Treacherous

02 - rain and snow

I left Seokhoon on read when I woke up the next morning. I never replied to his message and he never cared about it. As long as I got his message, he didn't mind my treatment toward him. It wasn't like he treated me with kindness anyway. Not ever since what happened last year.

That's why I was so shocked to know that he was my partner for final assessment this semester. Even though it was a random match from picking up same ball, I couldn't comprehend how Mr. Ma didn't try to fabricate the result. After all, Seokhoon and Eunbyeol were a set in every performance assessment. Except for the first year when I paired with him; the time when we were still okay with each other.

Cheong A's main gate was getting near as I drifted away from the window. Outside the car, subtle rain poured down before turned heavy along the road. Slowly, my car drove through the gate and stopped at the lobby. I collected all my things which were scattered beside me, then put them in my C&K mini double-zip backpack.

Driver Lee opened the backseat for me after he grabbed umbrella. "What time should I pick you up, Miss?"

"I'll call you later, Ahjussi. Have a safe drive," I said, then took the umbrella from his hold.

I looked at the black Cadillac CT4-V getting further away. After it was gone from my sight, I quickly ascended the stairs to the main door. From where I stood, I could see the familiar tall figure standing in front of it. The thin lips, sharp nose, high cheekbones, and a-little-bit curly hair which were slipped out from the hood. And the way he leaned his back to the door frame.

"Joo Seokhoon, what are you doing here?"

Seokhoon, who'd been standing still since I approached him, opened up his hood to reveal dark eyes which stared straight at me. He took hold of my file folder, then pointed, "You're late."

I noticed his usual deep voice turned to husky, like he just woke up before confronting me. Or maybe he lit the cigarette. His bad habit.

"I had business first. What about you? Smoking again?"

He shrugged, didn't bother to answer me. And like always, I also didn't care enough to ask again. We then walked inside in silence. I left my wet umbrella first in the deposit box near the reception post beforehand.

School atmosphere was quiet when we passed by several classes to reach the elevator. General class was already over since written exams, except for major class. Like in the Music Department.

As the most favored major in Cheong A, Music Department's schedule was packed for the entire year. From Spring Week Festival to Winter Duet Recital, they organized a similar curriculum for college students. Even though it was two weeks or so before Christmas, my department still had performances to do. The Cheong A Foundation believed it was necessary for students who were aiming for the top place in Seoul National University. The director herself was a graduate from SNU, so she knew well what requirements we need to get in. Specifically for her daughter, Eunbyeol.

"Was there any information on today's speech from our director?"

We were already in the elevator when I started to talk. Not that I couldn't handle the silence treatment, rather I chose to eliminate the awkwardness which filled the air within. As if every time we met, it was our first meeting. The horrible feeling of meeting someone new.

Seokhoon glanced at me before moving his gaze to the iron wall of the elevator door. "Not much. You're late because you wanted to skip it, right?"

Huh. He knew me too well about it. I retorted back, "And you must be asleep through the speech."

"Good guess, Bae Rona."

The ding sound interrupted our conversation. We got out of the elevator and walked side by side to piano room at corridor end. The room was made specially for him whenever he wanted to practice; his name even was written on the door.