FALLING IN LOVE

CHAPTER 36

MINA'S POV

A bunch of emotions flooded me as I stood there, staring at the face of someone I'd come to love and hate all at once.

A part of me wanted to run and bury my face in his chest, another part of me wanted to hit him so hard, another part wanted to get the hell out of there.

Minutes passed and neither of us had said a word yet. I knew I should have walked away but I didn't, couldn't bring myself to do it, not yet at least.

When he finally spoke, I feared my heart would burst. I'd missed him so much but I knew I had to hide my emotions. He wouldn't see me cry.

"Mina", He started, my name like a breath of fresh air on his lips.

"I didn't think I'd see you here".

"Why? Surprised I finally crawled out of the hole you dug for me?", I spat, my hands balled in fists.

"Mina, I'm so~".

"Don't you dare, Chaeyoung! Don't you dare!", I yelled, narrowing my eyes at him.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Mina. I know I hurt you but it was for the best. It was for her", He pointed to Grandma's headstone.

"I couldn't continue to lie to myself and to you. It wouldn't have been right. Please understand. I care about you, Mina. I really do~".

"Stop it, Chaeyoung! Just stop, okay!?", I exploded, cutting him off.

"How dare you? How dare you use her as an excuse? You used me, Chaeyoung. I trusted you, I trusted you not to hurt me. You promised Chaeyoung. You promised me and I believed you but what did I get in return? Heartbreak!", My voice broke but I went on.

"What did you expect Chaeyoung? That we would break up but go back to being friends? That's not how things works, Chaeyoung".

"You don't get to snap your fingers and have me at your will. This, us, it ended the day you decided to break up with me for something you caused! I'm just, I'm done!", I stepped away and walked around him.

"Mina wait", He called, his hand on my shoulder. My head snapped to the back and I

"Get your hand off me and don't you dare touch me ever again! The only reason I haven't hit you yet is because of her", I nudged my head in the direction of Grandma's grave.

Without saying another word, he took his hand off my shoulder which felt strangely cold at the lack of contact but I shook the feeling off. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stomped away, my hands tucked in my jacket.

I'll show you, Son Chaeyoung. And I'll make you pay.

The days turned into weeks and only grew colder. After my last encounter with Chaeyoung, I resolved to making sure I put him behind me by putting all my focus on the two events that mattered the most to me. Finals and the Talent Show.

Yup, I was going ahead with the competition. I'd thought of dropping out after the whole break-up with Chaeyoung but that would only mean that I was still affected by him and I was determined to prove I wasn't.

That was at least one thing I was grateful for. While the mere thought of what he did to me hurts, I'm at least grateful that I was able to overcome my years long stage fright, something that Jeongyeon had never been able to do. So I was thankful for that.

Weeks passed and finals came and just like that, they were over.

"I can't believe we're finally done. After all this while", Sana groaned with relief.