Whispers were heard everywhere in the corridor, like a breeze rippling the surface of the still water. Holding her books tight against her, she ignored all of those whispers. what? her? what a slut! how did she do it? no way! Harsh words being thrown all over the tight space, all directed to her. It all started a few days ago, when her world turned upside down. All along her high school life, she had always been a wallflower with her own huge secret. Younghyun had been doing a great job being a wallflower until her best friend suddenly became the school's trending topic.
Byun Baekhyun was one of those people who's puberty came late compared to the mainstream. His skin was still fair and smooth, and his voice not as deep as his peers. She had known him for years and it was hard at first since they were the absolute opposite of each other. Maybe as they grew up, Younghyun learned to tolerate him better and they somehow reached a state where both of them understand each other perfectly, synchronised like a bird's wings.
Like all wallflowers, she kept her secrets to herself. She didn't even tell it to Baekhyun. One of the reason was, he was the secret.
It had never occurred to her why she was upset anytime someone joined them in their lunch table, it was as if their own bubble of the world was being intruded by aliens, or why would she always prefer to not make other friends aside from Baekhyun. Maybe because all she had in her wake was Baekhyun, Baekhyun and more Baekhyun. There was simply no more space for anyone.
It was on a summer night on their first year in high school, they spent their evening on Baekhyun's roof by the balcony. Sitting on the sloped shape of Baekhyun's house, they each had a can of iced sprite in their hands. Exchanging stories that each of the latter didn't know of about their new school, they exchanged laughs too. After all the years knowing him, Younghyun was starting to see him in a different light. He was no longer that runny nosed boy who shared his banana milk with her on their first day of year six, instead; he matured right before her eyes and she saw him as a man. Even though he still had the same build as he was in middle school and that uneven chopped fringe of his still unchanging, she started to initiate some feelings towards him. It was sweet and it was childish, at that time.
The flutter of the butterflies became prominent as the days of their second year in high school passed by. Baekhyun started to change, well, physically. Even though she can still see the image of that boy she had a crush on from that night over a can of sprite, he was actually changing. His jawline slowly became visible, he had grown a head taller than her and his morning voice which he usually greet her with in the bus stop was starting to change. But he was still the same Baekhyun she knew he was.
Then, people would refer her to as 'that girl who sticks around Baekhyun' in their senior year. Baekhyun came to be extremely popular among the girls even guys by that time. Every girl in the school's corner would know him, not to mention like him. Younghyun was vigilant of their tiny bubble of the world. She felt like this secret she knew about the wonders of Byun Baekhyun was suddenly no more a secret.
Younghyun'd never want to draw attention to herself. Having Baekhyun on her lunch table though, was a huge factor that would lead attention to her. But her selfish side of herself, liked the company of the boy. He was the only good friend she had known. The last year of high school had been full of whispers anywhere she went. As people addressed her with the title 'the one who stuck around Baekhyun' She started to feel bad for Baekhyun.
What if I never like him in the first place? Younghyun regarded the thought of that multiple times. Even with just walking with Baekhyun to chemistry, people were already judging him for being friends with Younghyun, a nobody. What if I never like him in the first place? She asked herself. Then it'll be easier to leave.
But leaving was never the way it work. He brought her to an orchestra downtown during the long weekend. The orchestra had always been something they can share only between them. It was the only flimsy link between them that still remains a secret to the others. She was proud of it. Afterwards, he took her to their school. She wondered why. Without answering her, he found his way up climbing the fence and waved an encouraging hand to her over the other side.
She couldn't believe him when they made it to the rooftop without a problem. Why weren't the doors locked? Why were they there? Why was he acting weird? She studied his features under the moonlight thinking how the moonlight outlined his face and his lean body perfectly. His jet black hair was nearly purple under the dark sky. Baekhyun looked at her intently, and when he answered all her questions, Younghyun was out of words.
Why me of all girls?
Because I want you.
But you could've have any girl out there with no problem.
Why would I look too far when the one I want is right in front of me?
And that's how her world turned up side down. She'd never forget those insane fluttering in her gut whenever he swept her hand in the corridor. He was still her best friend and they still treat each other the same way, with a little bit of cheesiness. Their weekly library visit to study had become a playful session filled with muffled giggles and eraser dust thrown at each other. Despite all of that, there was always a catch behind such romance a wallflower was living.
That's how Younghyun found herself walking down the corridors where there were less people. She was even sure that she'd develop ochlophobia.Fake. Slut. Who the hell is she? How dare she? Nobody! Trash! Those words would always follow her name. Behind her facade, she was tormented. If she was to go down, she won't take him with her. But will he let her?
He laughed at those sinister whispers. With an arm around his universe, he walked her out the school gates and whispered;
"I'll pick you up at 6 tonight."
She stared at him.
"It's time for our first date of course."
YOU ARE READING
Running After You
Fanfiction• behind her facade, she was tormented • a facade that was futile in front of him • he believed in her imperfections • she despised her imperfections was the pursuit of perfection fictious? his wish was to make her stay his only aspiration and...
