Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 8: Unspoken tensions

The days that followed the party passed in a blur for Juhee. Classes droned on, the lectures a mere backdrop to the chaos of her thoughts. Every time she caught sight of Wonbin in the hallways or across the lecture room, her heart raced, a mix of confusion and curiosity flooding her mind. What had happened in those brief moments of eye contact? She felt as if he had seen right through her, and it unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

In her mind, she replayed the moment they locked eyes, the way he stood there, aloof and distant, yet somehow intriguing. Juhee shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away as she focused on her studies. She had to maintain her grades, keep her family's expectations at bay, and yet, the mere thought of Wonbin lingered like an unwelcome shadow.

On the other side of campus, Wonbin felt the weight of the world pressing down on him, yet he couldn't shake the image of Juhee from his mind. Her determination and intensity stood in stark contrast to the carefree students around them. He watched her from a distance, noting how she engaged with her friends, a flicker of laughter escaping her lips. But each time their paths crossed, he kept his distance, unwilling to let anyone breach the fortress he had built around himself.

It was a chilly afternoon when Juhee decided to take a walk around the campus to clear her mind. The air was crisp, and the leaves crunched beneath her feet. She passed by the familiar spots, her mind still wrestling with thoughts of her brother and the unrelenting pressure of her studies.

As she wandered, she unexpectedly found herself outside the library, the place she often retreated to for solace. Just as she was about to turn back, she caught sight of Wonbin sitting alone on a bench, buried in a book. Something stirred within her—an inexplicable urge to approach him, to break the barrier that seemed to exist between them.

But as she took a step forward, she hesitated. What could she say? What was there to say? Their previous interactions had been brief and charged, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to confront the silence that hung in the air like a thick fog. Instead, she lingered at a distance, observing him, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Wonbin, sensing her presence, glanced up from his book, his eyes narrowing slightly as they met hers. There was a coolness in his gaze, one that sent a shiver down her spine. He didn't smile; he didn't offer any acknowledgment. Instead, he simply returned to his reading, the moment passing between them like a fleeting dream.

Juhee felt a mixture of disappointment and relief. Part of her had hoped for some sort of interaction, yet the other part understood the boundaries they had both set. She turned away, a sigh escaping her lips as she walked back toward the campus center, her heart heavy with unspoken words and unanswered questions.

Meanwhile, Wonbin watched her retreat, an unsettling feeling creeping into his chest. He hadn't intended to push her away, but his instinct was to maintain his distance, to keep his emotions at bay. Juhee intrigued him, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt the need to remain detached. She was just another student, after all, and he had his own battles to fight.

As days turned into weeks, the tension between them grew, unacknowledged but palpable. Every time their eyes met, a silent conversation passed between them—one filled with questions, doubts, and an undeniable connection that neither dared to explore.

With midterms approaching, Juhee threw herself into her studies, trying to block out the distractions. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escape the intrigue that Wonbin represented.

Would she ever muster the courage to reach out, to bridge the gap that had formed? Or would she let the opportunity slip away, just as she had done countless times before? The answers remained elusive, as did the connection she felt pulling her toward him, urging her to break free from the expectations that held her captive.