[Book I] Winter Falls [ENG]

Chapter 13: Your words

TW: mention of depression and suicidal thoughts (light), depreciative thoughts

Timeline : Friday to Saturday, November

Enjoy!

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Hyunjin rubbed his hands, trying to warm himself up. It was quite cold this morning, proving that they were indeed entering the winter period.

He was sitting on a picnic table near one of the university entrances. The place was deserted, if omitted the few students who passed from time to time to go to their classes.

It was almost 9:30, the time of the appointment he had set for Chan. As the minutes went on, the cheerleader became more nervous. He had tried to think about what to say, but his brain was blank. Hyunjin didn't know what to expect, and he couldn't find a plan of attack. He was just secretly hoping that Chan would take the time to listen.

A movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Hyunjin raised his head, watching Chan walk towards him with his hands in his pockets.

The cheerleader bit the inside of his lip. He wasn't going to lie, Chan was handsome, and he was certainly in love. He offered him a smile, while the other student sat in front of him.

"Hi Chan."

"Hi."

The young man offered him a small shy smile in return, making his heart beat a little faster. This also reassured him. Maybe he was just preoccupied with something else in the last few days, and he didn't mean to be so distant.

"You wanted to see me?" Chan asked.

"Hm... yes. It won't take long, don't worry."

Hyunjin rubbed his hands one last time, feeling the anxiety rise gently. He turned to his bag, placed next to him, to open it. He gently took out the notebook and placed it on the table between the two of them. He nervously glanced at Chan, who looked surprised. His eyes were wide open, staring at the notebook.

He reached out to get it.

"I've been looking for it for several days! Where did you find it?"

"In the club meeting room. I was the last one to go out and I found it on the floor. You... must have dropped it."

"Why didn't you give it back to me directly?"

"You were already gone. And then we were both busy, so... I didn't get a chance to pass it to you."

Chan hummed. He turned the notebook in his hands, before putting it in the bag.

"Thank you for returning it."

"It's normal. It's the notebook where you write down everything about the club, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Hyunjin swallowed. It was the moment or never.

"I opened it." The cheerleader admitted.

The other student raised his head towards him, observing him.

"You did what ?"

"I opened your notebook. I'm sorry..."

"Hyunjin! It's supposed to be private! It's medical secrecy!"

"I know, but-"

"Don't tell me you read everything in it." Chan said, starting to get mad.

"No! Let me speak!"

Chan sighed, before licking his lips. He seemed tense, and Hyunjin knew that it wasn't going to get better.

"I'm sorry I opened it. I was curious and I know what I did was wrong, okay? Basically, I just wanted to see the page that concerned me-"