Could Love be Hard as Math?

Chapter 21

Mina POV

"I'm going to take walk outside." I said.

I scurry out of the room and I take the stairs instead of elevator. We're on the top floor but I don't care. I run and run until my right foot starts to hurt again. Tired, I flop onto the stairs and lean against the stairwells. Streaks of salt flow down my cheeks and onto my lips. I bury my eyes onto my knees and fold my arms around my face to cover them. Tzuyu hates me. I'm a traitor. I got too close to the guys she likes. Chaeyoung hates me. I forced him to like Tzuyu. I make him uncomfortable. I should have never gotten involved. Being his tutor was a bad idea from the start. Its what started this. I hate truth and dare.

Ever since the truth and dare, I totally went alone. I pretend to sleep or disappear before they wake up. I will come late and won't see anyone. Sometimes they didn't even bother to woke me up and doing they plan. How I ended spending half of my vacation alone when I came with a group of people. The world may never know. I must have special skill that gives me the ability to be an outcast in every situation. Not a very cool or fun superpower to have it, but practical for me who is so introvert.

After spending six nights, we packed up on Saturday to drive back. Ironically, during the whole trip in the mountains we never went to hike. So, Jeongyeon who's driving this time makes a stop at a trail so we can hike it before we drive back home. I was planning to sit in the car, but it not a good idea since it hot and I would baking myself. So, I join the group on the trail but I kept my distance as I walking far behind.

My stomach was empty because I didn't get to eat breakfast. Plus, sitting on the bed for most of the past three days wasn't helping my stamina to hike the mountain. Honestly, I didn't have to make the effort to trail behind the others since my lack of physical. My lack of care and exhaustion causes my foot to slide from a loose rock. My shin starts to graze against the gravel of the path but two arms swoop around my waist and stop my fall. I didn't have to look up to know its Chaeyoung. I know his scent. His arms were starting to feel so distinct and familiar at this point.

"Of course you would trip over a pebble." He said sighs.

I'm more relieved that Chaeyoung isn't mad about the other day than that my legs weren't scraped.

"Thanks." I break from his hold and his arms fall gently to his sides.

We start to walk again, but Chaeyoung stays at my pace. While the others slowly disappear from our line of sight. I take quick glance at Chaeyoung before talking.

"I'm sorry. During truth or dare." I said look down a bit shaky.

"Its fine. Whatever Jihyo make didn't taste that bad." He said.

"Is Tzuyu upset with you?" I asked.

"Why do we always talk about Tzuyu in every conversation we have?" Chaeyoung asked in annoyed and irritated tone.

"Its okay for you to be selfish sometimes." He said softly seeing I'm taken back.

"What does Tzuyu have to do with me being selfish?" I asked confused.

"All you ever care is about grades and Tzuyu. What she wants, what she feel, what she does." He said again with annoyed tone.

"She's my friend. I care about her." I replied.

"Friends care about each other. But in your case it seem one sided." He said.

"That's not true." Tears already fell from my eyes and I stare down.

"Tzuyu could be friend with anyone. But she didn't care what people talk about her or make fun of her because she being friends with the loser like me." I raised my voice a bit.