love your roommates. They're super nice!" she says with a sweet smile.
I return the smile and nod politely, stepping inside. The room is cozy, a far cry from the luxurious suites I'm used to, but i don't really mind. I set my designer handbag on the bed and take a deep breath, my calm exterior wavering for just a moment.
I'm not here for him, I remind myself. I'm here for a fresh start.
But deep down, I know that I did feel a little happy seeing him. That's what I get for never really getting over him. But, I'm only here to start afresh and experience the culture and also because of my parents expanding their business ventures, not to see Minho. Well... in my defence, I didn't even know he'd be here.
As my bodyguards set down my things, I looked around to see various other luggage and suitcases that maybe belonged to my roommates.
"Miss Dove, should we prepare your room?" My bodyguards ask as I decline and let them go.
"It's fine, thank you. I'll handle the rest. You can leave now." I say as they bow.
"Have a wonderful time." They say before dispersing, leaving me alone in the room.
I take a deep breath before removing my sunglasses, setting them down on the table before deciding to begin unpacking. After freshening up and changing into comfortable clothes, she sits on the floor and begins unpacking.
An hour later , the dorm is quiet, filled only with the soft hum of the heater as I sit on my bed, meticulously folding my clothes. A silk blouse glides through my hands as I smooth out invisible creases before placing it neatly into the drawer. My suitcase, though half-empty, looks pristine-everything in its place, just like I prefer it.
The door suddenly swings open, and a burst of chatter and laughter fills the space.
"I'm just saying," Megan says, stepping in with a bag of snacks, "there's no way instant tteokbokki can taste that good."
Hyejin follows, holding a drink carrier with iced coffees. "That's because you have no taste. It's iconic."
Their conversation halts as they spot me in my room due to my door being wide open. 2q
"Oh!" Megan's face lights up. "You must be Dove, right? I'm Megan, and this is Hyejin."
Hyejin gives a polite nod, her eyes quickly from head to toe. "Nice to meet you," she says, setting the coffees on the desk.
"Likewise." My tone is polite but cool, my movements deliberate as I place the sweater into the drawer.
"Wow, you're already unpacking?" Megan says, tossing her bag onto her bed. "I've been here for a month, and I still haven't been tfully unpacked.
"I prefer to have everything organized," I reply simply, closing the drawer with a quiet click.
Hyejin sits on the couch, crossing her legs. "You're new this semester, right? Transferred from where?"
"Paris," I say, brushing the invisible lint off my pants.
"Paris?! That's quite far. What made you come all the way to KISS?"
I paused for a fraction of a second before answering, "A change of pace."
Hyejin then gestured toward the snacks. "We just grabbed some food. Do you want anything?"
"No, thank you," I replied with a small smile. "I'm fine."
Megan plops onto the couch with a grin. "Well, let us know if you ever need anything. We're basically experts on all the chaos that happens here."
"Stop lying. We're new too." Hyejin said, making me perk up.
"You're new too?" I asked, making her nod.
"Yeah, we just joined this semester." Hyejin said as Megan sat up.
"But I still am an expert of everything that goes on here." Megan says in a matter-of-fact way.
"Her sister graduated from KISS last year." Hyejin says, making Megan whine.
"Heyy! I wanted to say it! Also! I've already been in KISS for a month, so I'm still an expert!" Megan said smile.
As the girls settle into their own routines, Dove takes a quiet breath, her composed mask still firmly in place. But in the back of her mind, she can't help but wonder how long she can keep it there.
-ËËââââââââââââââââââââ
Minho's
After dinner, I head back to my room, hoping to push today out of my mind. But the second I close the door, her face is there. Dove.
I sigh, leaning against the door, staring at the ceiling. Of all the people to walk through the gates of KISS, it had to be her. I haven't seen her in years-not since I ended things. I told myself it was the right call that I wasn't ready for a serious relationship.
But now? Seeing her again, I can't stop wondering if I made the biggest mistake of my life.
I sit down on the bed, resting my head in my hands. Back then, I wasn't ready. She wanted something real, something solid, and I... I couldn't give her that. I wasn't the kind of guy to commit, not when there were so many more things, no - girls to explore and experience.
So I walked away.
Which was a stupid and immature decision.
And now, here she is, standing right in front of me after all these years, looking just as beautiful, just as confident as she did back then. Maybe even more so. She didn't hesitate when we saw each other earlier-just smiled and walked away. The hint of challenge in her eyes as though telling me how much better she's doing without me.
It's what I deserve, I guess.
I stand and pace the room, running a hand through my hair. I thought I'd buried all of this-her, us. But seeing her brought it all back. The late nights, the laughs, the way she looked at me like I was the only person in the world who mattered.
And the way I threw it all away because I wasn't ready to step up.
I step out onto the balcony, letting the cold air bite at my skin. The lights of the campus twinkle below, and somewhere out there, Dove's probably settling into her new life here. She's moved on. She has to have moved on.
So why can't I?
I grip the railing tightly, jaw clenched. "You made your choice, Minho," I mutter under my breath.
But the truth is, seeing her again feels like a second chance I don't deserve. And it scares me more than I want to admit.
-ËËââââââââââââââââââââ
Soooo you might have noticed Minho interpreting the challenge in Dove's eyes as her looking down on him and how much better she's doing than him.
But! He actually misinterpreted it. Her challenge was more of a challenge to herself.
Can you guess what the true challenge is?
Thanks for reading!