trouble ¦ lee jeno (UNDER REWRITING)

ch ; 15

.・。.・゜⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ 15 ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅・゜・。.

She looked up, startled, and came face to face with a broad chest – a very familiar broad chest.

Lee Jeno stood before her, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, they were frozen in place, the air thick with unspoken tension. The unexpected encounter, coupled with the whirlwind of emotions she was already experiencing, left Seojin speechless.

Finally, forcing herself to think straight, Seojin blurted out a greeting, her voice tinged with relief. "Oh, uh, hello! This is perfect timing actually!" Clasping her hands together, she silently thanked whatever fate had brought Jeno here. No more wandering aimlessly around campus like a lost puppy.

But her relief was short-lived. Jeno's gaze, devoid of any warmth, sent a shiver down her spine. It was so intense, it scrambled her thoughts, turning her mind into a bowl of alphabet soup.

Mustering all her courage, she spoke, her voice barely a whisper, "So, uh, about the case study... we're partnered, right? So, I was thinking maybe we could..."

Jeno didn't let her finish. With a curt dismissal, "I'm busy," he brushed past her, leaving Seojin speechless.

She stared after his retreating form, her disbelief growing with every step he took. Blinking rapidly, she replayed his words in her head, trying to make sense of them.

Had she heard him correctly?

Fueled by a mix of confusion and a flicker of annoyance, Seojin quickened her pace to catch up. "Wait!" she called out. "Can I at least get your contact information? Just to discuss some ideas?"

Jeno's reply was a cold, indifferent, "Find someone else."

Seojin froze, her jaw clenching. Scowling at his retreating back, she bit her lip hard to hold back a sharp retort. This wasn't the reaction she'd expected. Not at all.

Seojin inhaled a deep breath, willing herself to compose herself. Jeno's cold indifference stung, but she wouldn't let it show. With a determined set to her jaw, she spun around, ready to head in the opposite direction. There was no point in chasing after someone who clearly wasn't interested in working together.

But Seojin, by nature, was an optimist. Perhaps Jeno was genuinely swamped today. Maybe next time, he'd be more receptive to brainstorming ideas. Still, a scoff escaped her lips. She was trying to rationalize his behavior a little too much, considering his blatant dismissal.

Lost in thought, Seojin almost didn't feel the hand clasp firmly around her wrist.

She whirled around, surprised to see Mark, his face flushed and chest heaving.

"Seojin!" he gasped, bending over to catch his breath. "Sorry. Shit, did I keep you waiting?"

Seojin blinked, a flicker of guilt crossing her features. "Oh, uh, not at all," she stammered, a lie tripping easily off her tongue.

Whatever business Mark had with Ah-in was none of her concern.

Mark straightened, managing a small smile. His hair was slightly ruffled, a testament to his hurried run. Maybe it was just Seojin's imagination, but a part of her couldn't help but wonder if there was more to his disheveled state.

Instinctively, she rose on the balls of her feet, her hand reaching up to smooth a stray strand of hair from his forehead.

Mark froze for a moment, his breath catching in his throat at their sudden closeness. Seojin stopped mid-motion, noticing his reaction. Her hand hovered awkwardly for a beat before she let it fall back to her side.