Two-faced

- his hate -

Sunwoo and I were back on campus by the Sunday afternoon.

I smile as Jacob asked if I wanted to meet up in the courtyard.

I attempt to make myself look like I didn't get 0 hours of sleep the past few nights but that's basically impossible.

I practically skip down the pathway and enter the pretty courtyard with rose bushes growing now.

I spot smiling Jacob sitting under a tree with a blanket and a small basket of strawberries.

I sit down next to him and he grins even wider.

"You must be so tired," he says.

"That obvious?" I sigh.

"No no! That's not what I meant. I meant... er-"

"I'm joking," I laugh. We enjoy comfortable silence and talking about random stuff until we see Sunwoo crossing a path in the distance.

We looks at us and I wave and he walks away.

"Is he always like that?" Jacob asks.

"Recently. Before this weekend he's been doing that and I don't know why," I say.

"Hm," Jacob watches Sunwoo disappear down the hill.

[ Monday 3 pm ]

Half the kids in my class are staying a bit after school to help clean the classroom as we usually do.

There's loud chatter as we all dust, wipe, and organize. Although I still manage to hear a drawer slam and Sunwoo wince a few feet away from me.

I turn around immediately as he's shaking his hand off but clearly not okay. He exits the classroom silently and I'm about to go after him when Jacob comes up to me.

"Need any help?" He asks.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry one second. I'll be right back," I drop the broom I was using and jog out of the classroom.

I see a familiar curly haired boy walking slowly down the hallway with his hands on top of his head as if he's trying to breathe better.

I run over to catch up with him and he ignores me.

"Hey, are you okay?" I ask.

He simply doesn't look down and keeps his eyes ahead, pretending I'm not there.

"Look I don't know what I did or why you've been like this but can you just tell me so I can apologize?" I say.

He sighs but still continues walking.

"Sunwoo." I grasp his arm and he jerks away.

He doesnt stop there though, he grabs my arms and nearly pushes me against the lockers. "Just stop following me, okay daeun?? You should just... just leave me alone," he says, with somewhat of regret in his voice which makes me confused.

I furrow my eyebrows at him as his grip on my arms doesn't loosen. Finally he comes to his senses and releases me with a sorry expression. But still, Sunwoo turns and walks away.

[ lunch ]

"I mean I want to make it up to him or fix it or- something! But I can't do that if he just pushes me away you know?" I say to jia and Chanhee.

Sunwoo and Jacob have a class president meeting so it's just us three.

"Mhm," Jia says, capping the top of her lip gloss.

"That kid and his mood swings," Chanhee tsks.

"You don't have to assume that you've done something wrong. I know both of you two pretty well. And I'd say it's not your problem to    worry about it," Jia advises.