Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 19 : Slow and Steady

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The next three weeks seemed to fly by as the days blurred together, each one bringing the students a little closer to winter break. The air around the school buzzed with a mix of excitement and restlessness, like the countdown to something grand. Narae felt the change as soon as she walked through the school gates each morning, the energy almost electric, filled with the anticipation of time off, holiday parties, and the first real taste of freedom since summer.

But there was also a weight sitting on Narae's chest, a heaviness that hadn't been there before. As much as she looked forward to the break, she dreaded it with an almost equal measure. The reason was simple but complicated all the same. It wasn't the break itself she feared—it was the silence that would come with it. Without the daily distractions of school, of seeing her friends and the comfortable routine she'd built, the silence would be loud enough to drown in.

In the first few days following their tentative truce, Haechan had approached her cautiously, like someone edging closer to a wild animal that might bolt at any moment. Narae couldn't blame him for his caution; she knew she'd been skittish. But slowly, he'd started testing the waters, teasing her in his usual playful way but always gauging her reaction, always with that look of concern in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

It started with small things. A playful nudge of her shoulder as they walked down the hallway, his side against hers, as if seeing how close he could get before she flinched away. Or the way he'd pop up at her desk before class, leaning on the edge with that lazy grin of his, dropping casual comments that made her roll her eyes. "You know, I've been thinking," Haechan said one morning, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. "You should probably do a study on how many people you can ignore in a day. It's like, an untapped science."

Narae didn't look up from her notebook, but the corners of her mouth twitched. "You should spend your time thinking about more important things but, sure. "

"Yeah but," Haechan said, pretending to be offended. "Think of all the data you'd gather just from ignoring me though."

"I don't need a study for that," Narae shot back, finally glancing up to meet his gaze. "I can ignore you just fine without making it a science project."

Haechan frowned, clearly unsatisfied that he'd gotten that reaction. "I shouldn't have said anything..."

Despite herself, Narae found it hard to stay annoyed. There was something infectious about Haechan's teasing, the way he could turn the most mundane moments into something worth laughing about. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but his presence was slowly becoming a source of comfort, a tiny light breaking through the monotony of her day.

Her friends noticed the change too. Jeno, ever the observer, raised an eyebrow one afternoon as they sat together at lunch. "So, you and Haechan seem... okay now?" he asked, stuffing a forkful of kimchi fried rice into his mouth. His tone was casual, but Narae knew him well enough to sense the curiosity behind his words.

Narae shrugged, focusing on her own lunch. "We're not at each other's throats anymore, if that's what you mean."

Renjun snorted from across the table. "Not for lack of trying on his part, I bet. I've seen the way he hovers around you in class. It's like he's afraid you'll disappear if he doesn't keep you in his line of sight."

Jeno chuckled. "He's just being Haechan. You know how he is—persistent to the point of annoying."

"Yeah," Narae muttered, but her tone lacked the bite it once had. In truth, she found Haechan's persistence a little endearing, though she'd never say it out loud.

The banter between her and Haechan, the teasing from Jeno and Renjun, it all felt normal. Like a rhythm she'd missed without even realizing it. As much as she valued her solitude, it was nice to be part of something, to feel like she wasn't alone even when things were tough.

Still, as the days ticked by, she couldn't shake the shadow of anxiety that loomed over her thoughts of winter break. When Haechan had asked her about her plans one day after class, Narae had stumbled over her words, saying she didn't have anything definite in mind. Haechan had cocked his head, his expression thoughtful. "You know, if you're bored, you could always join me and the guys. We usually do something fun over the break."

Narae had nodded noncommittally, a polite smile plastered on her face. "I'll think about it," she'd said, hoping he wouldn't press further.

In truth, the thought of having nothing to do, nowhere to go, filled her with a sense of dread. It was easy to keep her emotions at bay when she was surrounded by people, by noise. But when she was alone... during these winter times, that was when the cracks in her carefully constructed walls began to show.

The first snowstorm of December hit during the third week, and the school was abuzz with the prospect of a possible snow day. Narae watched from her desk as students gathered by the windows, marveling at the flurries that turned the courtyard into a winter wonderland. Haechan sat beside her, smiling at her playfully. "Our first snow together"

Narae tilted her head, scoffing at the thought of it. "Stop trying to make things sound weird."

Haechan laughed, a genuine, belly-deep sound that made Narae's chest feel lighter. "Fine," he said, glancing at her with a sideways smile. "But, if we do get snowed in, at least you won't have to see my face for a day."

"Tempting offer," Narae replied, her own smile breaking through. She couldn't help but feel a little warmer, even as the cold wind howled outside.

The days rolled on, each one a step closer to winter break. As the first term drew to a close, everyone was abuzz with anticipation, talking about their holiday plans. Haechan still had his circle of friends—Mark, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung, and the others—but he and Narae exchanged nods or quick waves whenever they passed in the halls, a silent acknowledgment of their new, easy friendship.

They weren't best friends by any means, and outside of class, they kept mostly to their own groups. Haechan would join his friends for lunch, cracking jokes and draping his arm around Jaemin in their usual way, while Narae stuck with Jeno and Renjun, talking about everything and nothing at the same time.

Sometimes, their paths crossed more deliberately. Haechan would lean over her desk, asking to borrow a pen he didn't need or making a lighthearted comment about the latest pop quiz. "Did you actually study for that biology test?"

Narae would give him a sideways glance, fighting back a smile. "Can we please normalize studying again? I'm tired of this question as if I my answer would ever be something other than yes."

"Touché," he'd reply, tapping his fingers against her desk before walking off to join his friends, leaving behind a small, unspoken connection that seemed to grow with each passing day.

It was enough. Enough to make school less of a chore, enough to keep the winter chill at bay, enough to make her believe that maybe, just maybe, things were looking up. As she packed her bag on the last day before winter break, Haechan passed by her desk, giving her a casual nod. "See you after the holidays, Narae."

"Yeah," Narae said, nodding back. "See you, Haechan."

As she walked out of the classroom, snowflakes gently falling from the sky, Narae felt a strange sense of calm. There was still that nagging feeling of dread about the long silence of winter break, but maybe, with a little luck, she'd find a way to fill it.

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