because i fell in love with the boy next door. | psh

fell

★ | #3 | FELL.

it was a typical afternoon when i decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, trying to clear my head. as i turned the corner, he was there—sunghoon, leaning against the railing of his balcony. he was wearing just a simple pair of shorts, and my heart raced at the sight.

the way he stood there, casually scrolling through his phone, was almost too much. his skin glowed in the warm sunlight, every muscle in his arms defined, and that messy hair of his was practically begging for my attention. he looked like a model straight out of a magazine, and here i was, just a girl watching him from below. i realized that i probably looked really weird.

as if he sensed my gaze, he looked up and caught my eyes. a smirk spread across his face, and in that moment, i felt like the ground beneath me had vanished. he knew exactly what he was doing. it was like he thrived on the effect he had on me, and for a second, i hated how easily he made me feel this way.

enjoying the view? he called down, his voice teasing but light, as if it was just a joke. my cheeks flushed hot, and my heart raced even more. i wanted to respond, to play it cool, but all that came out was a flustered laugh.

uh, maybe, i managed to say, instantly regretting it. why did i always have to be so awkward around him?

he chuckled, clearly amused by my embarrassment. you should come up here sometime. then he paused, leaning over the railing a little. but first, what's your name?

did he just invite me to his house? that caught me off guard. and then i realized that i never told him my name. i—um... it's moon iseul, i stammered, feeling heat rush to my face.

iseul, he repeated, letting it roll off his tongue as if savoring it. nice to finally know the girl next door. you've been pretty quiet.

i guess i'm just shy, i said, biting my lip, hoping he wouldn't see through my facade.

shy, huh? he said, a playful glint in his eyes. i'll have to change that.

he straightened up, crossing his arms over the railing, and it felt like the air between us shifted. i was captivated, hanging onto his every word, but a part of me pulled back. i didn't want to admit how much he affected me, how my heart raced in ways i didn't understand.

i'll hold you to that, he added, his smirk widening.

as he turned back to his phone, i felt a rush of frustration mixed with excitement. i wanted to yell that he couldn't just toy with my feelings like this. i was not ready to fall, not ready to open myself up to whatever this was.

i took a deep breath and forced myself to turn away. as i walked away, i couldn't shake the feeling that i was teetering on the edge of something dangerous. just as i turned the corner, it hit me—i had forgotten to ask him his name. a small part of me screamed to turn back, to call out to him, but i kept walking, the weight of my unanswered question lingering in the air.

i didn't let myself admit it—not yet. but deep down, i knew i had already fell.