Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 60: Spring Festival

⋆˚ 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

The air buzzed with excitement as the Spring Festival kicked off at school. The usually quiet campus had been transformed into a vibrant carnival of laughter and colors. Students and staff had worked tirelessly to set up booths and decorations, filling the grounds with food stalls, game stations, and music that pulsed through the air. Narae could hardly recognize the place, now draped in colorful banners and fairy lights strung between the trees.

Narae stood at the entrance of the school's main courtyard, a nervous flutter in her stomach as she looked around. Mark was beside her, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the festivities. He wore a bright smile, looking relaxed in his casual outfit—just a simple t-shirt and jeans, but on him, it somehow looked effortlessly cool. She gave him a smile, trying to match his excitement, but her thoughts were somewhere else entirely.

More specifically, they were drifting toward Haechan.

Narae had agreed to come with Mark, and on the surface, everything seemed perfect. But as they walked through the festival, her eyes kept straying, searching the crowd for a familiar face. She felt a pang of something—was it relief or disappointment?—every time she spotted another person who wasn't Haechan.

"Hey, want to try this?" Mark asked, pointing to a ring toss booth. His enthusiasm was contagious, and Narae nodded, forcing her thoughts back to the moment.

They took turns throwing rings, Mark managing to snag a few over the pegs, earning a small plush toy. He handed it to Narae with a grin, and she accepted it with a quiet thank you, tucking it under her arm. Despite the bright lights and cheerful atmosphere, there was a tension she couldn't shake, a feeling that something was missing.

They wandered further into the festival, passing by a food stall selling freshly made tteokbokki. The smell of the spicy rice cakes was tempting, and Mark suggested they grab a bite. Narae agreed, hoping that the distraction would ease the restlessness in her chest.

As they ate, she let her gaze wander over Mark's shoulder, scanning the crowd. The sound of laughter filled the air, and she caught sight of groups of friends, couples, and families enjoying the evening. And then, finally, she spotted him.

Haechan was leaning against a nearby stall, talking animatedly with Jeno and Jaemin. He was dressed casually, yet there was something about the way he held himself, the way he laughed, that drew her in. He looked effortlessly cool, his smile bright, his eyes shining under the soft glow of the festival lights. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat, an involuntary reaction she didn't want to acknowledge.

As if sensing her gaze, Haechan looked up, his eyes meeting hers across the courtyard. For a split second, their eyes locked, and Narae felt a strange sense of connection, like an invisible thread tugging between them. She quickly looked away, focusing intently on her tteokbokki, hoping Mark wouldn't notice the sudden color in her cheeks.

"Narae, are you okay?" Mark asked, leaning closer, concern flickering in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, forcing a smile. "It's a lot to take in."

Mark chuckled, mistaking her flustered state for festival nerves. "I get it. It's kind of overwhelming, but in a good way, right?"

She nodded, but her thoughts were still on Haechan. There was something about him today, the way he carried himself, the way he was so immersed in his own world, that made her chest tighten. She found herself sneaking glances at him whenever she thought Mark wasn't looking. And each time, the sight of him sent a shiver of confusion through her. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something about Haechan just drew her in.