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Chapter 9 : Permit

Chapter 9
Permit

"So you seriously gave him your number?"

I kept walking as if I didn't hear Hyunjin asking me about earlier. I managed to bump into several students because of how spiral and unclear my thoughts are. I'm unable to think straight.

A male student bumped against me and cursed, but Hyunjin threw him a punch and fell straight on the floor. I felt bad because he got punched, but he cursed me though! That's what he get for messing with me when I obviously have a bodyguard around me.

"(Y/N), I'm talking to you. Do you even know that idiot?" He hissed, voice dripping with venom.

I have known Enzo ever since I started college because I always notice his presence whenever he's anywhere near me. Plus, he's a friend of Jiya so we had a bit of interaction before. But that's just it. Probably the reason why that hug caught me off guard because we never did it before.

What I'm curious about is why that hug suddenly felt illegal right when Hyunjin saw us. I feel like I've done a bad thing!

“Enzo is a nice guy, Hyunjin.” I gathered all my courage just to speak.

Hyunjin let out an offended scoff. “So you definitely don't know that idiot.” He sounded sure about it!

“He's not an idiot! I don't know why you're judging him because I'm sure you don't know him either!” Heat was starting to rise to my cheeks and my eyebrows were almost meeting each other.

I glared at him while he looked at me with his clenching jaw. He bit the inside of his cheek while looking at me seriously as if he's having a hard time finding the words to say. Now it's my turn to show him a smug look.

“What? Can't talk? Because I'm right. You don't know him and all you do is judge everyone around you.” I rolled my eyes and walked away.

However, a hand pulled me to the side  making me yelp. I tried getting out of his strong grip but it didn't even budge! Next thing I knew, Hyunjin was dragging me inside the male shower room and quickly entered an empty cubicle.

“Hyunjin, what the hell?!” I yelled. “This is the male's shower room! Let go of me!”

Hyunjin blocked my way and instead, pinned me against the wall with his strong hands holding both of my wrists. My heartbeat started going haywire. The tension was wracking my nerves. The familiar feeling inside my stomach started showing again. He stared at me intensely, as if he's going to scold me for a very bad thing I've done. The unfamiliar expression in his eyes were enough to send flames to my spine.

“Do you like him, Miss?” He suddenly asked.

I widened my eyes and my mouth fell open at his sudden question.

“Do you like Enzo?” There was desperation in his weak voice, a contrast to his facade right now.

I refused to answer and avoided his gaze. I swallowed the lump I'm feeling in my throat before attempting to get out of his grip again. He held me tighter. The cold tiles of the wall were making me shiver.

Hyunjin slowly leaned his face closer to mine. I gasped as I inhale more air to keep myself sane. The only sound I could hear aside from our heavy breathing was the sound of my raging heartbeat. I can also feel my stomach churning as if there were butterflies inside them. Wild.

I am not blind, and I am not naïve. I am completely aware of these physical feelings—which are the manifestations of my emotions. I had a boyfriend before and these were what I felt when I fell for him. But now that I have the same feeling, only this time, towards Hyunjin, I don't think I can permit myself to admit it. I can't.