Warmth Unveiled | Michaeng

Chapter 27 - Always defend you

"Do you have to walk next to me?" Mina whispered under her breath, side-stepping to put some space between her and Chaeyoung as they walked across the carpark towards the school buildings. Her back continued to fold over as the whispers of students around them grew. Chaeyoung just scoffed, stepping towards her again. Standing close enough for their shoulders to bump occasionally, people couldn't mistake the fact that they were walking to school together, and it was that fact that made everyone nudge their friends and cover their mouth with cupped hands as they passed gossip back and forth.

"Hm? Did you say something, Minari?" Chaeyoung snickered, leaning in a little to whisper quietly to her.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" She grumbled, stepping away from Chaeyoung again, only for Chaeyoung to match her movements, as she had been doing this whole walk towards the doors.

"Thoroughly," Chaeyoung grinned, winking. Rolling her eyes, Mina gave up trying to disengage herself from her, and instead focused on drowning out the whispers of the students that were getting louder and less discreet.

"I can't believe you're not bothered by all of this," she said, wincing as she saw a group of students point at them shamelessly. One of the people in the group slapped the wayward finger, saying that they'll realize that they're talking about them. Too late, though.

"You get used to the attention," Chaeyoung said casually, shrugging. Mina just scoffed. 

"Riiiight, Ms. Popular," she said, making a gagging noise as Chaeyoung just laughed. Stepping through the front doors, the staring and whispering only got worse; people were loitering around at their lockers, and as the two girls walked past, their books and bags were forgotten as their eyes widened to saucers, trailing behind the girls as if they were mopping the ground they walked on with their gazes. 

"What the fuck?!" A low voice called from across the hall. Chaeyoung's face immediately became a little annoyed at the noise, and Mina immediately knew why. Jackson. He and his group were standing slack-jawed by his locker. His eyes were darting between the two of them enough to make him cross-eyed, and his finger was shaking in the air as he pointed towards the girls. 

Turning towards him as she and Chaeyoung walked past, eyes locking, Mina couldn't help but smirk as he glared. She felt a sudden surge of satisfaction flare within her as Jackson's mouth bobbed up and down, Chaeyoung not even sparing him a glance as she looked at Mina when they reached her locker. Leaning against the wall beside her as she rummaged through her locker, passing Chaeyoung some of her books to hold as she made sure to grab everything, Jackson's heated gaze at her back was palpable, but not uncomfortable. In fact...

It felt good.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Chaeyoung said, mimicking the words Mina had spoken to her moments before, making her bat her lashes sweetly at Chaeyoung, feigning innocence.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, Chaeyoung just shaking her head with a smile on her face.

"Heeeey, Mina, long time no—oh my fucking god."

"Morning, Momo," Mina said, recognizing her best friends voice beside her. She didn't turn to her as she closed her locker, taking her books from Chaeyoung's waiting hands. "Thanks, Chae."

"Sure," Chaeyoung said, glancing towards Momo. Nodding her head, Chaeyoung greeted her briefly. "Hey."

"H-Hey," Momo squeaked, and Mina heard Chaeyoung snort at Momo's reaction to her. Mina gave Chaeyoung a harsh look, kicking her shin lightly. Before she could chastise Chaeyoung, the bell rang, and Chaeyoung took that as her cue to leave.