Loco

02

The days that followed passed in a blur for Chaeryeong. Every glance in the hallway, every fleeting moment in class, every time Y/N's name was mentioned: her heart would race. It was as if she were living in two realities: one where everything was normal, and another where Y/N existed just out of reach, pulling her in like gravity. Chaeryeong couldn't shake the feeling that something was changing, shifting, and with each small interaction, her growing obsession felt more impossible to ignore.

It started to consume her in ways she couldn't bring herself to admit. After the brief encounter with Yeji outside the library, Chaeryeong replayed every word, every gesture. Was it just a passing comment? A polite offer? Or did it mean something more?

Every time she closed her eyes, she found herself imagining that study group, sitting beside Y/N, feeling the warmth of her presence. Would Y/N talk to her? Would she even notice her? The thought made her pulse quicken, torn between excitement and the gnawing fear of what it would mean to step into a world where she had no place.

That Friday afternoon, after another long week of hiding her feelings, Chaeryeong stood outside the library, her hands nervously clenching the strap of her bag. She had told herself that she was just going to study. Just going to walk into the library, find a quiet table, and focus on her work. Nothing more.

But as the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, her gaze found Y/N again.

Y/N stood near the entrance, laughing with her friends as they gathered their things, her laughter a melody that echoed down the hall. She was effortlessly radiant, her smile lighting up the space around her. Chaeryeong felt frozen, caught in the gravity of Y/N's presence, unable to move. She couldn't resist it anymore, the pull was too strong.

With a quiet breath, Chaeryeong stepped forward, trying to seem casual as she made her way toward the library, hoping Y/N wouldn't notice her. But as soon as she crossed the threshold, she felt it, a subtle shift in the air.

A prickle of awareness crept down her spine, like someone was watching her. Just as she turned to find an empty table, a voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Chaeryeong?"

Chaeryeong's breath hitched in her chest. She turned, and there she was, Y/N, standing just a few feet away. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders like silk, and her smile was softer than usual, warmer, almost as if she'd been expecting her.

For a moment, Chaeryeong couldn't breathe.

"Hi," Y/N said, taking a small step closer. "I saw you walk in. Are you planning to join us today?"

The words didn't fully register at first. Chaeryeong blinked, still trying to process the reality of Y/N standing in front of her. "Join... you?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah," Y/N replied, her smile turning teasing. "The study group. Yeji mentioned you might be interested."

Chaeryeong's heart hammered in her chest. This was real. This was happening. But the nervousness was overwhelming - so overwhelming. She'd always kept to the shadows, never dared to step into the world where Y/N lived, a world so bright, so perfect. Now, Y/N was offering her a chance to be part of that world.

"I... uh, I didn't know if I could keep up," Chaeryeong muttered, looking down at her shoes, unable to meet Y/N's eyes.

Y/N's laughter was soft, light, but it made Chaeryeong's chest tighten. "You'll be fine. I've seen you around, and honestly, you know more than you let on."

A blush crept up Chaeryeong's neck, her heart thudding. "Really?"

"Yeah," Y/N continued, her tone warm and reassuring. "If you're up for it, of course."

Chaeryeong hesitated. Should she do this? The thought of stepping into Y/N's world, risking everything - her comfort, her quiet existence - just to be closer to her, felt like too much. But then, a realization hit her: she couldn't keep running away. Not anymore.

"I'll come," Chaeryeong said, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess herself.

Y/N's smile brightened, and Chaeryeong felt something shift in the air, like the whole room had just tilted slightly. "Great. We're meeting in the café area after school tomorrow. I'll save you a seat."

Before Chaeryeong could respond, Y/N had already turned back toward her friends, the group parting like the tide for her.

Chaeryeong stood there, frozen, heart racing. She hadn't expected this. Hadn't expected Y/N to pull her in so easily. The idea of sitting with her, studying with her, being near her... it made her feel both alive and terrified all at once.

-

The next day, Chaeryeong arrived early, nerves already a tight knot in her stomach. She couldn't explain why, but walking into the café area felt like walking into a battlefield. What if she wasn't enough? What if she embarrassed herself?

Her mind kept replaying Y/N's words: "I've seen you around." Was it just a passing comment? Or did Y/N truly see her? Did she really care?

As the minutes passed, anxiety gnawed at her. Every step she took toward the café area felt heavier, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.

Finally, she walked in. Her hands trembled as she scanned the room. Y/N's group was already gathered at a large table, the conversation lively and animated. And there, right in the center, was Y/N.

Chaeryeong's heart skipped when Y/N looked up from her notebook. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow. Y/N's gaze softened when she saw Chaeryeong standing there.

"Hey, over here," Y/N called, her voice warm, inviting.

Chaeryeong swallowed, her breath shaky as she walked over. Y/N moved over, making space for her. Chaeryeong slid into the seat beside her, trying to steady her hands.

For a while, it was just small talk. Casual chatter, the kind of back-and-forth that made Chaeryeong feel like a stranger in a world that was so effortlessly vibrant, so alive. But even in the small moments - when Y/N laughed, or when her eyes sparkled as she spoke about something she loved - Chaeryeong felt herself falling deeper into the gravity of her world.

And then, just as Chaeryeong was starting to relax, a voice broke through the bubble of comfort.

"Are you sure you belong here, Chaeryeong?" It was a girl from Y/N's group - sharp-eyed and smirking, her gaze lingering on Chaeryeong like a predator sizing up prey.

Chaeryeong's heart dropped, the words sinking into her chest like ice. But before she could say anything, Y/N spoke up. Her voice wasn't harsh, but there was a cold edge to it. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Y/N glanced at Chaeryeong, her expression softening. "Don't mind her," she added, the gentleness of her tone like a balm on Chaeryeong's raw nerves. "She's just messing with you."

The tension hung in the air, thick and sharp, but Y/N's words were enough to make Chaeryeong feel like she could breathe again. Y/N had protected her.

It wasn't much, but in that moment, it felt like everything.

Chaeryeong glanced up at Y/N, her chest tightening with something that was hard to name. And suddenly, she realized: I think I'm in trouble.