Homeless Vain

12

This was serious.

Chanhee was still chasing after me just to make me say yes for the reunion. No matter what excuses I gave, he would pretend like he didn't hear it.

My phone - notifications from him were the only thing filling up my screen - not asking if I wanted to go but more too push me to go.

Sighing endlessly, I put my phone aside, massaging my temples.

The sight of my books piling up on the wooden table and also on the floor made me huff, already tired of all the signing I did since this morning.

Well I guessed I needed another round of warmup before my hands detach from its limbs.

Sangyeon laughed across me, slipping in bookmark into the books I already signed. The sight of me suffering might have been too entertaining for him.

"Told ya. Meet and greet session is much easier than sitting here whole day signing these books".

"We've talked about it, Sangyeon", I sighed, flipping the cover open to put down my signature on the first page.

"Imagine this, Ivy", his hand extended forward towards me, taking the book from my hand. "Your fans come to meet you with flowers and chocolates".

Sangyeon smiled with eyes closed, already picturing the view he imagined about.

I scoffed, "shut up".

"You know..." he pointed towards me. "You look like someone who has a trauma with crowds".

The pen in my hand eventually halted its movement, my breath hitched. Carefully I swallowed the lump in my throat, hoping that Sangyeon won't be questioning every little movement I did.

I'd always been told by my friends that masking my emotions in front of others was my expertise. Nobody could've deciphered my feeling easily just from looking at my face.

However, Sangyeon made it the whole things different.

"Ivy, we've been working together for quite some times. You are like a little sister to me. You can tell me anything".

I breathed out, leaning against the chair I occupied. His face tightened, like he was anticipating to hear my nonsense, nonetheless I wasn't the easy type of girl.

"Nothing to worry about Sangyeon", I cackled and his tense face relaxed. "I just can't get used to the crowds".

"Do you want me to believe that?"

My heart skipped some beats. I shouldn't have underestimated him.

The anxiety erupted from inside me, sending signals to all the neurones in my system. Chills made my hair stand, the pen in my grasp fluttered due to the faint shiver on both of my hands.

"That tale is not fitted in this story, Sangyeon", I said, putting down the pen.

"I'm interested", he raised a brow as he leaned back, crossing his arms afterwards. "Let me understand you more".

I mirrored his posture, considering the offer. What benefits would I get if I agree to this?

But Sangyeon was too convincing for me as a girl who doesn't have siblings or any male protector to refuse.

"You know Sangyeon", I paused, biting my lower lip. "Some parents thought they'd done a very good job in raising their children but maybe... they were too extreme?"

Sangyeon furrowed his brows, processing every single words coming out from my mouth. He seemed like he had a difficulty to understand but I didn't blame him.