Strange Hearts || Heeseung

20

Yuju entered the classroom without having slept and quietly sat down at her desk. She didn't even have the energy to take out her school supplies, so she leaned her head against the window. The teachers wouldn't notice that she wasn't participating in class anyway. After all, participation wasn't graded in Korea.

When she entered the classroom, she briefly glanced at Heeseung. Since last night, she had hoped that he would at least give her a small nod today, but again, nothing. He briefly looked at her, then turned away with a cold glance. Somehow, it made the pain in her heart even bigger.

Yuju didn't feel well.

She hadn't managed to pick up her medication yesterday. She had almost bought it, but when she saw someone she never wanted to see again, she just turned around and walked back home. As soon as she got home, she collapsed into bed. But, as usual, she didn't sleep.

Her heart had been hurting more since last night. She hadn't even been able to have breakfast this morning, so she went to school on an empty stomach. She didn't feel like being at school today.

"Guys, we have a two-hour break," she heard Kyungmin, a classmate, say. Everyone got up from their desks and left the classroom. Relieved that she was alone, Yuju put her head down on her desk and closed her eyes.

"Invisible girl."

Annoyed, Yuju looked up and saw none other than Heeseung standing in front of her. But his expression was different from usual. It wasn't the usual grin when they were alone, or the cold look when others were around.

Yuju was tired of playing these games with him. It annoyed her that he couldn't decide how he wanted to behave around her. Annoyed, she stood up and wanted to leave, but with her first step, she felt a sharp pain in her chest.

"Invisible girl, what's wrong with you?" Heeseung asked, concerned, when he saw Yuju clutching her chest and not moving forward. She shot him a selfish glance and wanted to continue walking, but Heeseung grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him.

"Let go of me," Yuju snapped, trying to pull away, but Heeseung held on too tightly. They were standing close to each other, and Yuju had no chance to step back. Angrily, Heeseung released her hand.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you ignoring me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ignoring you? Me?" Yuju laughed.

"I think you should ask yourself that. You're the one ignoring me. I've told you before, you act differently when we're alone versus when others are around. You're so cold to me when other people are around. You don't even say hello. I don't know what you're thinking, but I thought we were more or less friends. It's not that it hurts, but somehow it does," Yuju murmured, the last part under her breath.

"It's just annoying. Can't you decide whether you like me or not?" she finished her little rant and looked at Heeseung expectantly.

"What happened last night?" he asked quietly, his gaze now serious.

Speechless, Yuju took a step back. Either he hadn't been listening to her, or he was ignoring her rant entirely.

"Why should I tell you?" she asked defiantly, crossing her arms. She had lost her patience with Heeseung. This guy was driving her crazy.

"Do you not trust me?" he asked suddenly, stepping closer. The look in his eyes made Yuju swallow. She didn't know what to do or where to go; she stood frozen in place.

"I'll ask again: Do you not trust me?"

Unsure, Yuju looked down at the floor. She had never seen Heeseung like this before—his dominant gaze had a hint of manipulation in it, and it seemed to hold her in place. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand again.