Distant Sky

4

Turbulent Emotions

Joohyun had a bad start the next day. She woke up late. Joohyun has always been a light sleeper so, she was surprised she slept through the alarm. She must have been really tired. Maybe the physical and emotional stress of moving to a new city has finally caught up to her. She planned on skipping breakfast today, but when she found out Aunt Taehee woke up early just to prepare breakfast for her, she didn't have the heart to refuse. She ran all the way to the bus stop and was barely able to catch the bus.

As she enters the classroom, she sees that most of the students were already in the class. "Hey, Joohyun!" She sees Nayeon waving at her. She had saved her a seat. Joohyun quickly makes her way to her, feeling extremely grateful, as she sees that most of the seats were already taken. And the thought of walking up to someone she didn't know and asking for a seat, only to be rejected or told it was already taken, terrified her.

Joohyun gives Nayeon a thankful smile and takes her seat. "You look a little tired today." She says. "Yeah, I woke up late. It's a long story." Joohyun sighs. Nayeon gives her a sympathetic smile and then turns to wave at someone. Joohyun turns around to see she was waving at Jinyoung, who in turn smiles and winks back at Nayeon.

Joohyun wonders why Nayeon choose to sit with her when she could have sat next to Jinyoung. As she looks on, she sees the guy sitting next to Jinyoung looking their way. He then whispers something in Jinyoung's ear which then causes the latter to smack him on his head. Then they both burst out laughing.

Nayeon catches Joohyun looking and says "That's Jackson. Jinyoung's best buddy. One day he is going to die by my hands." Joohyun looks at Nayeon shocked as latter just smiles at her sweetly. Nayeon surely has a unique way of introducing people, she thinks. "Um, if you don't mind me asking, why don't you sit with Jinyoung?" Joohyun finally asks. Nayeon laughs and says "No way! I'd surely fail if I did that. Anyway, we already spend too much time together, and Jinyoung would much rather goof around with that idiot." Good for me then, Joohyun thinks and smiles.

Joohyun casually takes a look around waiting for the teacher to arrive and suddenly makes eye contact with that strange guy from yesterday, causing her to startle. She had almost forgotten about him in her rush this morning. He was sitting near the back, looking just as good, starting at her. The same feeling of dread she felt that time covers her. Joohyun feels her heart beating faster. He holds her gaze for a second, then looks away.

She had almost convinced herself that he wasn't real last night. That she had made up the whole thing. But looking at him now, casually sitting there, it all comes back to her. Why was she so scared of him? No, it wasn't anything as simple as fear. She felt a strange combination of apprehension and intrigue towards him. Joohyun keeps her gaze on him, but he doesn't look her way again.

Soon, the teacher arrives and the classes begins. All through the first half of school, she feels as if someone is staring at her, but whenever she turns back to look at him, she finds him looking straight ahead. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, she thinks.

The bell rings to signal break time and Nayeon has already made her way to Jinyoung's bench. Joohyun looks back to where that guy was sitting, only to find his place empty. Wait, is she feeling disappointed? No, it can't be. Thinking back to how their last meeting went, she soon starts to feel relieved that he didn't approach her again. 

She looks back at Nayeon who seems to be happily chatting away with Jinyoung and Jackson. Despite what she said about Jackson earlier, the three of them seem to be close. Not really in the mood to socialize more, she quietly makes her way outside. She also dreaded being part of Nayeon's disastrous introductions once again.