LOVEPHOBIA

The New Nickname

Areum sat at her desk, a sense of boredom settling over her as Cha Yeon Woo entered the classroom and took his designated seat beside her. Cha noticed the dullness in Areum's expression, a rare sight for someone known for her liveliness. Concerned, he couldn't help but ask, "What happened today? You don't look quite yourself."

Areum gave a curt reply, masking her true emotions with a lie. "Nothing, I'm just bored."

But beneath her dismissive response, a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings raged within her. Since the chalk fight, an unexplainable sensation had taken hold of her heart. Lee Yeon Woo's happy expression during their mischievous bickering haunted her every thought. Areum found herself consumed by thoughts of him, day and night, unable to escape his presence even when she closed her eyes.

"AREUM! EARTH TO AREUM! WHERE ARE YOU LOST?" Cha's voice snapped her back to reality. Irritated, she asked, "What happened? Why are you shouting?"

Finally gaining her attention, Cha expressed his frustration. "Finally! I've been calling your name for the past five minutes, but you wouldn't listen! Where were you lost?"

Areum, still caught in her own thoughts, responded, "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something." That was not the answer that he was expecting after his constant efforts for around five minutes. So he said, "That answer did not satisfy me. Tell me more."  "Well I'm not gonna be getting grades from you for my answer, so I won't bother explaining or satisfying you." Areum replied being irritated.

By now, Cha sensed what it was about. Areum always told him everything that happened in her life, she would never hesitate, but today she was hesitating. This could mean only one thing- she was in love! A mischievous smirk played on his lips as he teasingly probed, "Isn't it because you're thinking about someone? Your Prince Charming, perhaps?"

"Yah! Shut up! There's nothing like that. Why are you suddenly acting like a nosy aunt?" Areum retorted, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Cha ignored her protests and continued in a sing-songy tone, "Areum is in love~ Areum is in love~ She has turned into a lovesick cat~ She—mmmmphhh." 

Before Cha could finish his playful tune, Areum quickly covered his mouth and delivered a firm tap on his head. "What the heck?! People will listen to your nonsense and start spreading rumors! STOP!" she scolded. Cha said, "Okay okay, but tell me one thing, why did you not tell anyone of us yet? I'll tell the Woo club about this today." Areum said, "Someone doesn't love his life over here I guess." 

Cha, rubbing his head, surrendered, "Alright madam, calm down! I won't tell anything to anyone." then he thought to himself, 'but that wouldn't stop me from using this against you as a threat'. He smirked. She just wanted to wipe that annoying smirk off his face.

As the other classmates arrived, the conversation shifted, but Areum remained lost in her thoughts. Lee Yeon Woo, observant as always, noticed her distant gaze and approached her.

"What happened, Areum? Is something bothering you?" he inquired with genuine concern.

Areum's heart skipped a beat, momentarily flustered by his attention. Gathering her composure, she replied, "No, nothing's wrong. I'm just bored."

Meanwhile, Cha, unable to resist, began humming a love song and flashed a wide smile. Areum kicked his shoe under the table, a subtle reminder of the earlier death threats she had playfully given him. Cha immediately quieted down, the mischievous glint in his eyes replaced with a knowing grin.

Classes continued throughout the day, and as the much-anticipated recess arrived, the Woo club found themselves laughing as they always did. Areum, in particular, seemed to find humor in every moment. Lee Yeon Woo couldn't help but notice her infectious laughter, a melody that brightened their shared space.

Inspired by her laughter, Lee Yeon Woo decided to give Areum a nickname. With a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, he leaned closer and said, "Areum, let's give you a nickname! How about Nitrous Oxide?"

Areum, initially puzzled by the suggestion, as were the others, questioned his choice. "Why?"

Lee's smirk widened as he explained, "Because you laugh a lot, and nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas."

He mentally did a countdown after saying this, '3.....2.....1.....here it is', " WHAT THE HECK LEE?! WHY DO ALL OF YOU GUYS ALWAYS KEEP ON TEASING ME?" Areum shouted. All the others started laughing too. "Well, he isn't wrong though. That name actually suits you." Jae Young said. Cha agreed to it with a nod. "Suits, my foot! Stop teasing me, you fools!" Areum tried to stop them but in vain.

Amidst the laughter and teasing, the day progressed with moments of bickering and laughter. The news of Areum's new nickname quickly spread throughout the class, and her playful exchanges with Han Soo Min became a delightful spectacle.

Han Soo Min approached Areum, unable to resist the opportunity to join in the teasing. "Hi Nitrous Oxide! How's your day going?" she playfully taunted.

Areum responded with quick wit, refusing to be outdone. "Well, you aren't any less of a clown yourself! It's because of you people that I'm always laughing. Just take a look in the mirror, and you'll start laughing uncontrollably. And thanks for your concern, my day is going fairly well, given that I'm always laughing because of you guys."

Soo Min feigned hurt, wiping fake tears from her eyes, before the two friends erupted into laughter, their shared silliness bridging any gaps between them.

The day continued with lighthearted banter, laughter echoing through the halls as the classmates reveled in joy. Areum embraced her nickname, wearing it as a badge of honor amidst the teasing and laughter.

In the tapestry of their lives, this chapter was a vibrant mosaic—a testament to the bonds formed through shared laughter and the lighthearted moments that brought them closer together.

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