Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 15: Small talks

The air buzzed with excitement as students filled the small apartment, laughter and music spilling out into the hallway. It was another party, this time in celebration of surviving midterms and securing placements. Juhee stood at the edge of the gathering, her heart pounding in time with the bass of the music. Despite the lively atmosphere, she felt a familiar sense of detachment, as if she were watching from behind a glass wall.

She scanned the room, searching for a friendly face amidst the crowd. Karina was already chatting animatedly with a group, her laughter infectious, but Juhee couldn't bring herself to join in. After the argument with Jaehyun and her emotionally charged encounter with Wonbin, she felt emotionally drained and uncertain about her place in the world around her.

As she picked at her drink, memories of the recent turmoil weighed heavily on her. The night with Wonbin replayed in her mind, the way he had watched her leave, the unspoken tension lingering in the air. She couldn't shake the feeling that their paths were somehow intertwined, yet the distance between them remained.

"Juhee! There you are!" Karina called out, breaking through her thoughts. "You need to come over here! We're playing a game!"

Reluctantly, Juhee followed her friend to the center of the living room, where a group of students was gathered, their faces flushed with excitement. The game was lighthearted, a mix of truth and dare, and for a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in the laughter.

But as the night wore on, her thoughts drifted back to the unresolved issues between her and Jaehyun. She caught sight of him in the corner of the room, chatting with a few friends, his demeanor relaxed. An ache settled in her chest; it pained her to see him enjoying himself while she felt so alone.

Just as she turned to walk away, she spotted Wonbin standing by the balcony doors, a cigarette in hand, his expression unreadable. Something about him pulled her in, even as she fought against the urge to approach. She felt a mix of frustration and longing, torn between wanting to confront him and the instinct to retreat.

The party continued around her, but all Juhee could focus on was the figure of Wonbin, leaning casually against the doorframe, seemingly unfazed by the chaos inside. There was something magnetic about him, a dark allure that beckoned her closer.

Summoning her courage, Juhee stepped toward him. As she neared, she noticed the way he flicked ash from his cigarette, his jaw tense. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low, almost drowned out by the noise of the party.

"Celebrating, I guess," she replied, trying to keep her tone light, though her heart raced. "Or at least pretending to."

He exhaled a cloud of smoke, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You don't look like you're celebrating."

Juhee shrugged, crossing her arms defensively. "It's hard to celebrate when everything feels so... complicated."

Wonbin's gaze softened for a moment before hardening again. "Complicated? Life is complicated for everyone, Juhee. You think you're the only one with problems?"

"I'm not trying to be dramatic," she shot back, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "But I can't just ignore how everything feels so out of control. My brother won't even talk to me, and I feel like I'm losing him."

He leaned against the doorframe, the smoke curling around him like a dark cloud. "You can't force someone to talk to you. If he's pushing you away, maybe it's for a reason."

"Or maybe he just needs someone to help him see that he doesn't have to go through this alone!" Juhee argued, her voice rising. "I'm tired of feeling like I'm shouting into the void. I need to know he's okay!"

Wonbin's expression shifted, an unreadable emotion flickering in his eyes. "What if he doesn't want your help? What if he thinks you're better off without him?"

Juhee's heart sank at his words. "You don't get it. He's my brother. I can't just stand by and watch him spiral. I care too much to do nothing."

For a moment, silence hung between them, thick with unspoken feelings and unresolved tension. Juhee searched his eyes, looking for some sign of understanding, but found only the walls he had built around himself.

"Maybe you should care less," he suggested quietly, but the words felt heavy and cruel.

Before she could respond, a group of students burst through the door, laughter and cheers echoing in the night. Juhee felt the moment slip away, the intensity of their conversation overshadowed by the chaos of the party.

"I should go," she muttered, taking a step back. "I can't be here right now."

Wonbin didn't stop her as she walked away, the distance between them growing once more. Juhee stepped back into the throng of students, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and confusion. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing not only her brother but also herself in this whirlwind of emotions.

The party continued around her, but all Juhee could think about was the distance between her and the people she loved. She felt adrift, navigating a sea of faces without any sense of direction.