Elle and the Exchange Student

Chapter 14

Elle's Point of View:

I was very proud of us and our finished project. Dae was a good pair to work with, he had a way with words, so he basically did all the writing. He put in a lot of effort and did his part well. In the end, I was happy I got the chance to work with him.

Now as I listened other students' presentations, I can say, that without a doubt, our work was the best. Luckily, it was enough that only one of the pairs gave a short summary of their work. We had agreed beforehand that Dae would be the one of us to do the talking, it was his idea and I was grateful.

I couldn't help but stare at him when he spoke, so effortlessly and full of confidence. As he sensed my eyes on him, he quickly looked at me and smiled sweetly while still talking. I had to look down to my lap, and pull my hair from behind my ear to cover my blushing face. All the things he has done for me this past weekend, made me forgive him for ruining my original project.

Dae has actually been nice and sweet, caring even. Not for once has he made me feel uncomfortable or like there's something wrong with me. Never has he looked at me pitifully, even though he has seen me getting anxious, crying hysterically and having a panic attack. He has always comforted me and made me feel safe.

Not to mention, all the touching that has been happening too; holding hands, his hand on my thigh, cupping my face with his hands and crying in his arms. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't overwhelmed.

These were my first ever experiences with a guy and I've never been more confused. His touches felt so good, soft yet protective. But then again, I hated him and I thought he hated me, and now he's almost acting like we're dating. On top of that, doesn't he already have a girlfriend?

Feeling a migraine coming because of all this drama I create in my brain, I try to shift my focus back to the class.

"I want to commend everyone for their hard work and participation in the projects. Remember to complete the assigned reading for next time. Have a great day everyone! Oh and could Elle and Dae-Jung please remain after class? I'd like to have a brief discussion with you." Miss Stephanie said.

Everyone started to gather their stuff and make their way out of the classroom, whereas I stayed frozen in place. I took a quick look at Dae, who seemed to be just as confused as I was.

Did I do something wrong? Were we in trouble? Was our project not good enough? My anxiety kicking in, I can feel my heart pounding and hands sweating. Million questions were running through my head, as we walked up to her desk.

"So guys, I have to say I'm quite confused" she started. "When you returned the assignment for the first time, like I said in the email, I was very impressed how quickly you managed to do such an amazing job. But when you returned yet another one yesterday, I must say I was surprised."

I didn't understand what was happening here.

Why would she be surprised, when she was the one who required us to redo the entire thing?

When neither of us replied, she continued.

"The first one was done amazingly, and it's hard for me to believe how you managed to make even a better one, more in depth, and without using any of the material or research you had in the first one. It's really impressive!"

I couldn't understand what she was saying.

Isn't that exactly what she wanted us to do?

"I don't understand" I said confused.

"Elle.." Dae whispered behind me, but I ignored it.

"I thought that was what you wanted?" I asked her.

"Elle.." Dae said again, but I just couldn't look at him. I needed to hear it from her. My head was spinning as if already predicting what was about to happen.

"To redo the entire project?" she said, now being the one who is confused.

I nodded.

"What made you think that?" she asked, clearly getting curious.

"You said to Dae, if we didn't do it all over again I would fail this course" I tried to remember exactly what Dae had told me about their conversation. 

"What are you talking about? I haven't even talked to Dae-Jung before this and I promise you, I have never said anything like that" she said, and somehow I could immediately tell that she was telling the truth.

"Elle.." he said once again, but this time he sounded so desperate I had to turn around and look at him.

Never have I seen anyone look like that before. His whole body shaking, face pale like he was sick, he looked at me with such an intensity. I might be mistaken, but it looked like he had tears in his eyes.
Guilt, regret and shame shone brightly on his face.

Oh. My. God.

Forget everything even slightly positive I've ever said about this guy.

"You did this?" I said coldly.

"Elle, please just let me explain.." he pleaded desperately.

"YOU DID THIS?" I screamed at his face, shoving his chest with both hands.

Storming into the hallway full of students, I already knew we were about to cause a scene. It was the last thing I cared about at the moment.

He followed quickly behind me, like I knew he would. But what I didn't see coming, was him trying to grab my hand.

"DO NOT DARE TO TOUCH ME!" I repeated the words I said to him just a little over a week ago at this exact place.

"Elle, please listen.." he begged, moving so close to me that we were inches away from touching.

I hated this. I hated him. I hated myself for wanting to close the gap between us. I hated that I wanted him to hold me, calm me down and make me feel better, when it was him who made me feel like shit in the first place.

"NO! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU DID THIS!" Tears streaming down my face, I didn't even try to control myself. I let it all out. "What kind of a sick joke is this? Some kinda bet with your stupid friends?"

"No! Absolutely not, Elle, I tried to tell you.." he defended. We were standing so close, speaking so loudly, being surrounded by people, yet it was just the two of us.

"YOU HAD A MILLION CHANCES TO TELL ME DAE" I accused him.

"I know, I know" he confessed, running his hand through his hair. He closed his eyes firmly for a moment, and when he opened them, the tears that were almost unnoticeable before were now rolling down his face. "I'm sorry, Elle. I never meant to hurt you "

"I don't wanna hear it." I sighed. "Just leave me alone. I never wanna talk to you again!" I took a step back, but he took one forward.

"I detest you" I said to him so calmly, I even scared myself.

I took a final look at him, he looked like a mess, maybe even worse than me.

"I'm so sorry, princess" he whispered so only I could hear it, lowering his head in defeat.

And I left, leaving him alone in the middle of the crowd.

I was beyond angry and heartbroken. I had thought he had hurt me last week, when he told me he had lied to our French teacher about my work being plagiarised and that we'd have to do the whole thing again. But that was nothing compared to this.

The fact that he hadn't actually done that, but made me believe that he did for the entire weekend, making us work our asses off redoing the assignment. I couldn't believe someone would be this cruel.

What the hell did I ever do to him to deserve this? This was such a fucked up thing to do to someone.

But if there is a one thing I'm sure about, it's that I will never forgive him.