Mirage

14

"Sunwoo".

Upon hearing his name was called, Sunwoo's feet immediately halted from dragging his lazy body more farther, the heels were turned out of curiosity.

However, he regretted it right away as soon as he found the owner of the voice. He could have just walked away, ignoring the voice of whoever was calling him.

Why must he stop and kill his curiosity?

Jiyeon jogged towards her boyfriend, not to annoy him because she knew very well how Sunwoo could be a monster from waiting too long.

"Why are you here?" the boy asked sassily, hands pocketed. "You will be late for school".

Sunwoo maybe sound worried but it could not be deciphered whether he did worry or it was just a facade to make her disappear.

But, Jiyeon chose to believe that he was worried.

"It's ok, I still can catch the time", she smiled ever so sweet, a genuine smile she'd always given to him. "You didn't pick up your phone last night, so I'm coming here to meet you".

The male pondered, recalling the phone call he received last night which he purposely ignored. He was not in mood to talk to people and some more he was tired. So for him, it was valid to reject any incoming calls.

"I was sleeping when you called", he lied, no sign of remorse tinting. "What do you want to talk about?"

It was then, Jiyeon was seen hesitant, she was facing the ground most of the time. Her breath hitched as the nervousness came enveloping her, worried over something that probably would happen next.

But, she had to do this to prove her love for Sunwoo.

Slowly lifting her head, she looked for his eyes with hers that seemed droopy, that were full with sadness. It took her too much courages just to blurt something that finally found its way to leave her mouth.

"Is it true that you have another girl in your school?"

Sunwoo was taken aback, his heart did skip some beats. He really wanted to understand her, he really wanted to be calm over this rumor but he was unable to keep his cool.

This was too much.

"What are you talking about?" his tone slightly inclined, Jiyeon could have sensed. "You're coming all the way here to spit something nonsense like this? Really?"

He scoffed - bitterly, and his eyes darkened upon staring right into the girl's orbs. His chest rising and falling heavily, portraying how furious he was right now.

Jiyeon indeed was scared but she kept her composure not to be seen flattered. She just wanted to secure this relationship.

"Is it true? Is that why you've given me cold shoulders? Who is her? Is she pre-"

"Shut up!"

Sunwoo yelled in which the guilt came visiting him right afterwards. He should not have yelled no matter how mad he was.

But, the damage had been done. He definitely could not turn back the time to fix it.

"Who has been spreading the rumor about me?" he asked, a bit calmer than the earlier. He held himself back from yelling again, patiently waiting for an answer from her but nothing seemingly would come as Jiyeon was seen biting her lips. "So you aren't telling. Fine".

He turned on his heels, walking away with angers in every steps he made. He did realize, he had wronged Jiyeon too much, he had hurt her too many times with his behaviour and those all cold treatment he had given.

Nonetheless, the pain he felt right now was double or maybe triple. He could not describe it.

"Sunwoo, I just need the answer", Jiyeon said, not budging from her position. However, her boyfriend seemed ain't never care of her state.

Even she was crying right there, Sunwoo ain't even stop nor turn back to check. He just walked away like nothing had happened.

But Jiyeon was unable to conclude this conversation here. She wanted to know the truth, and wanted to find out who was the girl that probably had stolen Sunwoo's attention. What had differed her from the girl?

And that was how, Jiyeon kept spamming him messages and also phone calls from the moment he stepped into the schoolground. She could not meet him, but she did hope he would respond to her messages.

However, she seemed to forget of how bad his attitude was on daily basis. Sunwoo had never cared to check his phone that was dinging nonstop along the hallway he trailed towards his locker.

It was only then, when he started to be annoyed with the constant calls, he did pick one.

"I don't want to talk about it, is it hard to understand?" he enraged, a great slam of his locker was echoed. "You can believe the rumor, I don't care".

He heard sniffles from the other party through the call. He could tell that Jiyeon was crying at any curbs she was at right now but no, he won't go to her.

Not after she believed all the false news.

The frustration still got the best of him as he slammed the red button, shoving his phone into his pocket next. It was hard enough to control the anger but it seemed won't be died down anytime soon when he was bugged by none other than Kim Haeun.

The girl was oblivious of anything when she spotted him in front of his locker. She could only see his back, how could she know that he was angry?

When she peeked forward, she could see his stoic face but she thought it was normal. He had always given her that face after all.

So she acted the same in front of him without knowing anything else.

"See this", she beamed, taking high a newly finished origami she did. She knew Sunwoo was unfazed but still she shrugged it off. "It's my first time doing it. I did a good job right?"

"Go away, I'm not in the mood", Sunwoo retaliated lazily, raking his hair harshly.

Did Haeun ever care? - No.

"Then, you shall receive this origami", she jumped a little, being excited over nothing. "You know it can make you feel better".

The rambles that were escaping her lips sounded faint in his ears. It was buzzing in which it enraged Sunwoo more, his fist had been balled beside his frame.

Before he knew it, he shoved her hand away from his sight, the origami dropped onto the floor leaving the stunned Haeun with heavy breath.

"Why is it hard for you to understand?!" he yelled, gaining attentions of other students in the hallway. "Must you be this annoying? I don't like you, so stop being so desperate!"

Silence.