Paperclips - YJH

Nine

It's been two weeks since I last talked to Jeonghan. I don't know how, but he stopped trying to approach me after that day, when I rudely ignored him.

It wasn't my intention to just avoid him in front of him, but I knew that my mother was still tailing me, and I couldn't have her see us talking. I do realise that I should've talked to him about my situation, but I don't think he will understand. Not that he's not compassionate or anything, but every time I tried to share it with others, I've always been told that I'm just spoiled and rich. I don't want to hear it again, especially from him.

But not being able to talk to one of my only friends here made me a little upset. I see him in class every day, and I can't help but think of the times we used to sit together and talk.
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I'm sitting in literature class with a pen swirling in my hands. Jeonghan taught me how to spin a pen. I couldn't understand why I kept thinking of him, even when there was no possible chance of us being close ever again. Just then, I heard my name being called.

Standing up abruptly, I stared at our professor. He was fuming as he stared back at me. "Which world are you in while I'm taking a class here, Miss Y/N?!" He yelled.

I looked around; everyone's attention was on me, even Jeonghan. Wow, this is embarrassing.I thought. I looked at the professor again and said, "Sorry, professor." I bowed and sat back down. "Thrice. I called your name three times!" The professor sighed before continuing with the lecture.
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The next hour was free for us literature students, so we decided to work on the group project, which meant I had to be with Jeonghan.

I was really nervous; he probably hates me now. All of us group mates sat together in a circle in the cafeteria to discuss the project, and I couldn't help but watch Jeonghan as he wrote down our ideas in his little notepad. His hair hung down, making him look angelic.

I was busy in my own world when I felt someone call me.

"Yes, Soonyoung?" I turn to him and ask, slightly annoyed that he disturbed my thoughts but not in a serious way.

"What the fuck are you staring at?" He asked me as he pointed at Jeonghan's notepad, "That shit is too small to even read." He laughed.

"Maybe you're blind." I reply, giving him a side eye.

Our conversation was cut short as we heard one of our group members clear her throat. "Wow. When did you both get so close?" Mijoo asked with a smirk.

"Ew, no." Both me and Soonyoung said it in unison, making the others laugh.

There was one person, though, who clearly seemed annoyed. I don't blame him; he probably feels bored and annoyed here.

"Let's work, y'all." Jeonghan tapped the pen on the table to draw attention as he said it. Everyone focused on Jeonghan and got to work.
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The classes for the day were over, and I was heading back to the dorm, but before I did so, I made up my mind to talk to Jeonghan. I felt really guilty for avoiding him all these days without a proper explanation. Also, I can just lie to my mother in case she makes a fuss about us again, so I waited for Jeonghan to come out of the classroom.

As soon as I noticed him stepping out of the classroom, I nervously walked towards him and tapped his shoulder from behind. He turns around, and the surprise in his eyes is evident, but he doesn't show it.

"Are you busy?" I asked him, hoping he didn't hate me, but it would be totally reasonable if he did.

He looked at his watch and heaved a sigh of... Relief? He looked at me with a look I don't recognise, "Depends. What do you want?"