SCENERY || KTH ♤

03| the space between us

"Look who we have here."

***

"...yes?"

For a moment, after looking at him, I felt like crying. I can't stand seeing him like this. He's in so much pain, and I want to erase it somehow––in any way possible.

But I'm unsure. I don't think this is the right time for me to be with him. Maybe that's why no one in the class has tried to talk to him. They're giving him space.

Which I'm not.

I'm being selfish. But there's nothing else I can do.

"If you don't mind, can I sit here?" I pointed to where his bag rested. "The café is full..." My voice was laced with hesitation.

If he had said no or shown any sign of discomfort, I wouldn't have proceeded. But he did nothing like that. Instead, he nodded, stood up, picked his bag from the couch, and started walking away, making my heart drop.

Maybe I was wrong to approach him.

On reflex, I started following him. For God knows what reason--maybe to stop him and tell him that I'll leave instead.

But he stopped by the counter, making me halt in my tracks. He wasn't leaving. Or maybe he was just greeting someone.

Everything felt so hazy that I didn't even know what expression I wore when he walked back to his seat with his drink. His eyes passed over me with a blankness that felt deliberate, a wall firmly in place.

He had just gone to order something for himself.

But the problem is, I can't pull myself out of a certain emotional state even if the situation changes. A normal person would feel relieved, but I feel anything but that.

I'm better off doing nothing than doing this.

It's as if I'm committing a crime.

I glanced at him again, noting the way he stared into his coffee, his thumb absentmindedly tracing the rim of the cup.

I should leave him alone.

For good.

Like I've never done that before.

A sigh of frustration slipped out. I walked to the counter and asked for some random drink to quench my thirst. Since the drink I chose was a bit complicated, they requested me to have a seat until it gets ready. This made me regret ordering anything at all.

Finding a seat in this packed café was nearly impossible. I contemplated going back to Taehyung but decided against it. The restroom seemed like a slightly better option to spend my time, for now. I'd come back once my order was ready.

As I entered, I saw a large mirror on the wall. I stared at my exhausted self, at my face, my body language, and the uniform I wore. I remembered smiling at some random thing Taehyung did in class while ironing it. But then, I reminded myself that I'd be leaving. Soon.

I wish I never had to leave.

But my family is shifting, and so am I.

I have absolutely no say in this.

My parents have controlled most of my life. That's probably why I look for freedom in every relationship. That is what love is to me.

Or at least that's what I thought.

I came out to check on my order after finishing my business. Thankfully, they called my name in less than a minute. I picked it up and started walking toward where Taehyung was sitting. Seats were still unavailable. Sigh. I'll apologize for this to him.

My eyes lingered on him. He was sipping his coffee while scrolling through his phone. Maybe he was feeling better now compared to earlier.

And maybe he was about to leave after that.

I don't know what I'll do once he leaves. Will I stalk him outside? I don't think that's right...

What time is it, anyway?––

I don't know what happened, but suddenly a person appeared in front of me out of nowhere and crashed into me. My coffee spilled onto the tray and a bit on the person who materialized. Reflexively, I pulled the tray away to prevent my uniform from getting stained. But a few drops still landed on it.

The towering figure with the stain glared at me. He looked familiar. Way too familiar. From his expression, I realized he had recognized me as well.

A smirk tugged at his lips. That’s when I knew I had gotten myself into an even bigger mess.

"Look who we have here."

***

Don't forget to drop your votes and comments here and there!<3

🪷🤗🪷