Mia knew she had made a promise to stop creeper-stalking Renjun. She knew she had made it her goal to speak to him in person.
She knew that, but it was so much easier to say things out loud than to actually do them in person.
Renjun looked fantastic, Mia thought, even as a Frankenstein. His skin was brushed over with green makeup and he had stitches drawn all over his face.
He wore an old, brown tweed suit jacket, and brown pants. That was it.
He stood apart from the crowd of dancers, leaning against a far wall and looking bored. Every once in a while, people would approach him to talk, and he would give short one-word answers until they left.
Mia gulped and looked down at her costume. She couldn't believe she let Suji talk her into buying this horrible thing.
She was showing far too much skin. If she went up to talk to Renjun now, he'd think she was just another girl trying too hard.
Lost in her downward-spiraling thoughts, Mia didn't notice the person behind her until his hand connected with her shoulders. "Hey!" His voice snapped. "Stop holding up the line!"
Mia shrieked and toppled over. She spilled onto her hands and knees, landing away from the table.
The guy who pushed her offered a vague 'sorry' and moved away, carrying snacks with him.
Mia blinked back tears, swallowing the lump in her throat. Her knees burned.
A hand appeared in her vision. "Are you okay?" A very familiar voice asked. Mia, almost afraid to look up, put her shaking hand in his, and was pulled to her feet. "I saw that. What a jerk."
Renjun was glaring in the direction of the table, where students continued to grab snacks. None of them had paid Mia any heed.
"Th-thank you," Mia mumbled. Renjun finally looked at her, dark eyes boring into hers.
"Are you okay, though?" He asked again, concern evident in his tone.
"Yes. Mia was just a little shocked, is all." She started pulling on the hem of her skirt.
"Yeah, well, you have a right to be." Renjun shook his head. "Whatever. I'll punch him later for you."
Mia was having an out-of-body experience. She couldn't believe she was actually here, talking to Huang Renjun.
And he was talking back. He had finally noticed her. Maybe Club's clothes had done her some good, after all.
Renjun was looking at her oddly. "Have we met before?" He asked abruptly. "I feel like I know you from somewhere."
All of a sudden, Mia felt like she was drowning. It felt like there was water filling up her lungs, and she was unable to speak. Was he talking about the beach? She opened and closed her mouth, floundering.
Her heart was beating so fast, she might pass out at any minute. This was it. She could tell him.
But he spoke before she could. "Oh, well I guess you go to Seoul High, don't you? Obviously I'd have seen you here." He shook his head, smiling slightly. "Sorry."
Mia squeaked and shook her head. He sent her a strange look. "Are you sure you're okay?"
She nodded, and when he shrugged and looked away, she let out her breath in one whoosh.
Well, she didn't have to tell him right away. Maybe when she actually was able to talk to him like a normal person. After all, he knew she existed now.
