Wendy Stories

Facades: WenHope (2)

Prologue;

I stared at Hoseok who flashed his pearly whites. Something felt off about it. As if it wasn't a real smile. No one seemed to catch on. I wonder why. His friends didn't notice at all. Strange, but I'm going to find out. Once everyone else leaves and he'll be left alone, I'll swoop in and interrogate him.

~

I'm appalled. Hoseok kept smiling fake smiles and not one person looked alarmed. This is concerning! It was so obvious—he doesn't even look happy. Does he even like these people? His eyes were wandering off into space or something. They are currently wandering off right now and—shoot! He caught me studying him. I tried to play it off as if I was looking at the poster behind him. I don't he believed it, though. I didn't, either.

~

His friends left. Took them long enough! What should I say, anyway? "Hi, I have been observing you and I think your smiles are lies." I got shivers. That sounded creepy. The last thing I need is for someone to think I'm creepy.

I took some deep breaths and decided to wing it. Planning conversations never worked for me. I walked toward him as calmly as possible. Then I narrowed my eyes at him and placed my hand on my hip, leaning in.

"I don't think your smiles are genuine."

He examined my eyes carefully. "Your smiles aren't genuine, either."

I stared at him, shocked. "What makes you think that?"

"They don't reach your eyes. You also never pitch in when it comes to conversations. I don't think you listen to your friends at all. Are you that socially awkward or something?"

Why is he acting as if he knows me? And has he been watching me?

"Maybe I am. Look, your smile may reach your eyes, but there's a certain sadness to it. I don't know how your friends think you're happy—when you're clearly not—so just know you're not fooling me."

He raised his eyebrows. Is he intrigued? I can't tell.

"Impressive. For you to be able to recognize my 'smile' in that way is impressive. Only, you'd only know that if your 'smiles' are the same. And I think they are."

"So?"

"So I think we'll be great friends."

Then he smiled. Somehow, I think this smile is real. Actually, I know it's real. He looked at me earnestly. He knew that I could tell. In return, I give him my own smile. My real smile.