stuck with a phobia ; lee felix

safe haven

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Gentle strokes of the wind inched through my face as I sat down on the wooden-barked bench situated on the rooftop of our school. The serenity of being so high up, distant from the masses of teenage obnoxiousness and just engulfed in the quiet momentum of my own company—was a blissful feeling.

When the door slams open, my shoulders elevating a little, I nearly slap myself for speaking too soon. Way to jinx it, Hailee.

"Hey loser, watch out!" A familiar and loud voice warned. Before I could even react, my head was met with a cold juice box. The impact of it nearly toppled me out of my seat.

"Ivy!" I exclaimed, irritated especially because her abrupt entrance ruined my solitary paradise. "That hurts!"

She merely chuckled, "A little pain from a juice box can't do much." I rolled my eyes at her nonchalance, and continued unpacking my lunch. The usual sandwiches that taste like nothing but bland mush on my tongue.
I ignored the distaste of my rather not delectable meal, and stared out into the empty and clear sky ahead of us.

As I pick up the juice box that once hit me on the back of my head, Ivy starts, "Has it always been this quiet?"

I halted.

Was she discontent with my company?  Ivy and I hardly had any classes together, so lunch was the only time where we could convene and spend time together.

I don't have many friends, or any friends actually. Besides Ivy, I do not speak with anyone nor intend on getting to know them. As long as I have Ivy, I don't need anyone else. But perhaps I've been too absorbed in my own comfort to even consider how secluded Ivy must feel to spend lunch with me everyday without her other friends.

"Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with just you, but—"
As her voice trails off, I recall what kind of a conversation this would lead into.

"Don't even Ivy. Besides you, I'd rather spend time alone."

She did this consistently. Ivy would give in her best efforts to ensure I could meet other people, just to "crawl out of my shell," but I refused every time. I know she's just concerned of me not being acquainted with others in spite of the fact that we already started junior year of high school, but I just don't see the point of it.

"You're already loud enough," I added, only to be punched hard on the shoulder.

"Admit it Hae, you love my reckless behavior regardless," she winked with a smile curved upwards, and I reciprocated the movement. "I sure do Ives, I sure do."

As we collect what was left of our lunch to clean up, the bell echoes in our ears and I sigh. Back to the crowded halls and tedious classes with lectures granting the worst headaches.

Before I opened the door to leave, I asked "Hey, wanna meet up at the book cafe after school?"

"Its a date," Ivy jokes, and I roll my eyes with a grin on my lips.

~~

Finally sitting down to begin the last class of the day, I breathed out a long sigh before opening the textbook.  Our economics teacher, Mr. Yang walks in and clears his throat, "Before I begin with today's lesson, I'd like to inform you all that we have a new student that just enrolled into our school. He'll be starting his first day tomorrow and I expect you all to treat him in a welcoming and civilized manner." With just that sudden announcement, he turns over to the board, and my classmates start to whisper about the mysterious new boy coming in tomorrow.

Ugh, a new boy, which means school will begin to get louder for the next few weeks. However, the fact that he'll be joining our class doesn't really faze me, I'll just have to keep my distance to avoid drama and becoming friends. After all, I'm not going to risk getting myself hurt and attached to someone again.

And then school concluded for the day.

Plugging my earbuds in, I walked to the café whilst enjoying the setting around me. The weather was great and I could tell that it just might be a good day. The streets weren't as crowded and every step I took led me to taking in the delicate, scrumptious aroma of freshly baked goods from the bakery at the end of the block. I was tempted, oh so tempted, but I decided to save my money. Who knows when I'll need it, so instead of treating myself to some mouthwatering cookies, I let go of the money inside the pocket of my jeans.

Besides, I was looking forward to meeting Ivy once again at our favorite book cafe. My favorite place. I rely on this simple spot to get away from everything when things get stressful, when I need to concentrate on my studies, have a good book to read in general, and to just...relax.

Crossing the street, I spot Ivy in front of the shop, crouching on her knees...negotiating with a toddler? What in the world is she doing now?

I watch from the distance grabbing  a caramel colored bear key chain from her bag and handing it over to the toddler, as the toddler gives away a silver bracelet.

I march up them, but as soon as I approach Ivy, the toddler disappears. She spots me and grabs my shoulders, shaking me wildly in excitement, "Can you believe it?! I got a charm bracelet signed with Lee Soohyuk's initials!"

"Goodness Ivy, what the hell?! You gave away the key chain I gave you just for a charm bracelet?!" I shot back a little hurt.

"It's not just any bracelet though, it's-"

"Yeah, yeah it has Soohyuk's initials. So amusing," I rolled my eyes, quickly forgiving her because even though I couldn't understand the heart of a fangirl, I knew it was something special to her.

"I can die happy now," she exclaimed, examining the bracelet she just managed to get very closely. I couldn't help but laugh at her cute admiration, "Gosh, what are you, 12?"

"Yeah, outta 10."

I breathed out a heavy sigh and walked into the café, "Whatever, you owe me cookies."

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Well that ends it for the first chapter, stay tuned!