Distant Sky

7

New Feelings and Old Patterns

There she was, walking in, perfectly poised. She always has this elegant and dignified aura to her, he notices. Even as she sits down, she has perfect posture, back straight, knees together, legs bent slightly to one side and ankles crossed. Her posture doesn't look strained or uncomfortable but natural and relaxed, as if she had been doing it all her life. It would be obvious to say, Taehyung's plan to ignore her wasn't going very well. He had to admit, he was curious about her. How can he not be, considering the way she had behaved the first time he met her? Joohyun, he recalls that girl calling her, a name that fits her perfectly.

Taehyung could still clearly recall the details of the time when they met. The first day of school had just ended and he was sitting in a small empty club room that he had found looking for privacy, reading to pass the time while waiting for Bogum to finish up so they could leave. He had just started to get comfortable when she opened the door. Judging by the book in her hand, it looked like she had the same idea as him. He remembered the way she had looked, standing there with dark brunette hair, soft angelic features and porcelain skin. Her big brown eyes, wide with surprise. Clearly she wasn't expecting to find anyone there.

He had been just as surprised to see her. He had stared, unable to look away. Then he had suddenly frowned in recognition, realising she was in his class. What had that girl said? 'She looks just like a doll!' Yes, that was it! He remembered seeing her look like she wanted to disappear back then. At that moment, before he could say something or even react, she had slammed the door in his face. He had sat there stunned for a few seconds and then as if possessed by something, he jumped to his feet and opened the door, only to see her walking away, as fast as she could.

Normally, at that point, he would have just shrugged it off and gone back to whatever he had been doing before. So, he surprised himself when he called out to her. When she didn't stop, he surprised himself even more by running after her. It was like his feet had a mind of their own. For some reason, had to get to her, he couldn't just let her walk away.

When he had finally caught upto her, he was pissed. He was angry at her that she had ignored him and even more angry at himself that he had cared enough to chase after her. He didn't like how he was acting and that he couldn't seem to think rationally. He had grabbed her hand tight and spun her around abruptly, with enough force that she had almost lost her footing. He still remembers the look on her face, she had looked terrified. Terrified and confused by the fact that he had chased after her.

He had stood there fascinated by her, trying to read her, as if her face could give him some clues as to why she had run away from him, or why he was acting like he was right then. He had noticed in detail, her perfect little features, up close, trying to find any flaws. There weren't any. Then he had suddenly remembered that scene in class and felt himself grin at how accurate that description had been. "You do look like a doll", he had said amused, trying to hold in his laughter. She hadn't looked very pleased at that.

When she had tried to pull away from him, saying something about the bus, that was when he had noticed his tight grip on her arm, holding her close. He had forgotten to let go of her. No, he didn't want to let go. Just as he realised that, he had instantly let her go. He had then stood, looking at her run away, confused by everything that happened, by the way she had acted and the way he had reacted.

Back to the present, Taehyung notices that she looks well today, considering what had happened yesterday. Well, he didn't really know what happened but he remembers her reaction to that senior from the Art Club yesterday. Baekhyun, if he recalls correctly. Taehyung saw her freeze in shock back then, as if she had seen a ghost. She had looked very disturbed. He also hadn't missed the look of surprise on that senior guy's face when he had noticed her, or the way he had subtly signalled for her to meet him outside.

He was quite curious to know what their deal was. He had tried to observe what they were talking about in the hallway, without being obvious. But all he could see was the pained look on her face as she seemed to be lost in some distant world, before Bogum pulled him away saying he was late for something and telling him to hurry up. Later, as he had stood outside, waiting for Bogum's ride to arrive, he had caught sight of her again sitting in the bus. Unfortunately, right at that moment, she had turned and looked his way, catching him stare at her curiously.

Just as he recalls this, he starts getting angry at himself again. He was doing a pretty good job of ignoring her yesterday. Atleast he was pretending not to see her and only stealing discreet glances once in while, when she wasn't looking. And by the time the school day was coming to an end yesterday, he had almost lost interest in her. But it all changed the moment he saw her look at that senior, with that unreadable expression on her face, and just like that he back to being intrigued by her.

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Joohyun was sitting in the cafeteria listening to Seulgi talk excitedly about the school's dance club. ".....a variety of dance styles, including modern, jazz, and some ballet too! I have always liked dancing so maybe I should take this opportunity to train professionally. What do you guys think?" "I think you should go for it." Joohyun feels like dancing would suit Seulgi perfectly. Wendy nods her agreement before mentioning she might try running for the student council president. "....but I'm not sure, the competition might be tough, and the burden might be too much. I wonder if I should just wait till elections are over and then try for the treasurer position instead." Joohyun tells her that might be the best option since Wendy was interested in going into the accounting field.

"Um, excuse me?" Joohyun turns to look at the girl calling her from the table next to them. "Someone's calling you." "Huh?" Joohyun looks in the direction the girl was pointing, confused, wondering who might be looking for her, when she sees Baekhyun waving wildly at her from the cafeteria entrance. "Are you ok?" asks Seulgi seeing her shocked expression. "U-um, sorry guys, I have to go. See you later!"

Joohyun hurries over to Baekhyun, hoping he would stop catching everyone's attention. "Joohyun-ah!" he exclaims as she nears him. "Baekhyun oppa, what are you doing here?" "Looking for you obviously", he grins at her. She rolls her eyes. "I mean why are you looking me?" "Well because I'm free right now and so are you. We didn't really get a chance to talk yesterday. We have so much catching-up to do! Let's go!" He starts dragging her by her hand. "Oppa! Where are we going?" "To the club room. I'll introduce you to the rest of the Art Club. Come on!" Once again, she was getting swept with the flow, as was always the case whenever she was with Baekhyun oppa.

They reach the club room before she could come up with an excuse to avoid going with him. To her relief there were only two people inside, a boy and a girl who accompanied Baekhyun yesterday. "Hey, where are the others?" "They left already, some of them had assignments due today it seems", the guy replies. "Oh, this Joohyun by the way, first year. She's a close friend my hometown." Am I really? she wonders. Baekhyun turns to her smiling. "And Joohyun, you already know Soojung and Kibum from yesterday." She didn't. She wasn't paying attention then.

After exchanging hellos, Baekhyun guides her to a corner to talk. She had no escape now. She had to face him. "So, Joohyun. How have you been?" he asks looking at her closely. "I've been doing good, I guess?", she says cautiously. "Good, that's good." Was that a glimpse of relief she saw on his face or did she just imagine that? "Things have been too busy here. I feel bad for not keeping in contact. I didn't even have your number." You could've asked Taeyeon unnie if you really wanted to contact me, she thinks. Also is he really going to ignore the fact that he practically disappeared on her?

"Baekhyun sunbae!" Just then a guy enters, interrupting their talk. "Oh, Park Bogum! How are the preparations going?" Joohyun turns to look at the newcomer, when another guy comes in behind him. That's him! Joohyun looks at him stunned as he holds her gaze, walking over to them. "They are going well. Thank you", Bogum replies politely. "And this must be Kim Taehyung, am I right?", Baekhyun says addressing the guy standing right in front of Joohyun, looking deep into her eyes. Kim Taehyung, she thinks, guess I finally know his name.