POMEGRANATES AND TULIPS: Book 2 (Jeon Wonwoo)

14| Over My Head

I bite my lip, trying to hide my smile as I walk down the horror aisle with Wonwoo following behind. "How did you get into books?" He asked. I looked at him as we stopped. "I spent most of my childhood locked in my room and picked up the only book I had on my shelf," I said; during my childhood, my mom always locked me in my room as punishment for not being on the ideological behavior she intended. My source of distraction was a copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, a book that somewhat comforts me.

Wonwoo chuckles and looks at me with realization, "Really? Locked up as in...not in a metaphorical statement?" He asked. I shake my head, "Really, I was locked up in my room when I 'misbehaved,' and my only source of distraction was a copy of Pride and Prejudice." I said with a sad smile. Wonwoo bites his lip and exhales softly. "I see...are you okay?" He asked, lifting his gaze to meet mine. I gave him a perplexed look and nodded. "Yeah," I said, turning on my heels and continuing to stroll around the bookstore.

I steal glances at Wonwoo as he keeps a small distance from me; I bite my lip as he stands there looking so effortlessly attractive. "So, do you have a favorite book?" I asked, glancing at him as he picked up a book off the shelf, "Not really." He says with a small smile. I nod as I look at the books, wanting to make this less awkward. Wonwoo stands beside me as he scans the shelves, "Are you looking for a new book? Did you finish The Silence Of the Lamb?" He asked. I smiled, "Mhm," I said as I let my eyes wander the books one last time.

A small sigh leaves my lips as I walk down the aisle once more. "Lizbeth..." He says. I stop to look at him. "D...did you really spend most of your childhood locked in your room?" His voice was soft; I froze up for a second, thinking what to say. I gave him a sad smile. "Y...yes," I said; I glanced at the floor. "My mom wasn't fond of my 'strange' behavior, so as punishment, she would lock me up in my room or sometimes the closet. Whichever was more convenient for her, the punishment would usually last for a week or so." I said. Wonwoo tenses up, becoming a bit pale, "Lizbeth..." He says.

I sighed, "Don't worry about it," I said, looking at the books. Wonwoo scoffs, "How can you just live as if that wasn't an act of abuse?" He asked. I slammed the book back down; I looked at him. "You think—do you seriously think I don't spend each night wishing I could forget that?" I asked, my voice remaining calm and soft. Wonwoo's eyes were dark and filled with pity; I let out a small scoff. "Wonwoo—I don't need your pity for something that happened years ago," I said with a small smile. Wonwoo rolled his eyes as he chuckled lightly.

I furrowed my brows at him, confused, "What?" I asked, crossing my arms. Wonwoo bites his lip and turns to me, "Have you always lived your life that way?" He asked. I look at him perplexed, "What do you mean??" I asked. Wonwoo runs a hand frustratingly through his hair, "Do you let yourself be a pushover? Do you let people do whatever they want with you? D—tch, have you always been so forgiving?" He asked. Each question made me realize he wasn't sincere but mean and ruthless. I look at him, feeling angry with how he's viewed me.

"Is that what you think of me?" I asked, controlling my anger. Wonwoo looked down at me. His eyes gaze into mine, "It's what you have been showing me," He says, sighing. "And so far, you're not that interesting, coming to think of it," His words sent shivers down my spine, and I bite my lip. "Really?" I asked, he nods. "Mhm," He says, I exhale softly. "If that's what you think of me, then Jeon Wonwoo—you are ruthless," I said. Wonwoo nodded as he pursed his lips in thought. "Really...ah, I see. Well then, I guess we have nothing else to say but hope we don't need to speak to each other." He says I look at the books. His footsteps fade down the aisle; I bite my lip, letting the tears spill. Am I really not interesting? Did he fake his smiles and laughs out of spite? Soonyoung was being honest when he mentioned Wonwoo being cold.

I let out a small sigh and pulled my phone from my pocket,

M: Soonyoung...you were right.

SOONIE: Right?! About what?

M: Wonwoo...

SOONIE: Where are you right now?

M: The bookstore, the one by Minghao's company.

SOONIE: Okay, wait for me don't go anywhere.

M: Ok

I wiped away my tears and walked out of the thriller aisle; I walked over to the coffee bar. "Good afternoon. What can I get you?" the cashier asked; I gave her a small smile. "A pumpkin spice latte with extra foam, please," I said; she smiled and nodded. "So, have you found any new books?" she asked. I shake my head. I watch her prepare my drink as I glance out the window for Soonyoung. "Here you go; it's going to be very cold tonight, so keep warm." She says with a smile, "Thank you." I said. I grab the warm paper cup and walk to the tables by the door.

I watch the snowfall as I drink the latte slowly; maybe I was over my head. Perhaps I was overthinking too much about every conversation with Wonwoo that I didn't realize that he was merely forcing himself to be friendly; maybe Seungkwan was hard on him about making me feel comfortable around them all. A tired sigh escapes my lips as I take another sip of the latte, and the bells chime. "Lizzy," Soonyoung's voice was worried; I smiled and looked at him. "You're here," I said, stating the obvious; Soonyoung's eyes wandered to my face and hands. "Are you okay?" He asked; I nodded.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I said, getting up from the chair. "Are you sure?" He asked as he grabbed my bookbag off the table. I nodded. "Yes, Soonyoung, I'm okay," I said, grabbing my latte before walking out of the shop with him. "Then what was that text? What did Wonwoo do?" He asked as we stopped before his black Camaro; I looked at him. "He didn't do anything; he just—made it clear that he doesn't want any sort of friendship with me," I said. Soonyoung sighed and exhaled sharply. "But I'm fine, Soonie," I said; he looked at me with sad eyes. "Lizzy, you're eyes can't lie." He says; I bite my lip. Why am I getting emotional?

"Soonyoung—I don't know what's happening; I've been getting e—-emotional lately," I said, bursting into tears. Soonyoung's face was filled with worry as he wiped my tears away. "Aigoo, you're letting your guard down for once, Lizzy." He says, pulling me into his chest, "Why? Why now, though?" I cry. Soonyoung's hand holds the back of my head against his chest, and I cry. "Even when Wonwoo expressed his distaste towards me, I was getting emotional." I cry; Soonyoung sighs. "You just got tired of holding them in, Lizzy." He whispers as he pats my back softly. Why? Why does it hurt? Why am I getting emotional?