Bittersweet | Do Kyung-seok

𝟬𝟴. the cut that bleeds

CHAPTER EIGHT
i get stuck when the world's too loud

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     𝐓ime faded in the distance. Chaewon stood in front of a closed café, giving Kang Mirae a small smile as she entered the cab before it drove away. She watched as the car disappeared, and for the first time after she punched Kim Chan-woo in the face━Chaewon let out a deep sigh she'd been holding in. Soaking in the silence and tranquility of her surroundings as it was almost eleven in the evening and there were barely any people walking around the area.

   She recalled everything that happened in the past few hours and almost wanted to hit herself for being so reckless. She shouldn't have punched that guy. No matter how rude he was. Then again, there wasn't a part of her that regretted her actions. It was justifiable. The senior was being a jerk. He shouldn't have badmouthed Mirae in the first place. It was his Fault. Not hers.

    Chaewon tried to believe that either, but she knew she might've just ruined her reputation at the university. She liked to think she didn't care, but truth be told, it was all she ever cared about since her parents passed away. It was what they wanted for her. To graduate with a good course and have a brilliant life━a family, a good husband, and a bunch of spoiled children.

    But she wasn't perfect. She was not like her big brother who went to medical school and ended up being a respected surgeon.

    Chaewon was out-balanced. Careless. Stubborn. Her head was a clutter of mess which she tried so hard to fix but to no avail. She never thinks before she acts, and maybe that's what got her parents killed in that stupid car crash she believed she caused. She always wished she could've died when it happened. They had so much to live for, another kid to care for━what's with one daughter who only cares about herself?

     Chaewon didn't hear the footsteps that approached her, and she almost jumped to her feet when she found a familiar face standing at a comfortable distance from her. He had a worried frown on his face, noticing the way she looked, staring into the distance like something was bothering her. Her brows furrowed, trying to remember who he was as she snapped out of her thoughts and faced the man.

    "Chaewon, right?" He said carefully like he didn't want to make her uncomfortable or something. She didn't say anything, and he crouched at her level where she sat on the staircase. "Why are you sitting here? Did you drink a lot?"

     Chaewon narrowed her eyes at him. That's when he realized she probably didn't remember his name. He glanced around sheepishly and a little embarrassed. She didn't look amused by his presence either. More like, cautious and alert. Chaewon looked like she was about to punch another guy again.

     "You probably don't remember me," He cleared his throat, realizing she wasn't going to guess. "I'm the TA. From your chemistry class."

    It took a second for Chaewon to realize what he said, and when she did━the freshman jumped to her feet and gave him a small bow. "Sorry."

     He only smiled. "Is the frosh week party already over?"

    "No." She shook her head.

     He seemed to notice something was off. He raised his brows at her. "Did something happen?"

     "A little headache but nothing an Aspirin couldn't fix," Chaewon said, smiling half-heartedly. She was still a little shaken up from what happened earlier. Not that she cared about Chan-woo's bruised cheek. She would've given him more than that if Mirae wasn't there.