Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 26: Fading Lines

The sun rose the next morning, filtering soft light through the curtains of Wonbin's room. Juhee stirred awake, her body nestled comfortably under the sheets, the remnants of last night's passionate encounter swirling in her mind. As she opened her eyes, the warmth of the sun kissed her skin, and she felt a smile creeping onto her lips, remembering the way Wonbin had looked at her, the way he had held her, and how everything had felt so right in that moment.

She turned to her side, half-expecting to see him lying beside her, but the bed was empty. Panic flickered in her chest as she sat up, the sheets slipping from her shoulders. The room was quiet, save for the faint sounds of laughter and chatter outside the window, reminding her of the bonfire and the group of friends who had joined them for the trip.

"Wonbin?" she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper. There was no answer.

Feeling a mix of disappointment and confusion, she slipped out of bed, her heart racing. She quickly dressed, pulling on her clothes from the night before, the fabric still warm from their shared warmth. As she stepped out of the room, her mind replayed the memories from the night before, but a sense of uncertainty began to creep in.

When she emerged into the living area, she found Wonbin sitting on the couch, staring out the window with a cigarette in hand. His expression was pensive, and for a moment, she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her-a bittersweet reminder of how they had been before everything had changed.

"Hey," she said softly, her voice hesitant.

He turned to her, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Morning," he replied, his tone neutral.

Juhee took a step forward, her heart pounding as she searched his expression for any signs of the warmth they had shared the night before. "I... I'm sorry for how things got a bit heated last night," she began, feeling the weight of their earlier argument hovering between them.

"It's fine," he replied, flicking the ash off his cigarette. "It was just a moment, right? Just a mistake."

His words cut deeper than she expected, and she felt her heart sink. "You still think that?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "After everything?"

He looked away, his jaw clenched, and she could tell he was battling with his own emotions. "Look, it doesn't change the fact that we need to be careful. I don't want to hurt you, Juhee, but-"

"Maybe you don't mean it, but I do!" she interrupted, frustration bubbling within her. "I can't just pretend it didn't happen. I felt something, and it wasn't just a mistake."

Wonbin sighed, running a hand through his hair, visibly torn. "I'm not saying it wasn't real, but I don't know how to deal with it. You don't know what you're getting into."

Juhee stepped back, anger flaring in her chest. "You're the one who kissed me! You can't act like this isn't real."

Before he could respond, she turned away, needing to escape the intensity of the moment. The laughter outside felt like a distant echo, reminding her that the world continued spinning, even as she stood frozen in place.

Later That Day

The group decided to spend the day exploring the nearby town, but Juhee couldn't shake the feeling of distance that had settled between her and Wonbin. She joined her friends, forcing herself to laugh and engage, but her mind was elsewhere. Every glance at Wonbin sent her heart racing, and every time he caught her eye, she felt a mixture of longing and anger.

As the day wore on, they returned to the beach for a brief swim. Juhee took a moment to sit on the sand, watching as her friends splashed and played in the water. She needed space to think, to process everything that had happened. The warmth of the sun and the sound of the waves were soothing, yet her heart felt heavy.

In the distance, she saw Seunghan walking toward her, a friendly smile on his face. "Hey, Juhee! Mind if I join you?" he asked, plopping down beside her without waiting for her answer.

"Not at all," she replied, grateful for the distraction. "How's your day going?"

"Pretty good! Just enjoying the beach. It's nice to take a break from studying," he said, stretching his arms above his head.

Juhee couldn't help but smile. "I know what you mean. I needed this escape."

As they talked, Juhee found herself relaxing. Seunghan was easy to talk to, and his easy-going demeanor was a welcome contrast to the emotional whirlwind with Wonbin. They shared stories and laughed, and for a moment, Juhee felt light again.

"Did you have any plans for this trip?" Seunghan asked, his gaze thoughtful.

"Not really. Just hanging out with friends, I guess. Trying to forget... things," she replied, the last part slipping out before she could catch herself.

"Things?" he echoed, his tone curious but gentle. "Sometimes it helps to talk about it."

Juhee hesitated but felt a flicker of trust toward him. "Just... family stuff. And some complicated friendships," she admitted, unsure if she wanted to share more.

"Complicated friendships can be tough. Just remember, it's okay to focus on yourself sometimes," he said, offering her a reassuring smile.

As the sun began to set, casting golden hues across the horizon, Juhee felt a sense of calm wash over her. She was grateful for the moment, for the chance to connect with someone who didn't carry the weight of their shared past.

But as she glanced back toward the bonfire, her heart sank at the sight of Wonbin standing there, watching her with an unreadable expression. The line between what she felt for him and what she was trying to build with Seunghan felt blurry, and she couldn't shake the worry that she was caught between two worlds.