Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 54:Wall to Wall Everywhere

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Monday morning arrived with the usual rush of students flooding into the school, the energy in the air noticeably higher than usual. The faint scent of spring lingered, with the cherry blossoms outside the school gates in full bloom, their delicate petals fluttering to the ground with each passing breeze. Narae stepped onto the school grounds, her backpack slung over one shoulder, as she made her way through the entrance.

The first thing she noticed was the colorful posters plastered all over the walls. They were impossible to miss, vibrant and eye-catching, announcing the upcoming Spring Festival. Narae paused to read one of them as she walked by, her eyes scanning the bold letters that promised a day filled with games, food, music, and the highlight—discounted tickets for couples and dates.

In previous years, the Spring Festival had always been something Narae overlooked, something she never really cared to attend. It wasn't that she didn't like festivals, but the idea of mingling with crowds, surrounded by overly enthusiastic classmates, had never appealed to her. She preferred the quiet and peace that came with avoiding such events. But this year felt different.

For the first time, Narae felt a small spark of excitement. The thought of attending the festival with her new friends, and not just as a bystander but as an active participant, intrigued her. She had spent Sunday with her step-cousin Jungwoo and Renjun, and it had been a day full of laughter and fun. That sense of belonging, of being part of something, lingered with her now, nudging her to consider the possibility of attending the festival.

As she walked through the halls, she overheard snippets of conversation—students discussing who they would ask to the festival, what they planned to wear, and which stalls they were most excited about. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and for the first time in a long while, Narae found herself wanting to be part of it.

She headed towards her locker, where Renjun was already waiting, leaning casually against the row of lockers with a familiar smile on his face.

"Morning," Renjun greeted as she approached. "Did you see the posters? The Spring Festival is all anyone's talking about."

Narae nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. "Yeah, I noticed. It's like they've covered every inch of the school with those things."

Renjun chuckled, nodding in agreement. "I know, right? It's hard to avoid. Are you thinking of going this year?"

Narae hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "I think I might. It could be fun with the right company."

Renjun's smile widened. "Definitely. We should go together. Maybe with Haechan and the others. It'd be a blast."

The mention of Haechan made Narae's heart skip a beat, though she wasn't entirely sure why. She hadn't seen him that morning yet, and her mind briefly wandered to their outing in the park. It had been easy, comforting even, and the memory of their time together brought a warmth to her chest. But she pushed those thoughts aside for now, focusing on Renjun's suggestion.

"That sounds nice," Narae replied, her smile more genuine now. "It'll be nice to experience it with you guys."

As they walked to their first class together, they continued to talk about the festival, exchanging ideas about what they could do and who else might join them. The thought of attending with her friends made the prospect of the festival even more appealing, and Narae found herself genuinely looking forward to it.

When they entered the classroom, the buzz about the Spring Festival was even more intense. Groups of students were gathered around, discussing their plans with animated gestures and excited voices. Haechan was already there, sitting in his usual spot, and as soon as he saw Narae and Renjun, he waved them over.

"You guys talking about the festival too?" Haechan asked with a grin as they sat down.

"Of course," Renjun replied. "It's the only thing people are talking about. Are you planning on going?"

Haechan shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "I might. Depends on how much trouble I can cause," he said, his tone teasing. "But seriously, yeah, I'm thinking of going. We should all go together."

Narae couldn't help but look forward to that, the idea of spending the day with Haechan, Renjun, and the others sounding better by the minute. "Alright," she said, her voice laced with more enthusiasm than she expected.

"Nice!" Haechan replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "We can make it a day to remember. I've got a few ideas for some fun, too. Nothing too crazy, just enough to make it interesting."

Narae rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny the excitement bubbling up inside her. She leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of anticipation that she hadn't felt in a long time. The Spring Festival was shaping up to be something special, and for once, she was eager to see how it would all unfold.

As the day went on, Narae found herself more and more caught up in the excitement. Even in her classes, where she usually kept to herself, she couldn't escape the chatter about the festival. It was as if the entire school had been swept up in a wave of enthusiasm, and Narae was no exception.

When lunchtime arrived, she met up with Renjun and Haechan in the cafeteria, the three of them quickly falling into a comfortable rhythm. Jeno, Jaemin, and the others joined them shortly after, and soon, the table was filled with laughter and animated discussions about their plans for the festival.

"Do you think we should get matching outfits?" Jaemin suggested with a grin, earning a round of groans and protests from the group.

"Please, no," Jeno said, shaking his head. "I refuse to be seen in anything matching with you guys."

"Come on, it could be fun," Jaemin teased, nudging Jeno's arm. "Think of it as a team uniform."

"Yeah, a team uniform for embarrassment," Renjun quipped, making everyone burst into laughter.

Narae watched the exchange, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging. This was what she had missed, the dynamic and light-heartedness that came with being part of a close-knit group. She had spent so long keeping to herself, avoiding events like the Spring Festival, that she had forgotten how much fun it could be to just let go and enjoy the moment.

As the conversation continued, Narae couldn't help but glance at Haechan, who was busy teasing Jaemin about his obsession with matching outfits. There was something different about him, a softness that she hadn't noticed before. Maybe it was because they had spent more time together recently, or maybe it was just her own perception shifting. Either way, she found herself more drawn to him than she had been before, though she wasn't entirely sure what that meant.

By the time the school day ended, Narae was more excited than ever for the Spring Festival. As she walked home, she thought about all the possibilities, all the fun they could have together. It was a new experience for her, this sense of anticipation and excitement, and she was determined to make the most of it.

For the first time in a long time, Narae was ready to step out of her comfort zone and embrace the world around her. The Spring Festival was just the beginning, and she couldn't wait to see where this new chapter of her life would take her.

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1220 words