Trapped in his Maestoso || 엑소 백현

chapter 12

"I'll be back. My friends just texted me, they want to play beer pong. They said they won't be starting with me." 

You let a smile rest on your lips as Hyoseop stood up while waving his hand. You were feeling a bit disappointed that your time together was cut so soon, but you were more than ecstatic that you had an hour spent with him alone. Of course, he would be leaving you for his friends.

You're just an acquaintance anyway.

"Oh, right." You just nodded approvingly, although he didn't really need to ask. You forced the bitter tone back in your throat, back straightening while your sweet sunbae slowly turned back to you. He looked like he didn't want to go downstairs yet, but he needed to. "Uh...your company was really nice, sunbae." You awkwardly said, gaze casting down your feet. 

You really like him.

"I liked your company too, Saejin." Your cheeks flushed at the simple response of your one and only senior crush in this university. Hyoseop rubbed the back of his neck as if he was feeling the same things as you are right now. "I..."

You blinked rapidly as you looked up to him. He was still standing by the table, supposedly on his way down to play beer pong with his friends. Was it sympathy? Or concern? Or maybe, just maybe, he really didn't want to leave?

"It's okay, sunbae. I'd probably go back to my friends as well, and⁠—"

"I want to talk again." He suddenly said, a shy smile forming on his beautiful lips. Your mouth gaped at his statement. "Just like this. I'd love to know you more."

Oh my. Is this happening? Like this is not me dreaming, right? This is real?!

Your lips quivered as you tried forming coherent words, a calm response for this prince. You cannot believe that Ahn Hyoseop, your 3rd year senior crush, just said that he'd love to know you more! He looked away as if he was burned by your intense stare, breaking the ice that formed around you.

"W-Will that be okay?" He asked in a soft voice, his hands creeping down his pockets. He looked so cuddly that you just wanted to hug him at that moment. "I understand if I surprised you, it's just⁠ I thought⁠—"

"I'd love to." You quickly answered, a grin plastered on your face making him smile again. He nodded enthusiastically as if you just said that you'd give him a treat for being a good boy. "If it's sunbae, it's more than okay."

"Okay." Hyoseop said while biting his lip, slowly turning his back on you, but not without taking another glance your way. "I'll see you around, Saejin."

⁠—

"Uhm, earth to Saejin?!"

You leaned on the chair as you closed your book, looking up to your best friend who has her hands resting on her hips. She has this annoyed expression, and that is not a good sign.

"Were you listening?" Jiwon asked in disbelief, frowning at your indifferent face. "Of course, you're not. Why did I even ask?"

"You said that your boyfriend was coming back from the States 2 months from now after a year of working there, and you'd be spending the winter break at his hometown." You raised your eyebrows at her, making her shoulders relax a bit. "It's fine. I can manage here, and that's like what, 5 months from now."

"Well, just making sure you'd be here safe until I come back." Jiwon shrugged, her lips pouting as she sat in front of you. You took your cup of milk from the table, and sipped on it while looking down at your closed book. "What's up?"