SPRING LOVE

JEALOUSY? (CH-24)

Heeseung walked into the classroom, feeling the usual morning buzz of chatter and laughter. But as he approached his usual spot, he froze. Jake was sitting beside Sunoo, his arm casually draped around Sunoo's neck, and they were both laughing loudly. It was a sight that made Heeseung's stomach churn with an emotion he couldn't quite place.

Without thinking, he briskly walked to his desk and threw his bag onto it with more force than necessary. The sound was loud enough to raise a few eyebrows and draw curious glances from their classmates, but it didn't seem to disturb Sunoo and Jake, who were still engrossed in their playful banter.

Heeseung scoffed softly, feeling a pang of irritation. He let out a deliberate "hmm-hmm," loud enough to catch their attention. Sunoo finally looked up, his laughter dying down as he saw Heeseung standing there.

"Hey, Heeseung," Sunoo greeted, his smile still lingering. "Did you come?"

Heeseung felt his annoyance flare up at Sunoo's casual tone. "Yeah, I'm here," he replied, trying to keep his voice even.

Jake looked over and gave Heeseung a cheerful wave. "Morning, Heeseung!"

"Morning," Heeseung muttered, not quite meeting Jake's eyes. He sat down heavily in his chair, feeling a mix of frustration and something else he couldn't quite identify. It bothered him more than he wanted to admit, seeing Sunoo so close to Jake, sharing a moment that he wasn't a part of.

Sunoo seemed to sense that something was off. He leaned forward, his expression softening with concern. "You okay, Heeseung? You seem a bit... tense."

Heeseung forced a smile, not wanting to let his emotions show. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a rough morning, I guess."

Sunoo nodded, though he didn't seem entirely convinced. "Well, if you need to talk or anything, we're here for you."

"Thanks," Heeseung replied, his voice softer. He appreciated Sunoo's concern, but it didn't completely ease the strange feeling in his chest.

Class began, and Heeseung tried to focus on the lesson, but his mind kept drifting back to Sunoo and Jake. He stole glances at them throughout the hour, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach every time he saw them whispering or sharing a laugh. He hated how it made him feel, this unexplainable discomfort.

When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, Heeseung gathered his things and made his way to the cafeteria, hoping to clear his head with some food.

As he entered the bustling cafeteria, he spotted Sunoo and Jake at their usual table, their laughter ringing out above the din of the crowd. Heeseung hesitated for a moment before joining them, plastering a smile on his face as he approached.

"Hey, guys," he greeted, sliding into the seat across from them.

Sunoo looked up, his smile widening at the sight of Heeseung. "Hey, Heeseung! Join us."

Jake nodded in agreement, gesturing for Heeseung to sit beside Sunoo. "Yeah, come on over. We were just talking about the upcoming test."

Heeseung forced himself to join in the conversation, though his mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Jake and Sunoo's closeness. He couldn't help but feel like he was on the outside looking in, like he didn't quite belong.

Throughout lunch, Jake and Sunoo continued to banter and laugh, their easy rapport making Heeseung feel increasingly disconnected. He tried to shake off the feeling, telling himself it was just his imagination, but deep down, he couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between Jake and Sunoo than just friendship.