The bell rang, signaling the end of another long school day. Students spilled into the hallways, chattering about plans, upcoming exams, and weekend get-togethers. Ae-ri gathered her books slowly, her thoughts lingering on the unease she had felt for days. Sunghoon had become a puzzle she couldn't quite figure out, and it frustrated her more than she wanted to admit.
"Hey, you, okay?" Hanah asked, noticing Ae-ri's distracted expression as they left the classroom together.
Ae-ri shook her head as if snapping out of a daze. "Yeah, just... thinking about stuff."
Hanah gave her a playful nudge. "Sunghoon?"
Ae-ri sighed. "I don't even know. It's like one minute, we're fine, and then the next, it's like he's pulling away. I can't tell what he's thinking."
"You like him, don't you?"
Ae-ri hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe? It's complicated."
Hanah grinned knowingly. "Well, you better figure it out before some other girl does."
Ae-ri rolled her eyes, but Hanah's words hit closer to home than she'd like to admit. The thought of someone else getting close to Sunghoon—like that girl from the vending machine—made her stomach twist uncomfortably. Even though Jay had cleared up that she was just his cousin, Ae-ri couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't really understand where she stood with him.
As they walked out of the school building, Hanah waved goodbye, heading off to meet a friend. Ae-ri, left alone, debated whether to go straight home or take a walk to clear her head. She decided on the latter, wandering down the path behind the school that led to the old baseball field. It was a place not many people visited after hours, making it the perfect spot to think.
As Ae-ri approached the field, she noticed a figure standing near the bleachers, hands in his pockets, staring off into the distance. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized it was Sunghoon. He hadn't seen her yet, lost in his own thoughts. For a moment, Ae-ri considered turning back, unsure if she was ready for another awkward conversation. But something compelled her to keep walking.
"Sunghoon," she called out softly as she neared him.
He turned at the sound of her voice, his expression unreadable. "Ae-ri. What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," she said, stopping a few feet away from him. "I come here sometimes to clear my head."
Sunghoon nodded, glancing back toward the field. "Yeah, me too."
There was a brief silence between them, neither knowing how to start the conversation that hung heavy in the air. Ae-ri could feel the tension—the same tension she'd been feeling for weeks now—but she wasn't sure how to address it.
"You've been quiet lately," she said, her voice tentative. "Did I... do something?"
Sunghoon looked at her, surprised by the question. "No. It's not you."
"Then what is it?" Ae-ri asked, taking a step closer, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Because something's changed. You act like you want to talk, but then you shut me out. I don't get it."
Sunghoon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not that simple."
Ae-ri crossed her arms, trying to steady herself. "Then explain it to me. You said I could talk to you, but it feels like I'm the only one trying."
Sunghoon looked down, his expression tight with emotions he didn't seem to know how to express. "I'm not good at this, Ae-ri. I don't know how to... let people in."
Ae-ri felt a mixture of sympathy and frustration. "You don't have to be perfect at it. You just have to try. I thought we were becoming friends, but now I don't even know where we stand."
Sunghoon's gaze flickered up, and for the first time, Ae-ri saw the vulnerability behind his usually calm exterior. "We are friends," he said quietly. "It's just... I don't want to mess things up."
Ae-ri's heart softened at his words. She hadn't expected him to open up even this much, and now that he had, she felt the weight of his uncertainty. But it wasn't enough—not yet.
"I'm not asking for everything right now," she said, her voice gentler. "But you have to meet me halfway."
Sunghoon looked at her for a long moment, as if weighing something in his mind. Then, almost too quietly, he said, "I'm trying."
Before Ae-ri could respond, the sound of footsteps broke the tension between them. She turned to see Jay walking toward them, his usual laid-back grin in place.
"Didn't expect to find you two here," Jay said, sliding his hands into his pockets as he approached. "Having a moment?"
Ae-ri's face flushed, and she quickly stepped back, putting some distance between herself and Sunghoon. "Just talking."
Jay's eyes flickered between the two of them, his grin never wavering. "Sure, sure. Talking."
Ae-ri rolled her eyes, trying to play it off, but Jay's teasing only heightened the awkwardness she was already feeling. She couldn't help but notice the slight change in Sunghoon's posture, the way his expression closed off again as soon as Jay arrived. It was like a wall going up, and it made her stomach drop.
"Anyway," Jay continued, oblivious to the tension, "I was looking for you, Sunghoon. Coach wanted to go over some stuff for the next match. You coming?"
Sunghoon hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ae-ri. "Yeah. I'll catch up."
Jay shot him a look, as if sensing something was off, but he didn't push. "Alright. I'll see you at practice."
As Jay walked away, the atmosphere between Ae-ri and Sunghoon felt charged with all the things they hadn't said. Ae-ri wanted to reach out, to ask him what was really going on, but something stopped her. Maybe it was the way Sunghoon had shut down again, or maybe it was the nagging feeling that he wasn't ready to talk about whatever was weighing on him.
"Are we okay?" Ae-ri asked softly, her heart pounding in her chest.
Sunghoon met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. We're fine."
But as he turned and walked away, leaving Ae-ri standing alone by the bleachers, she couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from fine. And for the first time, she wondered if maybe it wasn't just about her and Sunghoon anymore—maybe there was something, or someone, else standing in the way.
Hi guysss!! I'm starting my second book TT TT. I'm so excited~
LOVE YALL AND ENJOY!!!!!!!!!
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So High school (Park Sunghoon)
FanficOn her first day of high school, Ae-ri, a shy and artistic girl, meets Sunghoon, an aloof but talented ice skater. Despite their opposite personalities, an unexpected connection forms when they're paired up in class. As they navigate the awkwardness...