Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 29: Tangled Emotions and Shattered Trust

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Narae sat at her desk, the faint light of her desk lamp casting a warm glow over her textbooks. It was late Friday afternoon, and the quiet of her room was a welcome contrast to the chaos that had become her recent school life. As she flipped through her notes, her phone buzzed on the desk. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from Jeno.

nono (.◜◡◝)

nono (.◜◡◝): hey rae

nono (.◜◡◝): are you free tonight?

nono (.◜◡◝): here's a party i really want to go to and i dont wanna go alone

Narae hesitated. Parties weren't really her scene, and she had never been to one before. Her usual evenings were spent studying or quietly unwinding with her cat Kiwi. The idea of being surrounded by a crowd, loud music, and the inevitable chaos made her uneasy. Still, a part of her was curious, and the invitation felt like an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone, even if just a little.

She typed a quick reply, trying to sound casual. 

Narae: what time?

nono (.◜◡◝): 6 pm

nono (.◜◡◝): don't be late It'll be fun i promise

The message ended with a cheerful emoji, and Narae sighed, already feeling the weight of the evening ahead. She tried to focus on her studies, but her mind kept drifting to the party. What would it be like? How would she fit in with everyone? Her thoughts were a swirl of anxiety and apprehension. 

As evening approached, Narae found herself standing in front of her closet, trying to decide what to wear. She had never really cared much for fashion, but tonight felt different. She wanted to make a decent impression, especially since she would be around people she didn't know very well.

She pulled out a few options: a simple blouse and jeans, a casual dress she hadn't worn in ages, and a more formal outfit that seemed too overdressed for a party. After several tries, she settled on a pair of black jeans and a fitted sweater, deciding to keep it both comfortable and presentable. She styled her hair and applied a bit of makeup, though she kept it minimal, wanting to look natural but polished.

When she glanced at the clock and saw that it was time to leave, she felt a flutter of nervousness in her stomach. She grabbed her coat and took a deep breath, trying to calm the growing anxiety. As she left the house, she could hear Kiwi meowing from the window, and she gave the cat a reassuring pat before stepping out into the chilly evening.

The walk to Jaehyun's house felt longer than usual. The streets were quieter than she expected, and her nerves only heightened as she approached the address Jeno had given her. The closer she got, the louder the music became, the bass thumping through the walls of the house.

She took another deep breath before ringing the doorbell. The door swung open almost immediately, and Jeno greeted her with a wide grin. "Hey, Narae! You made it! Come on in."

Narae forced a smile and stepped inside. The first thing that hit her was the overwhelming scent of perfume and the warmth of the room, a stark contrast to the cold air outside. The party was already in full swing. People were milling about, drinks in hand, and the noise was a chaotic blend of laughter, chatter, and music.

Jeno guided her through the crowd, and Narae did her best to keep up, trying not to let her discomfort show. She noticed familiar faces like Jaemin, Haechan, and Mark, but the sheer number of people made it hard to focus on any one individual. The room seemed to spin a little with the loud music and the constant movement of people.