Loco

06

A week had already passed since that night at the coffee shop, and everything between Chaeryeong and Y/N seemed to be moving at lightning speed. They were inseparable during school hours: sharing notes, walking to classes together, sneaking glances when they thought no one was watching. The connection between them was undeniable, and each day felt like it was building toward something more.

But there were moments when Chaeryeong would catch herself overthinking. Sometimes, when she woke up in the morning or lay awake at night, the same question would surface in her mind: Why me? Y/N could have anyone she wanted. She was beautiful, popular, confident. And Chaeryeong? She was the quiet girl in the background, the one who never stood out, the one who barely spoke up in class. So why did Y/N want her? Why was she choosing to spend her time with someone like Chaeryeong, someone who felt so ordinary compared to the world Y/N lived in?

Chaeryeong had been questioning herself more lately. Every time she saw Y/N laughing with her friends, or talking with someone in the hallway, her heart would sink a little. She knew it was irrational. Y/N wasn't hers. She wasn't tied to Chaeryeong in any way, not yet.

And then, there were the whispers.

They were subtle at first - just a few passing comments when Chaeryeong walked down the hall, eyes flicking toward her with curiosity or judgment. She overheard one girl in class whisper to another, "What's up with Y/N hanging out with her? Is that really a thing?" And it made Chaeryeong's stomach churn. Was she just some phase for Y/N? Was she just someone to pass the time with? It made Chaeryeong feel exposed, vulnerable in a way she hadn't felt before.

But every time she saw Y/N's smile, every time Y/N took her hand or laughed at one of her terrible jokes, Chaeryeong couldn't help but believe that maybe - just maybe - this wasn't a mistake. Maybe Y/N really did care about her.

-

It was a Friday afternoon when the tension finally snapped.

Chaeryeong had been walking toward her locker after fifth period when she saw Y/N standing with a group of her friends near the staircase. At first, Y/N didn't notice her. But then, when Chaeryeong's footsteps echoed through the hallway, Y/N looked up, and for a moment, their eyes locked. Chaeryeong felt a rush of warmth, as if she were the only one in the hallway.

Y/N smiled, that perfect, warm smile that made Chaeryeong's heart flutter, and waved her over. "Chaeryeong! Hey, come here!"

But as Chaeryeong approached, one of Y/N's friends, Ryujin, leaned in and said something that made Chaeryeong freeze in her tracks.

"You know," Ryujin said with a teasing grin, "I always wondered what it'd be like if Y/N actually dated a girl who wasn't... well, you. I still don't get how she likes you."

The comment was lighthearted, but there was an edge to it that Chaeryeong couldn't ignore. Y/N's eyes darted between Ryujin and Chaeryeong, and for a second, it felt like time had stopped. Chaeryeong's chest tightened, and a cold wave of insecurity washed over her.

Ryujin's words lingered in the air like a heavy fog, and Chaeryeong could feel the weight of them. She forced a smile, but it felt stiff. "I-I should go," she stammered, barely able to meet Y/N's gaze.

Y/N's smile faltered, and for a moment, she looked conflicted. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but Chaeryeong had already turned on her heel and started walking away.

"Chaeryeong, wait!" Y/N called after her, but the sound of her name felt far away, drowned out by the growing pit in Chaeryeong's stomach.

Chaeryeong kept walking, ignoring the voices behind her. She just needed to get away. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. What had Minji meant by that? Was Y/N embarrassed by her? Did she want someone more... like her friends? Someone popular? Someone better?

-

She didn't stop walking until she was outside, standing under the overhang of the school entrance, gasping for air. The cold breeze against her face felt like a slap in the face, and she felt a wave of panic rising in her chest. She pulled out her phone, her hands shaking, and typed a quick message to Y/N.

Chaeryeong:
I think I need some time to think. I'm sorry.

She hit send before she could stop herself, feeling a rush of regret immediately afterward. What was I doing?

She put her phone away and leaned against the wall, trying to calm the storm inside her. She didn't want to be the girl who couldn't handle this. She didn't want to be the one who messed things up because she was too scared, too insecure. But she also didn't know how to navigate this world Y/N lived in - this world that seemed so far removed from the one Chaeryeong had spent all her life in.

She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of someone approaching.

"Chaeryeong."

It was Y/N's voice. Chaeryeong's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't turn around.

"Chaeryeong, look at me."

Her voice was softer this time, and Chaeryeong slowly turned to face her. Y/N was standing there, looking at her with concern in her eyes, but there was no judgment - just worry.

"Why did you run off?" Y/N asked gently, stepping closer. "You didn't even give me a chance to explain."

Chaeryeong swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard what Ryujin said." She shook her head, feeling the sting of vulnerability in her chest. "I'm not what you want, am I? I'm not like your friends, I'm not like anyone you'd normally hang out with. You're just... having fun with me, right? It's just a phase?"

Y/N's expression softened, and she stepped closer, closing the space between them. "Chaeryeong," she said firmly, "I don't know what Ryujin meant by that, but it doesn't matter. What matters is this." She gently cupped Chaeryeong's face with one hand, her thumb brushing against Chaeryeong's cheek. "What matters is us. I like you. I don't care about the people around me who think I should date this person or that person. What I care about is how I feel when I'm with you. I don't need anyone else when I'm with you."

Chaeryeong's chest tightened, and she felt the tension inside her start to unravel. Y/N wasn't backing away. She wasn't telling her to leave. She was here, standing in front of her, looking at her like she was everything.

"I like you too," Chaeryeong whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek before she could stop it. "I'm just so scared, Y/N. I'm scared I'm not good enough for you."

Y/N gently wiped away the tear, her touch soft and comforting. "You are more than good enough, Chaeryeong," she said, her voice steady. "Don't ever think you're not."

For the first time, Chaeryeong allowed herself to believe it.