Never | Lee Haechan

Loved you too late

Jiae walked through the hallway making her way to the biochemistry lab with Ryujin's arm around her neck.

She'd been ignoring everyone. Everyone. Mina tried talking too but she wasn't interested in that either at the moment. She ignored Jaemin's texts and questions cause all that would do was make things harder. Yangyang naturally gave her space and she was grateful he did. None of the dreamies came back to the dorm since and the only company she allowed were Somi Karina and Ryujin. She couldn't digest it. None of this registered in her head and even trying to think about it broke her down.

Ryujin at that point had taken it upon herself to constantly hang around her and even walked her to the biochem classes everyday.

"You really didn't have to accompany me you know?"

"I need to make sure you're fine babe- but I'll be off now,"

"Hmm alright,"

The girl has been clinging on to her all day saying she was worried and Jiae internally really appreciated it.

But now here she was, infront of the biochemistry lab. Alone. This was the only time she had some hope of seeing Haechan was here in the past- now entire week. And he'd been absent till now. She didn't try reaching out to him because it was embarrassing. Talking to any of the dreamies would be awkward and she'd have to explain everything that had happened. Which she really didn't have the energy to do.

The raven head looked over to the little bag that she held on to and wondered if she should make this move or not. But then again how bad could it be?

Jiae felt the need to know and it itched a part of her brain. She felt the need to find out cause after all, whether she liked it or not, this university was crucial even to her future. It's also where she practically grew up because of her parents. It was unfortunately sort of a second home to her.

"Hey Yeonjun! You have a minute?" She called out to him and the boy turned around with a smile but was a bit confused. "Sure...what's up?"

She was glad he wasn't one of the people giving her looks and spreading misinformation.

Jiae made sure they were in a quiet place and took out the sac of white tablets, "These fell off from your pocket during our little date. Was worried it might be some supplements or something so..."

She carefully observed the boy's reaction, he stared at it almost blankly for a bit before smiling at her, "Sungchan gave them to me. He said he found it in the school renovation area and wanted me to run tests on it. I don't think I'll get the time to either so just keep it with you and give it back to him if that's alright," the boy smiled again and Jiae nodded.

As soon as he left her face twisted into confusion.

More people...? Really?

She was done with this and marched into the lab with an eye roll. However all her attitude and annoyance vanished into thin air when she saw a certain mop of brown hair at their bench. Haechan actually present. In flesh and alive.

"Haechan?"

He didn't turn to face her. Not that she expected him to.

"Glad to know...you're alive," she dropped her tone as best as she could and busied herself with work. Not a word. Not a single one was exchanged between the pair. Jiae was hoping he'd be the one to break it but when he didn't, and was walking out of the lab right after the class was over, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Literally.

She grabbed his wrist which he tugged on without looking, trying to free himself. He didn't pull too harshly. The room emptied and the two of them stayed frozen.