run ── 𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗷𝗲𝗻𝗼 ❎

Chapter 7

One month later. Chemistry class.

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SOOJIN'S POV:

As I watch Jeno work on our chemistry project, I wonder what's the relationship between us. I think he got over the fact that I'm not afraid of him. But he still scares everyone else. Now, every teacher pairs me with him, simple because I'm the only willing one.

But I still can't make anything out of our relationship. Are we enemies? Not really. Are we friends? Not really either.

I reach over to the plan we're making and ask, 'Should we do this instead?' I quickly sketch out a rough outline.

Jeno stares at my sketch for awhile, evaluating it. 'You're right. It's clearer that way.'

As he starts editing the plan, someone comes to my left and taps my shoulder. I look up to see Lia.

'Can you...can you help with our project?' She says, seemingly nervous.

I glance over to notice Jeno narrowing his eyes at Lia, almost as if he's threatening her.

'Okay sure! Jeno...?' I meet his eyes, forcing him to break his glare at Lia.

'Whatever.'

I shrug and join Jisung and Lia at their table. Suddenly, Jisung looks up from his texts and gets up, 'I need to go to the toilet.'

Lia laughs and waves him off, and Jisung rushes off, informing the teacher first. When Jisung is gone, my friend lowers her voice and whispers to me, 'Aren't you afraid of him?'

I raise an eyebrow, 'Who? Jisung?'

Lia rolls her eyes and turns back serious, 'No! I meant Jeno...' She shoots a fearful glance at Jeno.

I frown, 'He can't be so bad right? I mean, he's still a boy.'

She shakes her head but stops when she realizes Jeno might look over.

'Can't you see? He freaking murders people! He tortures people! You can't be serious, Soojin!' She whisper-shouts.

I sigh, unable to give her an answer, 'I don't know Lia.' He hasn't done anything to me.

'But-!' Lia freezes when someone walks over, placing his hands on the table.

'What are you two whispering about?' Jeno stares at Lia, who skirts backwards, eyes wide with fear.

'Jeno,' I hiss under my breath. Does he really have to scare the hell out of everyone?

He smirks and gives me a pointed look before walking out the room, giving the teacher a small nod before disappearing to who knows where.

I look over to see Lia shaking. I sigh and close my eyes for a second. I take a deep breath and gesture for Lia to go back to the project.

She slides her chair closer slowly, 'Why aren't you afraid?'

I shrug and take my notes to give to her.

'I'm going out for a second, okay? Just use my notes.'

Lia frowns, 'Ya'll seriously leaving me alone here.'

I smile reassuringly, 'Don't worry, I'll be back.' I quickly inform the teacher and run out the room. Looking around the hallway, I search for where Jeno has disappeared to. He can't just scare someone like that and walk away.

Walking through the hallway, I hear commotion is one of the dark hallways. No one ever goes there. Curious, I slip quietly into the inky shadows that lurk in the hallway. I keep to the shadows, entering the dark hallway, and soon reach where a there is a group of people surrounding a boy.

'We can torture you, but we'll let you speak before we do so.'

It isn't someone I recognize.

The boy pressed against the wall sneers, 'You won't get anything out of me, no matter what you do.'

'We'll see huh?' The first man looks to his right, as if asking for permission from someone. A flash of metal catches my eye.

'Do it.'

I freeze in horror when I recognize the voice. It's Jeno.

Just as the first man advances with his knife, I leap out from the shadows, not thinking at all what I'm doing.

'Don't!' I yell.

All eyes are trained on me. The first man smiles menacingly.

'So, who are you?'

'Just don't torture him.' I don't know what I just did. I can feel Jeno's glare hot on my neck, questioning why I am here.

The man laughs sharply, 'Pathetic girl. You made a mistake. Anyone who interferes with Kun's gang should be killed.'

As if on cue, two men beside me snaps their hands around my arms, holding me in place. The first man steps back from the boy on the wall, and lunges towards me with his knife. I try to step back, but the men yank me back in place.

In the split second, my eyes flash to Jeno's, who stands very still, with his fists clenched at his sides. What will you do?

Just as the man reaches me.

'Stop!'

Jeno moves forward quickly and pushes the first man away. His eyes meet with mine.

The first man steps back from me slowly, frowning.

'Why?' He asks, staring at Jeno. Now everyone in the room is looking at him.

'Don't kill her,' Jeno says, still staring at me like he can't believe that I'm here.

'Are you turning too weak for murder, Jeno?' A new man speaks up, mocking.

Jeno hisses and whirls around at the man who spoke, 'I'll show you what's weak when I deal with you.'

He turns back around to face me. He places his hands on my shoulders. Brown eyes filled with confusion search my face shakily.

Softly, so that only I can hear, Jeno whispers, 'I don't want you dead, Soojin. Run before I'm forced to kill you.' He nudges me in the direction of the exit. I step back, unsure of what to do.

'Go!' Jeno hisses.

I frown at Jeno and slowly step backwards, with everyone watching me as I disappeared from the hallway.

Even after I break free from the swarming shadows, I can hear muffled cries, coming from the boy on the wall just now.

I pause before my chemistry classroom, just realizing how close to death I've been a few seconds ago. If Jeno didn't call the man off...

I think back about Jeno's conflicted expression just now.

He didn't have to save me.

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Wondering if I should publish more stories, when I'm not done with the ones I'm writing right now...And don't forget to

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