Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 5: Unraveling threads

Juhee stepped back inside, her head swirling with the remnants of her conversation with Wonbin. The party buzzed around her, laughter and chatter filling the space, but she felt oddly detached, as if she were observing from behind a glass wall. His cold demeanor had left a mark on her, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the gathering.

She moved through the crowd, trying to lose herself in the festivities, but the weight of her emotions lingered. How could one brief exchange unravel her sense of self so completely? The way he had looked at her—cool, dismissive—made her second-guess everything.

Her friends noticed her distraction. Karina approached, nudging her with a teasing smile. "You look like you just walked out of a sad movie. What's up?"

"Nothing," Juhee lied, forcing a smile. "Just tired."

"Come on! Let's dance!" Hanbin chimed in, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the makeshift dance floor. The music pulsed through her, urging her to let go. She followed, trying to match their energy, but the rhythm felt off, every beat mirroring her inner turmoil.

As they danced, flashes of Wonbin's expression crept into her mind—his disinterest, his indifference. She caught herself looking around for him, as if he could somehow be part of the joy she was trying to recapture. But he was nowhere to be found.

"Hey, are you with us?" Karina's voice cut through her thoughts, and Juhee blinked back to reality, shaking her head.

"Yeah, sorry! Just... lost in thought."

"You need to let loose a little! It's our last year!" Hanbin encouraged, spinning her around, and for a moment, she laughed, forgetting the tension. But as the night wore on, the laughter faded, and she found herself retreating to the balcony once more.

The cool air was refreshing, a stark contrast to the warmth of the party. Juhee leaned against the railing, staring out at the cityscape, letting the night wash over her. She needed clarity, a moment to gather her thoughts.

It was then that she heard footsteps approaching. Turning, she saw Yeonjun step outside, a drink in hand. "Thought I'd find you here," he said, joining her at the railing.

"I just needed some air," she admitted, feeling a bit exposed.

Yeonjun glanced toward the party, his expression thoughtful. "You okay? You seemed... off back there."

"Just thinking about everything," Juhee said, her gaze fixed on the stars. "School, family, expectations... and him."

"Wonbin?" Yeonjun asked, and Juhee nodded. "He's a bit of a mystery, isn't he?"

"More like a wall," she muttered. "I don't get why he's so... closed off."

"Some people are just like that. Maybe he's dealing with his own stuff," Yeonjun suggested, though his tone didn't carry much conviction.

"Yeah, maybe," Juhee replied, but a part of her couldn't shake the frustration.

"Look, don't let it get to you. Focus on us. We're here to celebrate, right?" Yeonjun's attempt to lighten the mood was appreciated, but it felt like a temporary fix.

"Right," Juhee said, forcing a smile. But as they stood together, she felt a deeper yearning for connection—something more than the superficial interactions that surrounded her.

After a few moments of silence, Juhee decided to head back inside. She wanted to shake off the lingering doubts and enjoy the night, but as she turned to rejoin the party, she felt an overwhelming urge to escape again. The crowds felt stifling, the laughter ringing hollow.

Juhee moved through the throng of people, trying to push aside the memories of her earlier encounter. She needed space. Seeking solace, she made her way down a dimly lit hallway leading to the bathroom, hoping for a moment of privacy.

As she entered the small room, she leaned against the sink, splashing cold water on her face in an attempt to clear her mind. The sound of muffled music and chatter echoed from the main room, a reminder of the chaotic energy outside. Juhee took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"Get it together," she murmured, looking at her reflection. She didn't want to feel this way—not tonight, not at a celebration meant for her and her friends.

Feeling a surge of determination, she left the bathroom and returned to the party. But as the laughter and music enveloped her again, she felt increasingly out of place. Her friends were caught up in their own conversations, leaving her feeling like a ghost drifting through the crowd.

The night continued to twist in unexpected ways. As she navigated through the throngs of people, she suddenly felt overwhelmed by the noise, the brightness, and the energy that seemed to pull her in every direction. Juhee's heart raced as she took a step back, trying to find her footing in the chaos.

In that moment, she spotted a quieter corner of the room—a small alcove where the noise felt muffled and the light dimmer. Juhee headed there, seeking refuge.

Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to ground herself. But instead of finding solace, her mind spiraled back to thoughts of Wonbin and their brief encounter. She thought of his cool gaze and the way he had brushed her off.

A sudden wave of frustration washed over her, and she pressed her hands to her temples. Why did his indifference affect her so much? Why couldn't she shake off the feeling of inadequacy that seemed to seep into her bones?

Lost in her thoughts, Juhee didn't notice the time passing. When she finally opened her eyes, she realized that the party had started to wind down. The energy in the room felt different, and people were beginning to say their goodbyes.

Just as she was contemplating leaving, she felt a rush of dizziness. The edges of her vision began to blur, and her knees felt weak beneath her. Panic surged within her as she staggered, trying to steady herself against the wall.

"Juhee?" A voice called out, but the world around her began to spin. She struggled to focus, but darkness crept in at the edges of her vision, pulling her down into a haze.

The last thing she registered was the sound of footsteps approaching, and then everything faded to black.