Treacherous

18 - through the grapevine

The next bell was four minutes away from us as we stood in distance on the stairway. Under the bluest sky of winter, Seokhoon looked up to me and I soon reconnected with him. We stared long at each other, searching for an answer, an open door, to pass our argument. In our mind, we were deciding whether to be torn apart by the truth or forever be grown apart by the lie. We were simply lost in the frozen time, and I was the one who couldn't bear the blindness of our heart.

I was the one who couldn't picture myself loathed him when I knew it all too well. I knew it all too well that I was both close enough to be with him, yet still far away from the depth of him. In agony, I knew it all too well that it would be too late for me to ignore the existence of my feelings since I discovered it a week ago. A growing seed of warm emotion beating to every breath I took.

And in those moments, I remembered the first time I knew him.

"You're actually here. I've been searching for you everywhere. Did you already see the list? I'll be your partner for this year. So, please take care of me, Bae Rona."

The first time he knocked on me, I was his partner throughout the first year of high school. It was the first step he and I took to start understanding each other. Upon seeing him up close, I learnt the mask he wore to the people he despised and people he cared for. I learnt about the warmness which slipped underneath the stone cold face of his.

How he feigned ignorance to avoid getting hurt, and all this time he never did once to be the one who's arrogant. He wasn't the villain in this story which Eunwoo always accused about.

Until it was revealed to be a deceit, a game he put the bet into.

"I see that you and Seokhoon are getting along well. I never thought he could deceive you so easily. Or, maybe you're the one who made it this easy for him. Isn't it, Bae Rona?"

He showed me the real, rawness of his side. Then, that once upon a time a friend turned into once again a stranger and one year's stories changed into one day's memory. We closed the book without a proper ending, not even eyes which cost us unspoken words we never got to relay.

But once upon a time always found its way back once again. Always.

"Bae Rona, this is Joo Seokhoon, my grandchild. You must have known him before in school, right? I hope the two of you will get to know each other better now that you're engaged."

It came across us with determination and certainty. This time, its forces went back to us with twisted mass and puzzle pieces. And for the first time, we held our gaze to restore what's already done in the past. We delved into each other's story in the time we knew nothing, then embarked to search for secrets and lies. We still had a big scenario to enact. A dialogue to sever the distorted line between us.

Only that I didn't know it would be the stage where I doubted him more.

"Joo Seokhoon, you are under arrest for an attempt murder of Min Seola."

"What are you talking about, detective? An attempt murder?"

In the state of shock and fear, foremost denial, I solely focused on Seokhoon. I tried to find his eyes, asking him to tell me everything's okay, and proving to the detective they took the wrong person. But he stood by facing them, he didn't see the beg on my stare. Beside me, the metal clink of handcuffs and Detective Song's voice echoed through my ears like a harmony. And it hit me hard.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court. You have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand? Now, we need you to follow us silently if you do not wish us to use force on you."