꧁ Danielle's POV ꧂
"Are you okay returning to classes?" Haerin lifts her head to look at me. I nod silently, assuring her that I'll be fine as long as I keep my wits about me.
"Don't do that, unnie. Please use your words," she urges. "I'll be fine. I just need time to gather myself before leaving," I respond.
Haerin remains silent, her gaze intense.
She scrutinizes me as if trying to read my thoughts, which is strangely comforting. "I'll be off then," she declares.
I watch her leave the room quietly, the door closing with a soft click. The darkness returns, and I sigh, reluctant to get up.
I finally muster to stand, gather my belongings, and open the door.
The hallway is still crowded, and the stares I receive reignite a flare of nervousness within me. "Just look down, pretend they're not there," I tell myself.
They're not there. They're not there.
Brushing against a few shoulders, I ignore the glares directed at me. Turning sharply right, I glance up to see Professor Kim entering his room with his morning coffee.
"Professor Ki—" I begin.
"Danielle-unnie!"
That voice is unmistakable.
I turn to see Hyein, her face alight with joy at seeing me on campus. It's refreshing to know someone is happy to see me.
It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in some time. I smile at her, bracing myself for the joyous girl's affectionate embrace.
Hyein hugs me tightly, and I respond with all the warmth and love flooding me. "How are you?" I ask, stepping back. "I'm great! Just finished an exam last period!"
"How do you think it went?" Hyein pauses, "I gave it my best." Her unchanged nature makes me chuckle. "Of course, the effort always counts, Hyein."
Hyein examines me, shifting uneasily. "I was looking for you before the second period but couldn't find you."
"Oh—I had some important matters to attend to then," I fib, recalling my time with Haerin, sorting things out.
"But now that I found you," she halts. "Do you think..." I gaze at her, puzzled.
She suggested another hug by leaning in, and I immediately understood. I embrace her gently, fearing that too tight a hug might break her.
"Feel better?" I ask, tilting my head to catch her expression. "Much better," Hyein responds. A soft smile graces my lips, "I'll make sure to find you later, 'lil lady. I've got Art class soon."
"Sure! See you later, unnie," she calls out, disappearing into the crowd of students. I rub my arm, heading to art class.
The exchange was easier than I anticipated. I've endured worse.
Upon entering, I first noticed Hanni absorbed in her painting, sparking my curiosity about her intense focus.
"Unnie," I call to get her attention. "What are you doing?" My gaze shifts between the canvas beneath her and the focus in her eyes.
"Just working on an assignment for extra credit," she responds flatly. "Hanni? Extra credit? That's a surprise," I tease mockingly.
"Be quiet. I need to do this to bump my grade to at least an A," she retorts.
I hum and settle into the seat beside her, "Wasn't your grade already top-notch?" Hanni nudges my arm with her elbow. "Just kidding," I add.
I open my notebook, striking through notes from the start of the year. "I've still got the y=mx+b equation in here," I murmur.
