HELIOTROPE ↻ NCT DREAM

three

It has been four and a half weeks. Hyuck and Ayeon, they really did hit it off despite their differences. There would be times that Donghyuck would walk the short girl to her class and fetch her when it ends. He would do it no matter how tiresome it is and despite his class being in another building. However, there were also times wherein the two would bump into each other and not really interact which was quite weird. It was like they were pushing and pulling each other. Perhaps, schoolworks are really getting on them and that they drift because of how busy they both are. Well, that was what Ayeon hoped.

The duo were on their way to Ayeon's class after lunch break as Hyuck has still an hour before his next class starts. The hall had students scattered with their own group of friends, chattering about something. But unlike others, silence engulfed them, quite unusual as both could be quite talkative and would usually tease each other.

Their hands were occasionally brushing past each other which caused her heart to pound. Not wanting to be obvious, Ayeon tried looking at Hyuck through the side of her eyes, although, it seemed as if the boy beside her didn't even notice it one bit or was simply ignoring it.

"Why are you doing this?" Ayeon asked under her breath, suddenly halting her steps into a stop. Her eyebrows knitted as she let her eyes land over to Hyuck.

Due to Ayeon suddenly stopping, someone had almost bumped her from behind. It was a good thing Hyuck had a fast reaction time and pulled her closer as his footsteps were cut short. The duo quickly muttering an apology to the person.

As they were again left with each other's company, Hyuck turned to look at her, raising a brow and confusion evident in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Upon realizing how close they were, Ayeon gulped as she felt embarrassed, thinking Hyuck could hear how loud that made her heart thump. Losing confidence, the freshman shook her head, answering, "nothing" to his question before walking off leaving him standing there dumbfounded.

The girl heard Hyuck whine and call for her. Instead of pausing and turning her tracks, Ayeon continued walking, leaving him there, alone.

Hyuck confuses Ayeon. She doesn't know anything anymore as Hyuck reminds her of a puzzle she could not solve. He would always do stuff that makes her think about at night. The way he would pick her up in the morning and walk her at night when classes end. The way he would spoil the girl with convenience store food whenever she feels stressed and down because of Uni. She doesn't know if it's just her puting meaning to all of it, but sometimes, she could really just see it the way his eyes land on her that there's quite something.

For once, the young girl hopes she's not wrong.

-

Ayeon could not focus on the professor in front of the room. She tried to put all her attention on him as he discussed Organizational Behavior, but her mind was not really having it and his deep calm voice wasn't helping at all as it only made her feel drowsy. Looking around the room, inspecting, she found similar students that were on the brink of falling asleep and were blinking their eyes in attempt of not doing so.

Doing anything she could not to fall asleep on the teacher, she tried scribbling notes, however, her mind would continuously drift off after a few minutes to something she has been craving for, to a drama she wants to watch, and sometimes, to the boy she has been missing for a while now.

You see, Donghyuck and Ayeon have not been talking for a whole week now. They would cross paths, however, the most acknowledgment they would get from each other was a mere nod or a hint of smile. Ayeon did not know how it got to that certain situation, all she knew was that their time talking to each other lessened as each day passed.

Perhaps that's the reason why. She thought to herself.

Finally giving up on the lecture, a small sigh escaped the young girl's lips. She shifted her gaze upon the huge glass window on her right and unto the open field with scattered benches and tables.

Their room was not far up, and is only located on the second floor of the building, thus, the young girl was still able to distinguish the faces of each student.

Ayeon's eyes jumped from one person to the other and when her eyes unexpectedly landed on the boy she had been missing, she almost yelped.

Surprised as she was only thinking of him a few minutes ago, now, he was in her line of sight. Perhaps, the odds were in her favor at this moment.

Her heart started beating fast as her attention continued to follow the boy who was walking with his friends to a nearby bench. Ayeon could distinguish Jaemin as he wore the same black jacket from the first time they met, however, the presence of the other boy on Hyuck's left was certainly unknown and new to her.

The way the afternoon sunlight reflected on Donghyuck's skin was simply captivating. He was glowing. He looked majestic, and Ayeon thought that nothing could ever compare.

There, Ayeon sat with her chin resting at the palm of her hand, admiring the young man's beauty under the afternoon sunlight until Jaemin glanced in her direction.

Jaemin gave Ayeon a gentle smile and waved his hand in acknowledgement, causing the two other boys with him to shift their attention towards her.

Upon realizing that she was spotted, the young girl quickly turned her attention to the board in front, not bothering to return the greeting Jaemin gave.

She shut her eyes tight and bit her lip. Her head was between her hands and banged it down on the desk, feeling embarrassed.

"Na Jaemin, why did you even have to look my way." Ayeon grumbled, heaving a small sigh.