Nightmare from the Underworld ➟ H.H.J.

seven days

Setting: The Natural World

⇝ The High School

My tears increased and my wails became louder as I cried myself back to sleep. 

Jaeyeon's fear-stricken hands reached into her back pocket as she hobbled through the school gate, obviously shaken up from her dr-nightmare. Stepping over gravel, she feels her knees give way and takes it as the perfect opportunity for her to finally reach the ground and relieve herself of all her pain, by giving up.

But, she doesn't reach the floor. Instead, there are a pair of hands latched to her waist. She whips her head around expecting to see someone familiar, but it was a student she didn't know. She quickly tried to straighten and thank the boy, and was about to accept his offer to see her to class, when a voice interrupted. 

"It's alright, I'll take it from here." She faintly smiled at Hyunjin and waved the other boy a small goodbye. 

"So, how was your night? You look like you slept well?" The boy asked. 

"Actually, I didn't, I had a nightmare." She responded, her arm over his shoulder as he supported her. They walked together in a painfully slow march to the class. Hyunjin smiled lightly, grateful that his scheme worked. Every person in the underworld is given the ability to distribute dreams or nightmares or even appear in it themselves. Dreams are very easy to do, but nightmares require greater skill and it is the first time that Hyunjin had succeeded at it, so he was thankful. 

Silence. A comfortable one.

One where no one felt compelled to speak. But someone still wanted to.

Jaeyeon's nightmare was all too familiar to her. She had questions. "Hyunjin.... Did we meet before?" She practically whispers.

He doesn't answer, instead, he looks confused.

Embarrassed, she tries to speak again, "Like, did we ever know each other before....or atleast know of each other." She stared up at him, her eyes attempting to read his.

The boy started, but was interrupted by Woojin. 

"Alright, Jaeyeon, it's been nice but it's time to say bye to lover boy." He took her hand off the taller boy's shoulder and rested it on his, pushing the boy away passively. Jaeyeon stood in confusion at the interaction but was relieved it didn't escalate because Hyunjin walked ahead of the two.

The school day had finally come to an end and Jaeyeon made her way to her locker, to put away all the books that burdened her throughout the day. Hyunjin sneaked his way into her personal space and spoke in her ear with a giggle. 

"Don't do that!" She jumps from the ground, a soft and desperate scream came from her mouth. She clutched her chest tightly, turning to face the boy. As Hyunjin hadn't stepped back and she pivoted on her heels, she ended up face to chest as she faced him. His breath swept up the top strands of her hair as her cheeks flushed and her heart pounded. Embarrassed for acting so swiftly, Jaeyeon retreated a few steps and tried to collect herself in the presence of an unflustered Hyunjin. 

"Do you wanna work on our project today? You know we can talk about your dream, I could play therapist for a day." His smile span from ear to ear and lit up his eyes. Jaeyeon stood frozen for a bit as the boy in front of her was definitely from her dreams, she felt her insides move. He's too perfect, she whined internally. 

"As much as I'd love to keep up with work, I'm going out with Woojin today, to the coffee shop around t-"

"Going out?" Hyunjin couldn't hide his surprise. 

"Yes, we're just gonna..... Wanna come? I don't think he'd mind that much...." She begins pulling her phone from her pocket to call Woojin, suddenly feeling guilty for denying the boy who was just interested in work.