PARADOX - SEULRENE

conspiracy

you don't know what to feel the next morning when you saw simon standing alone outside your classroom.

this isn't his normal routine. you know something's off.

he felt your presence and looks up at you, glaring when your eyes met.

you can already smell trouble.

it's not a secret to you how he doesn't like you. he is also very much aware of how you hated his guts. you don't remember how or when it started, but irene's jerk of a boyfriend had always treated you like a rival. he always gives you those quirky looks whenever you pass by him.

the funny thing about it is you were never classmates. you never joined the same club nor group. you two are just plain schoolmates who are quite popular with other students.

you don't know what his reason for not liking you. but as for you, you hated his arrogance. you still couldn't fathom why some girls in this school is crazy about him.

and what's making it worse is the fact that he and irene are dating.

you hated him more because of that.

"good morning, kung fu master," said simon, smiling sarcastically, pulling you out of your thoughts.

you wanted to punch his nose right away but you tried to stay as civil as you can.

"well, good morning to you too, showboat."

simon's eye twitched. "what did you just call me?"

"showboat. someone who dribbles all day, goes nowhere, and misses a lot."

"tsk! what's your problem, huh?" he asked, flexing his jaw, walking over to you.

you found his irritation amusing so you chuckled. "what is your problem?"

simon twisted his head, brought his hands to his waist and glared back at you. "why don't we just settle this once and for all, huh?"

you raised an eyebrow at him. "settle what?"

"what? you're playing innocent?" he leaned in closer. "you're lucky i'm not laying a finger on you now because i promised my girlfriend i'll try to stay out of trouble."

that got you even more confused. you hoped he doesn't know of what happened during byulyi's party or the acquaintance party.

"babe?"

you turned your attention to the voice and saw irene who just came out of the classroom.

she didn't spare you a glance as she walked over to simon and pulled his arm. "let's go. i'm hungry."

simon doesn't look like he wants to leave yet, but irene keeps pulling him. in the end, he agreed. "all right. all right."

you watch them walk away, not sure how you could stand the sight of irene's hand reaching out to hold simon's.

you looked up and around, taking three deep breaths.

weren't feelings supposed to be felt by the brain and not by the heart? the heart just pumps blood, right? but why do you feel it aching literally?

you sighed loudly before turning away to enter the room.

maybe hyojung is right. maybe staying friends with irene is a big mistake. because if being close to her means hurting like this, you don't think you could endure it any longer.

---

days went by and you keep noticing how simon is making an effort to drop irene off every start of the class and picks her up after. you find it odd because he's not doing that before.