Dangerous Desire

part. 16

BELLA

"There has been a lot of progress since I last saw you, Bella. Well done." my professor praises, pushing her round glasses higher up the bridge of her nose. "However, I'm not sure if it will be finished in time. You have two weeks, be careful."

I nod. "Of course, professor. It will be finished."

The older woman hums, looking closely at my piece. I've thankfully nearly finished her features on her face so it doesn't look as weird as it did before.

"You have potential, I'm looking forward to seeing it." my professor curtly smiles and I bow as she leaves to observe the next student.

I release the heavy breath I was holding, all the tension released from my body. Shit, that's always so stressful.

Looking to my left at Ryujin, I let out a quiet sigh at her head on her arms on the table, gazing out of the large windows with a sad expression. Where has my best friend gone?

"Ry?" I try to grab her attention and the key word here is 'try' because she doesn't hear me, continuing to look out of the window. "Ryujin." I try again and I succeed when she lifts her head, giving me a tired smile.

"If you're not feeling alright, we can leave early if you'd like?" I suggest and she nods, stretching her limbs a little.

"If you don't mind?"

"Of course I don't. Let me clean up and we'll go okay?" I tell her as she hasn't really done anything today. She nods and as quickly as I can I pack my tools away, placing a bag over my sculpture and washing my hands.

Whilst I'm washing the clay away, a voice interrupts me.

"You're leaving early. Everything okay?" Hyunjin concerns and I nod at his worried face.

"I'm gonna take Ryujin home, she's still not feeling well." I explain, grabbing some paper towels and drying my hands with them. I almost miss his entire body relaxing, like he's relieved, but I ignore it.

"Do you need any help?" he kindly offers but I shake my head. My best friend needs me.

"That's so sweet of you but we'll be fine thank you." I turn down his offer and he nods understandingly.

"Text me or whatever when you get home."

I process what he just said, my heart warming, but then I remember yesterday with the two girls and my stomach turns.

"I will." I shake away my bad thoughts and he nods again, smiling at me and heading back to his work.

I take a deep breath, eyes closing for a brief second before I go back to a tired looking Ryujin carrying her bag.

"You ready?" I ask, packing my things away into my bag and swinging it over my shoulder. Ryujin nods, pulling the sleeves of her hoodie down to cover her hands and I loop my arm with hers, leading us out of the building.

The cold afternoon greets us as we step out and Ryujin is instantly shivering, so I stop in our tracks to take my coat off to drape it over her shaking shoulders. She doesn't reject me, putting her arms through the sleeves whilst thanking me and we carrying on walking.

We don't speak on our journey to her home, the sound of busy Seoul filling our ears instead. The chilly breeze nips at our noses and I'm starting to get cold in only my over-sized knit cardigan but Ryujin needed my coat more than me.

"It's Dallia." Ryujin breaks the silence as we walk down the quiet, not as busy, street to her house.

I turn my head to her with concern but she keeps her gaze locked on her moving feet. I don't reply, scared of saying anything that might make her uncomfortable.