Guarded |Jeemin x Sarang | IZNA

CHAPTER 8

Sarang's phone jolted her awake, and she lazily reached for it. Mai's name flashed on the screen, and Sarang answered with a drowsy "hello?" her voice still heavy with sleep.

Mai's voice was a sudden burst of energy, firing off questions like a machine gun. "Where are you? Why didn't you come over last night? Are you home? Did your parents notice anything?" Sarang's mind struggled to keep up with the rapid-fire queries.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, trying to focus. "Mai unnie, I'm home, and I'm okay and happy. And my parents didn't suspect a thing," she replied, her voice still laced with a sleepy drawl.

But Mai's ears perked up at the word "happy." "What's going on? Why are you so happy all of a sudden?" she asked, her confusion evident thinking about what Sarang was feeling just yesterday.

Sarang chuckled at Mai's adorable misunderstanding. "Can't I be just happy, unnie?" she teased, her voice playful.

Mai quickly clarified, "No, seriously! You've been down for days, so what's behind the sudden change?" Her curiosity was palpable, and she wanted clarification.

Sarang just smiled, her heart skipping a beat as she thought about Jeemin. "I'll spill the tea at school," she said, barely containing her excitement. She couldn't wait to share the news with her friends – that she and Jeemin had reconnected, and this time, as friends.

Sarang sprang out of bed, her heart still aglow with the warmth of her conversation with Mai. She hummed a gentle tune as she went about her morning routine, her movements light and carefree. After a refreshing shower and dressing in her school uniform, she skipped downstairs to the kitchen, eager to start her day.

Over a nutritious breakfast, Sarang's thoughts drifted to Jeemin, and a soft smile spread across her face. She still had feelings for Jeemin, but had come to realize that forcing the issue would only drive them further apart. Instead, she chose to embrace the present moment and let fate take its course.

As she headed out the door, backpack slung over her shoulder, Sarang felt a sense of liberation wash over her. She no longer wanted to be burdened by the weight of unrequited love, and was free to simply enjoy Jeemin's company without expectation or pressure even though her heart was telling a different story. The thought of having Jeemin by her side filled her with joy, and she couldn't wait to see her at school, to laugh and talk together like they used to.

Sarang's steps was delightfully interrupted by the buzz of her phone. She took her phone and opened the message to find Jeemin's name flashing on the screen, and her heart skipped a beat. The text was simple, yet sent a thrill through her veins

Jeemin💗

"Do you wanna go to school with me?"

"Of course, why not?"

Sarang's smile grew wider as she typed out her response, her fingers flying across the keyboard. She couldn't contain her excitement, and her grin spread from ear to ear.

Jeemin's reply came swiftly, leaving Sarang surprised and delighted.

Jeemin💗

"Okay, I'm waiting at the same spot."

"I'll be there in no time "

Sarang's eyes widened in wonder - was Jeemin already there, waiting for her? The thought sent a flutter through her chest.

She couldn't believe the same Jeemin she had been pining for, the one she had been crying over for days, was now waiting to give her a ride to school. Sarang felt like she was walking on air as she bid her parents farewell, executing a little dance step out of sheer happiness before skipping out the door.