"Do you want somebody, like I want somebody?" you edge closer to a classroom door, peering through one of the windows. There was Danielle, perched on one of the empty desks, singing.
She repeated the verse, striving for the perfect tone. "Do you want somebody—again," you hear her mutter to herself as though she were reprimanding someone.
Danielle straightened up from her slouch and inhaled deeply, her attention fixed on the script before her.
"Do you want somebody, like I want somebody?" she sang successfully and scribbled thoughtfully on the paper. 'Subdued, breathy... feeling?'
As you slid the door open, the preoccupied girl was examining a two-page packet that seemed to contain... lyrics? "Do you want somebody—" she attempted once more.
"Danielle?" She spun around, the packet crinkling from the abrupt pressure. "Heesoo? What brings you here?"
You rubbed your arm for comfort, gathering your thoughts. "I heard your singing from the hallway. I was just curious."
Danielle rose, pacing down the aisle of desks, "You should get back to class. The teacher might think you're lost."
Her smile and the gentle pressure of her hands on your shoulders steered you back through the door.
"I have a question," you declared. "Go ahead."
"Why did you all vanish on me yesterday?" Your inquiry seemed to leave Danielle unfazed. "Extracurricular activities, Heesoo, it's nothing to worry about."
She then opened the door to your classroom and nudged you inside, offering a tender smile before closing it softly behind you.
The students' chatter quieted down, turning heads at the noise. Whispers spread as you timidly walked back to your seat.
"Did you find the restroom, Heesoo?" the teacher asked. You nodded.
"Great, we can begin. Please open your textbooks and turn to page one thirty," she instructed—the sound of pages flipping filled the room.
You were so lost in thought that you didn't notice Minji sitting beside you. "Heesoo," she called out, catching your attention.
"Hm?" you responded as Minji giggled. "Are you feeling alright? You've been staring into space for the past few minutes."
You turned and leaned closer to her. "Why did you ditch me yesterday?" you asked. Minji chuckled.
"We had some things to sort out. We were brainstorming ideas for a song we're producing," she explained.
"You did that without telling me?" you asked with a playful smile. "Surprise...?" Minji offered a crooked smile. "Why didn't you call to tell me you were busy? I would've understood."
Minji laughed off the suggestion. "Right, call you."
"Heesoo? Did you want to say something? We're trying to solve this equation," the teacher interjected, setting down her book and chalk as the class turned to look at you.
You shook your head and buried yourself in the textbook, ducking as low as possible.
"You are shy," Minji observed.
"Only when all the attention is on me," you admitted.
"Shyness aside, what are you working on?"
You show her the questions. "Hmm, these are a bit complex but simple to solve!" she says with a promising voice.
"You know the remainder stays the same regardless, right?" Minji asks from beside you, glancing at your question in the textbook.
"Not in this case. I'm trying to figure out the cross multiplication. I'm terrible at multiplying," you say, prompting a breathy laugh from her.
