The room was abuzz with chatter when we entered, filled with the excited energy of juniors. The moment we stepped in, a hush fell over the room as everyone turned to look at us, their gazes lingering especially on Hyeyoon. I could feel the weight of their stares, making my shoulders tense and my grip tighten on my bag strap. Hyeyoon, with her usual confidence, had already claimed a seat at the corner as if she owned the place. She gestured for me to sit beside her, and I complied without hesitation, trying to mask my discomfort.
A junior approached us, her demeanor polite but curious. "Hi, I'm Shin Hye, the new president of this club," she introduced herself. I nodded, making a mental note of her name.
"I thought you already quit this club, sunbae?" she asked suddenly, directing her question at Hyeyoon. The surprise in her voice caught me off guard. I glanced at Hyeyoon, who remained composed and unbothered by the attention. Her face was calm, but her fingers tapped lightly on the table, a subtle sign of her irritation.
"Yeah, I decided to rejoin," Hyeyoon replied simply, her tone dismissive. I raised my brow without realizing it. I didn't know she was part of this club already. Why didn't she say anything when I suggested registering for this club yesterday? I thought to myself.
"I was voted for this position fair and square," Shin Hye's voice snapped me back to reality. I turned to her and noticed her gaze had hardened, though her face still wore a polite smile. Her tightly clasped hands trembled slightly, betraying her nerves. "After all, the rumors said you quit," she continued, her voice wavering a bit.
Hyeyoon just offered her a small smile, and responded, "You don't need to worry, I have no intention of taking your position." Her voice was steady, but I noticed a slight tension in her jaw.
Hearing these words, I noticed Shin Hye's clenched hands relax. She let out a small breath, the tension visibly easing from her shoulders. I could see a flicker of relief in her eyes as she nodded, her smile becoming a bit more genuine.
Their conversation was interrupted as Mr. Jonho entered the room, carrying an air of authority mixed with a hint of unease. He briefly looked at Hyeyoon and me, his expression unreadable, before addressing the club. "Alright, everyone, thank you for coming," he offered a small smile, charming as always. I peeked at Hyeyoon's reaction, but she didn't give anything away.
"Today, we'll start by exploring your art preferences. It's important to find what type of art speaks to you. Therefore, I am going to give this pamphlet for you to look at the options. You don't have to decide immediately, but I would appreciate it if you could submit your preference by the end of this week so we can continue with our projects."
He handed out worksheets designed to guide us in identifying our artistic inclinations. As the juniors resumed their activities, Hyeyoon and I found seats at a table near the back, gradually fading into the background noise of the bustling room. The air was thick with the scent of acrylic paint and the faint hum of conversation mixed with the soft scratch of pencils on paper.
Hyeyoon turned to me, her eyes bright with curiosity. "So, what kind of art do you think you'll choose?"
I paused, feeling a bit out of my depth. Joining the art club had never been on my radar, so I hadn't given much thought to my artistic preferences.
I looked around the room, my gaze settling on a sculpture in the corner. The dim light cast shadows that highlighted the intricate details of the piece. "I think I might try sculpting. That piece over there caught my attention," I said, not really thinking much about it, pointing to the intricately carved figure.
Hyeyoon's eyes followed the direction I was pointing. Her lips cracked a small smile. "Sculpting, huh?" She almost chuckled to herself. "It suits you," she commented, making me blush for no reason.
"You think so?" I asked, trying to hide my embarrassment.
She nodded, her smile widening.
My heart started beating faster, making my head spin slightly. Trying to play it cool, I asked her, "What about you?"
Hyeyoon thought for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. "I think I'll go with painting, maybe landscapes. They've always fascinated me," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
We began discussing our choices, bouncing ideas off each other and sketching rough concepts. The paper under my hand felt rough as I sketched, each stroke of the pencil bringing my ideas to life.
Mr. Jonho circulated the room, offering guidance and answering questions, though he kept a cautious distance from us. His presence was a mix of encouragement and subtle avoidance, as if he wasn't sure how to engage with us just yet.
As the meeting drew to a close, Hyeyoon and I gathered our things, aware of the juniors' curious glances following us out. The weight of their stares lingered even as we stepped into the hallway, where the sounds of lockers closing and distant laughter replaced the hum of the art room.
Outside, the late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the school grounds, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The colors blended seamlessly, creating a serene atmosphere. Hyeyoon turned to me, her expression softening. "Thanks for today. I had a good time."
"I'm glad you liked it," I replied with a genuine smile, feeling relieved we ended on a positive note, especially after her lukewarm response to joining the club initially.
As we walked, I asked, "I never knew you used to be in the club. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
She grinned, a playful glint in her eyes. "I didn't think it was important. Besides, how do you think I got close to Mr. Jonho?" She raised her eyebrows, teasing me about my slowness in catching on.
"I don't know. Through blackmail?" I joked, making Hyeyoon cough a little.
"That was a terrible joke!" she shrieked, playfully slapping my arm. The contact sent a warm, tingling sensation through me, and I couldn't help but laugh.
She laughed too, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. The gentle rustling of leaves in the evening breeze, the distant sound of birds settling down for the night, and the fading light all seemed to frame this moment, making it feel almost magical.
"Well, I'm glad I joined," she said, her voice softening again. "It's been fun, and I think it'll be a good distraction from everything else."
I nodded, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. "Yeah, I think so too. It's nice to have something to look forward to."
As we reached the gate, the vibrant colors of the setting sun created a halo around us. I glanced at Hyeyoon, noticing the way the light played on her hair, casting a golden glow. She caught me looking and smiled, a shy but genuine smile that made my heart flutter.
For a brief moment, everything seemed perfectly in place.
YOU ARE READING
THE HIRED BOYFRIEND
Romance"How much did she pay you?" I asked boldly, my eyes fixed on the white envelope he was trying to conceal in his hand. Despite his attempts to hide it, the telltale bulge gave away its presence. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied qu...
