Whispers Of The Unseen

Chapter 37 - Haerin's POV: Tag You're It

I slowly pushed myself up to my knees, locking eyes with Claire, who seemed both vexed and determined. I couldn't help but wonder about the reason behind her actions. Squinting at her, she continued to square me up, flaring her nostrils in a confrontational manner.

However, I simply sniffed dismissively and turned away. I didn't have time for this nonsense. Surprisingly, she allowed me to leave without further confrontation. I walked out of the school, not looking back.

Heading home, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Minji. My heart skipped a beat, and I glided further from the school before answering. "Hello?" I said, my voice tinged with anticipation.

Minji's voice came through the phone, filled with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked. I nodded, though she couldn't see it. "Yeah, why?" I replied, panting slightly as I rushed to the other side of the street, narrowly avoiding an oncoming car.

"I saw you and Claire through the window," Minji explained. I sighed. "Yeah, she was trying to start something, but I just walked away," I confessed.

Minji let out a relieved sigh. "You did well, and I'm proud of you," she praised me. My heart fluttered, and my core swelled with a mix of emotions. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice filled with gratitude.

Minji seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing, "So, what now? Do we ignore each other during the day and talk only at night?" I could hear the resignation in her voice.

I sighed in agreement. "Seems that way, but it's going to be complicated," she admitted. I groaned in response. "That sucks," I said, frustrated by the situation.

Minji's chuckle was soft but reassuring. "I know," she said. "But we'll manage. It's just a temporary arrangement until this whole mess blows over."

Her words brought a bit of comfort, but I still couldn't shake the feeling of longing to see her in person, to have her near me during the day. It was going to be tough pretending she didn't exist, especially when my heart ached for her.

As I walked along the quiet streets, the rain continued to fall lightly, dotting my jacket with dampness. "I wish there was another way," I mumbled, feeling a pang of sadness.

Minji's voice over the phone was soft and filled with warmth. "I do too, Haerin," she admitted. "But we have to be patient and careful. Our alliance will have to remain secret for now."

I sighed, my heart aching even more. "I understand," I replied, my voice heavy with resignation. "It's just... I miss you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Minji spoke softly, "I miss you too, Haerin."

Hearing those words from her sent a rush of emotions through me. I bit my lip to keep from saying more, knowing that we had to be cautious. Our secret alliance was fragile, and any misstep could jeopardize everything.

"Stay safe," Minji said before hanging up. I stared at my phone, feeling a mix of emotions – longing, excitement, and the weight of the secret we carried.

With a heavy heart, I continued my journey home, determined to endure this separation until the day we could openly be together again.

I arrived home, kicking off my heelys and switching to my only other pair of shoes, a plain white pair of Reinhard sneakers. My father had given them to me a few months ago, probably hoping I'd stop wheeling around everywhere, but that wasn't going to change anytime soon. I glanced at my reflection in the hallway mirror. Should I wear something different? It's just a skate park, after all. Since when did I start caring so much about my appearance? I shook my head, dismissing the thought.