𝙎𝙄𝙇𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙎 𝙎𝙋𝙀𝘼𝙆 || Yang Jungwon

07. 𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙨

The soft glow of twilight enveloped the park, casting a warm and ethereal ambiance. Bora and Jungwon sat side by side on the familiar bench, their shoulders brushing as they gazed at the starlit sky. It was a moment frozen in time, a snapshot of their unspoken connection.

"Bora, do you ever feel like there's something you want to say but can't find the words for?" Jungwon's voice broke the comfortable silence, his tone tinged with vulnerability.

Bora turned to him, her expression thoughtful. "All the time. It's like there are feelings swirling within me, but they're just out of reach."

Jungwon nodded, his gaze fixed on the stars. "Yeah, it's like they're right there, but you're afraid of what might happen if you let them out."

A soft smile tugged at Bora's lips. "Exactly. It's both exciting and terrifying."

They lapsed into silence again, the weight of their unspoken emotions hanging heavy in the air. The park seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for them to bridge the gap between words and feelings.

"I've always wondered..." Jungwon's voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes fixed on his hands. "What would happen if we just said what we're feeling?"

Bora's heart raced, her pulse echoing in her ears. She turned to him, her voice equally quiet. "Maybe we'd find a way to understand each other better."

Their eyes met, a profound understanding passing between them. In that moment, they shared a glimpse of what could be – the potential for something deeper and more meaningful than the unspoken tension that had lingered between them.

As the night wore on, they sat in companionable silence, each lost in their thoughts. The stars continued to twinkle above, a backdrop to their unspoken connection.

╔⏤⏤⏤╝❀╚⏤⏤⏤╗

Worry hung thick in the air as the days stretched on without any sign of Bora. The school corridors buzzed with hushed conversations, every corner filled with anxious glances. Bora's absence had cast a shadow over the familiar routine, leaving everyone unsettled.

Hana and Minji exchanged worried glances as they took their seats in the classroom, their usual trio now incomplete.

They knew something wasn't right, and they were determined to find out the truth.

Hana leaned toward Minji, her voice hushed with worry. "Have you heard from Bora? She's never late or absent without letting us know."

Minji's brow furrowed, her concern mirroring Hana's. "I texted her last night, but she didn't respond. I thought maybe she was just tired."

Their conversations were filled with whispers and shared glances, a testament to their growing unease. Bora's consistent presence at school was a given, and her absence had thrown them all off balance.

After the morning classes passed, anxiety continued to mount. Bora's empty seat remained a stark reminder of her absence, the space between Hana and Minji an unwelcome void.

As they walked through the hallway, they spotted Jungwon leaning against a wall, his gaze distant. With a shared glance, they approached him, their voices laced with concern.

"Jungwon, do you know where Bora is?" Hana asked cautiously.

Jungwon's eyes flickered, his expression guarded. "Why would I know?"

Minji's frustration bubbled to the surface. "You two have been acting strange, and now she disappeared. Don't tell us you have nothing to do with it."

Jungwon's jaw clenched, a flash of irritation crossing his features. "I have nothing to do with her disappearance. It's not my problem."

Hana's voice softened, her concern evident. "Jungwon, we're just worried about her. If you know anything, please tell us."

He scoffed, his tone bitter. "Why don't you ask someone else? I don't care."

As he walked away, leaving Hana and Minji standing there, their worry deepened. It was clear that Jungwon was struggling with something, even if he refused to admit it. They exchanged glances, their determination to find Bora growing stronger.

Unbeknownst to them, Jungwon's departure hid a conflict of his own. He had been haunted by Bora's absence, his mind plagued with thoughts of what might have happened to her. But the weight of his own emotions and the fear of revealing his feelings had led him to distance himself.

He found solace in the quiet moments, his thoughts returning to their shared memories, to the laughter they had once shared. It was a battle within him, a clash between his fear of vulnerability and the longing he couldn't deny.

Hana and Minji refused to give up, determined to find out the truth behind Bora's disappearance. Their determination led them down a path that would uncover secrets and test the bonds of friendship, all while Jungwon grappled with his own conflicted feelings that had pushed him to a silent and painful retreat.

Hana decided to take matters into her own hands. She approached Minji, determination in her eyes. "We can't just wait around. Let's go to Bora's house after school and check on her."

Minji nodded in agreement, relief evident in her expression. "You're right. If something's wrong, we need to be there for her."

╔⏤⏤⏤╝❀╚⏤⏤⏤╗

The final bell of the day rang, and Hana and Minji wasted no time. They made their way to Bora's house, their steps quickened by worry. The usually short walk felt longer, each passing moment heightening their apprehension.

Arriving at Bora's doorstep, Hana hesitated before ringing the doorbell. Her heart raced, the uncertainty of the situation weighing heavily on her mind. Minji stood beside her, her gaze fixed on the door, her concern palpable.

After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, revealing Bora's mother. Her eyes were red and puffy, a silent indication that something was indeed wrong.

Hana's voice wavered as she spoke. "Um, is Bora okay? She wasn't at school today, and we couldn't reach her."

Bora's mother's expression softened as she looked at the two concerned friends. "Bora... she's not coming home. We've contacted the Police about it but.. They won't do anything."

Minji's eyes widened, "What do you mean the Police won't do anything about it?!"

Bora's mother nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you, both of you. Your friendship means a lot to Bora."

"We hope she'll be okay," Hana said softly, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

As they left Bora's house, Hana and Minji couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, and they were determined to stand by Bora's side, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

╔⏤⏤⏤╝❀╚⏤⏤⏤╗

Longer chapterrr cuz I had more time today and I had a lot of motivation! PLS LMK IF U LIKE IT OR NAHH cause I'm doing my best hahh.

Do y'all like longer books or short books?

Lots of love,

EMY.