Lost In The Dream

8 | Nevertheless, she persisted

Zimmy's POV

The words were floating out of the books and outputs I've been reading since after class, my sight wiggling from all of the information I wished I would never forget. Three empty cups of coffee lying just in my reach, and my veins were asking for another cup. I was at the coffee shop waiting for no one, my team discussed our need to study alone for the upcoming midterm examinations. So we are studying at the same time, but in different places. I was about to ask for my fourth cup of coffee when my phone rang, in my life, there are only four people who would call me in any random time, but those four were currently diving into their books so it made me think of the other seven who would obviously not call me when they don't need something. I answered the call and a face I don't like to see appeared, he grimaced.

"What do you need?" I asked, not looking at him and trying to get even busier. He dropped the call, maybe he thought he was disturbing me. Thank God, though. I really need to finish all these notes.

When I opened my eyes, I realized that I just fell asleep unintentionally so I immediately reached for my pen to continue writing the notes, but he was already there, taking charge of my papers.

"What are you doing?" I asked while I tried to get the pen from him. He stopped me by showing his hand gestured to me. He let out a deep breath few minutes after and started fixing all the papers on the table.

"There, it's all done. Now, will you go have dinner with me?" His face loosened but he's back to being the grumpy Kihyun when I shook my head no.

I didn't even know it was time for dinner already, my stomach hasn't growled yet which means I can have time to read all the remaining reviewers I have left. "Did you honestly think that you have a choice?" He grumpily asked and put all of my papers inside my case, and all the books on my rucksack. He swung the rucksack on his shoulder and slightly tossed the case for me.

I followed him by just looking at his feet move, I guess it will be easier this way. People would recognize him, and I don't want to trouble him for that. In a spur, people already started recognizing him and other girls started to follow him as well while they take pictures of him with my yellow kanken bag. I couldn't stop wondering about what might other people think if they saw him with that bag, are they going to assume he's studying again?

A slight jerk made me lose my balance so I stumbled a little but when I regained my composure, all that was left for me to follow were the trails of the girls following Kihyun.

Another day, another trouble. I thought and tiptoed to look for him but I can't find him over the sea of his fans.

Why is this situation very familiar?

"What are you doing?" He shouted with his eyes narrowed. He pointed at me and asked me to come beside him, all eyes. All eyes were on me.

My eyes burned with embarrassment as I walked at his direction, he waited impatiently while making exhausted expressions and I wish I could punch him very lightly. He threw his arms on my shoulders and I heard a massive hundred swoons all around us.

He bowed to every direction and waved good bye to his crowd when we got inside the restaurant. I desperately searched for the other members and my team and thought maybe they were already hanging out upstairs so I stepped my foot on a level, not waiting for him anymore but my soul left my body when he noticed me and said, where are you going alone?

"Are the others not here?" I asked with my forehead creased. His response was only to tease me, he shook his head numerous times making me look like a dumb arthoe. I hit his chest as a reflex but then realized I can't do that so my face flushed in red and I had to turn away and storm upstairs.

He ordered for me but honestly, I don't really have an appetite so I told him I don't eat a lot. He did the opposite of what I told him, he ordered a lot. It was his money after all. Right?

"Who is that?"
"She looks average."
"Are you sure that's Kihyun?"
"Heol. What is he doing with that girl?"

I heard murmurs from the next table and my heart burned to ashes inside, my flowers inside all wilted to die by their unthoughtful words. I was just trying to eat, people. I tried to remember what I look like by looking at the ground and on my toes to my hands. I couldn't help but compare myself to them, they look like heaven favored them in the most amazing ways.

"Are you sure you're going to listen to them?" His voice came from behind, was his voice always this soothing? His warm hands covered my ears and my fears, and although I can hear the world around us still, my focus turned to him. He then sitted next to me, I don't know why but I'd love to believe that he did that to block me from those girls.

Do I really look weak enough? I was the one who's supposed to protect him from the world, but the world seemed to have turned upside down.

Our plates was cleared in time, he had to take everything in but ended up not finishing the other meal so we had a take-out. I tried to take my bag from him but he quickly jerked so I couldn't. "The day is not yet over, Shiny."

"I need to go home, Yooki." I mocked the way he calls me Shiny, "my friends would not let this go if they knew I'm with you." I added.

"They don't have to know this is a date." He said, making me stop from walking. All the flowers that wilted earlier seemed to relieve themselves in my lungs.

"This is a what?" I asked hoping to clarify what he just said.

"A date, Shiny. A date." He rolled his eyes and gave me a look of anger. Maybe I was dumb the whole time but I can absolutely remember when he told me he's going to be mad at me forever. I'm itching to ask him and to know what on earth is happening between us but I couldn't. Maybe I could but my tongue pushes itself backwards and I have no idea what to do or say anymore.

"...I still hate you, give your mind a break." He added with a lopsided grin. I sigh in relief but his words registered late on my mind, is he a mind reader or what?

We went to their company building and I was surprised to find out the other members profusely sweating while practicing. Then it occurred to me that this is their kind of ordinary life and it made me think of how fortunate I am. "Here she is," Kihyun announced and threw himself on the couch that has been sitting long on the corner of the practice room.

I stepped my feet in and in every step, the floor made a squeaking sound that was very bothering. Changkyun approached me first, his bareface made him look ten times cuter and I didn't forget he's the youngest member this time.

"We heard your exams is next week," Hyunwoo interrupted, while dragging a metal seat near the couch.

"So we'd like to give you our cheers." Jooheon added.

They gave me a pre-midterms celebration even though it is a week before. Receiving all kinds of advice from them made my heart jump and beat in the softest way. Kihyun was asleep the whole time, also when I bid good bye.

I'm walking on the streets when Dara called, asking me to get her some strawberry milk so I went at the nearest C-store. I just bought everything that we both wanted to eat and something that would keep us awake for our studying.

"Thank you for your purchase." The cashier happily put my items on the bag. I smiled back at her and cheered her up.

"You lost the bet, Kihyun."

Oh? Kihyun's outside their building and is actually awake already? I made my way slowly to their building entrance since that's the same way I needed to take to get a cab. I saw him there, his back facing me and Minhyuk was also there.

"I spent a lot today, Minhyuk and it's not even on my punishment! Chip in and make up for the money I've lost." He said firmly.

My eyebrows met in confusion and I kinda don't want to believe my interpretation of his words. The world around me spinned and I was suddenly in a rabbit hole, I never knew such cruelty existsㅡuntil tonight.