Overshadowed || Han Jisung

5

  I found a bench and sat for who knows how long. Buses didn't run this late into the night, so many onlookers gave me weird glances; I must've looked rough.

  I was really spaced out when someone sat next to me. It didn't even really register in my mind as I stared at the ground in front of me. The male cleared his throat. "At this rate, you are going to catch a cold."

  I finally snapped out of it. Jisung sat next to me, looking forward as well. "You don't have to tell me what's going on, just let me drive you home. These streets aren't safe at night."

  Did he really run after me?

  How did he find me?

  He stood, standing in front of me with a hand out. "Let's go before either of us get sick. I'm not dressed for this weather either."

-- the next morning --

I threw a fit in my bed like a toddler. Jisung had drove me home last night and I fell asleep in his car, causing him to see the episode I was having.

My memory from the previous night was quite foggy, so I am unsure how much he saw...

How much did I embarrass myself in front of him?

"I have to be there early, are you coming with me?!" Yuriko yelled on the other side of the door. I shouted a simple 'no', waiting to get up from my bed until I heard the front door close.

When I got up, I had to immediately sit back down from getting lightheaded. I chuckled to myself, wishing I could just stay home and avoid everyone.

-- lunch --

I grabbed a single apple from the cafeteria, heading up to the roof as usual. As I took a bite, I noticed another sticky note. I must've stared at it for at least two whole minutes before grabbing it.

Don't avoid me today :) ~Ji

I rolled my eyes, tearing up the note and throwing it away.

This boy is really starting to piss me off

He may be a grade higher, but I don't have to listen and obey to his every wish. I don't care how rude Yuriko thinks I am.

Until just recently, I was invisible to the boy. Why was he so persistent in bothering me?

When dance time had come, I dragged my feet through the hall. Hopefully I could arrive close enough to the bell so I didn't have to talk to anyone; or so I thought.

Everyone was in their huddle of a friend group chatting, with some stretching. The teacher was no where to be seen, and the two people I wanted to avoid were sitting together in the back talking.

I threw my stuff to the side, sitting on the ground in my usual spot. I felt my hair stand as they approched, both sitting on the ground next to me.

"Hey.." Yuriko tried to grab my attention. Grabbing my wrist, she looked at me in shock as I slightly gasped and jumped. "Are you still mad at me?"

"Yes, I am. I don't want to talk to either of you, so please leave me alone."

They shared a glance, finally backing away.

I'm sorry Yuriko... but I don't forgive you yet

The class took forever, the teacher finally bidding farewell and leaving. Yuriko had another class so she just silently left. I went to walk out too when my arm was caught by Jisung.

"Don't touch me." I ripped my arm away, trying to hide the pain from the self harm beneath the sleeve. He held onto the sleeve itself, raising a brow. "And why not?"

By this time, the last student left. The two of us were now alone in the room, causing my anxiety to shoot to the moon. He took a step forward, alarms blaring through my head.

My back suddenly hit a wall, my next reaction being to cover my face with my arms. I looked up after a few seconds, his worried eyes shooting daggers into mine.

He took a step back. "She didn't tell you about Hyunjin because she was worried about you. She's not the only one who's noticed your strange behavior this last month."

Just this last month, huh?

"And what do you know?" I snapped, standing up straight. He let out a chuckle, pissing me off even more. "A lot actually. Hyunjin and I are friends, Yuriko and I have become friends, so yeah, I know some things."

I let out a huff, trying to push him away so I could leave; I failed. He stayed put, hardly effected by my actions.

"Meet me back here tonight. I don't expect you to tell me what's going on, just listen to me." He pressed his lips together, waiting for me to respond.

"Why."

"Don't forget clothes comfortable for dancing." His lips curled up into a smile, a small piece of hair falling into his face as he tilted his head. Finally backing away, he walked off.

Who did he think he was?

Did he expect me to actually show up tonight? I did plan on it, but there's no way in hell I'm going now.

I rode the bus home, eating a few bites of chicken from leftovers. When Yuriko arrived home from school, I stayed locked in my room until she laid down for the night.

I was comfortable laying in my bed, scrolling through my phone as I hardly even paid attention to the screen. My head was deep in thought. The usual hilarious tiktoks we're no longer funny.

A notification popped up from Instagram as I angerly grumbled at the account. To no surprise, Jisung followed me. How he found my account? Probably from Yurikos following list. She had the whole college following her.

I looked at Jisungs account. He had a lot of cute selfies, many pointing out his resemblance to a squirrel. I caught myself smiling, cursing at myself as I swiped out the app and tried to sleep.

After an hour of staring at the wall, I couldn't do it. I got up, throwing on a white long sleeve with a black anime t-shirt over it and black cargo jeans.

For shoes I threw on doc martens, sneaking down to the basement to leave. It would be easier to just walk out the front door, however our parents have a camera outside of the front and back doors.

They were very strict with when and where we went.

  With that, I was on my way to the school.

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