Dragon's Butterfly (Hiatus)

Pawn 013

Park Sandara

“C'mon, Dara! Just a hint,” CL pleaded.

My face was still red. “Not one bit.”

“It's so unfair!” Bom protested.

We were on our way to the cafeteria—and well, they'd just seen my face flush. I wasn't blushing that time . . . until CL brought back that topic.

“It is not unfair,” I disagreed. “Sorry, but given your telegraphic mouth . . . no, no way.”

CL burst out laughing while Bom scowled.

“Thanks, cousin.” Bom huffed.

I smiled at her. “I told you, it's confusing, really. It's . . . ugh.”

“So . . . probably just a crush?” CL said.

“Um . . . “ I wondered if that fell on that category.

“Or probably just intrigues you,” Bom muttered, still quite put out.

I nodded. “Yes. Maybe.”

We proceeded to buy food and as we were about to find a table, I realized that all tables were occupied.

“Cool,” CL muttered. “How about eating standing up?”

“Why don't you use you being the 'gizibe'?” Bom snickered.

CL frowned. “No way. It's the freaking student body that gave me that nickname, damn it.”

I scanned the hall, looking for a possible table to share. Somebody caught my eye, though.

And if I'm not mistaken, it's Choi Seunghyun . . . and Kwon Jiyong.

And he's staring back at me, his eyes dark and unreadable . . . and my heart thudded loudly in my chest. I blushed red as I looked away from him.

“I hope TOP-oppa's willing enough to share a table with us,” CL sighed.

What?! NO!

“Hmm,” Bom said thoughtfully.

Please, God, no . . . .

“Well, I hope he does. My legs hurt,” she said, but there was something in her tone.

“Uh, girls . . . can't we just sit somewhere else? In the garden maybe?” I found myself saying, my voice slightly betraying my thoughts.

The two looked at me in confusion. “Why?” CL asked.

“Keep safe, Sandara. Run away when you see monsters as fast as you can.” Jiyong's voice from my dream echoed in my head.

I just looked down at my tray. “I . . . don't mind me. Let's go.”

The two paused for a bit before they guided me to the table. I don't have anything in me to look towards it . . . even though at some point, I felt . . . relieved and light when I saw his face.

“Hey,” I heard CL say. “Is it okay if we share the table with you?”

“Sure!” A deep, enthusiastic voice. Choi Seunghyun. “Sit down, ladies.”

The three of us did, and unluckily for me, I was sitting across from Jiyong.

And is it just me or do I really feel a wintry gaze directed at . . . me?

I kept my eyes down as I started to eat.

“Oh hey—hi there, Sandara-ssi!” I heard somebody say. I looked up—doing my best not to look at Jiyong—and I realized it was Seunghyun. And he was smiling at me.