partners ⁀➷ k.sw ✓

21

I laid in bed all day staring blankly at my phone, part of me waiting for a text from Sunwoo. I was still upset at him just a little bit, but I knew I can't be mad at him for longer. I understand where he's coming from, and I know I can trust everyone who knows.

I'm uncomfortable that they know, but I think it'll be okay. We'll all eventually get over it. I didn't feel like texting Sunwoo or any of the guys because I wasn't in the mood; although many of them texted me many times.

I'll just talk to them tomorrow at school. I've missed too many days of school and I can't miss any more. My education is still my number one priority.

I stayed in bed all day until the night time, I had to shower. When I got back into bed after showering, I fell asleep immediately.

next day

I got out of bed after my alarm went off once for school. I got ready and headed out the door, going to school with everything I needed. When I got to school, I can feel all the stares on me but I kept my head high and didn't pay them any attention.

At the lockers, there was only Eric and Juyeon standing there, leaning on them. They notice me and smile; I give them a tiny smile back and open my locker to get out the things I need.

"Hey, have you talked to Sunwoo? He completely lashed out on us yesterday." Juyeon looks at me with worry.

"No, he left my house yesterday. We had a little argument so he left." I shake my head.

"What'd you guys argue about? It's not like him to be such a jerk to us like that," Eric sighs.

"I was upset that he yelled out what happened to all of you, especially in front of a teacher." I respond.

"No wonder.. maybe you should talk to him. All of us tried calling him all night and he didn't pick up any." Juyeon says to me.

I see Sunwoo walking up in our direction with a blank, gloomy expression on his face and his eyes are as icy as ever. The three of us look at him in silence as he walks up to us and stops at his locker, not saying a word to any of us.

"Yo, yo, yo.." Hyunjae, Kevin, and Younghoon walk up to us.

"Sunwoo, maybe we should-" I begin, but he walks away before I can finish.

I see his figure disappear once he walks into his first period class. I gulp, feeling a strange pang in my heart. All of the boys look at me with a sad frown, realizing how sad I looked.

"Maybe he just needs his space." Kevin says to me.

"We didn't do anything wrong to him, though. None of us did." Hyunjae sighs deeply.

"I'm sure he'll be okay." Juyeon shakes his head.

"Hey, Hyun-ie, want to get boba with us after school? Around 4?" Eric holds my hand.

"Sure. I doubt Sunwoo will come over to work on the project." I smile. "Who's coming?"

"Me, Juyeon, Hyunjae, Younghoon, and Kevin hyung. Hopefully Sunwoo, too."

"If we bribe him, he's 100% going to go." Younghoon smirks playfully.

"I heard that guy got expelled." Kevin smiles brightly.

"That dick face? Really?" Juyeon's eyes widen.

"Yeah. It's all over the school. I overheard it from those group of girls who are like, obsessed with us."

"Thank gosh." I breathe out.

"If anyone else tries hitting on you, tell me, okay? I'll protect you." Eric looks at me with a serious gaze.

"And for the people who start gossiping about you, don't worry. We'll shut them up." Juyeon winks at me sarcastically.

"Don't wink at me again." I look at him in disgust.

They all chuckle and the bell rings for first period; I tried my best to focus on work, but Sunwoo kept appearing in my mind. Thankfully Eric was able to distract me; Sunwoo sits next to me in every class, but in first period so far, he hasn't said a word.

I had to talk to Eric the whole class, which was fine, but it felt uncomfortable and awkward around Sunwoo.

Bell rang for second period an hour later; I dreaded it, because I knew we had to talk in order to do the project. We got into class and I sit next to him, taking out my notebook with all of our notes about the project.

He leans his head on his hand, staring blankly at something I couldn't tell what it was. The teacher gave us a brief summary of the directions of today's homework, then let us get to work on our project.

"So, we basically have everything done; we just need to plan out what to put on the board." I speak up, clearing my throat.

Sunwoo doesn't say a word.

I gulp, the awkward feeling coming back more than ever.

"What do you think? Do you have any ideas?" I look at him.

He looks at me blankly and shrugs, still not saying anything.

"I'm going to need you to speak. It's a two person thing." I frown a little.

"I don't care. Whatever you want." He bluntly says.

"Kim Sunwoo, is everything alright?" I say softly to him, leaning a little closer to him.

"Everything's fine." He mumbles.

"You've been avoiding me and the guys. You can tell me what's wrong. Is it your parents? You can sleep over my house if you want, you can tell me if you need anything." I say to him.

He looks up at me again with a small smile; I knew it was fake, but I didn't want to pester him any longer because there was annoyance in his eyes from me asking so much.

"I'm okay, Jihyun. Just a bit tired." He responds.

"Okay.. do you want to get boba with me?"

"Just you?" His eyes shimmer with hope.

"No, with Eric and some others." I shake my head.

"Hmm... I don't know."

"I'll buy you two drinks and ice cream." I say to him.

"I'm in."