POISONED YOUTH: TWISTED

CHAPTER 30

The halls of the university were slowly emptying as students made their way to their next classes, leaving only scattered groups behind.

Yeoreum walked through the familiar corridor with her bag hanging from one shoulder, her mind occupied by the conversation she had been having with Haechan earlier. She had gotten used to hearing his voice in her head, even when he wasn't physically beside her.

It had become something strangely comforting—something she never thought she would look forward to.

Unfortunately, not every familiar voice brought the same feeling.

"Hi, Yeoreum!"

The girl sighed, already knowing exactly who it was. She glanced over her shoulder and found the same senior standing a few steps behind her.

Jung Chanwoo.

"Hey, it's rude to ignore—"

"What do you want, Chanwoo?" she cut him off, turning around with a forced smile.

Chanwoo only smirked.

He stepped closer, catching Yeoreum off guard as she instinctively backed away. Before she could move any further, her back met the lockers behind her, leaving her with barely any room to escape.

Their eyes met.

Chanwoo leaned closer, his expression almost playful as he studied her reaction.

"Na Yeoreum, you little trouble," he murmured.

"What?" Yeoreum frowned.

A mocking smile slowly spread across his lips. He lifted a hand and brushed his fingers against her cheek, the unexpected touch making her stiffen.

"What should I do to you?"

Yeoreum immediately pushed his hand away. "Go away!"

Chanwoo let out a low chuckle before finally stepping back, giving her enough space to move.

Yeoreum took a deep breath and quickly fixed her hair, refusing to look at him again. She pushed past him, wanting nothing more than to get away from the uncomfortable situation.

"Na Yeoreum."

She ignored him. She continued walking, but Chanwoo's eyes followed her every step.

His smile returned as he watched the nervous way she kept her head down, as if she were trying to disappear from his sight.

"An easy target."

By the time Yeoreum was back home, the uncomfortable feeling from earlier still hadn't completely disappeared.

She sat on her bed with Haechan beside her, their hands intertwined between them. His thumb occasionally brushed over the back of her hand, a quiet gesture that had become almost natural between them as she ranted about what happened.