Within These Shadows || Park Chanyeol/Do Kyungsoo || Book 1

19

After class was over, Kyungsoo didn't leave Jay's side, which annoyed her a bit. He accompanied her all the way to the front door, despite her asking him to leave.

"Can I ask you something?" Kyungsoo asked, walking down the stairs alongside Jay.

"Can I say no?" Jay replied.

"No, you can't. Why do you hate me so much?"

Kyungsoo's question made Jayline stop midway. She turned to face him with her eyebrows furrowed. "I don't hate you. Hate is a very strong word, Kyungsoo."

"Then, why do you dislike me?" He had also stopped midway and was facing Jay.

"I don't dislike you either."

"Then, why do you dislike my presence?"

"I don't dislike your presence."

Kyungsoo deadpanned, "Then, why do you not want me to come along?"

Jay took a deep breath, thinking about her answer, "I like being alone." She turned back around and continued walking down the last few steps. She walked over to where she had parked her bike, but before she could take it out of the bike rack, Kyungsoo beat her to it.

"If you don't dislike me or my presence, then I'm sure you won't dislike this, too." Kyungsoo took out Jay's bike and got on it.

"What do you think you're doing?" Annoyance was clear in her voice.

"Get on, I'll take you to the restaurant."

"Oh hell naw!" Jay exclaimed.

"Oh c'mon! Try something different for a day! Plus, I feel like riding a bicycle. C'mon! Get on!"

"You'll pay for this, Do Kyungsoo." Jay sighed before getting on the back. This was the first time in five years that she was getting on the back of her bike. Before Aiden had left, he used to ride it with Jay on the back. For a couple of seconds, she was unsure if she should let Kyungsoo ride it, thinking about the past. But she had promised herself that she would start moving on; so, despite being a bit hesitant, she got on.

However, Jay was careful not to hold Kyungsoo and simply placed her hands on her own thighs. Kyungsoo chuckled at her actions but said nothing about it; he was finding her more and more interesting each day. Soon, he'd be able to crack her mystery and he was eagerly waiting for that moment.

*

Jay stood outside the restaurant for a long time, contemplating if she should go in or not. It was Choi Hye Rin, the woman who had been like a mother to her for years; she shouldn't be facing this dilemma in the first place. And yet, she was nervous.

"Take your time, Jayline." Kyungsoo stood beside her.

Jay turned her head around to look at the boy beside her, who did the same. "What do you mean?" She was confused about his words. Did he understand her reasons for being hesitant?

"Whatever happened yesterday, it's still affecting you. It's supposed to. But you pulled through it, managed to get back to your stable self. That's what matters the most. And it's okay to feel conflicted; you don't have to rush into it. Take your time." Kyungsoo's lips curved up a bit, eyes softening.

Even though Jay got to know Kyungsoo for a couple of weeks now, she didn't quite understand him. He was distant, that was for sure. Being close to Chanyeol was normal, because he was his best friend. He was also nice to Mae; they talked, laughed, and cracked jokes together. But with Jay, it was different; he was distant, calculative, and guarded. However, he was different that day; understanding, soft, and supportive. And Jay knew why that was so; he was pitying her, feeling sorry for her tragic life. But she didn't need it, didn't need anyone's sympathy, didn't need them to look at her like she was a hurt puppy on the road that needed to be rescued. She knew that look on his face all too well.