From A Distance

Encounter pt. 2

A few minutes after the teacher was discussing about what we're gonna do for the rest of the semester... a guy walked in the gym.

The teacher looked over his way and asked, "You're late!" "What's you're name?"

"Kim Taehyung."

"Kim Taehyung." the teacher repeated his name as he was looking at his attendance sheet. "Kim Taehyung, class 1-B. Stay after class and clean the auditorium"

My mind is not keeping up with everything that's happening today. One part of me is happy that I get to see him again and stay with him after class but one part of me doesn't want to see him because of what just happened literally minutes ago. 

I unconsciously hide beside Hyejin while he walked towards the front row where his other classmates are. 

I heard one of them said to him. "Hey, why're you late? Well, you're not the only one. Class 1-A has a girl that was late too and will be joining you with cleaning the gym." 

"Really?" he asked back as he looked around trying to scope who this girl is. 

I looked away praying he wouldn't notice me while trying to become one with Hyejin's shadow. 

Hyejin looked at me with confused look when suddenly the teacher exclaimed...

"Taehyung and friends. I would like you to sit still and listen when I'm talking." the teacher said. 

They all stopped and look towards the teacher the entire time.

........

"That's all we have for now. Does anyone have any questions?" asked the teacher

Silence. Yep! Everyone wanted to go home.

"Ok then. Wheein, Taehyung. You guys stay and clean up I'll be back to check on you. Class dismissed."

As everyone started standing up to go home, I immediately held Hyejin's arms. 

She looked at me and said, "you know I'm not helping you right?" she laughed. 

"But I need your help" putting my best puppy eyes as I wiggled my eyes back and forth from her to Taehyung and then to her.

She looked at me again -- confused... when she realized I'm trying to point someone, she looked at her back and looked back to me.

"You! Don't tell me you're cheating on me!"

I quickly stand up and said, "I'll explain later, can you switch with me and pretend you're Wheein?" 

When a voice suddenly said, "Wheein?" while looking around.

Me and Hyejin both looked at the same time to him. Our eyes met and I immediately looked on the other side and started whistling. 

What's wrong with you Wheein, you should've brushed it off  and not panic. Now you looked like an idiot.

I was lost in my thoughts again when Hyejin suddenly pulled her arm.

With big smile on her face she said, "I'll see you at the usual karaoke! Don't be too late" and ran away. 

I saw him looking at Hyejin walking away and back to me. 

I froze for like a solid five seconds. I awkwardly smiled at him. 

He chuckled and smiled at me.

That's not fair. You shouldn't smile like that. 

"You looked tense." 

Another silence. My brain is not functioning. I think I'm broke.

"I'll start from that end. If you need help let me know."

He walked towards the utility closet and grabbed some mop.

I'm still not functioning. 

I took a deep breath and turned towards the closet he's going to when he was suddenly right in front of me.

How long have I been standing there?

He was holding two mops and handed me one.

I took the mop without saying a word.

He was walking away from me when he suddenly looked at me again.

"I know that wasn't the best impression I had when we met a while ago. I treasured Jiyeon like a little sister and I didn't mean to hurt her even though that might've what it looks like to you." 

I gathered my strength to talk and said, "It's not really my business. I just felt like helping her because she looks like she was about to cry."

He looked down and licked his lips.. like he was contemplating about what he just did.

Wheein stop staring at his lips. You either need to pick about getting your affection towards him obviously out in the open or  continue to tell him he did something wrong. 

Neither of the two makes any sense. What are you thinking?

I snapped myself back and turned my back towards him. 

"I'll get started. You should do the same." I said.

I can feel my back burning from his stare. Either that or I'm being delusional that he's looking at me. 

The rest of the time we were cleaning was a total silence. 

The teacher came back and said, "You both did great cleaning up. No more getting late and be safe going home." 

"Yes" both of us answered. 

He immediately walked away after being dismissed by the teacher without even a glance or a bye to me.

Did I did something wrong?

........

After that, we rarely crossed our paths. Even if we do pass by each other, he never looked at me... That's how my unrequited high school love story ended. 

A/N: This is a quick back story. There will be a timeline preview and a jump to the future for this story. Next chapter will be Taehyung's POV.