Mirage

09

The day after mock exam normally would be the most beautiful day as all the struggles had been pouring out from one's head onto the blank paper.

If it was Kim Haeun, maybe that would sound relatable.

Contrary to the girl, Kim Sunwoo was all stressed. Though he had always been in that state on daily basis and exams had never scared him for once, the stress that was consuming him on the sunday morning however was not from the school's life but the girl who was sitting across him in the cafe they promised to meet.

Since their arrival, Sunwoo did not spare her any glances though she tried her best to gain his attention. What he did was only scrolling on his phone and minding his own business.

"Did you do well in your exam?" his girlfriend asked, trying to reach for his hand but he was too fast to dodge her touch.

"It's all the same," he shrugged, back to scrolling on the screen.

It did hurt the girl, named Jiyeon to be treated this way.

They went to different schools and weekends were the only time they could meet each other yet Sunwoo seemed ain't in the same boat as her. His schedule was always full with only he knew what.

But still, Jiyeon never took it to heart, she was always being optimistic.

"Do you miss me?" she asked with eyes lit up with excitement though then she was met with Sunwoo's full with hatred orbs. "I miss you. I always have been."

The boy, he knew that she really meant it. He knew every corners of her little mind was full of him, but a part of him just could not comprehend it.

For he could not say the same.

"What exactly do you need today?" he questioned sassily without answering her question.

Jiyeon slightly flinched, the tone laced in his voice and the expression had ripped her apart. But then she masked her disappointment with the sweetest smile she had always given him.

Sunwoo was always grumpy - she thought.

"Shall we go to the mall together?" she proposed, slightly springing on her seat. "Stress releas-"

"I'm sorry but I already have a plan," he cut her almost immediately, already standing on his feet. "Ask your friend to go with you."

At that, Sunwoo left the table, straightaway walking towards the entrance of the cafe. He heard Jiyeon called for his name, he knew she was trailing behind him and he did not have any plans to stop.

Because it was a lie and he might have exposed himself if he talk to her more longer.

"Sunwoo, stop," her faint voice almost sounded inaudible considering how fast he walked ahead leaving her behind.

And that was when he realized, the world was helping him.

"Kim Sunwoo?"

The abrupt meeting with Eric and the two girls behind him at a junction was like a miracle given to him. 

It was a coincidence meeting them there but Sunwoo found himself screaming internally though he hated to see one of the girls who was shyly smiling, waving at him profusely.

Kim Haeun.

She seemed to get an idea as well upon seeing her crush there. Not to mention that the idea might or might not sound ridiculous.

"Sunwoo, let's join us. We're heading to the newly opened carnival," she pointed towards a direction in which both Jia and Eric were looking at her, questioning through gazes.

"Girl, are you serious?" Eric mouthed to her angrily but then softened when Haeun pleading with her eyes and slightly pouting. "Gash!"

On daily basis, anything proposed by Haeun would never be granted by Sunwoo. Even this one sounded so wrong to begin with.

Why would Sunwoo hang out with geniuses?

But, when he glanced over his shoulder, noticing Jiyeon's figure was nearing, he could not think much. He just wanted to avoid her - at all costs.

"Okay, let's go," he answered which had startled everyone for a moment. Truth to be told, neither Eric nor Jia were expecting him to agree. For they had different vibes to click well.

Unknowingly Sunwoo managed to exchange a glance with Jiyeon from a distance before he walked away with the group, proving her that his plan was real.

Not knowing anything happened earlier, Haeun was on the cloud nine that she kept hitting Jia's arm, portraying her happiness by having her crush with them.

She had been bugging Sunwoo non stop, from the moment they started the journey until they had reached the carnival. 

Maybe, just maybe, the boy had regretted his decision to join them. Had only he did not lie to his girlfriend, he probably had been freed from Haeun.

And he won't be standing in front of a scary ride that was shouting his name as if it would be eating him alive.

As long as he was breathing, he would never get on that ride - that was his promise.

"Are you scared?" out of a sudden he flinched when someone was asking from his right side. Haeun completely noticed the gulp he did, and the misty eyes of his. "You are scared."

"No I'm not!" he denied, trying to hide his real self somewhere he wished no one could see. "It's not.... interesting."

The way he stalled the time in answering, Haeun already knew that Sunwoo was scared. She softly giggled as she shifted her gaze towards Eric and Jia who were getting ready at the seats of the bouncing ride, waiting for the exact time to take off.

"Eric probably will cry," she said, waving towards the pair. "I wonder how it feels to be on that ride."

"If you're curious, go join them," Sunwoo retaliated, crossing his arms over his chest. But then, his head was telling him to get a revenge, a sly smirk plastered on his face. "Or..... you are scared."

Haeun held tight of her bag's strap that was crossed against her chest. She genuinely wanted to go along with her friends, she genuinely wanted to know how electrifying it felt to be on that ride. But, not every wishes could be granted.

"I'll die if I go," it was then, their eyes met in which Sunwoo furrowed his brows by the seriousness on her face, the smirk he had on was now faded.

What nonsense she was talking about?