Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 59: Best Fried Chicken In Seoul

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The Spring Festival was right around the corner. Just a week and a few days away, it loomed on the horizon like a promise of excitement and colour. The thought of it had been buzzing in Narae's mind ever since the group chat brought it up. Posters were plastered on every available wall at school, with bright colours and cheerful slogans advertising the games, food stalls, and performances. Even though she had never been one for big school events, the festival's anticipation had a way of drawing her in. This year was different. She had new friends, and a sense of belonging that hadn't existed before.

And then there was Mark.

A few weeks ago, he'd mentioned a chicken restaurant he wanted to take her to, and now here they were, tucked into a small booth at the back of the cozy place. The air was thick with the scent of frying chicken, a comforting, homey smell that instantly made Narae's stomach rumble. The chatter of other diners filled the space, creating a warm, bustling atmosphere that seemed a world away from the quiet of her usual routines.

Mark was grinning across the table, his eyes sparkling with a kind of easygoing charm that Narae had come to expect from him. He was the kind of person who seemed to belong everywhere, his presence filling the room with light. Narae couldn't help but smile back, his good mood contagious.

"So," Mark said, leaning forward with a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. "What do you think? Best fried chicken in Seoul, right?"

Narae took a bite of the crispy, golden chicken wing in her hand, the flavors bursting on her tongue. "It's pretty good."

Mark laughed, looking pleased with himself. "I told you! Me and my dad have been coming here all the time since it opened. It's kind of a tradition now."

"Do you still come with him?" Narae asked, genuinely curious.

"Sometimes," Mark admitted, a hint of nostalgia coloring his voice. "He's busy a lot, you know? But we try to keep up the tradition when we can."

Narae nodded, understanding more than he probably realized. The bond between parents and children could be fragile, stretched thin by time and distance. Her thoughts drifted to her own father, the memories of shared meals and laughter, now distant echoes. She pushed those thoughts away, not wanting to dampen the mood.

They fell into easy conversation, talking about everything and nothing. Mark had a way of making any topic interesting, his enthusiasm pulling Narae in. They talked about their favorite movies, the latest music releases, and even about school, which Narae usually avoided like the plague outside of classroom walls. But with Mark, even talking about the dreaded English assignments seemed less of a chore.

As they continued eating, Narae felt herself relaxing, her worries and anxieties slipping away. She was genuinely enjoying herself, the company, the food, the laughter that seemed to come so easily. She found herself glancing at Mark more often, noticing the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the way his fingers drummed on the table in time with the music playing over the restaurant's speakers. It was all so comfortable.

And then, somewhere between the second basket of chicken and the third refill of soda, Mark brought up the festival.

"Hey, so... about the Spring Festival," he said, trying to sound casual, though there was an underlying eagerness in his voice. He took a sip of his drink, his eyes flicking to Narae's, gauging her reaction.

Narae felt her stomach tighten, a flicker of unease breaking through the pleasant haze. "Yeah?"

Mark cleared his throat, shifting slightly in his seat. "I was thinking... maybe we could go together? As, you know, each other's dates."

The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Narae blinked, her mind racing to catch up. She hadn't been expecting this, not now, not here, not like this. The festival had seemed like something distant, a future event she hadn't fully prepared for. And now, with Mark's hopeful eyes on her, it was all too real.

She knew she should say something, should give him an answer, but her mind was blank. A date. To the festival. It wasn't a big deal, right? They'd already kissed. They'd been spending more time together. Going to the festival as each other's dates was the natural next step. So why did the idea suddenly feel like a weight pressing down on her chest?

"Sure," she said finally, the word slipping out before she could overthink it. "I' don't mind."

Mark's face lit up, a grin spreading across his features. He looked genuinely thrilled, his happiness palpable. "Really? That's awesome! I've been thinking about it for a while, and I thought it'd be fun to go together. You know, just enjoy the day, see the performances, eat some good food."

Narae nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, sounds fun."

Mark's excitement was infectious, and he launched into a detailed plan of what they could do at the festival, his words a blur of ideas and possibilities. Narae tried to focus, to match his enthusiasm, but there was a nagging sensation in the back of her mind, a tiny voice that whispered that something wasn't quite right. It wasn't that she didn't like Mark; she did. He was kind, fun, the kind of guy anyone would be lucky to have as a date. But agreeing to be his date had felt more like an automatic response, a reflex, rather than something she genuinely wanted.

As they finished their meal and paid the bill, Narae found herself questioning her own motives. Was she really excited about going to the festival with Mark, or was she just going along with what she thought was expected? As they walked out of the restaurant, the cool evening air brushing against her skin, her thoughts spun in circles, her emotions a tangled mess.

Mark walked her home, their conversation flowing as easily as before, but Narae felt a strange distance growing inside her. She watched the way his hands moved as he spoke, animated and expressive, the way his eyes shone when he talked about something he loved. She wondered why she didn't feel that same spark, that same sense of certainty.

They reached her doorstep far too soon, and Mark turned to her, a soft smile on his lips. "I had a great time tonight. Thanks for coming out with me."

Narae smiled back, though it felt a bit forced. "Me too. Thanks for taking me."

Mark hesitated, his eyes searching hers, as if he wanted to say something more, but then he just nodded. "I'll see you at school on Monday?"

"Yeah," Narae said softly. "See you then."

She watched him walk away, his figure blending into the night, before turning and heading inside. As soon as the door closed behind her, she leaned against it, exhaling a long, shaky breath. Her heart was still racing, her mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts.

It wasn't that the evening had been bad—far from it. She'd enjoyed herself, felt comfortable with Mark. But as she replayed his invitation to the festival in her mind, the unease resurfaced, stronger now. Agreeing to go as his date had seemed like the right thing to do in the moment, but now, standing alone in the quiet of her house, Narae wasn't so sure.

The image of Haechan's face flashed in her mind, unbidden. His smile, his laughter, the way he could make her feel a thousand different things in a single moment. She pushed the thought away, frustration bubbling up. Haechan was her friend. Mark was her date. That's how things were, how they were supposed to be.

But why did it feel like something was missing?

Narae made her way to her room, the silence of the house pressing in around her. She changed into her pajamas, crawled into bed, and pulled the blankets up to her chin. She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts a storm of confusion.

The Spring Festival was supposed to be fun, a time to make memories with friends, to enjoy the warm weather and the vibrant energy. Narae closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep, to silence the doubts that swirled in her mind.

But as she drifted off, the question lingered, like a shadow at the edge of her thoughts.

Was going with Mark to the festival really what she wanted, or was she just following along because it was easier than facing what she truly felt?

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