LOVEPHOBIA

Complicated Hearts

The school bell rang, signaling the start of another day, but the residual buzz from the camping trip lingered in the air. Areum strolled into the classroom, greeted by the usual chatter. She spotted Cha already seated at their shared bench, his head buried in a notebook. Sliding into her seat beside him, she smiled.

"Good morning!" Areum chirped.

Cha looked up, giving her a small smile. "Morning, Areum. Did you manage to finish that history homework?"

Areum groaned, resting her head on the desk. "Barely. I was so tired from the trip that I almost didn't do it."

Cha chuckled softly. "You should've asked for help. I would've gone over it with you."

She glanced at him, a warm feeling of appreciation bubbling up. "Thanks, Cha. I know I can always count on you."

Just then, Lee walked into the classroom. Areum's heart did an odd little flutter as he made his way toward them. She noticed Cha's gaze flicker toward Lee, then quickly away.

"Morning, you two," Lee greeted, settling into the seat behind Areum.

"Hey, Lee!" Areum replied, a bit too enthusiastically. She mentally scolded herself for sounding so eager.

Cha noticed, but he quickly turned his attention back to his notebook. He focused on the problem at hand, but the numbers started to blur together. Why did it bother him when Areum smiled like that at Lee?

The day passed in a blur of classes and notes. As lunchtime rolled around, the Woo club gathered in their usual spot, their trays filled with today's cafeteria special. Jae Young was already at the table, doodling something intricate on a piece of paper.

"Hey, what are you working on?" Areum asked, leaning over to catch a glimpse of his sketch.

"Oh, just some concept art for a painting I've been thinking about," Jae Young replied, his eyes lighting up as he talked about his passion.

"That looks awesome," Areum complimented, genuinely impressed.

Cha, who was sitting across from Areum, watched the interaction. He noticed how at ease Areum seemed, how her face lit up with admiration for Jae Young's work. It wasn't jealousy he felt towards Jae Young, but he couldn't help but wonder why he was so focused on Areum today. It wasn't until Lee sat down beside Areum, causing her to glance at him with a hint of nervous excitement, that Cha felt it again—a sharp pang of something that settled in his chest.

"Did you see the announcement about the upcoming art exhibition?" Lee asked Jae Young, pulling Areum's attention back to him.

"Yeah, I'm thinking about submitting something," Jae Young responded, but Cha barely registered the conversation. He was too busy trying to figure out why the sight of Areum and Lee so close together bothered him so much.

Areum laughed at something Lee said, and Cha's heart gave an unexpected twist. He looked away, focusing on his food, but it tasted bland, like cardboard. He wanted to be happy for Areum—he was happy for her—but at the same time, something in him was twisting up inside.

"I think you'd be great in the exhibition, Jae Young," Areum said, still smiling, oblivious to Cha's inner turmoil.

"Thanks, Areum," Jae Young said, grinning back at her. "Maybe I'll use you as a model for one of my pieces."

Lee raised an eyebrow playfully. "What kind of piece? Something out of the ordinary, I hope."

"Maybe," Jae Young replied with a chuckle. "I'll keep it a surprise."

Cha forced a laugh, trying to join the light-hearted banter, but it came out hollow. He wasn't supposed to feel this way. Areum was his friend—just a friend. But every time he saw her with Lee, laughing, smiling, that tight knot in his chest seemed to grow. He needed to get a grip, or he might end up losing the two people he cared about most.

Later that afternoon, during free period, Areum and Lee found themselves in the library. They were searching for a book they needed for an upcoming project. As they stood side by side, reaching for the same book on the shelf, their hands brushed. Areum felt her heart skip a beat and quickly withdrew her hand, blushing furiously.

"Sorry," she muttered, trying to cover her embarrassment.

Lee smiled softly. "It's fine. Here, you take it."

Areum took the book, still trying to calm the fluttering in her chest. She thanked him and quickly turned to walk away, hoping he hadn't noticed her flushed cheeks.

Unbeknownst to her, Cha was in the library too, hidden behind a row of shelves. He had seen the whole interaction. That familiar pang hit him again, only this time, it was sharper, more pronounced. It wasn't just the sight of them together—it was the realization that Areum looked at Lee in a way she never looked at him.

Cha leaned against the bookshelf, staring down at the floor as his thoughts raced. He couldn't deny it anymore. He liked Areum—more than just a friend. But what could he do about it? Nothing. Areum liked Lee, and Lee was his friend too. Cha ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He was stuck, and there was no easy way out.

By the end of the day, as students started packing up to go home, Cha was still grappling with his feelings. Areum approached him at their bench, smiling as she gathered her books.

"Are you coming with me to the club meeting?" she asked, her voice full of the usual warmth he loved so much.

Cha forced a smile. "Yeah, I'll be there in a minute. Just need to finish something up."

"Okay, I'll save you a seat," Areum replied, giving him a quick wave before she left the classroom.

Cha watched her go, the smile fading from his face. He finally allowed himself to admit what he had been pushing away for so long—he had fallen for Areum. But now, he had to bury those feelings deep, deep down. For the sake of his friendship with Areum and Lee, he had to let her go.

As he finally stood up to leave, he whispered to himself, "I'll figure this out. I have to." But the words felt hollow, as if the resolution he sought was slipping through his fingers before he could grasp it. He shook off all his thoughts and headed towards the club meeting.

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Another update! Woohoo!(〜￣▽￣)〜

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