Can We?

4...Banana

She sits at her desk staring at her laptop, reading a research paper on the structural visualisation of organic chemicals in 3D space, aimlessly. Irene leans back into her seat, stretching her arms and titling her head left, right, up and down making sure that her muscles don't start aching. For the past hour, she has had trouble absorbing the information, that she had to read a few lines more than twice to understand it. Part of being a professor was awareness with new and upcoming research projects that have been, or will be published. It was unlike for Irene to be distracted and confused, considering chemistry is her forte', but the past few days her attention had been directed at something else. Or more likely, someone else.

It was the first time today that she saw Seulgi again after the incident in her office, but weirdly enough, Seulgi did not acknowledge Irene's presence at all when she greeted her. It stung her chest and she felt a knot in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't going to deny the fact it hurt, it hurt her more than she anticipated.

"Why do you make me feel like this?..." Irene whispers to herself while her eyes are closed.

She eventually stands up and looks outside of her apartment window, which has an expansive view of the city and the nearby park. She observes that quite a few people are still out and about at this time and decides she should do the same. She changes into casual clothes wearing black jeans, with a white t-shirt covered by a red and black plaid shirt. She ties her up and puts a black cap on and proceeds to go outside. The slight chilliness of the night causes her to shiver in its presence, while she walks towards the park hugging herself. She spots an empty bench to sit on and closes her eyes letting the breeze hit her face gently, while listening to the faint rustling of the leaves above and around her.

Am I falling in love again? That's what I'm feeling isn't it? This is wrong Joohyun...Even though you and Seulgi are of age, having a relationship with a student is never right you know that...right?

Irene was filled with so much thoughts that she felt like breaking down then and there. However, she hears a whisper of her name,causing her to open her eyes only to find herself shocked at who had said it.

"Seulgi..." She softly replies.

They both stare at each other stunned that these two individuals who had avoided each other earlier today, were now face-to-face with each other. She notices Seulgi holding an ice cream in her right hand while her mouth is agape. She eventually finds words to reply back to Irene.

"Irene...I mean...Professor Irene...what brings you here?"

"Oh...umm...just needed some fresh air. You?"

"Oh...yeah me too...Is it okay I sit here?"

"Yeah of course, I'm not that big am I?" Irene jokingly says trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

"No of course not! I didn't mean it in that way!" Seulgi replies feeling guilty that she may have offended the professor.

"I'm joking Seulgi, don't feel bad..."

Seulgi proceeds to sit on the bench leaving a few inches between her and Irene. She couldn't believe that the one person who had been on her mind for the past few days was here with her. Next to her. At the exact same place. She couldn't help but wonder however, if Irene was here for the exact same reason as hers.

Could she be feeling the same way?

She continues to eat her ice cream, while slightly glancing at Irene to see what she was doing. She was looking down and fidgeting with her fingers, like she was doing earlier in the lecture today. Seulgi felt ashamed that she ignored Irene, so she decides she better apologise then and there.