Distant Luminosity | Hanjoo

Chapter Twenty

There is absolutely no way in hell that I am going to go through what I did yesterday.

"I'll pick you up after" was the last thing Byungjoo said to me before I hopped out of his car. I waited for him to drive out of sight before trying to sneak off campus. I made it all the way home without being caught, and was relieved when my mother (or her fiancé) wasn't there.

I locked myself in my room, taking out my phone and texting Byungjoo almost instantly.

[7:52 PM] Me: Why did I have to go to school? ㅠㅠ

[7:53 PM] Joo: because you've told me you've already had enough absents to pass another.

[7:53 PM] Joo: it'll be ok, it's just a few hours without me.

I sighed, if only I could have been honest with him. I know how'd that turn out, though.

[7:53 PM] Me: Okay, okay. You have a point.

[7:53 PM] Me: I doubt I'll pay attention at all, though.

[7:54 PM] Joo: idc about that so go fucking crazy

I chuckled to myself.

[7:54 PM] Me: ㅋㅋ Okay!

Hours passed and I intentionally stopped texting Byungjoo for about five minutes each time I knew it was a class change, just so he'd believe I'm still in school. Nothing interesting happened in my room, so really the only thing that kept me entertained was Byungjoo himself.

It was coming close to three o'clock now.

[2:54 PM] Joo: i'll go ahead and drive up there so i'm first, meet me in the parking lot.

[2:55 PM] Me: Wait, Joo. Let me walk home first, I'll text you when I get there.

[2:55 PM] Joo: why?

[2:55 PM] Me: Because I want to change into some comfortable clothes.

[2:56 PM] Joo: short sleeves?

[2:56 PM] Me: Ew, no way! Just come over when I get home, okay?

[2:57 PM] Joo: k.

My plan worked out perfectly. I searched for some clothes to change into and texted him after almost ten minutes later. He arrived and let himself in about fifteen minutes later. "Over here!" I shouted from my room and there he finally was.

I attacked him with a tight hug, accidentally making him stumble back into the wall. We both giggled, but quietened after a minute. We were probably thinking the same thing, as we leaned in to kiss just at the same time.

I felt safe with him like always.

That was, until I sensed the front door open and close twice at random. My breath hitched and my eyes shot open, my vision getting blurry. I wanted to cry honestly, I didn't want Byungjoo to get sabotaged or scared to be around me anymore because of my mother.

And so, he led me to my bed and set me down, tiptoeing to the door and locking it. "I'll be damned if she knows how to pick the lock or something." He muttered as he sat down beside me. I was still off in my own world, staring into the floor and trying not to have a panic attack in front of Byungjoo. He must've known either way, since he reached his arm over and pulled me to his side.

I closed my eyes and laid beside him, forgetting our surroundings once with peace. With his arm around me and my hearing led to his breathing, I could easily mistaken myself to be in his own place.

I was drowsing into a slumber for a while, but I tried my best to fight it. I wanted to spend as much time with Byungjoo as I could, because I feared he'd leave without me. Sohee often did that when I fell asleep during her visit, or sent me home if I was tired.

"Hey, get up," he shook my arm and I hummed awake, "we're going to sneak out."

"Okay." I whispered back to him, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

He unlocked and opened my window to let me crawl through, following me after. Although there was someone on the porch, a cigarette in hand. We didn't expect to meet my mother's fiancé out there.

"Where do you think you two are going?" He got up from his chair by the door and crossed the yard to meet up with us. He seemed upset, but his facial expressions died when he cracked a smile and ruffled through both of our hair. "I'm just messing with you. Here, let me move the car." He did as he said, letting Byungjoo's car be able to get out the driveway. He ushered for us to leave while waiting in the road, and we hurried to the car after exchanging equally confused looks.

"What the hell?" Byungjoo glanced at me as we neared a stop sign. "He was nice."

"They can all be fake, we may never know." I bluntly spoke.

Soon enough, we did make it to our destination and his mother was happy to see us as usual. "Good evening, sweethearts!" She tackled both of us into a group hug. Byungjoo muttered a strain hello and I only stayed silent, I love the amount of attention I get from her. No, I don't wish to be the center of attention, I just appreciate the feeling of maybe having a mother-like figure.

Although, getting to Byungjoo's room and us pulling out our phones, I received a text from an unknown number.

[4:34 PM] Unknown: Hey there, slut. Got some spare time?

–

look at me already planning a sequel for this- which'll be much better, i'm hoping

i'm sure i'll make this one up to about thirty or forty chapters though, especially since i still haven't fixed the main issue. with hansol, i mean

also i should probably note that it's four in the morning and i start school soon, as well as i have to be in the car at least thirty minutes to get thERE S O