〘CHAPTER 5〙
The weather had been so beautiful lately, white clouds drifted lazily across the endless stretch of blue sky, carried by a soft spring breeze.
The sun cast a golden glow that warmed the earth, glinting on the leaves like spilled honey. Birds chirped in the distance, laughter floated through the schoolyard as students took full advantage of the perfect day.
It was the kind of afternoon that should've filled someone with hope, energy and lightness.
But for Yuna, the brightness of the world around her only made the heaviness in her chest feel more unbearable.
Her footsteps echoed hollowly down the corridor, each one landing harder than the last as she stomped toward her classroom.
Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, jaw clenched, eyebrows furrowed in a scowl that didn't waver even when she passed curious classmates.
Some turned to glance at her, murmuring to each other but she didn't care, didn't even see them.
She was too consumed by what she'd just witnessed.
Yuna made it to her desk and dropped into her seat like her body weighed twice as much as usual. She exhaled a long, frustrated sigh before letting her head fall forward with a soft thud onto the tabletop.
Her voice was muffled, barely audible "Ugh...".
It wasn't supposed to be like this, she'd been in such a good mood.
She had wandered through the halls with a lightness in her step, heart fluttering with a strange but pleasant energy.
She was planning to find Shelly - maybe grab some snacks at the canteen. But more than that, a part of her had secretly hoped she might run into him along the way.
And she did.
Just not in the way she wanted.
Instead of finding Dom alone - or even with their usual group, she saw him leaning against the railing outside the classroom door, talking to someone she didn't recognize.
A girl - tall with soft curls and a voice that carried laughter like it belonged in his world. They were standing close, too close and the way Dom was smiling.
That smile wasn't just polite, it wasn't neutral.
It was warm - familiar and intimate.
The girl laughed at something he said, she lightly touched his arm and Dom didn't pull away.
He just chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with that bashful grin Yuna had always thought was kind of.
Well... kind of cute.
Her stomach twisted with something she didn't want to name.
"They're just talking..." She whispered to herself, fingers tapping rhythmically against her forehead "Just talking! Why am I upset over something so stupid?".
She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Mia sliding into the seat next to her. The black hair girl observed Yuna for a moment before placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, pulling her back to reality.
"You okay? Yuna. You look a little upset" Mia asked, concern lacing her voice.
Yuna blinked at her, eyes wide for a moment before she forced a laugh that sounded far too forced "I'm fine! Don't worry about it".
Unfortunately, Yuna had never been a good liar and even if she were, there was no fooling Mia.
"No, you're not fine" Mia countered, arms folded on the desk as she gave Yuna a flat look "Your forehead is all wrinkled, that's your angry thinking face".
Yuna groaned, a small wave of embarrassment crept up her neck, resting her forehead on the desk again "I hate how well you know me".
"I consider it a talent~" Mia teased lightly then her tone softened, she squeezed her hand gently, offering silent reassurance "Come on, tell me what's bothering you. Maybe I can help".
Yuna exhaled a deep sigh, finally told the story to her friend "I don't know, Mia. It just... bothered me, more than it should have".
Before she could finish, Mia suddenly burst into laughter. Yuna blinked, her emotions momentarily derailed, her friend keeps laughing and she frowned.
"What's so funny? I'm being serious!" She asked, feeling even more annoyed now.
Mia grinned, shaking her head "You! It's hilarious!".
"No, it's not! Jeez, forget it!" The brown hair girl grumbled, turning away.
Mia - however was unrelenting, she poked Yuna's arm playfully "Yuna... you like Dom~".
Yuna's eyes widened, her face instantly heating up "What?? No way! I don't like him!".
"Your face is like a tomato, honey~" Mia giggled and pointed.
"No, I'm not!" Yuna turned away, trying to hide her expression.
Mia sighed dramatically, shaking her head "Yuna, come on~ be honest with yourself. If you didn't care about him, would you really feel this way seeing him laugh with someone else?".
Yuna opened her mouth to argue but found herself at a loss for words, she searched for an excuse, a reason that would make sense but nothing came to mind.
Mia leaned closer, her voice softer now "Feelings don't lie, Yuna".
Yuna's breath hitched.
Those words hit her harder than she expected, settling deep in her chest.
Her heart pounded as she thought back to all the times she had caught Dom glancing at her, his gaze filled with something more than just friendship.
The way he went out of his way to make her laugh, the subtle, thoughtful things he did just for her.
Of course, she had known. She wasn't oblivious.
She had just been avoiding it - avoiding him, avoiding herself.
Not because she disliked him.
Or because he wasn't good enough.
But because she wasn't sure about her own feelings. And that uncertainty had made her hesitant, made her push him away before anything could truly develop.
She never wanted to hurt him, never wanted to ruin their friendship.
And yet... the sight of him with another girl had made her heart ache.
She let out a deep sigh, finally admitting in a quiet voice "Yeah... maybe I really like him".
Mia clapped her hands together, beaming "Yayy~ finally! You should talk to him! Dom'll be so happy, he's liked you for so long".
Yuna smiled softly but shook her head "I'll think about it later... I really don't want to face him right now".
Mia simply pulled her into a warm hug, comforting her best friend "Take your time but don't run away forever, sometimes the scariest things are the ones worth chasing".
Yuna closed her eyes, letting the comfort of that moment wrap around her like a blanket.
And for the first time since that confusing surge of emotion took over her, she allowed herself to feel it fully.
Because maybe it was time to stop pretending.
Maybe it was time to stop being afraid.
〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜
After school, the bell rang loudly, echoing through the halls as a wave of students flooded out of the building.
Backpacks bounced against backs, laughter rang in clusters and voices blended in the usual chaos of dismissal.
Mia lingered behind, slower than usual. She methodically packed her books into her bag, her fingers hesitating over her pencil case as if trying to delay time, she glanced at her phone - 4:12 PM.
She glanced out the window, the sky tinted with the warm gold of late afternoon. A gentle breeze stirred the tree branches, casting soft shadows against the pavement.
Mia bit her lip and stood still, thinking for a moment. Then with quiet resolve, she slung her bag over her shoulder.
She was going to visit Minu at the hospital.
She had hoped to go with Yuna and Shelly - visiting together always made things feel lighter.
But Yuna had to finish a report for the teacher's office and Shelly already made plans with Jay.
So today, it would be just her. She didn't mind too much but part of her wished she had someone beside her, especially now.
As she made her way toward the hospital, her steps were steady but her mind was a whirlwind.
Minu had been in the hospital for months now.
At first, it was terrifying - watching someone you love hooked up to machines, too pale, too quiet but he was better now. The doctors were hopeful, he was recovering steadily and the worst was over.
Still, something felt off.
He had become more withdrawn lately, as if a part of him was stuck behind a wall he couldn't or wouldn't let her climb, she didn't think it was a bad thing exactly but it gnawed at her.
She wanted him to be honest, to trust her and to let her carry whatever it was too.
By the time she reached the hospital and walked through the familiar hallway, her heart thudded heavily in her chest. She paused in front of his room, took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
Inside, Minu was standing, slightly hunched, as he practiced walking with the help of a trainer.
His steps were slow and cautious, sweat beading at his temples but his face was focused.
"Oh... your little girlfriend is here!" The trainer teased with a friendly grin, glancing at Minu.
Minu chuckled softly, clearly embarrassed.
The trainer smiled warmly at Mia "He's doing good today but that's enough practice for now, he should rest".
With a polite nod, the trainer stepped out of the room, leaving the two of them alone.
Mia walked toward him, eyes soft "Let me help you" She said gently, wrapping her arm around his waist as he leaned against her, his body heavier than she remembered.
He leaned into his girlfriend, smiling "Thank you".
With care, she helped him lower onto the bed, tucking a pillow behind his back. She wiped the sweat off his brow with a tissue from the bedside table, brushing his hair back.
"Why did you come, Mia?" Minu asked quietly, eyes half lidded with exhaustion.
She blinked, surprised by the question "What? Can't I visit my boyfriend?"
A smile touched his lips as he looked at her "I miss you too~".
She smiled at him, poured a glass of water for him to drink while asked "What did the trainer say about your progress?".
Minu accepted the glass and sipped slowly "He said I've improved a lot, that I might be able to walk again, properly sooner than expected".
"That's amazing~" Mia said, her voice bright as she leaned in to kiss his cheek "I knew you could do it".
Minu looked out the window, his eyes distant "I feel like I'm finally going to leave this place... I miss the sound of the city, the fresh air. Even the boring walks home from school".
Mia squeezed his hand "Then practice harder, everyone's waiting for you".
He turned his gaze back to her, his fingers caressing her cheek.
Thinking back to the difficult times she was always by his side but he made her sad and cry so much.
"Mia..." Minu said softly, sadness in his eyes "I've always blamed myself for the times I made you unhappy... but even after all that, you still chose to stay by my side".
She let out a gentle giggle, eyes warm "So that's why you've been so quiet lately?".
He lowered his head, guilt evident in his expression, he doesn't know how to make up for Mia "Do you forgive me?".
She lifted his chin, looking into his eyes "Silly~ I've always forgiven you".
Minu exhaled deeply, feeling incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful girlfriend.
He vowed to work harder, to make sure he was worthy of her unwavering trust.
Seeing her boyfriend's silence, Mia leaned closer and asked "What's wrong?".
"Nothing... I just want to looked at you more" Minu said softly.
She smiled and rested her forehead against his, the light outside faded into a soft twilight, painting the room in gentle hues of rose and gold.
In that suspended moment, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence, neither of them needed words.
They simply were. And that was enough.
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It's so cute, isn't it?. 💕
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