Unknown boy // ATEEZ seonghwa ✓

VII

"Everyone remember to study for the upcoming exams!" The teacher warns us as we all start packing our stuff to leave the classroom for lunch.

With Eunji's arm wrapped around mine, we make our way to the big dining hall. Grabbing our food, we walk over to a table in the corner of the room and start eating, gossiping about the students here and the neighboring schools. "Ever since you told me about that Hyunjin guy, I haven't been seeing h- oh I spoke too soon." I look over her shoulder to see him walking over with two of his friends. "Even better, he's coming over." I turn my head, slightly to hide my eye roll from the boys. "Really? Do I look good?" In response, I stare at her blankly without muttering a single word and go back to eating.

"Hey, Eunji." He gives her a small smile and sits down without even acknowledging me. "Hi, Hyunjin." She beams at him, before quickly turning away. "This is Soljoo. Soljoo this is Hyunjin." Finally, for the first time since he came, he looks at me, with complete and utmost disinterest, "Oh, I didn't see you there, hi." "Hm, of course." Is all I whisper, my voice so low even I barely heard myself.

"Anyways, you're coming this weekend right? After we could go to this club. It's easy for me to go there 'cause I know the owner." At that Eunji starts clapping in excitement while I just sigh. That's definitely not a good idea. "First, he continues, we'll just chill in the park and then when it gets pretty late we can go." Maybe San will be able to prevent me from going...

Too soon, lunch break is over and classes start again. On the way back, Eunji kept on gushing over the tall boy. Talking about how she fell in love with him and how exciting Saturday will be. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against parties, but going to the club with people I barely even know isn't my cup of tea. At least the parties Mingi hosts are with people I know but here... not really.

The day finally comes to an end and I slowly go down the stairs with San by my side. "What are you doing this weekend?" I ask him, looking down at the steps, he shrugs "I don't think I'm doing anything , and you?" I look up and think. "On Saturday I'm supposed to go out with Eunji and some of her friends but I don't know if I will, that dude she's talking to isn't really nice and I only know Eunji and I guess Jisoo." He nods, showing that he's listening to what I'm saying. "If I don't do anything that day, we can meet up." San suggests and I answer a short "Yeah sure." We walk home together after stopping by a food market and much to my dismay, I have to say goodbye. San and I have known each other for a few years now and we've been close since day one. We tell each other pretty much everything. He knows about my bad relationship with my dad but nothing more and I wish to keep it that way for as long as possible. Sometimes, when my dad goes on business trips, I invite San over for our traditional sleepovers.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" I recall his words as I sit in front of my desk, "I'm worried about you, you haven't been as smiley as usual." You have to tell someone... the voice in the back of my head tells me.

I tilt my head back and rub my face aggressively, frustrated. "I don't want to! I don't want to do anything!" I don't pay attention to the tears flowing down my face and the small whimpers coming from my throat. "Why did mommy leave me here? She knows how he is so why did you leave without me?" By now, I'm sobbing, my head between my overs, my sleeves drenched in with tears and snot.

11:45 p.m
Daddy isn't home. The neighborhood is silent with only a few cars passing by. I lay in bed with no emotion, my cheeks sticky from the tears and my eyes puffy. "I hate you, mommy and daddy. I hate you Soljoo."

6:30 a.m
I look at the ceiling, my eyes dry and red from the lack of sleep. My eyes close as I prepare myself for the day. I let out a sigh and continue with my daily routine.

The week goes by excruciatingly slow. It's now only one day until the weekend and two phrases were able to erase everyone's excitement. "You will be assigned a project with class 2." At first, I didn't mind because San is in that class so I could just do it with him. "Settle down, the groups are already decided." Everyone expressed their dissatisfaction differently; some yelled, some huffed, some just didn't do anything but deep inside they wanted to hit the teacher.

"Kim Soljoo," I raise my hand, "you are with Park Seonghwa." Oh wow. I make a face as I hear both of our names in one sentence. I knew that I wasn't going to be lucky but to be this unlucky? That's just unfair.

Unknown number
It's Seonghwa, when do you want to start?

How did he get my number? San probably gave it to him.

Me
How about tonight after school so that we can get it over with as soon as possible.

Park Seonghwa
Where

Me
The library not far from school?

Park Seonghwa
Ok

Soon enough the final ring bells, signaling that the day is over and we can leave. With Eunji, I go down to the entrance and after saying bye to each other, I lean against the wall and wait for Seonghwa.

I feel my eyes droop as I've been waiting already for five minutes. Barely anyone is here, most of them already far away from school, even San left.

Finally, after what feels like ages, I hear footsteps and I turn around to see the familiar face. "What took you so long?" He doesn't answer me and instead lets out "Let's go." I roll my eyes but still follow him and eventually fall into step with him.

We arrive in front of the big library. "You've got to be kidding me." I look up at him then at the library and the small smile I had on my face drops. "It's closed?!" I yell back in disbelief. "And for a month?" I look back at Seonghwa with wide eyes. He just looks at me with a hint of amusement at the expression I have. "We can't go to my house, my brother came back and he's having a party." I try to think of a solution.

Daddy isn't home.

He can come to my place. "My dad isn't home so we can do it at my place." He nods and we make our way to the bus stop that brings me home.

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I know that the whole project thing isn't realistic they could've done it elsewhere but it's for the plot.