How It Started, How It Ended || Haechan (NCT)

11

〖 Stormed 〗

The next time that Saemi sees her fiancé at school, it's when they pass by each other in the corridors on the next morning. His hair is a few shades darker, she notices.

She would've complimented him because he looks good-if only they were friends, at the very least.

But they're not, and friendships don't develop overnight.

Haechan seems even more irate than the last time, and it brings her into a less than good mood as she hangs her head low, unable to meet his eyes.

What's worse is that her mood isn't even that good to begin with.

After learning that Hana doesn't have classes on Wednesdays, Saemi feels anxious being alone in the university for the first time, with no one to stick to and the only person she knows and trusts isn't around.

The only other person she knows isn't exactly fond of her, so she doesn't count on him to help her.

At lunch, she uses a photo of the university's map that she got from the internet to navigate around the campus grounds since she still hasn't memorized it.

Every place and corner looks new to her, and she would've felt amazed at how grand West Seoul University is, if only people didn't look at her weird.

She's aware that the old and "ever perfect Kim Saemi" wouldn't have minded the whispers, the gossips, and the glances she receives from her peers. She'd never spare a second of her attention to any of the people around her. Instead, she'd continue walking confidently, knowing her place and her power.

But clearly, that's not the case anymore. And the whispers, the gossips, and the glances towards her make her feel very anxious.

"I still can't believe she survived. Did you know how it happened?"

"I heard that she flew from the driver's seat because she wasn't wearing her seatbelt."

"Tsk-tsk. Poor Saemi. She used to be so bold and confident, but now she seems different. She's just so quiet now."

"I can't believe something like that would happen to her. She's lucky to have survived the crash."

"I know, right! I remember watching their last show that day. You really never know when accidents can happen."

Saemi bows her head down as she scurries through the corridor, on her way to the ladies' restroom. She feels her head aching from hearing those people talk about her as if she wasn't there.

She's not surprised, Hana has told her about her reputation at school. But she doesn't feel happy with the kind of fame that she has.

She briefly wonders how the old her can deal with these things before she feels the need to throw up from the massive headache she's developing.

As she hurries walking, eyes focused on the ground, she doesn't notice the person in front of her until she bumps into him.

"Ow—"

"I'm so sorr—"

She's quick to apologize but she freezes when the person holds her arms to prevent her from tripping.