7 Minutes In Heaven (SUNGHOON)

2: The Awkward Aftermath

The laughter and chatter of the party continued to swirl around me as I rejoined the group. My mind was still partly in the closet with Sunghoon, replaying every word and every glance. The mingling crowd felt like a blur, their voices distant and muffled as I tried to shake off the lingering awkwardness.

Sunghoon, too, seemed to slip seamlessly back into the group. He was surrounded by friends, laughing and engaging in conversations as if nothing had happened. I, on the other hand, was caught in a whirlwind of emotions – nervous excitement mixed with a tinge of disappointment.

"Hey, Eunju, you doing okay?" Jihyun's voice cut through my daze. She had a concerned look on her face.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I assured her, forcing a smile. "Just needed a minute to get back into the swing of things."

Jihyun's eyes darted over to Sunghoon, then back to me, a knowing smirk playing at her lips. "Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Jihyun," I said, grateful for her support.

I made my way to the snack table, trying to busy myself with refilling my cup and grabbing some chips. As I absentmindedly munched on a handful, I couldn't help but steal glances at Sunghoon. He was absentmindedly talking with Heeseung and Sunoo, looking entirely at ease. I wondered if he felt the same rush of emotions I did, or if he was just going with the flow of the party.

"Everything alright?" Sunoo's voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to find him standing beside me, a curious look on his face.

"Yeah, just... processing everything," I said with a small laugh. "You guys really know how to make a party memorable."

Sunoo chuckled. "That's the idea. You seemed pretty quiet after the game. Was it that bad?"

"No, not at all," I said quickly, a bit too quickly. "Just... it's always a bit strange, you know? Being put on the spot like that."

Sunoo nodded in understanding, then gave me a reassuring smile. "Well, I hope it wasn't too uncomfortable. If you need to talk or need anything, just let me know."

"Thanks, Sunoo," I said, appreciating his kindness.

As the evening progressed, I tried to mingle and join in on conversations, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Sunghoon. Every time I looked over, he seemed completely immersed in whatever was happening around him. I wondered if he was just good at hiding his feelings or if he truly wasn't as affected by the game as I was.

Eventually, the party began to wind down. People started saying their goodbyes, and the once-bustling living room became quieter. I found myself sitting on a couch, fiddling with the hem of my sweater, when Sunghoon approached me.

"Hey, Eunju," He said, his voice soft and friendly. "Mind if I sit?"

"Not at all," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Sunghoon settled beside me, and for a moment, there was an awkward silence. The ambient noise of the party continued in the background, but it felt like a distant hum compared to the proximity of Sunghoon.

"So," he began, breaking the silence, "how was the rest of the party for you?"

"It's been nice," I said, glancing at him. "Everyone's been having a great time. What about you? How are you feeling after the game?"

Sunghon shrugged, a casual smile on his face. "It was definitely an interesting experience. I think we handled it well."

"Yeah," I agreed, a small smile forming on my lips. "We did."

He looked at at me thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again. "You know, I've been meaning to ask you—how's everything going with your classes and stuff? You've been pretty busy lately."

I was surprised by his question but pleased that he seemed genuinely interested. "It's been hectic, but I'm managing. Thanks for asking."

"I know how that feels," he said, his gaze steady and sincere. "Sometimes it feels like there's not enough time for everything."

We continued chatting about our schoolwork and life in general, the conversation flowing more easily than it had earlier. There was a comfort in talking to him that I hadn't expected, and it eased some of the tension from earlier.

As the night drew to a close, I found myself feeling more relaxed around Sunghoon. Maybe the game had been a catalyst for something deeper, or maybe it was just the beginning of a new phase in our friendship. Either way, I felt a sense of hope and curiosity about what might come next.

When it was time to leave, Sunghoon and I walked to the door together. The air outside was crisp, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the party.

"Thanks for hanging out tonight, Eunju," Sunghoon said, his smile genuine. "I had a good time."

"Me too," I replied, feeling a warm flutter in my chest. "See you around?"

"Definitely," he said, giving me a final, reassuring smile before heading off into the night.

As I walked to my own car, I replayed our conversation in my mind. The night hadn't gone as I'd imagined, but it had been meaningful in its own way. I wondered what the future held for us and how the game had possibly changed the dynamics between us.

For now, all I could do was wait and see where this newfound connection might lead.