across - NCT NA JAEMIN FF

seventeen

KIM YUN

"Yun..." he takes a step closer and I move away.

"No! Jaemin I told you, I told you how terrified I am! Was it too much to ask that you keep your mouth shut?!"

He massages his temples, visibly trying to stay calm. "Yun, the longer we wait, the more suspicious he will get."

"And you think I don't know that?!" I ask him angrily. I take a step closer to him and glare straight at him. "Every fucking second I'm haunted by him. I think I have the right to decide when I'm ready."

And with that I walk away before he can see me cry. I stop on the platform before the lobby I glance back.

Do I really expect him to follow me?

I shake my head and wipe my tears. We're not friends. He's just worried the boys will be angry that he let that happen.

—

"Yun? Why are you alone???" Beomgyu asks in confusion, looking around for Jaemin when I arrive at the entrance.

"I was late," I reply simply to avoid reminiscing our argument.

He looks unconvinced, but doesn't ask any more. We start walking in together and my eyes do one last take behind us. I thought it would be harder to get rid of him.

Maybe I wish it was harder.

—

That day Beomgyu–along with other students who are interested in photography–don't attend class because of a workshop, so I'm alone at our desk. Almost half the class isn't there actually. I never realized before today how much I enjoy his mere presence.

Time goes incredibly slowly and at lunch time I have no food. I decide to sleep instead, but before I get my head down, another student walks in.

"Kim Yun." I watch in slight shock and confusion as the class president, Park Hyuna, walks over. She's my height, has long hair which is akways kept in a bun, and is one of the few people who looks good in braces. I like her, and considered talking to her once before, but I never ended up doing it. She's part of the top 10 of our whole batch and is pretty active in school activities.

"Yes?" Realizing it might be more polite to stand up, I do. Unfortunately this sends my chair flying and we both flinch when it crashes to the ground. "Yes?" I say again more timidly.

She's kind enough to ignore the mess. "Mrs. Huang called for you. She said to go to her office once you've finished lunch."

Mrs. Huang is our adviser and homeroom teacher, but I've never spoken to her personally. I've always stayed out of trouble and never did anything too exemplary to gain attention.

"Oh..did she mention why?"

She shakes her head. "She just said to tell you."

I nod. "Okay then...thanks."

She gives me a small smile before leaving the room.

I look up at the clock. 12:23.

I bite my lip nervously. The faculty room is right next to his office.

"It's fine," I murmur under my breath. "Just stay with Mrs. Huang." I take a few more deep breaths and then move out.

My eyes dart everywhere, but the halls are mostly deserted. The cafeteria is on the other side of the school, so all the students are probably there.

I slow down when I get to the offices. Once I see that his door is shut, I hurry to the faculty room.

Keeping my eyes fixed on his door, I knock thrice and wait until I'm invited in. I've only been in here twice, both times to assist our math teacher carry her books.