Waterfalls || Yeonbin

chapter 23: beauty

June 28, 1940

Yeonjun and I were so close to getting away from our colleagues for lunch break, but they insisted that we come with them. Joan was too worried that we eat alone so much, but obviously doesn't know the real reason we sneak away. She thinks we just go to our own houses, but only Jisung knows why we go eat by ourselves most of the time. And to make everything worse, Yeonjun looked upset.

I don't know what happened. When he came before lunch break to check our progress, he didn't ask as many questions as he normally does. And he usually gets excited to ask me about what we're doing, even though I can't explain it to him very well. But he didn't talk much, basically just moping all over the place when he came to see us.

I nudged his side as the six of us walked towards the canteen, making him turn his head to me. Even though Jisung could hear us, I needed to make sure he was alright, "Is everything alright? You're awfully quiet."

He pursed his lips, looking back down at his feet, "I just haven't had the best day."

I pouted, feeling my heart break at the way he said it. It was so sad, like all he needed was a hug, "What happened?"

He sighed, "I don't want to talk about it. Let's just try and enjoy lunch." He replied, making my chest feel heavy again.

Even though he said he doesn't want to talk about it, all I want to do is ask. I want to know what's wrong to see if I can fix it, but he doesn't want to tell me for some reason. I hope it's not something I did. I don't think it is since he seemed happy this morning. Although, we did just get the news that France has been occupied by Hitler. Our closest ally is now cut off from us, and that's an immense loss. Maybe that's what he's upset about.

Yeonjun walked in front, opening the door up for everyone. Giving a little, 'thank you' when I walked inside, I was instantly hit with the smell of food. I ran my fingers through my hair, which was a bad idea since I forgot how sweaty I was. Our little shed gets really hot, even when we have all the windows open. All of our colleagues were in front of us, so Yeonjun and I stood next to each other in the queue.

I made sure nobody was looking before taking a step closer to Yeonjun, making our arms brush against each other. I reached my pinky out, wanting to give him some comfort since he wasn't having a good day, but he didn't accept it. He cleared his throat and moved his hand away, clasping them behind his back. I turned my head to look at him, wondering why he moved away, but his eyes were fixed in front. I know he noticed that I was looking at him, but he didn't even acknowledge it. I dryly swallowed, moving away from him and hanging my head low. Maybe I am the one who made him upset.

We were quiet until we had to order our food. Joan went first, so she got a table for the six of us to eat at. Jisung and Yeonjun sat on one side while Hugh, John, and Joan sat on the other. Yeonjun had sat in the middle of the three seats, letting me sit in the corner seat with a wall to my left and behind me. I guess it was the best spot in my opinion, able to see the whole canteen from the corner of the room.

My colleagues were talking for a few minutes, but Yeonjun and I were silent, both of us upset and tense. I honestly don't understand what happened. I can't even think of a moment when I made him upset today, and he seemed perfectly fine when we left for work this morning. I haven't seen him since then, and I can tell how his mood has shifted. I haven't even seen the small soft smile he usually gives to everyone. I audibly sighed, making Joan pick her head up from her food, "What?"

I met her eyes, smiling at me as I forced a smile back, "Sorry. Just thinking."

She let out a light laugh, "You think too much sometimes, Soobin."