Forbidden Longings | Seulrene AU

Chapter XII (✓)

The hallways of the high school buzzed with usual energy as students hurried to their lockers, chatting and laughing before the first bell. Seulgi navigated through the crowd with practiced ease, her mind preoccupied with the looming shadow of Joohyun's newfound knowledge.

As she reached the hallway to her locker, Seulgi's sharp senses picked up on Joohyun's presence nearby. She turned her head slowly, meeting Joohyun's surprised gaze head-on. There was a flash of recognition in the older's eyes but it was quickly masked by a neutral expression. Seulgi couldn't help but notice the faint trace of unease lingering behind the look.

"Hey Hyun, how are you feeling?", Seulgi greeted, her tone casual despite the tension that simmered between them.

"Much better.", Joohyun simply answered, offering a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. So Seulgi's frown deepened at the palpable discomfort radiating from her friend. Instinctively, she knew that Joohyun was wrestling with the revelation she had stumbled upon, the truth that vampires might exist among them.

"That's great, I'm glad to hear that you're doing better. By the way, can we go grab some breakfast before class starts? I'm hungry.", Seulgi asked, her voice light and easy.

"No— I can't, I have to go to my office for a bit, y'know? To approve clubs papers and stuff.", Joohyun quickly excused and Seulgi slowly nodded.

"Sure, I'll see you during calculus then?", Seulgi responded and Joohyun nodded before walking the opposite way and Seulgi softly exhaled. The words rang hollow even to herself. She knew that her hunger for breakfast was a mere facade.

Joohyun knew something and Seulgi knew it would be a long day.

===

By the time lunch arrived, Seulgi and Joohyun split since the older latter needed to go put some things away in her locker and stop by her office before heading to lunch with the group. So Seulgi headed to the cafeteria alone as students filled the tables with their chatter and laughter.

Once Seulgi entered the cafeteria, she joined Seungwan, Moonbyul, Krystal, Sooyoung, and Yeri who were already there having their lunch. As she settled in, a shadow of unease lingered in the air, fueled by Bogum's recent absence.

"Have you guys noticed Bogum and his gang missing lately?", Moonbyul ventured, her voice low and cautious.

"It's not like them to stay under the radar for so long. But given how Seulgi killed their friend, I don't have a good feeling about it.", Seungwan responded and Krystal's eyes widened.

"You killed someone?", Krystal asked in disbelief and put her chopsticks down.

"Why? Is that so shocking?", Seulgi questioned in confusion.

"No, it's hot.", Krystal responded, causing Sooyoung and Yeri to shoot each other a look.

"What are we missing here?", Sooyoung asked and gestured over toward Krystal and Seulgi.

"These two dated in the past.", Moonbyul informed and Seulgi sighed as Sooyoung narrowed her eyes at Krystal who did her best to avoid her glare.

"You do know that Seulgi and Joohyun are a thing, right?", Yeri pointed out and Krystal nodded.

"Yes, I do. Seulgi made it very clear that she did.", Krystal replied, but Seulgi shook her head.