20 cm || Choi Yeonjun

29

"I can't believe I forgot! I'm such a horrible person." I covered my face with my hands and stopped walking. I was too focused with practice that I haven't even noticed the date. It was much more embarrassing that Yeonjun kept track despite his busy schedule. I winced at the thought, biting the insides of my cheek.

We were now on our way back to the dorms. It was fifteen minutes till 11:00, the curfew Eunbi unnie gave me. We were too absorbed in our own bubble that we had not noticed the time. "It's fine, really. You were under so much pressure so I figured you needed to take your mind off of things." Yeonjun pecked the side of my head and placed his arm on my shoulder. He was gently tugging me to continue walking.

"I'll make it up to you. I promise!" I puckered my lips, now thinking hard on what to give him. He let out a laugh, lifting his hand to smooth out the crease on my furrowed brows. Amusement danced through his eyes, clearly enjoying the agitated look on my face.

We both stopped walking. We were now a few blocks away from the dorm. My shoulders sagged. I wanted to spend more time with him.

"You don't have to. Just promise me one thing." He turned towards me. His face serious as he traced his eyes on every feature of my face as if he was memorising every space and corner.

"What?" I said breathlessly, my cheeks quickly warming. I can never handle how his expressive eyes looked at me. It made my knees weak and my stomach turn to knots.

I held in my breath. Now curious as to what he will say. Honestly, I would do anything for Yeonjun. The boy deserved everything the world has to offer. Seeing him happy will make me a hundred times more happier.

"Always stay by my side," He stepped closer to me, caging his hands on both sides of my cheek. "That's the only thing I wish for."

"Okay." I whispered, hypnotised by his warm orbs.

We stared at each other for a few more minutes. None of us wanting the moment to end. Knowing that if we did, we'll be forced to face reality once again. Yeonjun's eyes fell on the floor. He released his grip on me and stepped back. He put on a small smile and gently tugged me on my sleeve to continue walking.

"You go ahead first. I'll watch you from here." I closed my eyes for a moment and sucked in a breath. Right. We weren't supposed to be seen together. I clenched my hands and turned my back against him. Lifting my hand a bit to bid him goodbye.

I walked slowly. My hands instantly pulling at my sleeves as the feeling of anxiousness made my breath come in as pants.

The more I took a step, the heavier my chest felt. I counted each one. The distance between us becoming bigger and bigger as I neared the building. The desire to look behind ate at my heart, wanting to make sure he was still there. And that was what I did. I looked back. The moonlight casting a glow to his face. It highlighted his somber expression as he stared at my retreating figure. This look on his face is forever gonna be etched in my mind. Almost making me want to run back to him.

Yeonjun forced a smile once more. He had his hands tucked securely in his pocket. He nodded gently at me to keep moving.

"I'll be right here," He rasped out into the air. His breath coming out as fog. "You can go now, Jiwon."

That made me feel a little bit better. I didn't mind the distance between us. Just the thought of him being there calmed my raging typhoon in my head.

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The days went on. Training continued and this time we had to put in double the efforts. We were at the practice room 24/7 now. Even our weekends demanded practice. We worked out and trained on our voice in the morning then proceeded to learn the choreography from the afternoon to the evening.

Exhausted was an understatement to what all of us are feeling. We had bags under our eyes and our throats were raspy.

"Jiwon? I... I think you need to see this." Eunbi unnie called out, jolting me awake from the very uncomfortable position on the cold floor. I didn't even notice that I had fallen asleep. I rubbed my eyes and hovered over Eunbi as her attention was still on her phone. She was frowning, a little startled with something she was reading.

This instantly made me nervous. I tapped on her shoulder, pulling her back from her trance.

"What is it?" She lifted her worried eyes and shifted awkwardly on the bench. She quietly handed me the phone.

It was an article from a famous Kpop page. My eyes scanned the headline.

"It's Yeonjun." Eunbi quietly surveyed my expression. "He's getting a lot of hate." What?

My eyes instantly warmed as I continue to read every harsh comments people had to say about him. It was posted thirty minutes ago but the responses were just as quick.

The article was written criticising him of making a lot of mistakes on stage. How he wasn't in-sync with his other members and bumping into them countless of times. This was awful. There is even a video attached to the article. With shaky hands I pressed the play button.

It was a dance cover of another big senior group. The first part started off just fine but towards the dance break Yeonjun bumped into Beomgyu's shoulder. It didn't stop there. He kept making minor mistakes in the choreography. My hand shot up to my mouth. Stifling the sob that was coming out.

I winced as I heard his voice crack a little at an ad-lib. This is not Yeonjun. I shake my head as I wiped the stubborn tears. He was never like this. He always excelled. Hell, he wasn't the main dancer for nothing.

I don't get it. Yeonjun always assured me that he had plenty of time to practice when he comes to see me. He always says that the choreographies were easy for him and he jokes about how the others were much slower in learning the steps. All these thoughts made my heart clench.

He lied.

Just for what? To see me? I pulled at my hair hard. The extreme feeling of self loathing burning in the pit of my stomach. Shit. He didn't deserve any of this. If I had not been too selfish and needy then none of this wouldn't have happened.

"Oh my god. Jiwon, breathe," Eunbi's panicked voice fading in the background. "You're scaring me, Jiwon! Please breathe." Then I felt harsh shaking, pulling me out of my dark thoughts. Eunbi had her hands wrapped around my shoulders and she too was hiccuping loudly. Tears were flowing down her chin.

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