Lines Crossed (SanSang)

1

Yeosang sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. He jaut received a message from Wooyoung that he wouldnt be able to walk with Yeosang on their first day together. The clock on the screen told him it was almost time to leave, but his heart pounded too hard for him to move. The familiar knot of anxiety tightened in his chest as he thought about walking into that huge, unfamiliar campus alone. His phone buzzed, and he quickly grabbed it, hoping for some words of reassurance from Wooyoung.

"Yeosang, you ready?" Wooyoung's voice came through the speaker, cheerful as always.

"Not really," Yeosang admitted, his voice small. "I don't think I can do this alone, Woo. I thought we were going together?"

There was a pause on the other end. "I know, and I'm really sorry. I was about to head out, but my mom just asked me to take my little brother to school. I'll be late."

"What?!" Yeosang's voice pitched higher in panic. "I can't go by myself, Wooyoung! I don't know anyone there. What if I get lost? Or—"

"Sang-ah, breathe," Wooyoung interrupted gently. "I promise it's going to be okay. You've got this, alright? Just find your locker, and I'll meet you after my first class. You're going to be fine."

Yeosang swallowed hard, clutching the phone like a lifeline. "But... I don't know. What if I mess up?"

"You won't," Wooyoung said firmly. "Just take deep breaths and remember that this is just the first day. Everyone's in the same boat. And I'll be there as soon as I can, okay?"

Yeosang didn't feel convinced, but he nodded anyway, even though Wooyoung couldn't see him. "Okay... I'll try."

"That's my babyyy," Wooyoung said with a smile in his voice. "You're stronger than you think, Yeosang. I'll see you soon."

"Yeah... see you," Yeosang mumbled before ending the call. He stared at the screen for a few more seconds, hoping it would give him the courage he needed.

Finally, with a deep breath, Yeosang forced himself to get up and leave the house. The walk to the college felt longer than it should have, each step heavy with dread. By the time he reached the campus, his palms were clammy, and his stomach was in knots.

He found his locker easily enough, but the sight of so many students bustling around only made his nerves worse. Keeping his head down, he tried to focus on opening his locker, fumbling with the combination lock until it finally clicked open. He grabbed his books and stuffed them into his bag, his thoughts swirling in a blur of anxiety.

Just as he was about to close his locker, he turned, not realizing someone was walking by. They collided, Yeosang's books slipping from his grip as he stumbled back.

"Ah, sorry!" a voice said, steadying him with a firm grip on his arm. "You okay?"

Yeosang looked up, his breath catching in his throat. The person he'd bumped into was a boy around his age, slightly taller, with sharp, defined features. His dark hair was tousled in a way that looked effortlessly cool, and his eyes were a deep, warm brown. There was something striking about him, a kind of quiet confidence that made Yeosang's heart skip a beat.

"I-I'm fine," Yeosang stammered, feeling his face flush. He quickly knelt down to gather his fallen books, trying to hide his embarrassment.

The boy crouched down to help, handing Yeosang a textbook with a small smile. His dimples popping out on both sides. "First day jitters?"

Yeosang nodded, too flustered to speak properly. The boy's smile widened, his dimples more visible, a friendly, easygoing expression that made him seem approachable despite his striking appearance.

"Don't worry, it happens to everyone. Its my first day today too," the boy said as they both stood up. "I'm San, by the way. Choi San."

"Yeosang, Kang Yeosang." he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Well, Yeosang," San said with a grin, "it's nice to meet you. Try not to run into any more people today, okay?"

Yeosang managed a small, nervous laugh, his heart still racing. "I'll try."

"See you around." San gave him a quick wave before heading off down the hall, leaving Yeosang standing there, clutching his books to his chest. The encounter had been brief, but it left him feeling strangely lighter, as if a small part of his anxiety had been lifted. Maybe, just maybe, this day wouldn't be so bad after all.