Sentience

20

On Monday when things were supposed to come back to normal, Changmin found himself still stuck on yesterday. Belle's face before she jumped into her parents' car to go home was haunting him. It was full of sorrow.

He hadn't seen her yet today; she had an early morning class while he would have one at 2 p.m. But that did not stop him from coming early to the campus because he wanted to have lunch with her. 

However, the waiting at the cafeteria was dreadful.

Changmin had texted her about the plan. Nonetheless, he couldn't tell whether she agreed or not because she simply left him on read. It was too unusual of her; Changmin was a bit furious when she suddenly gave an attitude, but he knew he shouldn't be mad either. Belle has a reason, was what he told himself.

In no minute, the cafeteria started getting swarmed by students - the peak hours considering the dismissal of the previous class. It was now crowded, making Changmin feel so small sitting alone at the table that could fit 6 more people.

"Where is she?" He started to get more impatient as he scanned all the newcomers at the entrance one by one. Still no Belle.

Huffing an annoyed breath, Changmin then rose, swinging his backpack over his shoulder. He no longer could wait for her. The furious thumping of his heart couldn't stand this silent treatment she was giving. She should've talked to him about her feelings. After all, that was why he came early today to sit with her.

So, Changmin left the cafeteria, stepping into the corridor to find Belle. No matter where she was right now, although far from his current position, he did not mind it. He would go to her if she refused to come to him.

For, Ji Changmin knew Belle would ferment her feelings until they messed with her head, and he wouldn't let that happen.

Just as Changmin turned around the corner, his feet eventually slowed down before they completely stopped at the sight of a tall boy who seemed way too excited running into him. He was a junior but they surely had an untold backstory of how they got to know each other.

"Why are you here so early?" Soobin questioned rather curiously.

"Just because..." Changmin shrugged, flashing his dimple smile which the other boy couldn't help but return the same thing.

Chanhee often said that it was fate that these two boys were close to each other. And that he said, Soobin and Changmin literally are the dimple guys squad, which had never been thought by any of them either. They simply thought that it was a coincidence that they had the pretty feature on their faces and that Chanhee was just being extra.

But, for a brief moment, running into Soobin in the hallway had sparked something at the back of Changmin's head. Something that made him think that Soobin and him were really destined.

"You... were..."

"I know what you want to ask," Soobin then giggled, fixing the strap of his bag. "You're looking for Belle, right?"

Simply concluded, Soobin was in the same class as Belle earlier.

Changmin's eyes lit up with so much excitement at the thought that he needn't raid his head too hard to think where would she be right now. Soobin must know, simply because they were from the same place. He must have seen her earlier.

"But..." The boy suddenly looked solemn, a bit scared that he would disappoint the older. "I'm afraid I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"Belle left the class early."

"How come?" Changmin took a step closer to the latter, his orbs were now full of worry. "Did something happen to her?"