LOVELY RUNNER

The girl he likes.

BYEON POV
It's just a simple feeling. I had no intention of telling him how I feel but they just had to ruin it for me.
"Byeon, how do you feel about Haneul? I heard she likes you." A boy who is my classmate suddenly asked Byeon who's sitting across from him. Everyone heard him and they're all looking at Haneul and me.
I looked down, feeling embarrassed when I heard Haneul say something that brought me back to reality. "I don't like her."
"Aww what, byeon? That's so harsh!"
I bit down my lips, trying to prevent myself from breaking down when I heard him saying those words. I noticed him glancing

at me before talking back to his friend.
"It's better than giving someone false hope," he muttered but i guess no one heard him other than me who's paying attention to him.

"haneul.." Byeon walked towards me. Why is he still here? Everyone has left excluding me because today is my turn to clean the classroom. He grabbed the wet cloth before helping me by wiping the window.
"About what happened this morning.. I'm sorry."
"It's fine." I bitterly smiled. Even after hearing him say that, I never had the thought of getting upset with his words because I realized there's no way I would get a chance to be with him.

Byeon, who is smart, kind, loves to help others and cares for his friends. He's so perfect. I don't remember when I started liking him but I know I like him because of how he's always genuine while doing something or helping others and that's including me.
"Just to let you know, l'm not interested in dating anyone. You're not the only one.
Basically, there's no one I like." He said without looking at me but I just nodded.
He said he doesn't like anyone. I feel relieved.. then, can I keep liking him? Can I like him until I get to be in that empty heart of him?
"I don't know how you can fall in love with me but we have been classmates since last year. I never thought of you more than a good friend and I never thought you would like me. But, thank you for liking me."

The moment he said that with a smile on his face, it felt as if time stopped for a second. It doesn't feel like a rejection but words of appreciation. I can't get mad at him.
But.. It's all a lie. He said there's no one he likes but why am I watching him getting shy with the my older sister ?
"Don't you think Byeon and Sol look so cute together? She confessed to him first, right? I think Sunghoon fell in love with her as soon as he saw her face."
"It's definitely love at first sight~!"
I could only listen to them without saying anything. I don't know how to feel. I had expected something like this would happen and I would be okay with it but

You said you didn't like anyone yet you look so happy to be by her side. Is it because she's prettier than me? Kinder than me? Better than me?
"Byeon, byeon — wait!" |
immediately pulled away my hand from him when I accidentally grabbed his wrist.
"What do you want, Haneul?"
"Do you like Sol?"
"That's none of your business."
"But—! You said you didn't like anyone.. So why." I don't know anymore. I don't know why I'm doing this but I really want to be the special girl in your heart.

"Haneul, I'm still a human and can have a change of heart. And.. Why do you care if I like her or not? You're nobody to me."

Nobody.. to him?

I felt my heart breaking in pieces as i zoomed out i was specheless. He meant so much to me that i forgot that he might not like me. Thats so ... cruel