People Watching ★ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐒𝐮𝐧

19: Dodging Hearts and Study Dates

Sunoo paced around the campus courtyard, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. It was a sunny day, but he felt anything but bright. Ever since that awkward moment with Sunghoon, he'd been in full-on avoidance mode. There was something about Sunghoon's smile that had thrown him completely off balance, and Sunoo had made it his mission to dodge him at all costs.

"Why am I acting like this?" he muttered to himself, glancing around as if Sunghoon might leap out from behind a tree at any moment. "He's just Sunghoon. No big deal!"

His phone buzzed in his pocket. Hanna. Thank goodness for that distraction! He quickly answered, a little too enthusiastically. "Hanna! What's up?"

"Hey, I need your help!" she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I'm planning to ask Sunghoon to hang out, but I'm super nervous about it!"

Sunoo's heart sank. "Hanna, are you sure you want to hang out with him? He's... Sunghoon."

"Exactly! I think it could be fun! Plus, I want you to come along so I don't feel awkward." She paused. "You know, like a buffer!"

"A buffer? Really? You think I'm a good buffer?" Sunoo couldn't help but chuckle, but dread settled in his stomach like a lead weight.

"Of course! You guys have been spending time together lately, right?" she replied, oblivious to the panic building inside him.

Sunoo opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it. Avoiding Sunghoon had become a full-time job, and the thought of being around him again sent his anxiety soaring. "Okay, but I don't think he'll want to study with us."

"Trust me! He'll love it! Just be your charming self!" she chirped.

"Charming? Me?" Sunoo snorted. "Of course."

Just as he was about to agree further, he caught sight of Sunghoon striding across the courtyard, his hair catching the sunlight in a way that made Sunoo's heart race (and not in a good way). "Uh-oh, I think I see him now! I gotta go!"

"Wait! Where are you going?" Hanna asked, but Sunoo had already hung up, hastily stuffing his phone back into his pocket.

Sunoo spotted a group of students chatting nearby and ducked behind them, praying Sunghoon wouldn't notice him. He squished himself between two tall students, trying to blend in like a chameleon. This is fine. This is totally normal, he thought as he forced a smile, while the students exchanged confused glances.

"Is that Sunoo?" one of them whispered, pointing in his direction.

"No way! It can't be!" the other replied, stifling a laugh.

Sunoo felt like he was suffocating. He squirmed, trying to escape the inevitable. Then, he saw Sunghoon approach the group, a confused look on his face. "Hey! Have you guys seen Sunoo?"

Sunoo held his breath, praying he would just walk past.

"Nope, haven't seen him all day," one of the students said, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Sunghoon looked around, searching. "Really? He was just here!" He moved closer, and Sunoo felt his heart racing. He's getting too close!

In a moment of panic, Sunoo crouched down and tried to hide behind the students' legs, pretending to tie his shoelaces. He could hear Sunghoon's footsteps drawing nearer, and he hoped that maybe he could just disappear.

"Uh, you good, Sunoo?" Sunghoon asked, sounding amused.

Sunoo peered out from his crouched position, his face practically pressed against the ground. "Just... really into shoe fashion right now!" he exclaimed, his voice muffled.

Sunghoon burst into laughter, and it felt like Sunoo's heart was doing backflips. "Right, because that's a normal thing to do in the middle of campus."

"Totally normal!" Sunoo insisted, trying to sound convincing while still trying to hide.

"Dude, are you okay?" Sunghoon asked, stepping forward, clearly unconvinced.

"Nope! Just very busy with these... laces!" Sunoo replied, letting out an exaggerated laugh that only made him sound more suspicious.

"Sure. Well, if you see him, tell him I'm looking for him!" Sunghoon called, moving on, but Sunoo could feel the weight of his gaze lingering.

Once he was sure Sunghoon had turned the corner, Sunoo stood up, brushing himself off as he made a mental note to invest in better hiding skills. "Okay, that was close!" he muttered, trying to regain his composure.

He dashed across campus, hoping to find a safe haven—only to run directly into Hanna, who was holding a stack of books like a fortress.

"Sunoo! What happened?" she exclaimed, eyes wide with concern.

"I just had a close encounter of the Sunghoon kind," he groaned, leaning against a wall for support. "It's like he has a sixth sense for finding me!"

"Maybe it's your awful hiding skills," she teased.

"Shh! Don't draw attention!" Sunoo whispered urgently, looking around as if expecting Sunghoon to appear any moment.

Hanna rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright, alright! Just come with me!"

As they walked together, Sunoo's mind raced with thoughts of how he'd navigate the upcoming study session with Sunghoon. Maybe he could wear sunglasses and a fake mustache? Or carry a large sign that said "Please Don't Talk to Me"? The possibilities were endless.