Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 55: XOXO

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Wednesday afternoon had come almost without warning, the day drifting by in a series of classes and idle chatter that Narae only half-listened to. She found herself preoccupied, glancing at the clock more often than usual, feeling the minutes slip by with an unusual sense of anticipation. Her thoughts were scattered, wandering between the upcoming date with Mark and the conversations she'd had with Haechan and the others about the Spring Festival.

By the time the last bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Narae was already heading to her locker, mindlessly gathering her things. Mark had asked her out earlier that day, his tone casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Hey, what are you doing this afternoon?" he had asked as they passed in the hallway.

"Not much," Narae had replied, clutching her textbooks closer to her chest. "Why?"

"Wanna go grab something to eat and hang out? There's this nice café by the river."

His smile had been easy, genuine, and before she even realized it, she had nodded in agreement. The decision had come naturally, slipping from her lips like it was the most ordinary thing, even though the thought of spending one-on-one time with him made her heart race a little faster.

Now, as she stood by her locker, Mark appeared beside her, his presence as familiar as the books she carried. He wore his usual relaxed smile, the one that made his eyes crinkle slightly at the corners, and Narae couldn't help but smile back.

"Ready to go?" he asked, his voice cutting through the noise of the bustling hallway.

Narae nodded, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Yeah, let's go."

They walked out of the school together, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement. The walk to the café was filled with easy conversation, the kind that came naturally between them. Mark talked about his recent obsession with a new music album, while Narae listened, nodding along, adding her own thoughts here and there. It was comfortable, a familiar rhythm that had become part of their interactions.

The café by the river was quaint, with ivy crawling up its brick exterior and large windows that overlooked the sparkling water. They found a table outside, the view of the Han River stretching out before them, the gentle lapping of the water providing a soothing background to their conversation.

They ordered drinks—iced coffees to combat the warm April weather—and sat back, watching the world go by. The café was lively, filled with couples and groups of friends, all laughing and chatting, creating a pleasant hum of activity. Narae found herself relaxing, the tension in her shoulders easing as she sipped her coffee.

"This place is nice," Narae commented, looking out at the river. The water shimmered in the afternoon light, the sun dipping lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over everything.

Mark nodded, following her gaze. "Yeah, I come here sometimes when I want to clear my head. It's peaceful. Thought you might like it."

There was a moment of silence, comfortable and easy, as they both took in the view. Narae found herself glancing at Mark from the corner of her eye, noting the way the sunlight highlighted the soft angles of his face. He was good-looking, in a way that was undeniable, and being here with him felt nice.

After a while, they finished their drinks and decided to take a walk along the river. The path was lined with cherry blossom trees, their petals fluttering to the ground like pink snow, creating a soft carpet underfoot. They strolled in silence for a bit, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the occasional chatter of passersby.

Narae felt content, the calmness of the afternoon wrapping around her like a blanket. Mark walked beside her, his hands in his pockets, his steps matching hers. It felt natural, this closeness, the quiet between them speaking louder than words.

As they reached a more secluded part of the path, Mark stopped, turning to face her. There was a softness in his eyes, something that made Narae's heart flutter. She looked up at him, a question forming in her mind, but before she could voice it, he leaned in, his movements slow and deliberate.

Narae didn't pull away. Instead, she let her eyes drift shut, her breath catching as Mark's lips met hers. The kiss was soft, tentative, his hands lightly brushing her arms as he leaned closer. It was gentle, like the breeze that stirred the cherry blossoms around them, and Narae found herself sinking into the moment, her hands finding their way to his shoulders.

It felt nice, comforting even, but as the kiss lingered, Narae realized that something was missing. There were no fireworks, no overwhelming rush of emotions that she had always imagined would come with a first kiss. It was sweet, yes, and there was a warmth to it that made her feel safe, but it was as if she were watching the moment from a distance, her mind curiously detached.

Mark pulled back after a moment, his eyes searching hers for a reaction. He was smiling, the corners of his mouth lifting in that way that always made Narae feel at ease.

"That was... nice," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of the moment.

Narae nodded, her own smile mirroring his. "Yeah, it was."

They stood there for a few more seconds, the world around them seeming to pause, the quiet of the evening settling in. Narae's thoughts were a swirl of confusion and calm, her heart steady in her chest. The kiss had been everything she had expected, but nothing like she had hoped. It was as if her heart had been waiting for something more, something that this moment hadn't quite captured.

They continued their walk, their hands brushing but not quite touching. The conversation resumed, lighter now, filled with jokes and laughter. Narae found herself slipping back into the easy rhythm they shared, the kiss fading into the background of their day.

By the time they returned to the café to pick up their bags, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. Mark walked her to the bus stop, their conversation drifting back to school and the upcoming Spring Festival. There was no awkwardness, no tension, just the same comfortable ease that had always been there.

When the bus arrived, Mark turned to her, his smile soft. "I had a good time today," he said. "We should do this more often."

Narae nodded, stepping onto the bus. "Yeah, let's do it again sometime."

As the bus pulled away, Narae waved to Mark, watching as he grew smaller in the distance. She settled into her seat, the events of the day replaying in her mind. The kiss, the walk by the river, the way his smile had made her feel... It had all been nice in its own way, yet something still lingered in the back of her mind, a feeling she couldn't quite place.

The bus ride home was quiet, the streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. Narae leaned her head against the window, her thoughts drifting. She had just experienced her first kiss, something she had always dreamed about, and yet the feeling it left behind was strangely muted, like a song played on low volume.

As her stop approached, Narae stood, her mind still circling around the events of the afternoon. She stepped off the bus, the cool evening air brushing against her skin, and headed home. The kiss had been nice, she told herself again, a small smile playing on her lips.

But as she walked, she couldn't shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, nice wasn't enough.

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1280 words