more than a crush - Lee Juyeon

2.

If Juyeon had to pinpoint the exact time his curiosity with you started, he would go back to last year. At the time, he was in the middle of ditching. Sunwoo had mentioned something about the easiest way to leave the premises was through the back of the school, so he decided to try it out. Everything had gone smoothly until he heard what sounded like soft sniffling and stifled sobs. There was a moment, one that didn't last very long, where Juyeon considered not investigating the noise. Inexplicably, he found himself unable to walk away.

And so, before he realized it, his feet were carrying him toward the noise. It didn't take Juyeon long to find the source. He was completely stunned when he found you sitting against the wall, crying.

Before Juyeon could bolt like he wanted to, you lifted your head. The way you stared back at him blankly with your bloodshot eyes completely unnerved him. About ten seconds ticked by, and Juyeon could only blink at you like a deer caught in headlights. Against his better judgment, he decided to say something.

"Are you okay?"

Your vacant expression didn't change. There wasn't any sort of acknowledgment in your eyes despite the fact that he knew you heard his question. Juyeon nervously shifted. "Of course you're not. Dumb question." He mumbled.

Your lack of response had Juyeon scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. He was unsure if to leave you alone or to try and comfort you. Would you even want a complete stranger to console you? It wasn't until you gently rubbed at your wet eyes that he made a decision. Despite the warning bells going off in his head, Juyeon sat next to you. It was only then that he saw the tiniest flicker of emotion in your eyes.

You couldn't comprehend Lee Juyeon's questionable actions. Did he not know who you were? Even if he didn't, why would he feel the need to stick around to watch a stranger cry? There were so many questions running through your mind that you didn't notice the football player looking through his bag.

"Here," Juyeon said as he handed you his favorite snack. "This is the best comfort food."

Usually, you were pretty good at masking all of your emotions, but this time you couldn't keep the shock off of your face. You weren't sure what Lee Juyeon was playing at, but you accepted the snack anyway. You fixed your blurry vision on the colorful wrapper. Unexpectedly, his kind gesture managed to tug at your heartstrings. It wouldn't change anything, but somehow it made you feel the tiniest bit better. You let out a shaky sigh. Get ahold of yourself, Y/N.

"I don't want to talk about it." You said after a while, assuming Juyeon was on the verge of asking.

"I thought so," He told you with a shrug. "Words don't always help. Just being there for someone counts more sometimes."

Juyeon looked over at you when you didn't say anything. Your distant stare was cast down, and he could tell instantly that you were holding back tears. He let out a sympathetic sigh. "It's okay to cry."

No one had ever told you that, and frankly, it was something you didn't believe yourself. But with this caring boy looking at you with the kindest eyes you'd ever seen, you couldn't help but believe him. And so you let the tears flow until your eyes hurt. You never found comfort in silence, yet it didn't seem so terrible now that you weren't alone.

It wasn't a rational thought, but Juyeon couldn't help but notice how pretty you looked when you cried. That was the first dangerous thought he had of you. However, he brushed it off since he was sure he wouldn't cross paths with you again.

But Juyeon didn't realize that fate had other plans.