trouble ¦ lee jeno (UNDER REWRITING)

ch ; 14

.・。.・゜⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ 14 ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅・゜・。.

A week had passed since the whirlwind of Neo University Week. Seojin had spent the remaining days oscillating between cherished solitude and stolen moments with Mark. He had whisked her away on two dates, each one carefully curated to showcase his thoughtful nature.

They had visited a hidden art gallery, the vibrant paintings sparking lively discussions, and a quaint cafe known for its delectable desserts and live acoustic music.

While Seojin undeniably enjoyed their outings, a nagging voice echoed in her mind. Mark was everything a girl could ask for – kind, considerate, and seemingly flawless.

Yet, amidst the blossoming affection, there was a hesitation, a fear that kept her from fully reciprocating his feelings.

Perhaps, she reasoned, she needed more time, more experiences with Mark, to truly understand what resided in her heart. It felt wrong to reject someone as genuine as him, someone who offered a future filled with warmth and security. So, she decided to take a leap of faith, to nurture the budding affection and see where it led.

However, the fear of vulnerability remained, a serpent coiling around her heart. Entering a relationship with someone as perfect as Mark felt like stepping off a precipice – a terrifying prospect.

Right now, Seojin sat across from Mark in the campus cafeteria, his animated voice filling the air as he recounted the intricacies of their morning lecture. Seojin tried her best to focus, but her gaze kept straying towards the back of the room.

There, amidst a group of giggling girls, sat Daerin. Her face, usually adorned with a triumphant smirk, was contorted in a scowl.

Seojin knew the reason – the rumor mill had been churning at NCU ever since Mark's impromptu performance. The news had somehow morphed into a public confession solely directed at Seojin, thrusting her, an unknown freshman, into the spotlight.

Mark, bless his kind heart, had blamed himself for the unwanted attention he brought upon Seojin. But Seojin, ever the pragmatist, brushed it off. The truth was, only a fraction of the campus was truly focused on her. Still, the sudden notoriety felt unsettling, a disruption to her quiet life.

Tearing her gaze away from Daerin's menacing glare, Seojin focused back on Mark, a small smile gracing her lips. "Sorry," she apologized, "I missed a bit. Can you repeat that?"

Mark, oblivious to the internal battle raging within Seojin, readily complied, patiently explaining the theory they had just discussed in their first period. This time, Seojin made a conscious effort to listen, her mind slowly absorbing the complex concepts.

As Mark reached the end of his explanation, Seojin's gaze inadvertently landed on another pair of eyes across the room. Her breath hitched. Jeno, his expression unreadable, was staring at her. He held her gaze for a fleeting moment, then quickly looked away, leaving Seojin with a sense of… emptiness?

She quickly dismissed the feeling, forcing a smile back onto her face as she turned back to Mark. They continued their conversation, the rest of the lunch period filled with animated discussions and comfortable laughter.

-

The afternoon sun cast long shadows through the dusty windows of Professor Ko's History classroom, illuminating Seojin's textbook as she diligently took notes.

Today's lecture delved into the inner workings of businesses in the 1900s, a topic that usually sparked Seojin's interest.

Professor Ko's voice boomed through the classroom, shattering Seojin's focus. "Alright, class," he announced, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Time to shake things up a bit!"