★﹐니키 𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗜．﹗
❝ Your boyfriend or Enhypen? ❝
❝ You're in Enhypen, Niki... ❝
✦ ─ When Sim Nari moves to Korea to be with her brother Jake, she temporarily stays at the Enhypen dorm while her apa...
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011 : casting sun
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I STOOD in front of the bathroom mirror, taking a moment to truly see myself. The fluorescent lights cast a soft glow, illuminating my reflection. With a delicate touch, I began to dust off the fabric of my uniform skirt, smoothing out the little wrinkles that had crept in during the chaotic morning. Each gentle stroke felt like a small affirmation as I sought to present myself well on my first day at this new school.
After flattening the skirt to my satisfaction, I turned my attention to my hair. I ran my fingers through the layers, letting them cascade down my shoulders while I carefully adjusted my curtain bangs. I wanted them to frame my face perfectly, adding a hint of softness to my features. As I stepped back to assess my work, I felt a rush of mixed emotions—excitement, nerves, and a hint of hope.
Just as I was about to turn away from the mirror, the bathroom door swung open unexpectedly, and in walked a girl who was undeniably stunning. She had an effortless beauty that seemed to light up the room, her presence commanding attention. My heart raced slightly as I instinctively gave her a small bow of my head, accompanied by a shy smile.
"I don't think I've seen you here before," she said, her voice melodic and laced with gentle curiosity. It was as if she was genuinely interested in me, and I felt a spark of warmth at her words.
"Yeah, I just moved here," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. My cheeks flushed slightly, betraying my shyness as I returned her smile.
"Oh well, welcome! I'm Kim Minji," she offered, her eyes sparkling with kindness. There was something about her demeanor that made me feel instantly at ease, as if I had known her for longer than just a few moments.
"I'm Sim Nari," I introduced myself, feeling a connection begin to form. But then, a sudden wave of realization hit me. I remembered that the boys were waiting for me, and I could not linger any longer. "I um, have to go. I'll see you around, Minji," I said, my voice tinged with a mix of regret and hope as I turned to leave.
Minji nodded, her understanding smile making it hard to leave the warm interaction behind. "See you," she waved softly, her attention returning to the mirror as I stepped out of the bathroom, the gentle sound of her movements fading into the background.
As I exited, the hallway greeted me with an unusual silence. The early arrival had paid off; there were no crowds of students jostling for space, no boisterous laughter reverberating off the walls. It felt surreal, almost like I had entered a different world. My heart raced as I scanned the empty corridor, searching for a familiar face amongst the stillness. It was then that I spotted Niki leaning against the wall, his expression unreadable as he appeared lost in thought.
"Ah, Jungwon went to—" he began, but then his words trailed off as he looked at me, his gaze suddenly intense, as if he was seeing me for the first time. For a moment, the air between us thickened, and I felt an unexpected flutter in my chest. I tilted my head slightly, trying to decipher the sudden shift in his demeanor.
"Niki? Where's Jungwon?" I questioned, breaking the tension that hung in the air. My voice carried a hint of impatience, eager to know where my friend was.
"Oh... yeah, he's, uh, went to class already," Niki replied, his tone slightly flustered as he cleared his throat, trying to shake off whatever moment had just passed between us. I nodded in response, giving a soft hum as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, acutely aware of the awkwardness that lingered.
As we began to walk together down the vacant hallway, I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and curiosity about the sudden tension. "We're in the same class, right?" I asked, hoping to bridge the gap between us with a simple question. I was keen to know more about him, to unravel the mystery that seemed to surround his aloof nature.
"Yeah," he replied, his voice flat and lacking the enthusiasm I had hoped for. It was clear that conversation was not his strong suit, and I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me.
"Are the classmates friendly?" I probed further, my heart clinging to hope that I would find a warm and welcoming atmosphere among my new peers. I yearned for connection, especially in a place that felt so foreign to me.
"I guess," he replied once again, his words devoid of any real emotion. I sighed inwardly, feeling a flicker of frustration bubbling within me. Niki's nonchalant persona was starting to wear on me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was holding back, keeping me at arm's length. The silence between us felt heavy, and I desperately wanted to break through it, to understand him better.
As we approached the classroom, the door was slightly ajar, revealing the warm glow of the morning sun spilling in, casting a gentle light across the rows of empty desks. The room was enveloped in a serene silence, punctuated only by the soft sound of our footsteps echoing on the tiled floor. A mix of excitement and nervousness bubbled within me, intertwining with the hope that today would mark a fresh start. I inhaled deeply, summoning my courage, then pushed the door open wider.
"Looks like we're really early," I said lightly, glancing over at Niki. He merely shrugged, his expression still unreadable as he stepped inside, his presence both comforting and enigmatic. I felt an inexplicable pull toward him, a curiosity urging me to uncover the layers beneath his quiet demeanor.
Once inside, I approached the teacher's desk, my heart racing slightly as I prepared to introduce myself. "Excuse me, I'm Sim Nari," I said, bowing slightly out of respect, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my stomach. "I just transferred here."
The teacher looked up, her warm smile radiating kindness. "Welcome, Nari! It's lovely to have you. Your seat will be right beside Niki there," she said, gesturing to the empty desk next to him. The simple assignment of a seat felt monumental, as if it symbolized the start of a new chapter.
I nodded, feeling a mixture of gratitude and anticipation swirling within me as I settled into my chair. Niki had already taken his place, his head resting peacefully on the desk. We had been waiting for a while, and the tranquility of the room had lulled him into a light sleep. I stole a moment to admire him, the soft morning light highlighting the angles of his face. He looked ethereal, almost angelic, lost in a world of dreams. The way the sunlight danced across his features captivated me, and I felt a warmth spreading through my chest.
As the minutes ticked by, the classroom gradually began to fill with students, their chatter breaking the tranquil silence that had enveloped us. I turned my attention back to Niki, who was still asleep, his dark hair slightly tousled and falling across his forehead. An inexplicable urge surged within me, the desire to reach out and connect with him becoming almost overwhelming. Hesitantly, I leaned closer, my heart racing as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear, wanting him to look as serene as possible in that moment.
Just as I pulled my hand back, Niki stirred awake, blinking slowly as he began to gather his thoughts. Our eyes met for a brief instant, and I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks. In a swift motion, I turned away, clearing my throat and trying to appear casual, not wanting him to notice the moment that had just passed.
Niki rubbed his eyes, still slightly groggy, oblivious to what had just happened. He stretched and groaned softly, his voice raspy from sleep. He seemed unfazed, shifting in his seat and directing his gaze toward the front of the classroom as the teacher began to address the class.
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( A\N )
✦ ─ I hope you guys enjoyed and liked this chapter. Please FOLLOW VOTE and COMMENT to show your support. I am going to post new books soon so FOLLOW to get updated on when I post them. MESSAGE me on my MESSAGE BOARD. I also have other books, so go check them out if you'd like!
