Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 69: Such Strong Feelings

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The room buzzed with excitement and anticipation as Johnny's dare came to a close. The crowd had been hushed, waiting to see Narae's reaction. She could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on her, the atmosphere thick with tension. Her heart was pounding, and despite the excitement of the game, she felt an unexpected wave of anxiety wash over her.

Jisung was sitting beside her, his eyes full of hope. The other partygoers were eagerly watching, but Narae's focus was locked on Haechan. He was laughing at something Jaehyun had said, his eyes sparkling under the party lights. There was something about him that drew her in, making her heart race and her thoughts scatter.

When Johnny announced the final dare for Narae, the room fell silent. "Narae, you have to kiss Jisung," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. The words felt like a punch to the gut, and Narae's stomach twisted with unease.

She glanced at Jisung, who gave her an encouraging smile. She looked back at Haechan, and the sight of him sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel her resolve wavering, her body and mind at odds. Despite the pressure and the expectations from everyone around her, the thought of kissing Jisung just didn't sit right with her.

Her heart was heavy, and her mind was clouded with conflicting emotions. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I... I can't," she finally said, her voice barely audible.

Taeyong's face fell, and he looked at her with confusion and a hint of relief. "Are you sure? It's just a game," he said, his tone gentle.

Narae nodded, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and determination. "Yeah, I'm sure. I just can't."

Jisung's face fell slightly, but he quickly masked his disappointment with a shrug. "It's okay, Narae. No worries."

Johnny, sensing the shift in mood, tried to keep the energy up. "Alright, let's move on! Who's next?"

The game continued, but the atmosphere had shifted. Narae found herself on the outskirts of the circle, her thoughts preoccupied with her earlier decision. She could still feel Haechan's gaze on her, though she hadn't dared to look back.

As the night wore on, the party became more subdued. The laughter and chatter began to dwindle as people started to head home. Narae, feeling the fatigue of the evening, decided it was time to leave. Renjun, who had been by her side throughout the night, was ready to go as well.

They said their goodbyes and headed out, the cool night air a welcome relief. Renjun and Narae chatted quietly as they walked to his car, the earlier excitement of the party fading into a comfortable silence.

When they arrived at her apartment, Narae felt a wave of relief. Her mother wasn't home yet, which meant they had the place to themselves for a little while longer. Renjun and Narae settled onto the living room couch, the familiar comfort of their friendship easing the tension from the night.

Narae grabbed a couple of pillows and started a playful pillow fight, her laughter echoing through the room. "So, Renjun," she said, grinning mischievously, "did you notice how Jisung tried to make me jealous?"

Renjun laughed, dodging a pillow swing. "Oh, totally. I mean, Chenle was putting on a show too. What was up with that?"

Narae smirked, catching her breath. "Yeah, I caught that. It was so obvious. But honestly, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I just... couldn't."

Renjun raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't do what?"

"Kiss Jisung," she admitted, flopping back onto the couch. "It just didn't feel right. I kept thinking about Haechan."

Renjun's eyes widened slightly. "Haechan? You still have a thing for him, huh?"

Narae nodded, her cheeks warmed. "Yeah. I guess I do. He just... I don't know."

Renjun chuckled, leaning back against the couch. "Well, that's interesting. You've been pretty reserved about it. I didn't know you had such strong feelings."

"I wasn't sure myself," Narae admitted. "But seeing him at the party, it just hit me. I felt like everything was moving too fast."

The sound of the front door opening caught her attention. "Oh, my mom's back," Narae said, glancing at the clock. It was almost 1 a.m. "I thought she'd be out longer."

Her mother entered the living room, a man by her side. "Narae! Renjun!" she greeted with a cheerful tone. "We didn't expect you guys to still be up. Did you have a good time at the party?"

Narae forced a smile. "Yeah, it was... an experience."

Renjun gave a polite wave. "Thanks for letting us hang out, Mrs. Bang."

As her mother and her date went to the kitchen, Narae and Renjun continued their pillow fight, their laughter filling the room. The earlier stress of the party seemed a world away, replaced by the comfort of their easy camaraderie.

Narae leaned against Renjun, catching her breath. "You know, Renjun, despite everything, I'm really glad you were here tonight."

Renjun smiled, his eyes warm. "I'm glad too. We'll figure it all out. Just remember, you don't have to go through it alone."

They continued to chat and laugh, the night growing quieter as the party drama slowly faded into the background. Narae felt a sense of calm, grateful for Renjun's unwavering support and understanding. The evening had been chaotic, but in the end, she found solace in her friend's company and the quiet comfort of her home.

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