Mr. Rude vs Mr. Nice (0.2)

33: Running Away

The days that followed Taehyung's confession were a blur of avoidance.  I found myself constantly on edge, my heart pounding whenever I thought I might run into him.  The carefree, playful banter we shared during our fake relationship felt like a distant memory, replaced by a heavy silence that hung between us.

I started taking different routes to class, avoiding the places we usually met.  I even skipped a few of our usual hangouts, fearing the awkwardness that would surely follow.  My friends, sensing my unease, tried to coax me out, but I found myself retreating further into my own shell.

The truth was, I wasn't sure how to handle his confession.  My heart had been caught off guard, my carefully constructed walls crumbling under the weight of his sudden declaration.  I couldn't deny the flutter of excitement, the spark of something new and unexpected, but it was overshadowed by a wave of fear.

What if I wasn't ready for this?  What if I was still clinging to the remnants of my relationship with Seokjin, a ghost that lingered in the corners of my heart?  What if I was just playing a game, a dangerous game that could leave me heartbroken?

The fear of hurting Taehyung, of hurting myself, was overwhelming.  I couldn't bear the thought of facing him, of seeing the hope in his eyes, knowing that I couldn't give him what he wanted.  So I ran.  I ran away from my feelings, from the truth that was staring me in the face. But I think running away from him won't solve anything why not just try to talk to him

"Taehyung," I said one afternoon, catching him alone in the library. but Instead of a response he just smile bitterly "What's going on? Why are you acting so cold?"

He looked at me, his eyes a cold, hard gray. "I'm not acting, Jisoo," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'm just... busy."

"Busy with what?" I asked, my voice trembling. "You're not even looking at me."

He turned away, his shoulders stiff. "I said I'm busy," he repeated, his voice clipped. "Can't you see that?"

I stared at his retreating back, my heart sinking. Was this the same Taehyung who had confessed his feelings just a few days ago? The same Taehyung who had looked at me with such tenderness and longing?

The doubt gnawed at me, growing with each passing day. Was his confession real? Or was it just a cruel joke, a way to manipulate me? The more he pushed me away, the more I questioned his sincerity.

I tried to rationalize his behavior. Maybe he was just scared, maybe he was unsure of how to handle his feelings. But as the days turned into weeks, his coldness intensified, and my doubts grew stronger.

I was lost in a labyrinth of confusion, my heart torn between the hope that his feelings were real and the fear that I was being played. The truth, I realized, was a dangerous game, and I was afraid of the consequences.

(30 mins had past)

The scent of old paper and leather filled the air as I navigated the labyrinthine shelves of the library. I was seeking solace in the quiet solitude, a refuge from the storm of emotions swirling within me. Taehyung’s confession, his subsequent coldness, and the unsettling encounter with Seulgi had left me feeling lost and confused.

As I reached for a book, a familiar voice startled me. "Jisoo?"

I turned to see Irene, Taehyung’s ex-girlfriend, standing a few feet away. Her eyes were a shade of warm brown, similar to Taehyung’s, and her smile held a hint of sadness that tugged at my heart.

"Irene," I said, my voice barely a whisper. I felt a sudden pang of guilt, as if I had been caught doing something wrong.

"Can we talk?" Irene asked, her voice soft but firm. "There’s a café just down the street. Would you join me?"