Stuck in Between (EXO-APink Fan Fiction)

49. Concern

Thank you @cocobake for reading and voting! :)

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Chorong's POV

Haist! I can't sleep. Our classroom is so noisy.

It has been 30 minutes since I left my lunch in the cafeteria, leaving Kris alone at the table.

Now, I am stuck on my desk trying to use my free time for sleeping, but my classmates who packed their lunches are too noisy chatting and laughing.

I burried my face in my arms. Where are my earphones when I needed it?

Then suddenly...

♬Ocean's apart.. day after day.. and I slowly go insane.. ♪

Hey wait. That's my favorite version of Richard Marx's 'Right Here Waiting' by Bernard Park. I really loved it when he sang it in Kpop Star Season 3!

I thought I was already dreaming hearing that song. Yet, to realize, an earphone was put in my right ear. I moved to see Tao on his seat sharing his earphones with me.

Smiling, his eyes are closed and his arms across his chest as if listening very intently to the song.

I gave him a smile though I know he wouldn't see it, then burried my face again inside my arms on the desk.

Just when I'm already dozing off,

"Park Chorong.."

I didn't respond. I'm too lazy to.move.

"Park Chorong.."

I think that voice came from one of my classmates.

"Chorong-ah. Somebody's looking for you outside the room."

Oh! Sorry.. That's Tao.

Forced, I stood up. I didn't even mind fixing my hair or check my face if I have reddish discolorations due to the friction from my arm. I just walked straight out of the room not even asking who was looking for me.

"Ya. Weakling."

I was startled. Kris was standing beside the door leaning on the wall. His gaze scanning me from head to toe.

OMONA! How does my hair look? Do I look so dishevelled? Why didn't I check my face? Why didn't Tao say it's Kris?! Waaah! This is so embarrassing!

I felt my cheeks went red, I must look like a tomato now. Eotteokhae?

Looking at a different direction while trying to cover my face with my hands pretending to look so sleepy to have an excuse, "What do you want?"

He chuckled.

Is he laughing at my appearance? Haist! You're so doomed Chorong!

"You look cute." He said which made my cheeks hotter.

I look cute? What does he mean by that? I'm really so doomed!

Then he held a lunch bag in front of me. "Take this."

I faced him. "What's this?"

"Noona packed those for you. I told her you didn't have lunch."

"Tiffany unnie went here?"

He shook his head. "No. I went to the store to get this. Take it."

This isn't a movie shooting scene, right? Why are there so many audience watching when I'm having a very touching and supposed-to-be-hoity-toity-moment? It's not like I always have Kris to give me food when I needed it, it's a rare chance. Why are you all against it?!

And now I need to reject it because all of you don't like my happiness. "I'm okay. Thank you but I'm not hungr---"

Growl~~

Stomach, stop growling!

"Eulolong?" referring to my stomach. "C'mon!" He held my hand and put the lunch bag for me to hold. "They.." Referring to the people around us. "Might poison you. But remember this, I won't ever do that."

He left leaving me the lunch bag.

And as soon as he left, the audience parted as well.

Box office movie has come to an end! When will be its sequel? I said sarcastically in mind.

I went back to our room. My classmates were all staring at me as I sat back on my seat.

Tao wasn't there anymore. Where did he go?

"Chorong-ah." One of my classmates, Luna, approached me and sat on the chair in front of my desk. "I hope it won't hurt you. No offense, but.. I'm just really curious. Who are you dating among the two?"

Others also gathered around me.

I can't blame them. Though we are classmates, it's not like I could explain to them everything.

They are waiting for me to answer the question. However, I dunno why but I can't open my mouth and say what's inside my mind.

Coward. The little voice inside my head is dissing me.

Will they believe me if I say everything to them? Or will they bully me as well?

I tried opening my mouth. "I.."

Their eyes opened widely looking at me with very interested facial expressions.

"I..."

Worries.

"I..."

Chaos.

"I'm... not..."

Luna smiled and pat my shoulder. "Kwenchana. It's your private life. I shouldn't have asked it. Anyway, I hope that.. in everything that is happening to you now.. you'll stay strong. You were a brave one when we first saw you."

Another classmate beside her, Bambam, gestured a fist and said, "Himnae! (Way to go!) Fighting!"

Same as my other classmates.

And they all went back to their seats.

I didn't know I have such kind and understanding classmates. It's good to know that some people among all my haters are cheering for me, even if I'm not close with them.

Be brave. Be strong.

Seem like I forgot to be like that already.

Park Chorong, when did you losd that courage of yours?

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