Embracing The Memories | COMPLETED | KOREAN STAND ALONE #1 ✒

제43장: Calling

Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedbacks are highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

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As soon as I got home, I looked back at the piece of paper that I had gotten at the book that Jihun had handed me. I added his number to my phone and I laid it on the desk table.

There was no plan that I'd call or text but I got scared when an unknown number called me. At first, I thought it was Naehyun or Gunyeo but then I realized the only ones who could get my number was the student councils since they asked for it for the first time for emergencies.

But who could it be?

Answering the call, I decided to go with something other than hello.

"Who is this and how'd you get my number?" I tried to make it softer so it wouldn't come out a bit rude to the other line. Though, a familiar voice suddenly scolded me. I didn't expect Jihun to be the one who'd call me for a start.

"I was just checking if you had gotten the paper out of the book before Naehyun checked it," Jihun had tried to make sure and I only giggled a bit before I told him that it wasn't Naehyun who he should look out for but Gunyeo.

"To be honest, Naehyun didn't notice a thing. Gunyeo suspected the paper a bit. I handled it though, telling him that it was left by the previous person who borrowed the book." The line went silent after that, making me a bit nervous. Jihun's sigh was heard on the phone and I was worried that I had said something wrong. I thought he'd brush it off but he didn't.

"Actually..." he trailed off before he cleared his throat, "I was the one who borrowed it before."

Silence came after and I could feel my hands tremble. My eyes were unfocused and could only direct at the wall. After this, my grip on the phone almost faltered. I was speechless at this moment. I didn't expect that to happen, considering that he was the one who said that it had already been too long before he had used it for his homework.

When he noticed my silence, he immediately laughed --- breaking the silence between us over the line. "Look, I was just kidding. I'm pretty sure that you're actually mortified, aren't you? You don't have to worry much."

I released a breath that I didn't know that I was holding back. Since he wasn't really here, I could only pout at this. If he was, I would've probably playfully punched his shoulder at it.

"You shouldn't scare me like that! I really thought that you were the one who borrowed it. Gunyeo was suspecting already so I'm sure that he'd try to know what it was, you know?" He then stopped laughing and only chuckled at this.

"Relax, shorty. Gunyeo may question you but he won't take it that far. You're actually panicking too much." I only sighed afterward, still couldn't believe that I fell for his trick.

But then, I realized that it may not be the only reason why he called. Before I could even ask, he then continued to ask me.

"Right, how is the essay going? Surely you already know how to finish it with the outlines I gave you."

"Yup, the outlines helped a lot. I'm just doing the conclusion and it's ready to be turned in."

I could imagine him nodding over the other line --- since there was only a moment of silence before I heard him saying that I did a good job.

"I'm sure that you didn't call only for that?" I tried to ask him as he then sighed, probably not believing that I had caught on.

In a call, you shouldn't really try to open up more topics. It only makes you more suspicious --- and if you did, it only makes the person think that you're doing this to divert the attention away from the main question.

Jihun then laughed before saying, "Fine, you got me."

"We need one more vocal for our band," he had opened up and asked me, "I was thinking that maybe a girl could be a nice change. Can you sing?"

I stammered. What did he just say? If I can sing?

I cleared my throat at this and almost coughed. "Y-You're asking me if I could sing?"

"I overheard you playing the piano back in the music room so I was thinking that you got other talents that you're not really showing us," he answered me before I decided to turn to the piano I had in my room and look up the notes of the songs I know online.

So, I did what he asked. But it had already been years since I practiced so I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I tried singing "Secrets" by One Republic but I wasn't quite sure if the vocals were good enough.

Jihun was too quiet on the phone so I almost cringed when I heard myself singing. I didn't even know why he'd try to ask me about being one of the vocals. Surely he had questioned the others too, right?

After I had finished the song until the chorus, he coughed. I almost grimaced at this, knowing for sure that he was bothered the whole time.

"Ah, I shouldn't have sung. Sorry for the voice. Singing is really not my forte---" He then tried to stop me but I already ended the call. He tried calling me but all I did was let it go to voicemail. I couldn't face him after that embarrassment I caused. To be honest, I don't even know how I'll be able to face him.

I thought that he'd let me be after I did that but he then texted me and it made me sigh at the moment. Though, I felt a bit relieved by it too.

Look, I don't think your voice is bad. It just needs practice and I'll help you. Meet me in the music room tomorrow after class. I'll teach you.