Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 64: Spring Festival Part 5

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The festival was winding down, but the energy still buzzed in the air, vibrant and electric. Narae's laughter mixed with the echoing sound of pop music and the delighted screams of her classmates enjoying the rides. She stood beside Mark, their hands loosely intertwined, though she couldn't remember when they had actually linked fingers. It felt nice, comforting even, but there was a restlessness in her heart that she couldn't shake off. It was as if she was only half-present, her mind drifting, caught in a haze.

"Hey, I'm going to use the washroom real quick," Narae said, releasing Mark's hand.

Mark nodded, giving her a warm smile. "Sure, I'll wait right here. Don't get lost."

Narae chuckled, but the sound felt hollow. "I won't," she assured him before weaving through the clusters of students, making her way toward the restroom signs. She could feel Mark's eyes on her back, his presence like a comforting shadow, but as soon as she rounded the corner and slipped into the bathroom, she released a sigh she hadn't known she'd been holding.

Splashing cold water on her face, Narae stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like herself—same hair, same eyes—but something was off. Her heart was still pounding in her chest, a traitorous beat that seemed to have its own agenda. She gently massaged her temples, trying to calm herself down.

"What is wrong with you?" she muttered to herself. It wasn't like she hadn't been to festivals before. So why did this feel so different?

After a few deep breaths, Narae decided to head back. The bathroom break had done little to soothe her nerves, but at least she'd bought herself a moment alone to gather her thoughts. Pushing open the door, she stepped back into the evening air, the festival's laughter and music enveloping her like a warm blanket. She turned the corner, still lost in her thoughts, when she collided with a solid form.

"Whoa, sorry!" a familiar voice exclaimed, catching her by the shoulders to steady her.

Narae looked up, heart leaping into her throat, only to find herself staring into Haechan's eyes. His hands lingered on her shoulders for a second too long before he stepped back, giving her space.

"Hey, Narae," he said, a casual grin spreading across his face. "Where's Mark? Are you leaving already?"

Narae's mind went blank, her thoughts scattering like leaves in a storm. All she could focus on was the way Haechan looked under the moonlight. His skin seemed to glow, his smile bright and infectious. For a moment, she forgot to breathe, and when she did, her inhale was shaky, barely holding herself together.

"I—" Her voice came out as a whisper, too soft to be heard over the music and chatter. Haechan leaned in, his brows furrowed as he tried to catch her words.

"What was that?" he asked, tilting his head closer.

The proximity made her heart race even faster. It was too much—the closeness, his scent, the way his eyes seemed to hold her in place. She swallowed hard, trying to gather the courage to speak again. Her voice still felt tiny, barely above a whisper. "I'm not leaving. I just needed a break. Mark's waiting for me."

Haechan nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer. "Alright, just checking. We're supposed to have a sleepover after the festival—me, Mark, Jaehyun, Jaemin, and Jeno. Didn't want him disappearing on us."

"Oh, right," Narae managed to say, though her voice wavered. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, of which felt like fire. "He'll be there. I'll make sure of it."

Haechan's smile softened, and for a split second, Narae thought she saw something in his eyes—a glimmer of warmth, of understanding. But it was gone too quickly, replaced by his usual playful demeanor.

"Good," he said lightly. 

Narae nodded, feeling as though the ground was shifting beneath her feet. She needed to get away, to find a place where she could breathe again. "I should go," she said abruptly. "Mark's waiting."

Before Haechan could respond, she turned and walked away, her steps quick and almost frantic. She could feel his eyes on her back, but she didn't dare look back. Her heart was still pounding, echoing in her ears like a drum. Each beat felt like it was about to burst through her chest, and it took all her effort to keep her composure as she navigated her way back to Mark.

"There you are!" Mark called out, a smile lighting up his face when he saw her. "I was starting to think you got lost."

Narae forced a smile, hoping he couldn't see how shaken she was. "No, just... needed a moment."

Mark's face softened with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said, though the words felt like a lie. "Actually, could you take me home? I think I've had enough excitement for one night."

Mark hesitated, clearly surprised by her request. "Sure, if that's what you want. We can head out now."

Narae nodded, grateful he didn't push for an explanation. They walked in silence back to the entrance of the festival, the sounds of laughter and music fading behind them. Mark's presence was comforting, a steady warmth beside her, but Narae's thoughts were far away, replaying the encounter with Haechan over and over.

Back home, Kiwi greeted her at the door, rubbing against her legs and purring softly. Narae scooped up her cat, burying her face in the soft fur, letting the tears she'd been holding back finally spill over. She sank down onto the floor, clutching Kiwi to her chest, the sobs shaking her shoulders.

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered into the quiet of her room. She felt a mix of confusion and guilt, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her like a tidal wave. Haechan's face flashed in her mind again—his eyes, his smile, the way he'd looked at her.

Kiwi nuzzled her cheek, a comforting presence that helped steady her breathing. Narae closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down. She didn't understand what she was feeling or why it felt like her world was falling apart. All she knew was that something inside her had changed, and there was no turning back.

In the quiet of her room, with only Kiwi's soft purring to keep her company, Narae let herself cry, the tears flowing freely until there was nothing left. Her heart ached, a confusing mix of emotions swirling inside her, but she held onto the one thing that still made sense—the soft, steady rhythm of Kiwi's heartbeat against her chest.

As she lay there, curled up on the floor, Narae realized that this was only the beginning. Whatever she was feeling, it wasn't going to go away. It was a storm that had been brewing for a long time, and now that it had started, there was no stopping it.

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1137 words