I was stuffing my brain with loads and loads of information from the pile of books and papers in front of me. I huffed out loud while flipping over the next page when the librarian glared at me from the book aisle. I ignored her, she was not going to get into the way of me getting straight As on my finals. Thanks to 'family reputation' people like me have to fry their brains. It wasn't like my parents were forcing me to good grades, I just had the responsibility of being good in everything I laid my hands on. The chair on the other side of the table pulled out and I lifted my head lazily to meet my company. My best friend was scanning the pile of books on the table with wide eyes. I returned to my book after a weak smile as he clasped his hands together and his lips pressing into a thin line. He diverted his attention to the mess of brown hair on the table opposite him. Sighing, his fingers found my chin and lifted my head up to meet his eyes.
"You're coming with me," he commanded after examining my form. I stared at him in confusion.
"For the love of lord, I am not going anywhere Mr.Jeon" I reasoned before swatting his hand away and buried myself into my textbook. Before I could return to my laptop to continue my research, he snapped it shut.
"Seriously Wonwoo-"
"Shshshshsh, don't say anything and follow me," he said while stuffing my books and belongings into my bag.
"Yah, Wonwoo! I need to study. Think about my family reputation going down the drain! i don't ace my exams and then hey, presto "the Kims are dumb' will be written on our foreheads," I whined and Wonwoo pulled me out of the library.
I broke free from his grip and stood my ground, refusing to waste precious time. I was not going to go anywhere without finishing what I had planned to study for today. I looked him straight in the eye, arms crossed over my chest.
"Y/n look at yourself. You haven't slept properly for more than a week, you keep forgetting to eat. You practically live in the library," he reasoned. Realisation hit me in the face. The happenings of the last few days played on my mind as my arms fell to my sides, ever so slowly. I pondered over my irrational decisions of giving priority to expectations and ignoring the utmost important thing here; ME. Wonwoo stepped closer towards me as my mind flooded, debating on what to do, my next step on how to move on from this point.
"Please y/n, give yourself a break. It breaks my heart to see you like this," he whispered. I huffed, defeat evident in my voice.
"Fine," I gave in, looking up to Wonwoo. His brown eyes were brimming with happiness, a beautiful smile directed straight at me. I chuckled despite my frown - his happiness was sure contagious.
"Follow me, we're gonna eat lunch," he said heading off first. I jogged a little to keep up with his long strides.
We both reached a little BBQ restaurant near the college campus. I grinned up at the familiar block letters, lining the opening of what I practically thought of as heaven. A little 'open' sign decorated the entrance. Wonwoo held the door open for me.
"Well, thank you, kind sir. Such a refined young lad aren't you-,"
"Just get in already," he grumbled with a notorious smile plastered on his face. I snickered and made a beeline towards the table near the big glass window. Settling ourselves, we ordered and started our meal, talking about whatever crossed our minds.
"So, how's it going with-"
"With Ms.I-hate-y/n-for-life?" I cut him off and he nodded. I just shrugged and grabbed more meat from the grill, not looking up to him. I was not going to let him know that she was still bothering me. The last time that happened, things didn't go that well. Well, things are not supposed to go well with someone who embodied the Mean Girls in real life right?
"Omo!! Hi Wonwoo oppa~" I heard an annoyingly familiar voice, followed by the fakest giggle. My smile turned upside down and I returned my attention to my food. I saw Wonwoo shooting a nervous glance at me as I poked at my meat absent mindedly.
"Um-Hi, Haeun," Wonwoo greeted politely and kindly, but with uncertainty in his voice.
"I've been meaning to ask, will you be my date for the Harlem ball?" she asked, grabbing his hand and sitting uncomfortably close to him. Her minions just watched on as I continued grilling the meat, praying that he rejects her when I felt Wonwoo's eyes on me. I looked up to him, looked at Haeun (almost wanted to stab her with my fork) who had a fake smile plastered across her face and eyes full of hatred directed at me, specially made for me. I shrugged and went back to my phone as Wonwoo agreed.
"So Mommy asked me to go shopping with you to buy matching outfits and-"
"I am busy at the moment Haeun-"
"Busy? Oh y/n isn't that important as me right now, is she oppa?" she questioned. That was enough to jolt me up on my feet without any second thoughts.
"Where are you going, y/n?" Wonwoo asked.
"Back to the library, so that you two will have a lovely time together," I snapped back at Haeun and left the restaurant.
I looked back to see Wonwoo at the entrance of the shop, and something in me wanted him to run after me and grab hold of my hand again. But he didn't. He just stood there and watched me walk away as Haeun maintained a strong hold on his arm.
