why not me? ( a squid game fanfic)

Dancing with a Stranger

  AERA
The music in the room should be deafening but I can only hear him as we glide on the dancefloor. His lips graze my ear as he whispers to me, telling me how beautiful I look tonight.

  I look into his big black eyes. Oh boy, aren't I in love? Just his gaze alone makes my head go foggy. I can't think straight anymore.

Sang- woo let's go of my hand to peer at the watch on his wrist. "Looks like I've got to go. It was lovely to see you again tonight Aera. I hope we'll meet tomorrow again."

He kisses me farewell and runs off.
______
I come to my senses 20 minutes later. The effect of lust had worn off for the night.

Why Aera, why? Why do you do this to yourself each time. Those boys don't care about you. They'll use you like a towel, hang you on the wall, forget about you until night comes, and then repeat the vicious cycle again.

I met Sang- woo a day ago. My friends and I were invited to a party in the centre of the city. A friend of a friends place. A really rich friend.

It's a whole mansion really, but looks more like a hotel with all the random people staying here. I've been staying here with three other girls for two days now, this being my second night. They're in my college class and we're pretty close. And that's how I met him. Yes, him with his night black hair and eyes like two black holes. I hate to admit, but I am a victim of those holes, for I have fallen into them and can't seem to get out.
______
The next morning comes quick enough. I'm awoken by chirping birds and -is that shouting? I quickly get up and throw on a dressing gown before stepping outside. It seems I'm not the only one who was baffled by the commotion.

A door down, facing each-other, is a boy I don't know who seems to be panting, a bruise forming on his cheek; and opposite to him with a bloody nose: is Sang- woo.

"Look it's not my problem that your on the poor side alright bud? No need to get pressed," snickers the boy. "I think we all know that you live off your mothers saving from her little shop. Is it not time for you to grow up little boy?"

At that Sang- woo charges at the guy. I turn away and go back into my room as punches to the gut are thrown, legs kicked.
Don't go in.What if he gets hurt?
It doesn't matter, you don't need to get attached.

Their violence and bickering seems to go on for a few more minutes before it stops. I don't know what's happened because I can't hear anything. That's until a knock sounds on my door.

I open it cautiously to see Sang-woo standing there looking embarrassed as hell.
"Would you have some ice by any chance?"
"Um..yeah come in," I say unsurely.

"I-I'm sorry about the - you know," says Sang- woo sitting himself on one of the chairs in the little room im staying in. I nod to show my understanding.

He reaches something out of his pocket while I fumble in the fridge for ice. Out of the corner of my eye I see a card. As I stand up and bring him the ice I try to get a better look at it, but he rapidly puts it back into his jacket.

"What's that?," I blurt. I can't help my curiosity.
He looks up. "What? Oh it's nothing", then noticing me with the ice "Thank you Aera dear." Now this makes me blush. A lot. "Make yourself comfortable," I reply shyly.
Oh get a hold of yourself already.

Instead of fidgeting around while he's using the ice to cover the bruises on his cheeks, I go to clean my bag. Except it's already perfectly organised. Oh crap.

"I think I'll be leaving today," he mutters out of the blue, " and I don't think I'll be back."
  I'm not quite sure what to say."What made you decide that?" I ponder out loud. He looks up " Well- Eh, I've got an old mother to look after so ..." he answers now looking down at his feet.
Liar.

I nod, but don't push the conversation any longer. A few more minutes go bye, followed by more small talk to ease the awkwardness.

"Actually, while I'm here, you don't think I could use your telephone do you? I'm afraid my phone's run out of battery ." He gives what he wants to be a kind smile, but I see through his porcelain mask.

"Of course, no bother," I half grit out. What is he planning? I pretend to suddenly be interested in the books on the shelves. They look pretty old. But alas that's not what I'm trying to do. Right now I'm doing my best to try and listen to Sang- woos conversation.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him reaching the same card that I had seen him reach out of his pocket before. I crane my neck to get a better view-

"You don't mind giving me some privacy do you?"
He flashes that same charming grin again that's full of "politeness".

I stand awkwardly before replying "Of course." and trotting outside of my compartment. Out of my compartment.

But lucky enough for me, I can hear him dialling the number of the telephone. Thank the lord for the thin walls.

"Hello? Hello, this is Sang-woo Cho speaking." A short pause. Then, "Yes I'd like to play the game please." Then "Red Light Green light." This was followed by a series of quiet "Mhms", until he hung up the call. I quickly scrambled a bit further into the corridor to not bring any suspicion on me.

  After a minute he opened the door. "Done already?," I muse. He smiles and nods as I come closer.

"Thank you for being so kind, Aera," he says, "I think I'll be off now." He stared into my eyes for a second before leaning in to give a brief kiss leaving me a bit shell shocked, but quick enough to react. " It's my pleasure," I reply regaining myself.

" I hope I'll see you another day...I've left my number on your table so if you ever need anything..."

" Oh yes, I'll make sure to make a call to you," I say plastering on a smile. Then out of nowhere I lean forward and press my lips to his for a few moments.I make sure to slip my hand into his pocket. After that we say our last goodbyes and he hurries off, as I fiddle with the card I took from his pocket.