NEVER NOT • H.RENJUN

11

| chapter eleven |
i don't trust myself..
« there's a million reasons why i should give you up but the heart wants what it wants »

Hyewon followed her friends back into the building. She strayed behind them not wanting to meddle in their playful quarreling.

Turning the corner, the three demons encountered a shocking scene. Droplets of blood decorated the white floors as groans and punches resonated in the hallway.

A scene that Hyewon usually found thrilling, made her feel terrified. Her heart palpitated faster in her chest and her gut twisted in her stomach.

"Renjun," she called out in a whisper. She rushed over to the infamous vampire and pulled him off of the angel. "Jaemin, get off!"

The vampire obeyed after landing a few more punches. He stepped away, a satisfied grin on his face as he watched the angel wince in pain.

"Long time no see, Hyewon," Jaemin placed his arm over her shoulders. "I missed you guys." He gestured to Hani and Yoon as well.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Hyewon shoved him off as she knelt beside Renjun.

"Don't tell me you turned soft while I was gone, Hye," Jaemin chuckled tilting his head tauntingly.

"It shocked us, too," Hani giggled.

Hyewon glared at the two in anger as she helped the angel up. And without sparing them another glance, she made her way into an empty classroom.

It was silent at first. Renjun gazed at her lovingly, appeased by the fact that she was in front of him. Meanwhile, Hyewon was furious. Partly by the fact that he got beaten but also because although his face was bruised and bleeding, he still had a smile on his face.

"I told you to quit getting into trouble with people you don't know," The demon scolded, "You're going to get yourself killed."

"I won't," the angel smiled at her fondly. Hyewon knitted her eyebrows together in confusion. "You'll be there to protect me, you always are."

"You can't be so sure about that. I won't always be beside you, nor do I want to. I'm not your savior or anyone that should be helping you," Hyewon told him. 

"You were there today, I called out your name and you appeared," Renjun said. "You protected me even though your friends were there to judge you."

"So? That doesn't mean anything," the demon rolled her eyes in annoyance. He was right though. When she saw him laying on the floor, her mind blanked and her body acted on its own. She hadn't even thought about what they would think. Did she care? Not really.

"It means that you care about me, Hyewon," Renjun continued taking her hand in his. "It also means that I need you by my side to care for me because everyone seems to want to kill me."

Hyewon scoffed, "Last time I checked, you thought I was a hopeless and cruel demon. But now, I care about you?" She held grudges.

"And you thought I was a puppet that was bored of their life," he rebuked. "Look, we both didn't mean what we said, we were angry."

"I meant what I said," the demon shrugged.

"I'm trying to make up with you here. I don't think I can spend another day apart from you," Renjun pulled her closer.

"We can't do this, Renjun. You're practically killing yourself every second that you spend with me," Hyewon was never one to follow rules but when it came to her life, or for the very first time, someone else's life, she wouldn't risk it. "If we ever get caught, we'd both be ceased of our existence. I don't want that for myself...or for you."

The angel sighed, running a hand through his brown hair, "We'll just be friends. There's no harm in that."

"Being friends is what led us to that kiss. We got comfortable around each other and trusted each other. I don't trust myself to not feel things for you again, Renjun," Hyewon refused.

Renjun looked into her eyes, desperation was visible in his own. The demon turned away before she could give in.

"I can't," Hyewon sighed, "I won't let you ruin yourself over something that will never last."

vampire jaemin 🥴