Wonder About Love | MYG

Chapter 2: A Sliver of Peace

Akila wakes up startled the next morning by the blue bird she had found in the park still sitting in her room. It was watching her peacefully, perched on-top of her bookcase in the corner of her room. The bird had not wanted to leave last night, so she had left the window open just in case it decided to leave while she slept. Apparently, this bird wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. She didn't have much time to dwell on it though and simply kept the window open again for the bird and got ready for school.

She narrowly avoided Kang as she left the house, watching as he pulled out of the driveway and down the street only a few seconds after she opened the front door. She didn't want to have to hear anything that he had to say to her, for fear that it wouldn't be anything good. She walked down the street, her legs feeling like they were weighed down with cement. She didn't want to have to deal with Min-ji today or the constant stares of pity that she got from everyone. It got tiring to have to deal with all of this every single day. She would skip if she didn't have her grades to worry about.

As she kept walking, she couldn't help but feel some sort of presence behind her, as if someone was there. She didn't want to think too much into it, thinking it was just someone walking to school just like her and didn't want to seem paranoid. Even still, with the amount of times that Min-ji has snuck up on her, her senses are always on high alert. She feels a soft tap on her shoulder and her body immediately becomes rigid, stopping her in her tracks. She turns around, gasping as she realizes that it's just the boy who saved her yesterday.

He had dark brown hair, the ends of his hair naturally curled, its length stopping at the back of his neck. He was dressed completely in black from head to toe, making him look somewhat intimidating. He has dark brown eyes to match his hair, like the color of rich milk chocolate. There were silver studs in his ears, catching the light of the sun and a silver chain to go along with them. She hadn't really stopped to get a good look at him before, realizing that he was really handsome. She had never seen him before, not once. She most likely would have remembered if she had. She didn't know what to say to him. She wanted to say thank you, but once again, it was like her mouth was glued shut.

He gives her a bright smile, unbefitting of his attire. She wasn't expecting that at all. She was expecting to be yelled at for not saying thank you or something, not a smile. "I'm sorry, did I scare you? I didn't mean to. I just saw you walking and thought I would catch up with you," She could only stare up at him, cursing herself for not being able to say anything. She never truly realized how much she didn't talk to people until now. Was it the embarrassment that she felt for not thanking him? Was it because he was way too handsome to be talking to her or giving her the time of day? Akila didn't know, but she didn't like it.

"Your name is Akila right? I think I've seen you a couple times around school," She nods slowly which causes his smile to widen. "I'm Hoseok, but you probably don't know me. I'm just a needle in the haystack compared to everyone in school," He looks at her concerned. "Really, if I scared you though, I'm so sorry," Akila finally finds her voice and speaks. "It's okay, it wasn't your fault. I'm sorry for not saying anything, I'm not really good at talking to people. I'm also sorry for not thanking you for..you know..saving me from Min-ji," He laughs softly and shakes his head. "You don't have to thank me at all. I know what it feels like to have someone on your back all the time, I get it. I couldn't just watch her treat you like that, I had to do something. But, don't worry. As long as I'm around, she won't bother you. Trust me, I won't let that happen," He winks, which causes a light blush to form on Akila's face. "Thank you.." He laughs and smiles, "Come on, I'll walk with you,"

Hoseok walked with her the entire way to school and it turns out he doesn't live that far from Akila, promising to walk with her every single day so that she wouldn't have to walk alone. She didn't understand why he was being so nice to her, especially since they don't fully know each other yet. But it was nice to have someone to walk with for once. They enter the school and he continues to stay by her side. He waves at a few people he knows, but never strays from her side. People are starting to notice that she isn't alone, causing a few stares. They weren't used to seeing Akila not by herself, it wasn't normal to them. Especially Min-ji.