i find myself running home to you

(shy smiles and green trees) chapter 5

'Hey Yujin, are you in there?" your voice soft as you heard little sniffles from inside and your heart broke at that. "Hey, may I come in? Please?" you asked softly, head falling with a soft thud against the stall door and feeling terrible that she's crying. A moment passed, there was no response but the door opened, revealing a teary eyed Yujin refusing to make eye contact with you, ducking her head down in shame.

Her eyes were slightly puffy, red rimmed. Nose and cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyelashes were wet. "Come here" you mumbled softly wrapping your arms around her neck, bringing her in closer. As in reflex, her hands flew up to wrap your waist, pulling you tighter and burying her head into your shoulder. You noticed a few weeks ago that your height difference was perfect, like puzzles pieced together at last.

Her sniffles gradually subsided as minutes passed, though you both have yet to let go, not that you were complaining of course. Yujin lifted her head and still refused to look at you directly, opting to stare at your necklace instead. "I-I'm sorry, it's stupid really.You didn't have to come here"she said, words low and voiced laced with sadness. You felt terrible that she was crying for the reason you were suspecting was right.

"Are you okay? Did I say or do something that upset you?" you decided to push slowly, trying to coax the answers you were dying to hear from her own lips. "God no, I was just-" she paused, trying to find the right words. "Can I tell you something? I really didn't mean for it to be now or here but, you deserve to know." she managed out.

Yujin braced herself on her next words, but so did you. You remained quiet as you waited patiently for her. Eyes searching for hers. You both wondered if you could hear each other's hearts hammering against your rib cages. "I totally understand if you don't feel the same and if you wish to stay away from me after this, but I can't take it any longer" Her hands tightened around you at the thought of you completely ignoring her existence after you leave this washroom, her heart broke at that but she pushed through.

Yujin took a deep breath and began "I have feelings for you." there. It's out in the open. "To be honest I have no idea when it started, but I'm pretty sure it was the first night when I came over to your bed, it started to grow. I've tried my hardest, to push through and forget about the funny feeling my stomach does but I think my heart refuses to cooperate." She smiled slightly, eyes still casted on the locket of your necklace, filled with raw emotion. "Every night I close my eyes and hope to wake up the next day, feeling gone. No luck I guess. It's like my heart craves your attention, your eyes, your whole being. I was scared at first to be honest, feeling this strong for someone in a span of one month. Then I realised, no matter how much I try to push you away, my heart still longs for you. I think feelings never have a time limit, they just come and go. Mine is here, and will always be. I- I like you and I don't see myself stopping, unless you deny of course."

You didn't expect the emotions to pour out of her like that. Just how much did she have to hold back?, only for you to feel the same. Your heart is strapped at the thought of her hiding her emotions and pushing it away to prioritise yours first.

You placed your palm on her tear-stained cheek, lifting it to meet her eyes. Her eyes were raw of emotions, red but true. Worried but sincere. Your other free hand lifted hers and placed it on your chest, just where your heart rests. It was beating ferociously. A tiny gasp escaped her lips, stunned by the intensity of it.

You finally spoke, "You're the reason why that's happening." pointing to your heart. "All of life, no one has ever made it beat like that, even myself thought it was broken of some sorts." You chuckled lightly and continued "You're right. I was scared at first too, at the thought of how and why it's suddenly so alive. You being the reason was the biggest slap to my face. It was there all along and I absolutely refused to acknowledge it until it grew tired of me and took action on its own. Well, I'm glad it did because I like you too Yujin-ah. I like you so much my poor heart is about to explode, literally".