Interwoven

Attempted Rejection

*Authors Note: Oppa  is a word used in South Korea by females to refer to an older brother, friend or even boyfriend. In the cases below it is used to refer to a close family friend. 

Realized I hadn't explained that and some may not be familiar with the word so here it is!

ENJOY!

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Time: 8:00am

Location: North Star High School

Season: Fall

Jongho stood at the entrance of the school kicking rocks on the floor. His attention however focused on every female student's face trying to look for Kaeul. There was absolutely no way he was waiting for lunch or even after school to speak with her. His consciousness would be eating him the whole day not allowing him to focus. Yeosang wouldn't tell him exactly what had transpired between them either so his anxiety was now through the roof believing he may have done something inappropriate. His thoughts were beginning to consume his attention so he didn't notice when a group of three students came up to him, all smiles.

"Hi, you're Choi Jongho right? The foreign exchange student?" A rather tall girl asked twirling a finger through her short blond hair. Jongho focused on her for a moment then scanned the other two who he assumed to be her friends.

"Yes, hello. I'm not sure we have formally met." He half-heartedly engaged in conversation trying to look past them.

"He's just as formal as everyone said!" The friend at her left hand side whispered to the other. They both giggled, cheeks turning pink.

"Shh," The blond haired one hushed at them. Clearing her throat she smiled again. "I'm Jung Aerum. These are my friends Bom and Hana. We actually are in the class next to yours. I was wondering if you haven't been shown around the school yet I could help you during lunch."

"That's quiet sweet of you Jung. I'll come talk to you if I don't have any plans during lunch. Oh and Bom and Hana thank you as well." He nodded at the three of them in acknowledgment. Before they had the chance to continue talking he caught sight of Kaeul's brown ombre hair flowing past him as she entered the school. "Song Kaeul!" He shouted, running to her.

Kaeul turned surprised to hear her name. Her features were set in a pleasant look, not quite a smile and not quite a frown. Jongho took a moment to take in her appearance. Today her hair was in one long braid and with a teddy bear hair tie at the end. He hadn't noticed this before but she also had bangs that she kept to the side with matching teddy bear hair pins. She just took his breath away. Her pink sunset eyes glowed in the morning sun with questions.

"Good Morning Choi," she greeted with a tiny nod.

"You braided your hair today."

"Oh, yeah." She fiddled with the unbraided end. "Well since it's a bit warm I thought it would be nice to keep it out of my way." They stood in silence for a moment. "Did you need something?"

"I wanted to apologize for last night" He bowed his head. "I am so sorry. I don't have an excuse as to why I showed up in front of you drunk." Sighing he stood up straight looking disheartened. "I would like to just be a friend to you. Would that be alright?" She felt her heart warm as he unknowingly transmitted his sincerity, it almost made tears come to her eyes.

"I don't think we should really be hanging out together," The words left her lips before she could think twice. His features became even more saddened and she instantly regretted her choice of words. "It's not because of last night. You did nothing wrong. It's just for your own good that our interactions stop here." She didn't need to look around her to know the many eyes that were watching them. Their disdain towards her slowly eating at the sincerity she had felt a moment ago. The shift was making her feel tired.