Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 4: Talks In The Halls

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The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Narae's room. The rhythmic sound of her alarm clock was a gentle nudge, pulling her from the depths of sleep. As she stretched and sat up, she was greeted by the familiar sight of Kiwi, her cat, perched at the end of the bed. Kiwi's golden eyes blinked sleepily as he stretched, his tiny claws scratching at the soft bedding.

"Good morning, Kiwi," Narae said softly, reaching down to scratch behind his ears. Kiwi responded with a contented purr and nudged her hand with his head. She couldn't help but smile at the simple pleasure of their morning routine. Kiwi was always the first to greet her, a silent comfort in the early hours.

After getting out of bed, Narae went through her morning routine with practiced ease. She moved quietly around her room, her movements precise and deliberate. She brushed her teeth, and dressed in her school uniform—an outfit she had long since accepted as part of her daily life.

Descending the stairs, she was met by the smell of fresh coffee and the soft clatter of dishes in the kitchen. Her mother was already up, preparing breakfast. They exchanged a brief but warm greeting.

"Morning, Mom," Narae said, pouring herself a glass of orange juice. Her mother, with her kind eyes and tired smile, looked up from her work.

"Morning, Narae. You're up early today. Excited for the weekend?" Her mother asked, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and warmth.

Narae nodded, feeling a small thrill of anticipation. "Yeah, I'm looking forward to having some downtime. It's been a busy week."

Her mother chuckled. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Just make sure you don't spend the whole weekend cooped up in your room. Maybe we can go out for a bit on Saturday?"

Narae smiled, appreciating the thought. "That sounds nice. I'll keep it in mind."

As they chatted, Kiwi hopped onto a nearby chair, watching them with keen interest. She occasionally batted at a stray piece of toast that had fallen from the counter, her playful antics providing a moment of light-hearted distraction.

The conversation with her mother was a comforting routine, a small part of her day that she valued. It was in these quiet moments that Narae felt a sense of normalcy and connection. The absence of a father figure in her life was a topic she rarely dwelled on. Her father had left when she was very young, and while it was a part of her past, it was one she had learned to navigate without much outward concern. Her mother had always been her rock, and they had built a life together that, while lacking in certain ways, was filled with love and understanding.

After breakfast, Narae grabbed her bag and headed to school, her spirits buoyed by the promise of the weekend. The day was sunny and crisp, a perfect prelude to a relaxing two days ahead. She was looking forward to catching up on her hobbies, spending time with Kiwi, and enjoying the peace that came with not having to navigate the daily hustle and bustle of high school.

When she arrived at school, the hallways were buzzing with the usual Friday morning energy. She spotted Jeno near the lockers and he made his way to her.

Jeno grinned his signature eye smile showing (.◜◡◝) . "Hey, Narae. Thanks for sending over your notes yesterday. They were really helpful and I think I finally got the hang of the material."

Narae looked up and nodded. "Glad I could help."

"Glad to hear it," Jeno said with a relieved smile. "Any plans for the weekend?"

Narae shrugged. "Nothing specific. Just planning to relax and catch up on some reading. How about you?"

Jeno's expression brightened. "I'm thinking of checking out that new café downtown. Maybe you could join if you're free."

Narae considered the invitation for a moment. "I might take you up on that. It sounds nice."

As they continued chatting, Jaemin approached, his presence marked by a casual confidence. "Hey, Narae, Jeno. How's it going?"

Narae smiled at Jaemin. "Hey, Jeno. Everything's good. Just looking forward to the weekend."

"Same here," Jaemin said, nodding. 

As the three of them conversed, Narae noticed Haechan making his way down the hallway. He was flanked by Mark, Chenle, and Jisung, their animated chatter contrasting sharply with the more subdued atmosphere around her.

Haechan's gaze briefly met hers, and he gave a casual wave. "Hey, Narae."

Narae offered a small nod in response, her attention quickly shifting back to her friends. "Hey, Haechan."

The interaction was brief and somewhat superficial. Haechan's easygoing demeanor and casual approach to the situation stood in stark contrast to Narae's preference for maintaining her peace. As he walked away, she felt a small pang of relief, her focus returning to her conversation with Jaemin and Jeno.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and conversations. The excitement of Friday, combined with the promise of a relaxing weekend, made it easier for Narae to navigate through the day. She felt a subtle shift in her perception of Haechan, his brief encounter with her leaving a vague impression. He was, in many ways, a disruption to her carefully maintained routine, but not one she felt compelled to confront immediately.

When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Narae gathered her things and made her way out, her thoughts already drifting to the weekend ahead. The hustle and bustle of the hallway gradually quieted as students dispersed, and she found solace in the familiar rhythm of her day coming to an end.

As she walked home, she reflected on the small interactions of the day and the subtle changes they brought. Her life was a series of routines and reflections, punctuated by brief encounters and moments of introspection. And as she looked forward to her weekend, she found comfort in the predictable patterns of her existence, knowing that, no matter how much things shifted, she had her own small corner of peace to return to.

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1005 words