Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 4: Unexpected encounters

The weight of the night settled heavily on Juhee's shoulders as she stood in the corner of Yeonjun's living room, the laughter and chatter of her friends echoing around her like a distant memory. Jaehyun's words replayed in her mind, a relentless loop that threatened to drown out the festive atmosphere. She felt exposed, the facade she maintained now cracked under the pressure of their argument.

With a deep breath, she scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of a friendly face that could distract her from her spiraling thoughts. Her gaze landed on Yeonjun, who was deep in conversation with a group of friends, animatedly recounting a story that made everyone laugh. His carefree spirit was infectious, and for a moment, Juhee felt a flicker of relief.

But then, her eyes wandered to the patio door, where she had seen Wonbin earlier. She didn't understand why the image of his detached expression lingered in her mind. It was frustrating, the way he seemed unfazed by the emotional storm that had just unfolded. She brushed off the sensation, reminding herself that he was just another student, someone she didn't even know.

As the night wore on, Juhee found herself caught between the lively atmosphere inside and the unresolved tension with her brother. She felt the urge to confront Jaehyun again, to mend the rift that had formed between them, but every time she approached him, the words seemed to dissolve before she could speak.

"Hey, are you okay?" Karina asked, appearing beside her. "You've been awfully quiet. Want to join us for a game?"

"Yeah, I just... I need a minute," Juhee replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Karina studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but don't isolate yourself, okay? We're all here for you."

Juhee appreciated the concern but couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. She needed to clear her head. With a quick glance at the bustling living room, she decided to step outside for some fresh air, hoping it might bring her clarity.

As she pushed open the patio door, the cool breeze greeted her, offering a momentary reprieve from the chaos inside. She leaned against the railing, taking deep breaths as she tried to sort through her emotions. The stars twinkled above her, but the beauty of the night felt muted, overshadowed by the turmoil she faced.

As she stood there, lost in thought, she became aware of movement nearby. A group of students laughed and joked as they passed, heading to the patio. Among them was Wonbin, his tall figure cutting through the crowd with an air of indifference. Juhee's heart raced as she recognized him; he was one of the students from her classes, always observing rather than participating.

He approached the railing, his dark eyes scanning the area with a measured coolness. Juhee felt a strange urge to say something but hesitated. She hadn't expected to encounter him here, and the sight of him only stirred the lingering feelings of frustration and confusion.

"Nice night," he remarked flatly, leaning against the railing next to her without making eye contact.

"Yeah," Juhee replied, attempting to keep her tone neutral. "It's nice to get some fresh air."

"Looks like you need it," he said, his voice lacking any warmth.

Juhee's brow furrowed at the jab. "I'm fine."

Wonbin turned his head slightly, his expression inscrutable. "You're clearly not. Why are you standing here alone?"

"None of your business," she shot back, feeling her irritation rise.

"Fair enough," he replied, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes, though he remained impassive. He glanced back toward the party. "Good luck with that."

Juhee opened her mouth to respond, but he stepped back, leaving her with only the faint sound of his footsteps fading into the background. The brief exchange left her feeling rattled, a mix of annoyance and intrigue washing over her.

As the sounds of laughter and music drifted from inside, Juhee realized that she hadn't expected a confrontation like this from him. Though their interaction had been sharp and dismissive, it stirred something within her—a curiosity she hadn't anticipated.

Maybe there was more to Wonbin than met the eye, and perhaps their next encounter would bring further clarity.

Author's note:

Their first interaction👀