Storm. || Zen/Hyun Ryu

[7]: zen.

[a/n]: Holiday break is over for me so I'll be updating less often T^T

This chapter is kind of dull bc I kind of rushed yikes

6:50 pm

The library from BucksStar was a 15 minute run. The thing was, the wind was strong and the rain was heavy and hard to see through so it was a struggle to get there.

The umbrella was useless and flew away, too. My backpack and I were completely drenched. The wind harshly blew me backwards when I saw the library.

I squinted through the rain, seeing no one there. I muttered out a curse at myself. I had no choice but to get closer.

At the corner of my eye I saw something-- or someone move. I swallowed, finding a bus station. I grinned, and ran to its direction. The temperature was chilly, plus the rain dripping down my skin was ice cold but I still kept going.

Once I reached it, I found [Y/N] on the bench rubbing her arms. She was wearing the same clothes at school-- a flannel, so she was shivering in this temperature.

"Uh.... S-Sorry.." I managed to mumble out, forcing myself to give her a sheepish smile. I eyed her, examining her even more.

She wasn't drenched like me-- her hair was still pretty dry, but her clothes had stuck to her skin like glue.

I laid my backpack down on the pavement, and unzipped it, pulling out a hoodie. I noticed she had furrowed her eyebrows, and waved both her hands aggressively; indicating a 'no thanks'.

"No, it's the least I could do," I insisted, handing her my hoodie. She shyly muttered out a 'thank you'. I frowned at the thought of her sitting here for 20 minutes. "I'm sorry," I repeated through gritted teeth.

She nods after putting on the hoodie. "Why are you late? And why do you have your backpack?"

I lowered my eyebrows into a thoughtful expression. Should I tell her? She was the only one I had at the moment, but we barely knew each other.

I ran my fingers into my hair. "It's a long story," I replied bluntly, keeping my voice low.

She tilted her head at this, "We have time. The way from here to my apartment is about 10 minutes."

I mentally face palmed.

We made eye contact for a moment, her [e/c] eyes trailing away later on. I didn't want to answer, but I could tell she was eager for an answer.

"It's personal.." I finally said, picking up my gray backpack.

[Y/N] placed the hood on the top of her head, and gave me a warm and comforting smile-- which I hadn't seen in a while. "Okay. I'm sorry, I just want you to feel more comfortable around me. I feel like it would help if you had a tutor you were friends with rather than just some stranger."

Friends.

She wanted to be friends?

Most people would have fainted knowing I was in the same room as them, but this was different. I liked it.

She treated me as a human being and not some unicorn or something, which was a first. I blinked in confusion since this feeling was so new to me, but I eventually returned her warm smile.