Guarded |Jeemin x Sarang | IZNA

CHAPTER 9

Jeemin was jolted awake by the persistent ringing of her phone. Loud and irritable, she picked it up and answered without checking the caller ID, her eyes still closed. "What's wrong with you? Didn't I tell you to not call me ?" she snapped, her voice husky with annoyance.

The line fell silent for a moment before a gentle voice replied, "Jeemin, it's Sarang."

Jeemin's eyes snapped open, and she sat up with a start, her heart racing with embarrassment as she realized her mistake. "Sarang, I'm so sorry! I had no idea it was you," she apologized, her voice still rough from sleep.

Sarang's calm tone soothed Jeemin's frazzled nerves. "It's okay, Jeemin. I knew you were still asleep. That's why I called."

Sarang's gentle voice explained, "Jiyoon and Mai unnie were looking for you, so I called to check on your whereabouts." Jeemin's earlier annoyance melted away, replaced by a warm smile as she imagined Sarang's endearing expression and thought;

She must be looking so cute right now

As she listened to Sarang's soft tone, Jeemin couldn't help but picture how adorable Sarang must look while speaking. She quickly snapped out of her daydream to respond, "I overslept, but I'll be there soon."

With phone still in hand, Jeemin hurried through her morning routine, eager to arrive at school before the next class started. "I'll meet you at lunch break," Sarang said, to which Jeemin replied with a mouthful of toothpaste, "Okay."

Sarang chuckled at Jeemin's cuteness and hung up the phone, leaving Jeemin to wonder if she had just imagined the hint of a smile in Sarang's voice."

______

Jeemin burst into the classroom, breathless and flustered, just as the bell rang, signaling the start of the second class. Mai and Jiyoon, already seated, turned to her with concerned expressions. "Where were you?" Mai asked, her eyebrows furrowed in worry, eyeing Jeemin's messy state.

Jeemin's face flushed with embarrassment as she replied, "I overslept."

Jiyoon's voice was laced with concern when she suggested, "Why don't you ask your parents to wake you up?" But Jeemin's response was met with an awkward silence. "I don't live with my parents," she said quietly, feeling a pang of hurt.

Mai and Jiyoon exchanged a glance, their faces reflecting a mix of guilt and sympathy. Jiyoon's apology was sincere, "I'm so sorry, Jeemin. I had no idea... I wouldn't have asked if I knew."

The atmosphere was filled with a momentary awkwardness, but Mai and Jiyoon's genuine concern and apology eased the tension, and Jeemin's hurt began to fade away as she mouthed"it's okay".

(Time skip to the lunch break)

As the younger members of the group joined them, the initial silence gave way to a Chaos of laughter and chatter. The familiar seating arrangement resumed, with Sarang beside Jeemin facing Jungeun beside Jiyoon, Koko beside Saebi, and them facing Mai. The table was abuzz with good-natured teasing, playful flirting between the couples, and warm smiles from the singles.

Amidst this joyful chaos, Jeemin couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. She yearned to express her feelings to Sarang openly, unshackled by the chains of her past traumas and guilt.

Meanwhile, Sarang held a secret wish of her own - to be more than just a friend to Jeemin, to break free from the friend zone and explore the depths of their connection.

In this lively gathering, surrounded by the happiness and the mutual trust of their friends, both Jeemin and Sarang found themselves wistfully dreaming of a different dynamic, one where they could embrace their true emotions and be together without restraint.