It's so high school at Hanil Foreign Language High School with a new addition in the middle of the semester. Baek Hyun Woo, a Year 3 transfer student in his final year of high school meets Hong Hae-in, a Year 2 student who is the future heiress of Q...
Outside the auditorium, Hae-in stood in the shadows of a corner, her eyes hardened with determination and apprehension. The bouquet of flowers she had gotten for Pil-sook was clutched tightly in her hand as she glared at the large auditorium doors, watching her peers stream through them for the musical festival.
Why was she glaring at the doors, you might ask?
Because she didn't want to be here. At all.
If it weren't for Pil-sook, she wouldn't have even considered coming. But now, as she stood just a few steps away, a part of her resisted, for she knew that beyond those doors was the one person she dreaded facing most.
Baek Hyun Woo.
It was ironic really. Before him, no one else had ever occupied her thoughts this much. But now, his presence in her life – or absence, for that matter – seemed to haunt her at every turn, one that had somehow become a mental barrier between her and the auditorium doors. Even standing here, she couldn't shake the thought of running into him.
Damn it, Hong Hae-in. Just go in already.
You're being absolutely ridiculous!
You are independent and strong. You have no reason to allow a boy to affect you like this.
You're doing this for Pil-sook, your best friend. Remember that.
With the pep talk out of the way, Hae-in willed herself forward before she could second-guess herself. The auditorium dimmed as she entered, and the voices hushed as everyone's heads turned towards the stage.
Yet, that didn't stop Yang-gi from waving her over exaggeratedly, greeting her obnoxiously over the hushed crowd. Hae-in practically glared daggers at the senior as she slid into the row they were in before she greeted Dal-po, who was beside Yang-gi, with a subtle tilt of her head.
The first thing she noticed was that Baek Hyun Woo wasn't with them. In fact, he was nowhere to be seen. It was strange, for she was sure she overhead Yang-gi saying they would all be coming to support Pil-sook.
Was she relieved she wouldn't have to spend the next two hours pretending he didn't exist? Maybe. But despite that relief, a faint sense of unease crept in and she found herself wondering why he hadn't shown up.
Did he skip out just to avoid me? The thought unsettled her.
Unable to help herself, she leaned toward Yang-gi, doing her best to keep her voice neutral as she fought an inner battle to keep her face from betraying any emotion. "Yang-gi sunbaenim, where's Baek Hyun Woo?"
"Baek Hyun Woo? Uhhh..." Yang-gi looked around, as though he was just noticing his absence. "Beats me. Maybe he got caught up with something?"
The senior seemed unbothered as the stage lights flicked on, and he immediately launched into a loud cheer that had Hae-in plugging her ears. Despite the rude start to the music festival, Hae-in's thoughts remained elsewhere, the nagging feeling in her chest growing stronger as she wondered what had kept Hyun Woo away.
Hae-in's mild annoyance faded slightly when Pil-sook walked onto the stage with a radiant smile lighting up her face. In her true element, Pil-sook commanded the stage with quiet confidence despite her shy nature. The stage was her home and Hae-in couldn't be happier seeing her friend let loose.
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