Forbidden Longings | Seulrene AU

Chapter XIII (✓)

The halls of the high school buzzed with the usual energy as students bustled between classes, their laughter filling the air. Joohyun moved through the crowd with practiced ease, a smile playing on her lips as she greeted friends and teachers alike.

Amidst the sea of faces, she spotted Seulgi, her girlfriend, standing by her locker. Their eyes met, and Joohyun felt a surge of fear in her chest, but she couldn't display it now. So she approached Seulgi with a casual air, wrapping an arm around her arm in a gesture of affection that came effortlessly to her.

"I'm assuming that yesterday's meeting went well if you're chirpy.", Seulgi commented with playfulness and Joohyun faintly smiled.

"You can say that, yes.", Joohyun responded and the younger nodded before putting some notebooks of her own into her locker as Joohyun did the same.

"Did you sleep well last night?", Seulgi curiously asked as she zipped up her bag and a flicker of hesitation appeared momentarily in Joohyun's actions as she halted from putting her book away.

"Yeah, mainly excited about the event. We've worked really hard on it.", Joohyun responded shortly after, but it was a complete lie. She wasn't able to get any sleep last night, her thoughts keeping her awake.

"I'm sure you did and I'm also sure that everyone else will enjoy it.", Seulgi replied and Joohyun nodded before shutting her locker and turning to meet Seulgi's eyes that were already on her.

"Ready to go to class?", Seulgi questioned, not knowing if Joohyun needed to stop by her office today.

"All set."

===

As lunchtime drew near, Joohyun's heart pounded in her chest with a mix of anticipation and dread. She excused herself from Seulgi's side, citing a quick trip to the restroom before their meal. Inside the quiet confines of the restroom, Joohyun retrieved a vial of vervain oil from her bag, it's scent sharp and potent in the enclosed space.

With steady hands, she dabbed a tiny amount of vervain on her lips, the cool liquid tingling against her skin. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Joohyun composed her features into a mask of nonchalance as she flushed the toilet and exited the cubicle.

Once she was out, she began washing her hands alongside the other girls inside with her. But for a split second, she dissociated as she stared at herself through the mirror.

How long will I be able to keep this act up if Bogum was right? Joohyun thought to herself and was brought back to her senses once another flock of girls came inside the restroom to apply their makeup. Quickly, Joohyun dried her hands and mentally prepared herself to meet the younger again.

Outside, Seulgi waited, her gaze soft and expectant as Joohyun approached. Without missing a beat, the older leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Seulgi's cheek, her lips leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. A barely perceptible wince crossed Seulgi's features, her eyes flickering with a hint of alarm before she masked it with a smile.

"Let's go, I'm sure the others are expecting us.", Seulgi commented and walked ahead as Joohyun stood there momentarily to process what had just happened.

He was right, she is one of them.

===