Hybe-topia

76 - Yang Jungwon (Part 2)

Jongseong's words had sunk uncomfortably into the pit of your stomach and the world around you was spinning uncontrollably. Your face had paled and your palms were damp with cold perspiration. But almost as if the universe were punishing you for your foolish actions, the bell had rung right after the older male left, stalking back to his seat in the back of the classroom, not giving you a chance to go search after Jungwon. Surely, you could have excused yourself from class to "use the restroom," claiming it as an emergency, but you weren't too sure what you would have said if you did chase after Jungwon. So, you stayed in your seat begrudgingly, awfully conscious of the empty seat next to you.

Throughout the period, you couldn't seem to focus on anything. A dull ache knocked against your chest whenever your gaze slipped over to Jungwon's empty seat while the teacher stood at the front of the class giving an introduction lecture on titrations. You swear, at one point your mind was only capable of chanting one thing and one thing only - Jungwon, Jungwon, Jungwon. Nevertheless, you managed to take relatively good notes, scared of falling behind in the class, but also ultimately deciding it would be the perfect excuse for you to see Jungwon after class.

When the bell rang signifying the end of the period and the beginning of lunch, you were the first one packed and out of the classroom. Your eyes frantically searched the slowly bustling halls for a familiar tuft of dark brown hair. Yet, when you couldn't find Jungwon anywhere, you felt like you were on the verge of crying. How could you have been so hasty to snap at Jungwon? He had never done anything wrong. You just couldn't seem to control your jealousy which seems so childish in hindsight.

While all the students make their way to the cafeteria to meet with friends and fill their grumbling stomachs, you find yourself walking in the opposite direction, towards the back exit of the school. As the fresh and cool, autumn air hits your face, your muscles relax slightly. Outside, there is no buzz of energy reverberating off the other students, and you feel as if you can finally think again. You contemplate whether you should give up your search as you're bound to bump into Jungwon again eventually. Perhaps it's just your mind subconsciously searching for him, but you always see him during passing periods. Or, you can wait until tomorrow when you'll have the night to fully prepare an explanation for the hurtful things you said. But you also don't want to appear as if you didn't care about him walking out of class, so you mentally affirm yourself it's better to speak with him today. Plus, if you really can't find him, you can always ask one of his friends if they know his whereabouts. 

As you're racking your brain to create a small game plan, you're suddenly hit with a distant memory."I like going to the creek behind our school to clear my head sometimes. No one ever goes there so it's nice and quiet. And if I'm lucky enough, I'll see the little duck family that lives there - they're the cutest to watch when I have a lot on my mind," Jungwon had admitted one day before chemistry class as the two of you were casually chatting.

A small sliver of hope begins to build as you make a quick detour at a nearby vending machine to buy two drinks - one to offer Jungwon as a figurative olive branch, along with your chemistry notes, of course. And as you inch closer to the creek, anticipation begins to build deep within the pit of your stomach. At first, the soft green patch of grass lining the creek seems to be desolate of any life. But when you squint, you finally catch sight of someone sitting by themselves far in the distance, under the shade of a large tree, watching the clear water flow by.

Jungwon hears you approaching but makes no attempt to greet you. You wonder if he's purposefully ignoring you or if he genuinely thinks you're just someone passing by. He's sitting with his legs crossed, and his backpack is haphazardly tossed next to him while his hands unconsciously play with the blades of grass beneath him.

"Hey," you greet softly, dropping down to sit next to him, leaving some distance in between. Finally, he turns to look at you and you swear your heart skips a beat.

"Hi," he greets back meekly and you wince at the absence of the normal sparkle in his eyes.

"You walked out before class started." You state the obvious, swallowing thickly, not really knowing how you want to approach the conversation.

"I did," Jungwon nods, focusing back on the creek ahead. An awkward silence settles and you fidget with your fingers, wishing the ground would swallow you whole.

"I took notes of today's lecture," you offer, breaking the silence as you reach into your backpack to hand him your notebook along with the drink you bought for him.

"Oh, thanks," he mumbles, but you panic when he begins to push the items back towards you. "I can just get the notes from Jongseong–"

"I'm sorry, Jungwon," you blurt out while guiding the items back toward him which startles the unsuspecting male. He blinks at you in surprise and watches with large round eyes, lips parted as he tries to formulate something to say. "I'm really sorry about what I said to you. I can see that it hurt you and I need you to know that was never my intention," you soften your tone.

"I was quite upset by what you said. I actually had something important to tell you," Jungwon agrees with a contemplative nod, but he finally accepts your notes and the drink. A small smile flashes on your lips, taking the small action as a sign of progress.

"I know," you hum. "Jongseong told me about it."

"He did?" Jungwon leans back a bit when he feels his cheeks flare up with heat. "He wasn't supposed to do that," he chuckles in embarrassment.

"But I'm glad he did," you whisper. Finally, Jungwon turns to meet your gaze again, intrigued by your words. "There's a reason why I snapped at you this morning. It's because I was jealous." Your heart is beating wildly in your chest when you finally admit the first part of the truth and Jungwon's eyes widen in surprise again.

"Jealous? Of what?"

"I was jealous of the other girl because I like you too, Jungwon," you finally confess. "I've liked you for such a long time now and each time we talk, I can't help but think that I'm the luckiest girl alive. I can't fathom why you chose to befriend me when you're already adored by so many others, most of whom are far more popular than me. Normally, I'm happy to see you interacting with all your friends because seeing your smile also puts me in a good mood. But there are also moments when I'm scared that once this semester ends and we move on to different classes, you'll eventually forget about me. So when that girl practically whined for your attention this morning, my emotions got the better of me and I snapped - unintentionally taking my frustrations out on you."

"Y/N," the handsome male frowns, reaching out to slip one of his larger hands around yours. "Why would you ever think that? I'm friends with you because you're someone very special to me. I like your personality and how well we get along together. I've never met anyone like you and I don't think I ever will. Aside from my closest guy friends, no one has ever understood me better than you. Your popularity will never influence how I see you."

"I must be dreaming," you laugh to yourself incredulously, gaze dropping to where his hand is holding yours tightly.

"You're not," Jungwon deadpans, scooting closer to close the distance between the two of you and leaning in so that you'll look back up to meet his gaze. "This is very much real and I need you to understand just how much I like you, Y/F/N."

"I like you a lot too, Yang Jungwon," you smile, a light blush dusting your cheeks which Jungwon finds exceptionally adorable.

♡ ♡ ♡

Surprise! Here's Part 2 as requested by @Panda-Sushi. Wonie has such a special place in my heart, so I couldn't say no when I saw a request for a second part of this imagine lol. Hope y'all enjoyed it.

See you on Monday for the next imagine!

-Strawberheecake 🍓