Whispers Of The Unseen

Chapter 22 - Haerin's POV: Consequences, Next Time.

I sat down with my packed lunch, a simple assortment of leftovers that didn't hold much appeal. My thoughts were scattered as I absentmindedly nibbled on my food, the cafeteria's bustle fading into the background. Beside me, Danielle's animated chatter filled the air, her enthusiasm for a TikTok video evident. I was out of the loop on such trends, my interests lying in a simple mobile game called "Whirlybird" from the "Play Games" app. My high score in the game was a personal achievement that I secretly took pride in.

Glancing at Danielle as she spoke, I couldn't help but stare at her as her attention shifted. Her gaze seemed to tunnel in on something behind me, her voice slowly trailing off. "Who... is... that?" she asked, the words emerging in a hushed tone. I followed her gaze, turning around to see a nondescript guy standing in the vicinity.

I looked back at her with a quizzical expression. "Him?" I queried, genuinely perplexed by her fascination. Danielle nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the mysterious figure. "Should I know who he is?" I wondered aloud, not fully comprehending why his presence was eliciting such a reaction from her.

Suddenly, Danielle's hands covered her face in what seemed to be embarrassment or panic. "Oh no, she caught me staring," she muttered, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. My curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but ask, "Who caught you?"

Danielle's gaze darted behind me once more, her discomfort evident. "Um, her," she replied cryptically. Turning around, I spotted a girl approaching our table. She had a confident stride and an air of self-assuredness, her presence commanding attention as she navigated through the cafeteria.

🐸

I managed to slip away from the animated conversation between the two girls, eventually reaching my next class, or so I thought. I walked into the math room by mistake, only to hear a voice calling out, "Can I help you?" The voice belonged to Minji, who was deeply engrossed in grading papers at her desk. I decided to approach her. I cleared my throat softly, catching her attention. Minji looked up from her papers, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Is there something you need?" she asked, her tone composed and formal.

I shifted slightly on my feet, feeling a bit nervous under her gaze. "Uh, yeah, sorry for intruding," I said, trying to sound casual. "I was supposed to go to geography, but I think I ended up here by mistake."

Minji raised an eyebrow, a faint hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Geography class is down the hall," she pointed out, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

I felt a flush creeping up my cheeks. "Right, yeah. Sorry about that," I mumbled, mentally scolding myself for my absent-mindedness.

"It's alright," Minji said, her tone softening slightly. "Is there anything else you needed?"
I shook my head before finally making my way to the correct classroom for geography class. God
that was awkward.

Geography had been a mundane affair, but now I found myself in Minji's classroom, the emptiness providing a sense of privacy. Seating myself on the edge of her desk, I observed her, still engrossed in her tasks. Her sudden grip on my hand caught me off guard, her touch clinical and assertive. As she examined the ring on my pinky finger, her voice carried that formal tone of hers. "What does this ring symbolize?" she inquired.

A soft smile touched my lips as I recalled the sentimental significance. "It's my mother's," I responded, her nod acknowledging the explanation before she returned to her work. The moments that followed were punctuated with her intermittent glances in my direction, as though my presence had captured her attention.

The bell signaling the end of the period disrupted the tranquility, but my reluctance to leave her side was palpable. I held her gaze, unabashedly expressing my desire to stay, prompting her to respond with a stern, warning look that paradoxically fueled my infatuation. With a self-assured smirk, I resolved to remain.