Room 274

Chapter Thirteen

As I sat in the lecture hall, the words of Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" floated around me like distant echoes, but my mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts of Jisung. Something had changed in him, a shift so subtle yet palpable that I couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at me.

It all started after Haechan's student presidency campaign. Jisung's behaviour had been... off. He was distant, preoccupied as if wrestling with some hidden turmoil. Was it something I said or did during the campaign? Did I inadvertently hurt him without realizing it? I replayed our interactions in my mind, searching for clues, but everything seemed normal until that campaign. Jisung's smile, once radiant and infectious, now seemed strained, his laughter hollow. It was as if he was carrying a burden too heavy to bear alone.

Could it be that he was facing some personal struggles? Perhaps family issues or the pressure of university was weighing on him. Or maybe it was something entirely different, something I couldn't even begin to fathom. As the professor's voice droned on, I couldn't help but let my thoughts wander, trying to piece together the puzzle of Jisung's changed demeanour.

"And so," the lecturer continued, "we see how Emily Brontë masterfully employs the gothic setting of Wuthering Heights to enhance the themes of isolation, passion, and the supernatural." I glanced at Jisung, his expression thoughtful as he listened to the lecturer's analysis. He hadn't sat next to me, though I wasn't quite certain that he knew I was there. We both studied lit, but it was rare for us to sit together during any of the classes. He wasn't in any of my seminar groups either.

With the weekend break looming ahead, my concern for Jisung's well-being only intensified. The thought of him spending those days alone, battling whatever demons plagued him, made my heart ache. I couldn't just stand idly by, pretending everything was normal when it wasn't. As the lecture finally came to an end, I gathered my belongings, my mind already formulating a plan. I needed to talk to Jisung, to let him know that he wasn't alone, that I was here for him no matter what. But finding the right words felt like navigating a labyrinth of uncertainty.

Making my way out of the lecture hall, I spotted Jisung lingering by the doorway, lost in his thoughts. Without hesitation, I approached him, mustering up whatever courage I could find.

"Hey, Jisung," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil churning within me.

He looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes before quickly being replaced by a guarded expression. "Oh, hey, Chenle," he replied, his tone neutral. I could sense the walls he had erected around himself, barriers that seemed impenetrable. But I refused to be deterred. Taking a deep breath, I plunged forward.

"Listen, I've noticed that things haven't been quite right with you lately," I began, my words tumbling out in a rush. "You've seemed... different, and I just wanted to let you know that if anything is bothering you, you can talk to me. I'm here for you, Jisung, always."

As we stepped out of the lecture hall, a cool breeze ruffled through the autumn leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I turned to Jisung, ready to delve deeper into our conversation, but to my surprise, he wore a look of confusion, as if struggling to make sense of my words. "Chenle, what are you talking about?" Jisung asked, his brow furrowed in puzzlement.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback by his response. Had I misread the situation? Doubt gnawed at the edges of my mind, but I pushed it aside, determined to convey my earnest intentions.

"I'm talking about you, Jisung," I said softly, meeting his gaze with unwavering sincerity. "Something's been bothering you, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

Jisung's expression softened, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "Oh," he murmured, a hint of warmth seeping into his voice. "I appreciate your concern, Chenle, really. It's just... I've been dealing with some stuff lately, but I'll be okay." His words offered little comfort, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his story than he was letting on. But I respected his boundaries, knowing that he would share with me when he was ready.