EUPHONIOUS | knj. [COMPLETED]

Chapter Thirty-Two

It was graduation day. Yay! The downside to me graduating was walking up the stage with an injured foot. 

"Irina! What happened?" Lucas asked worriedly, quickly making his over to me. Holding my hand was one of the maids, who came with me and Uncle since.. yeah, I can't walk properly. Uncle was still back in the mansion, saying he'll come over soon, since the graduation won't be starting yet. "When did you get a sprain? You shouldn't be standing!" he kept scolding me, and I could tell the maid was pretty tense. 

Like me, he was already wearing the graduation robe, and was holding unto his hat. 

Lucas lead us to a nearby bench and crouched down in front of me to inspect my foot, "You idiot.. what happened?" he says a french word, which I assumed was a curse, before resting my foot on a certain angle. I playfully rolled my eyes, "Well, if you let me speak and stop worrying for a while, maybe I'll be able to tell you." 

He pursed his lips and stayed quiet, and I told him about the skating incident. Coincidentally, as I was explaining to him what happened, Namjoon and Jaehee arrived, in their robes. "Namjoon," Lucas says, his voice low as he turned to him, "I told you to take care of her." 

"Hey, I took care of her. She was just being reckless." he defended, as he sat beside me. Jaehee asked what happened, and I told her the same story over again. Namjoon kept cutting me off, saying what really happened, but I ended up telling most of the story. 

"And you should've been more careful," Lucas scolded, crossing his arms. I groaned, nodding slowly: "Yes, mother." he sighed: "It would be okay if we get you a wheelchair--" 

"No!" I protested right away. At all costs, I did not want to sit on a wheelchair! I needed to bare the pain for my beauty! Unfortunately, though, Namjoon and Jaehee agreed to this bad suggestion, and Lucas continued, "It would heal faster if you don't walk."

"No." I say again. My mind wandered off to the argument me and my Uncle had before I went here-- that I should sit on a wheelchair, yes, the exact same argument me and Lucas were having right now, "Beat me up if you want, but I'm not going to sit on a wheelchair." 

"Irina," Jaehee started, "No one is going to be mad at you if you use a wheelchair, you know. As far as I know, everyone just wants to graduate. And it's better for you." she convinced, and Namjoon, who sat beside me, smirked. "You're so stubborn." 

"I'm not going to use a wheelchair." I growled, turning away from them. Graduation was so close-- maybe an hour and a half from now, and Uncle had already texted me he was on his way. "Never." 

-- 

I ended up using a wheelchair. 

And because that happened, I had two new goals in mind: One, strangle Lucas for brining up the idea, and two, strange Jaehee and Namjoon because they supported that idea. Now, Uncle was pushing the wheelchair, and I was covering my face, hoping no one would recognise me. 

"Here's the box you told me to bring," Sadie said, holding a rather huge box. I nodded, "Yeah, Just hold on to it till the program ends." she popped her gum, then rolled her eyes, "My bones are gonna break." 

Pushing the thought of me using a wheelchair and having a sprain, I was so excited to graduate. This meant that I don't have to study anymore, or do homework, man! I feel like I just won at life. Except for.. you know, injuring my foot and all that.. 

-- 

"We graduated!" Jaehee squealed, Namjoon and Lucas adjusting so she would be able to hug us three. I sighed, "This is torture!" she smiled, "Say, let's eat at the restaurant! You know, the same restaurant we ate in when we first met." 

"Yeah, I'll see you there," Lucas says slowly, then motioned to his father, whom was sitting on the seats, "I just need to have a small talk with my father." he says, before waving goodbye and leaving. Jaehee eyed me, then Namjoon, before saying: "I'll leave you two here for a while." 

"Jaehee!" I growled, and I feel the wheelchair move. I cursed under my breath, "Where the fuck are you taking me?" I questioned, as I grabbed the box when we passed Sadie's seat. Though I couldn't see him, I could tell the box caught his attention, "What is that?" 

"None of your business.." I trailed off. Geez, even though it was resting on my lap, Sadie was right! This box was fucking heavy.. "Really.. where are you taking me?" I asked, and he sighed: "Somewhere in campus." it took me a while to realise he was taking me outside of the building. He leaned on the wall and took a breath. 

The second he did, I pulled out my phone and decided to text Lucas something: 

[you better go to the restaurant. and i told you i wasn't lying when i told you we're bound] 

"So, smartass, why did you take me here?" I cocked an eyebrow, not bothering to look up at him. I bet he was going to say something that would once again surprise me, because that was always the case. So I decided to prepare myself. 

"You're an idiot." 

My mind went blank, "W-What?" 

He turned to me, with a small smile, "You're an idiot, and I.. I love you." he says. Geez.. how many times did he have to say that? I wanted to cross my legs, but I feel like my bones will break if I do. So I decided to stay still and fiddle with my fingers. 

"I know, you've told me that dozens of times." I pointed out, and he shrugged, "I just want to remind you.." he says. I was sure that wasn't all he had to say, but I couldn't help but wonder what it was. After all, I also had something to say.. And not just that.. 

"You're--" 

"I.. I love you too," I blurted out, and the words made heat rise up my cheeks. I shut my eyes tight, and I could tell this caught Namjoon's full attention. He crouched down in front of me and smirked, "What?" 

"I love you," I repeated, and he looked away, pretending as if he didn't hear it. He covered his ears, "I'm sorry, can you say that again." my eyes narrowed, and I pressed my hand on his forehead, pushing him off balance. 

"Ow!" he says, then walked over again, "Really-- say it again." he smiled, enclosing my hands in his. I pursed my lips, my voice getting hitched in the back of my throat as I said it again: "I love you." as I did, I pushed the box over to him. 

Yes. I was definitely going crazy. How can I say that? That was a lie! I was lying to myself.. or was I just lying to myself back then.. and.. this was the truth? That I couldn't accept? 

"Well, this is heavy." he pointed out, and I cleared my throat, "Just open it." he sighed and placed it on top of the table. He opened the box, and his eyes widened. 

"It's.. the vase I broke from before." he said slowly, and I nodded. He turned to me, obviously impressed. "How did you get it back together?" 

"You see, when you broke the vase, I ended up getting all the pieces and putting them inside one bag, hoping that one day.." I paused, "I'd be able to give them to Chanyeol, but what a surprise, that I ended up giving them to you." I rolled my eyes as I spoke. 

"Thank you." he smiled. 

I returned it, "Try and avoid breaking it again." 

This was it. The bad feeling I was getting was definitely near. I know it. And so, I told myself.. I had to be happy for as long as I have to. 

-- luka 

Yeah. I guess we are bound. :) 

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A/N: 

One last chapter before Epilogue. It probably is unexpected, and I hope that the ending won't let you down! Next chapter will be good~ 

And I love this chapter so much! Such character development, :") At first, Lucas would hesitate to go with them, but now, he's willing. And if you've noticed, this was the first time Irina returned a smile to Namjoon~ And the vase! ahh~ 

Also, that happy face :") <3