Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 12: Shattered reflections

The days following the midterm festival felt like an endless cycle of confusion and frustration. Juhee buried herself in her studies, but the weight of her emotions made concentration nearly impossible. Each time she opened her textbooks, her thoughts spiraled back to that charged moment with Wonbin—his piercing gaze, the sharpness of his words, and the raw vulnerability that had escaped her lips.

Despite her attempts to push it aside, the memory haunted her. How could he see through her façade so easily? What did he know about the pressure she felt from her family, the expectations that loomed like shadows over her every decision? And yet, why did his indifference sting so deeply?

As she sat in her room one afternoon, surrounded by scattered notes and half-finished assignments, her phone buzzed with a message from Karina. Hey, want to grab lunch? I think you need a break. Juhee sighed, feeling both grateful for the distraction and hesitant about facing the outside world.

Sure, where? she replied, reluctantly putting her books aside.

They met at their usual café, a cozy spot where they often sought refuge from the chaos of campus life. As Juhee walked in, she spotted Karina already seated at their favorite table, her face lighting up when she saw Juhee.

"Finally! I was starting to think you'd abandoned me to the library," Karina teased, but her smile faltered when she noticed Juhee's expression. "Okay, spill. What's been going on with you?"

Juhee hesitated, unsure of how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "It's just... everything feels overwhelming," she admitted, stirring her drink absentmindedly.

Karina leaned in, concern etched on her face. "Is it about that guy? Wonbin?"

Juhee's heart sank at the mention of his name. "I don't know. It's complicated. I don't even know what I feel anymore."

"Complicated how?" Karina pressed, her voice gentle but insistent. "You have to talk about it, Juhee. Bottling it up isn't going to help."

Juhee sighed, her mind racing as she struggled to find the right words. "It's just... he sees me differently. He knows there's more beneath the surface, and it scares me. I thought I could just focus on my studies and ignore everything else, but it doesn't work that way."

Karina nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Maybe he's challenging you to confront those feelings. Maybe you're meant to feel this way."

"Or maybe he's just being a jerk," Juhee countered, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone. "He acts like he's above it all, like he doesn't care."

"Does he, though?" Karina asked thoughtfully. "Or is he just as lost as you are? Maybe he's trying to protect himself."

Juhee contemplated Karina's words, a mix of anger and sadness washing over her. "It's just so unfair. I'm trying to figure everything out, and he just waltzes in and throws everything into chaos."

Karina reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Juhee's. "It's okay to feel confused. Just because he's in your head doesn't mean you have to act on it right away. Give yourself time."

Juhee nodded, appreciating her friend's support. "I guess I just wish things were simpler."

As they continued their conversation, Juhee couldn't shake the feeling that the tension with Wonbin was just a reflection of her internal struggles. The expectations from her family weighed heavily on her shoulders, pressing her to conform to a path that felt increasingly suffocating.

That evening, back in her room, Juhee found herself staring into the mirror, grappling with her reflection. Who was she really? The diligent student, the dutiful daughter, or the girl who longed to break free from the confines of expectation? As the questions swirled in her mind, she felt a surge of determination.

Maybe it was time to stop hiding—time to confront not only her feelings for Wonbin but also the fears that had held her back for so long.

With newfound resolve, she grabbed her phone and typed out a message to Karina. I think I need to talk to him again. I can't keep running away from this.

As she hit send, a mix of fear and anticipation coursed through her. Juhee knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but perhaps confronting her feelings, however messy, was the only way to find clarity.