Deception - L.HS

9

Whispers in the Shadows

Scene 1: The Unanswered Call

The next day, Hana's thumb hovered over the redial button on her phone, a frown creasing her forehead. She'd already tried calling Jisoo twice, and each time, it had gone straight to voicemail. Normally, she'd brush it off-Jisoo was notorious for her lazy mornings-but something felt off today. Maybe it was the lingering tension from yesterday's run-in with Heeseung, or perhaps it was the strange feeling that had settled in her stomach since then.

Sighing, Hana pocketed her phone and grabbed her bag, resigning herself to the inevitable solo walk to school. Jisoo was probably just sleeping in again, using her usual excuse to skip school. They'd laugh about it later when they caught up on all the missed gossip.

As she made her way through the school hallways, the usual buzz of morning chatter filled the air, but Hana felt oddly disconnected from it all. Her mind kept drifting back to Heeseung, to that infuriating smirk, and the cryptic words he had left her with yesterday.

"Later," he had said, leaving her hanging in confusion and frustration. What was he planning? And why did he always have to play these mind games?

Lost in thought, Hana rounded the corner towards her classroom, but her steps faltered as she heard muffled voices. She slowed down, curiosity getting the better of her as she recognized one of the voices-a smooth, deep tone that sent a shiver down her spine. Heeseung.

"I know why you're here," Heeseung's voice said, the words laced with an edge that was both familiar and unsettling.

"I don't do anything without motives, Heeseung," a girl's voice shot back, sharp and confident. There was no mistaking the identity of the speaker-Yeji.

Hana's stomach twisted into knots, her heartbeat quickening as she realized she was eavesdropping. She knew she should walk away, mind her own business, but something about the exchange held her in place.

"Stay away from me," Heeseung's voice was colder now, a tone she hadn't heard from him before. The kind that carried a warning.

Yeji's response was a soft, mocking chuckle that sent a chill down Hana's spine. It was a sound that spoke of secrets and unspoken threats, a private conversation Hana had no right to overhear.

Feeling guilty for lingering, Hana took a step back, ready to leave before she was caught. But before she could retreat, the door to her classroom creaked open, and she was snapped back to reality.

Scene 2: The Late Arrival

Class had already started when Heeseung finally walked in, his usual air of confidence noticeably absent. He entered the room with a deep frown etched on his face, and trailing behind him was Yeji, who wore a faint, satisfied smirk that made Hana's unease grow. The tension between them was palpable, drawing curious glances from their classmates.

As Heeseung took his seat, Hana forced herself to focus on her notes, her mind racing with questions. What had she just overheard? And why did it feel like she was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle?

Yeji, meanwhile, settled into her seat with an air of smug contentment, her gaze occasionally flicking towards Heeseung, who pointedly ignored her. The whole situation felt off, like the calm before a storm, and Hana couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing-something that involved Heeseung, Yeji, and now, somehow, herself.

But Hana kept her head down, reminding herself that it wasn't her business to meddle in. Still, the gnawing curiosity lingered, and she found it increasingly difficult to concentrate.

Scene 3: The Encounter

After class, as Hana was gathering her things, she heard the familiar deep voice of Lee Heeseung behind her, a voice that now sent a mixture of irritation and apprehension coursing through her.