Hell of a festival

I was sitting in the bus while looking at my phone where Sua was bombarding the Group chat with pleas.

Beauties♡

Sua:

Please!! Saebom Festival is the best one!!

Soojin:

You always ditch us for your boyfriend.

Sua:

No!!! I won't!

Maybe I will but you guys should enjoy too!

Y/N:

I would enjoy at home.

Sua:

C'mon Y/N! If you guys are so worked up about my boyfriend then we should meet after the festival is over. What do you say?

Soojin:

Okay

Y/N:

50-50

Soojin:

Where's Jukyung? She read the messages but didn't reply.

I got off the bus, still looking at my phone but what Jukyung replied with made my steps halt.

'I can't. I have to go to movies with Soo-ho after the festival'

Sua began to squeal and once again bombard the chats with thousand of questions making me roll my eyes turn off my phone. No matter how much I tried,I couldn't shake off the discomfort.

My Discomfort increased when I heard footsteps behind me. Goosebumps rose on my skin as my hand involuntarily went inside my pocket to the proper spray I used to carry around.

I swear I am gonna empty the bottle.

However the person who was following me was smart enough to call me out.

"Yah Kang Y/N!"

It's Seojun.

I turned around to look at him catching upto me as I took my hand out of the pocket while taking the spray out.

"Good thing you called or you would have gone blind today." I shrugged and said, then kept the paper spray back in my pocket.

"You carry that around?" He asks whe eyeing the spray which I just put away.

"Always." I smirked.

"What are you doing on this side of the town? You live here?" I asked while looking around to see his house but he shook his head.

"Was just here to meet my old friend." He says with a mocking gesture making me analyse his reaction. His face held mischief with hidden annoyance to it.

Meanwhile Seojun just came back from meeting Lee Soo-ho. He wondered what was so special about you or Jukyung, that got Soo-ho so worked up.

There was one question revolving around his mind which the broody boy asked him-

"Are you being genuine or just playing?"

"Earth to Seojun." He snaps back to reality when you waved your hand in front of him and takes a step back while clearing his throat.

"You live here?" He questioned and began to look around, seemingly avoiding my gaze.

"Hmm. Reminds me that I haven't eaten something, I need to go to my house now. Bye-"

"I will walk you home." Seojun immediately came beside me and smiles sweetly.

"C'mon." He says as smile stays on his face. In all honesty I was kind of mesmerized by how his face lights up when he smiles with mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I know I am handsome, don't be so starstruck." He leans in as the glint in his eyes deepen but my eyes narrowed as I put my palm straight on his face and pushed him away.

"That's adorable. You think you are God's gift to humanity" I smiled making him frown in displeasure.

"And don't worry, I can walk myself" With that, I began to walk towards my house but Seojun soon followed as we walked in silence. I guess he won't leave me just like that.

"I am your knight in the shining armour, walking you home like this. " He says while flipping his hair.

I scoffed.

"Absolutely. I was just thinking how lucky to have this Cheshire cat with questionable fashion sense to protect me from the bad world. " my voice was full of sarcasm as Seojun's eyes widen.

"What's wrong with my fashion? My fashion sense is...eclectic." He defends while looking at his clothes making me laugh.

"Electic? That's just a code for-'I got dressed in the dark and hoped for the best' "

"I am a model you see. Everything looks good on me." He says while smirking towards me as I roll my eyes. I noticed that we were already in front of my house so I nudged him to hint that this was my destination as he gaped at my house.

"You....live here..?" He asks slowly while gazing at the house, awestruck.

"You are filthy rich."

"My family is. Thank you for walking me to my house-"

"Ms.Kang! I almost called the school! You were so lat- " Ms.Choi stopped in her track when she saw Seojun. He bowed to her and smiled and she smiled back while I looked at then perplexed.

"She is my mother's friend so I know her." Seojun whispered to me as realisation dawned on my face.

"It was sweet of you walk her home Seojun-ah" Ms.Choi smiled at Seojun, who suddenly became an obedient child.

"Her bus was late and I thought it would be rude of me not to walk her home." Ms.Choi patted his cheek as he smiles while leaning towards the hand.

And beside them I stood with my mouth hanging open at the gesture.

"You never did that to me!" I complained as Seojun stuck his tongue out. I pursed my lips and lifted my fist to punch him when Ms.Choi grabs my arm and pulled me towards her.

"Do you wanna come in Seojun? I think Y/N would love your company." She smiled kindly as my eyes widen.

"Maybe another time Ms.Choi." He bows as an apology and I was getting more awkward by every passing moment.

"Seojun-sshi, Y/N wanted to watch movies-"

"When did I ever?" I asks in between her sentence as her grip on my arm tightens.

"Would you like to go with her?"

"No." I say

"Yes." He replied at the same time as Ms.Choi's smile widens and mine falters. Seojun once again smiles at me as his eyes crinkled at the corners, while I just glared at him. Then he said goodbye and walked back as my glare turned towards Ms.Choi.

"Shouldn't I be the one to decide who I go with?"

"Do you have another boy to go with?"

She eyes me curiously.

"Of course not! What if I wanted to go with Soojin?"

"Maybe another time." And then drags me inside.

The very next morning, my sleeps was hindered by a phone call. I groggily picked up my phone to see who was calling. But I failed due to blurry eyes so I just pick up.

"Hello?" I said in a sleepy voice contrasting to the one on the other side of the phone.

"Are you still sleeping!?" Sua's voice was so cheerful that I had to remove the phone from my ears.

"Why shouldn't I be?"

"It's Saebom Festival today!!" She shouts as I wince.

"So?"

"This is so fun!! Get ready and come fast!" She hung up as I groaned. After a while of stretching, I sat up on bed while yawning.

I decided to freshen up and change my clothes to some decent ones.

As I was putting on my cardigan, a thought came across my mind.

Go-woon.

"She has her singing performance today!!" I hastily wore my clothes and ran down the stairs. Taking out my boots, I wore them, tying the knot messily. Ms.Kang noticed this as she shook her head in disapproval.

"You always wake up late and then hurry to go somewhere." She hands me my purse and pat my head softly.

"Sorry!" I said and ran out, rushing to the nearest bus stop.

When I reached there, I was stuck between the massive gathering. There were many stalls and games for the students and they were enthusiastically participating in it. If the circumstances were different, I would have stopped to look at the games but right now, I was late for Go-woon's performance.

I called Jukyung, who picked up seconds later.

"Have you met Go-woon? Has the performance started yet? I am sorry I am late-"

"Unni...I am here only. It is about to start soon" I heard Go-woon's soft voice that made my stiff shoulders relax a little.

"Where are you? I am coming to meet you."

"Directly head to the auditorium, it's time for her performance. " Jukyung said and I turned on my heels and went to the auditorium.

Many people were already there watching instrumental music. Go-woon' performance was next. I spotted Jukyung in the crowd and waved her over to come to me. She led me to a seat beside her brother who gave me a nervous smile and look of disapproval to Jukyung.

I ignored them and anticipated for Go-woon's singing.

When the singers came up, I almost failed to recognise Go-woon but the familiar spark in her eyes made me recognise her. I gave her an encouraging smile which she returned and soon began singing.

Everyone of awestruck at her beauty and singing, and to more precise, Jukyung' brother. His mouth was hanging low as his eyes were blinking slowly.

Drama queen.

I put a finger on his chin to close it up and smiled at Go-woon, who was singing in her enchanting voice. When the performance was over we met her outside as she ran upto us to hug us.

"Look at our Go-woon-ie!" I hugged her and winked at her as she laughed.

"Thank you for supporting me."

She said softly as we just smiled kindly. Jukyung was about to say something but someone other's voice cut in.

"Congrats." Seojun stood before us as he handed bouquet of flower to Go-woon.

"Thank you Oppa."

Oppa?

As in biological brother?

"You are her brother?" Jukyung asked the question that was swirling around my mind.

"Yes. You know each other?" He asked in return as Go-woon nodded. This conversation was cut short again when Sua came and dragged us while apologising.

And there we were, dressed as a Rabbit and Pig. Jukyung chose the cute pig while Sua forcefully dressed me as a rabbit.

"I kinda like it tail" Jukyung laughs along with me.

I was ready but Jukyung was still trying to wear the costume.

"Meet me when you get ready." I said and went out, unbeknownst to Soo-ho entering the room behind me.

I put on the costumes head but I accidentally put it from opposite side making me see only black and to my good luck, I bumped into someone. Hard.

"Ow." We both say at the same as the person annoyedly took out my rabbit head.

"Can't you see?" Seojun says while looking at me with a frown.

"Exactly." I snatched the head from his hand combed my hair with my hand.

"That's cute." I noticed him looking at my rabbit's tail as I gasped and hit him with the head of the rabbit costume.

"You!"

"Yahh! I was talking about the rabbit-"

"Yah Han Seojun! The match is about to start!" His teammates called him and he replied with a nod. He turned towards me again and eye me up.

"Cheer for me." He winks and walks away making me scoff.

I will cheer for basketball to hit your face.

I put the rabbit head on and went to the play court.

"Where is Jukyung?" I asked when I noticed that the pink pig was missing.

"She was with you right?" Sua said as I nodded.

"Yeah but I told her to meet me here."

"She would be on her way." Soojin says and soon, we all began to cheer. Initially, Seojun was scoring as the cheers from his side was prominently more than ours.

Are those his male friends dressed as cheerleaders?

"Where is Soo-ho?" Sua questioned and on cue, Soo-ho entered the hall making the cheers wild from one side. Soon, Jukyung entered with her head hanging low. I booped her pig head nose and beckoned her to cheer.

I cheered when Soo-ho scored the goal along with everyone but soon, Seojun took the ball and scored. Sua seemingly slumped while I cheered once again.

"Hey what are you doing!?" Soojin said as I shrugged.

"Cheering for the winning side." I smirked and then shrugged as they shake their head in disapproval.

"Choose a side."

"Winning one!" I cheered once again when Soo-ho's team took the lead. I decided to capture their photos.

Lovely.

In the end, The Devils won as everyone cheered but I noticed how Jukyung just clapped lazily.

"Are you feeling okay?" She nodded and walked away. I understood that something was wrong.

But if she wanted to share, she would. I will just keep an eye for her. I went to change my clothes after I saw the message that Sua, Soojin and Jukyung went to the small concert that was happening down the campus. I went to the campus stairs where everyone was enjoying the show when my eyes landed on hunched back of Soo-ho.

What is he doing? Didn't he have plans with Jukyung?

"Lee Soo-ho?" I called him out but got no response. From this side, it appeared as if he was crying but as I stepped closer, I realised he was shaving a panick attack. My eyes widen and I immediately went upto him. I put a hand on his shoulder making him turn towards me. His eyes were wild and unfocused but he still managed to push away my hand.

"Go away." He said in stuttering voice as he took a step forward but soon stumbled.

I sighed and caught his hand and supported him with my body. Now that I was close to him, I could see the fear and pain etched on his face clearly. I knew what it felt like to be overwhelmed, so I also knew how to handle this.

"Try to breathe with me. Inhale....exhale.....inhale....exhale..." Soo-ho tried to resist but he also wanted to get out of this feeling.

He tried to mimic your breathing to calm down his frantic one. I grabbed his hand firmly and caressed his back.

"Try to feel the warmth of my hand, the weight. Focus on that." I said in a soft voice trying to divert his attention and I felt his hand grip tighten on my hand. The wilderness in his eyes were gone and soon replaced with indignation.

"I said just go!" He jerked my hand away and walked away, still stumbling.

I wanted to go after him, to make sure he was okay, but something held me back. Maybe it was the way he had pushed me away, or maybe it was the fact that I didn't know him well enough to know how to react.

My heart skipped a beat as I worried that he might fall or hurt himself. But before I could react, Jukyung appeared out of nowhere and caught him by the arm.

To my surprise, Soo-ho didn't pull away. Instead, he let her support him, her arm wrapped around his waist as she helped him steady himself. I watched in amazement as he leaned into her, his eyes closed as if he was savoring the feeling of being supported.

I felt a little confused and left out, to be honest. As I watched, Jukyung looked up and caught my eye. She smiled reassuringly and mouthed "it's okay" before turning her attention back to Soo-ho. I nodded and took a step back to give them some space, despite the heavy feeling I had.

I grabbed my bag and went back to my house. I entered the house and Ms.Choi almost immediately read my mood.

"Are you alright?" She asked in her usual soft tone as I nodded while avoiding the eye contact.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Without waiting for the reply, I went upstairs to my room and shut the door close.

I threw my bag on the table and plopped on the bed. I wasn't aware how much time passed, only thoughts running through my mind at a speed of light.

What caused him panic like that?

Something must have triggered it. If I relate to it, it is something tragic or something he blames himself for. As I was thinking for possible reasons for his panic attack, a very different and irrelevant thought came into my mind.

He let her support him but not me.

Maybe he likes her?

Who am I kidding. Of course he does, she is sweet,kind, beautiful, both inside and outside.

Why am I even thinking this?

A sigh escaped my lips, as if I almost knew the answer why, but denied it. I sit up when my phone goes off with a notification. I looked it up to see it was from my brother. With a excited smile I opened the text but my smile dropped after what I read.

Moo-moo:

I got a call from your school that there is  teacher parent's conference. I really want to come but recently my schedule has been really busy and it's holding me back. I hope you understand.

Sorry sweetheart.

I read the message again and again as if the text would change if I stare at it enough but it didn't. It wasn't new, he never came at these conference as my guardian but why do I feel more emotional right now?

"It's  alright" I whispered to myself but I couldn't shake that feeling of uneasiness off. The heavy feeling from before came back, making me feel degraded. The door of my room was slightly ajar as Ms.Choi looked through it to inform me about dinner but what she saw shocked her.

"The dinner is ready- Y/N... What happened?" She immediately came in and began to caress my cheeks. I looked at her in confusion but as soon as I touched my cheeks, I realised they were wet with tears.

My eyes widen once realisation dawned on my making me jerk away from Ms.Choi and hide my face.

"I am fine, just allergies from dust." I hastily wiped the tears wth my sleeves and turned towards her, tears still hanging on my lashes.

"You don't have allergies Ms.Y/N-"

"I do. Ms.Choi and I already ate so you won't have to worry." I myself couldn't recognise the tone I used.

"And.....don't tell this to them." I closed the bathroom door as Ms.Choi stood there confused with my reaction and with the air of helplessness hanging around her. Your grandfather told her to always inform them whenever you are feeling off but you told her not to. Now she was torn between two orders.

Meanwhile you weren't sure why the tears were there in the first place.

I scoffed at myself and ran a hand through my hair. Looking at the mirror made me more angry at myself.

Nothing new! Why am I crying?

I splash cold water on my face and kept splashing them until the taste of salty tears or even the trace of them removes from my skin. I slowly opened my eyes to look in the mirror just to see my eyes were red as water dripped down my chin. I grabbed a towel and dried my face. I looked at mirror once again.

"Hell of a festival."

___________________________________________

Some progress I think.