𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 ⇒ 𝗻𝗷𝗺

[ 23 ]

❝ Don't jump to conclusions. ❞

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It's been days since Heejin saw Jaemin with a girl. She couldn't understand herself. First, she was giddy over him, and once she saw him with another girl— it was like her whole world fell apart. There was no way she became fond of him in such a short time. She couldn't deny that Jaemin helped her a bit. Hyunjin wasn't in her mind as much as before.

'Being his friend won't be so bad...' She sighed in frustration, gripping the bench as she leaned forward to stare at her shoes. The gravel on the ground crunched as she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. Being his friend wasn't a bad idea, but it didn't do her any good if she gained feelings. She felt conflicted. A part of her knew she was gaining feelings for the boy, but the other dented any trace of it. "Why are feelings so confusing..."

"Tell me about it." Heejin flinched. At the end of the bench sat Seyeon, the black-haired beauty of back luck. Heejin couldn't deny that Seyeon had visuals. Seyeon is indeed pretty, but because of her infamous title, everyone brushed it off.

"Having boy trouble too?" Heejin asked, watching as Seyeon turned her head to face her.

Seyeon chuckled and a small dimple formed below her lip. "Something like that."

Heejin couldn't understand why. But talking to Seyeon made her feel at ease. There was something about Seyeon that made her want to know more about her. Heejin tapped her foot, debating whether or not she should talk to Seyeon.

"A penny for one's thought?"

Seyeon's lips turned up in a small smile. "Why not." Seyeon turned her body to face Heejin.

She cleared her throat before starting. "How do you know if you're falling in love?"

Heejin smiled, glancing at the ground. "Honestly, you know when it hits you. It could start with a simple beat of a heart or a simple thought that terrorizes your mind for hours. Or maybe it's a simple gesture that makes you go crazy. A simple smile that makes you grin like lovesick like a high school girl. A simple smirk that makes you want to lean in and kiss it away-" Heejin stopped, realixzing. She knew whom she was talking about, and she hated it. She didn't want to admit that was indeed falling for him.

Seyeon let out an airy laugh. "I see. I'll think about it. Thank you for explaining to me. In return, I'll give you a bit of advice."

"You should listen to your heart more than your brain. Don't stop yourself from gaining happiness. Don't jump to conclusions. And talk it out." Seyeon smiled before walking off as Heejin stared at her, shocked at the advice. Her words flew a little too close to home like Seyeon knew how Heejin felt.

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After a few minutes, Jaemin planted his hands on his knees, gasping as he tried to catch his breath. His heart throbbed against in chest as sweat rolled down his face. He hasn't felt exhausted in a while. His breathing reduced as he calmed down a bit. Jaemin collapsed on the beige wooden planks of the dance room with his limbs sprawled out, gazing at the fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling as his mind drifted away. The slight creak from the metal door of the dance room pulled him back to reality. A reflection of Heejin peeking in reflected in the mirror as she scanned the room until her eyes met with Jaemin's.

After the scene in the morning, she refused to speak with him or even stare at him. But everywhere she ran, every path she took led her back to him. She couldn't understand why her feet led her to the dance room. It was the last place she would be caught dead in, yet her body moved on its own despite knowing he would be there, just like always, exactly like Hyunjin. She shook her head, clearing her throat, tensing as she averted her gaze.

"Ah, sorry. I assumed it was empty," Heejin said as her lips pulled into a tight smile. The atmosphere in the room made both uncomfortable, and they found it difficult to focus on each other, Heejin especially.

"It's okay, I just finished," He said as he settled his gaze on her when he rose from his position. Heejin continued to avoid eye contact, staring at everything but Jaemin.

Eventually, her eyes found his, surprising Jaemin. Then immediately, she averted her gaze, glancing at Jaemin's figure, then to her own eyes through the mirror. "No, it's fine. I don't want to bother."

Without another word, she fixed her posture and bowed at him as she walked out. Jaemin sighed, staring at the door in defeat. There was something about Heejin's gaze that bothered him. It was as if she was disappointed and upset with him. But he didn't understand what he did to make her stare at him in that manner.

"You confuse me, Lee Heejin," He whispered, slowly moving back into his laying position. A sharp sensation spread from his back to his legs, making him flinch as he found it painful. He hissed as he tried to massage the pain away. Soon, the pain vanished, and he sighed with relief.