Veil || Lee Donghyuck

Chapter 33: Hurt

Baek Dani felt like a zombie arriving to school the next morning. She knew she looked horrid. Her face was puffy and there were dark circles under her eyes. And Geurim, who had been waiting for her at the bike racks, was stricken with worry the moment she came.

"Dani? What on earth happened?" Geurim asked as she hurried to Dani's side. "Did something happen yesterday?" The girl hopped off her bike and she locked it to the rack. She wasn't sure how to go about it. There was so much to take in after yesterday's date. Without even saying anything, Geurim engulfed her into a tight hug. Dani bit down on her lip, overwhelmed with the sweet gesture.

As Geurim pulled away, Dani sighed, "Yangyang said we should stay as friends."

"Huh?!" Geurim grasped onto Dani's hand, appalled by the news. "I thought he liked you a lot, but he's the one that said to stay as friends?"

"Yeah, but—" From the school gates, she spotted a certain boy walk in with his bike. Poor Dani's heart went into a frenzy, her face burning red. She dragged Geurim behind her into the school. They walked all the way into their bare classroom, fortunately with no one to stop them along the way.

"Dani, what was that?" The black-haired girl asked with a raised brow.

"It's just that... I feel embarrassed to bring this up to the guys, right now."

"You know them, you don't have to feel embarrassed about it," Geurim murmured. "Oh, Dani. It's okay, take your time with it. Are you okay being here at school? You'll see him around."

"I can't just skip school because of something like that," Dani grumbled as she removed her backpack and placed it on top her desk. "I really don't want it to be a big deal. Besides, it was for the best we didn't make it official... I knew that I didn't like him in that way and he knew that too."

"Goodness, I'm sorry, Dani."

"I should've listened to you."

Geurim scoffed, "Look, Dani, you never could've expected this to happen. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out."

"I know, but I feel like I hurt him a lot with my stubbornness." All Dani could remember from last night was that look on Yangyang's face, the tears in his eyes. It was an expression that she never wanted to see again. She had hurt someone she cared about again. Yangyang was someone she thought was so strong, but he can be vulnerable just like any other person. For her to be the one that caused him to break like that is... "I hate that I did that to him."

Geurim patted her back. "Break ups are tough, Dani. It's nice that you tried it out, even if it didn't end up the way you may want it. You'll both realize it's for the best." Dani knew her friend was right, but it didn't ease the shittiness of the situation. She could only nod at her in response. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Can you just tell the guys that I'm not really in the mood to do anything? Like tell them I feel a little sick, I'd rather be alone today."

The shorter girl scrunched her face, Dani knew that meant she didn't agree with her, yet she let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, I'll tell them but you're not the only stubborn one! Donghyuck is going to be worried."

Hearing his name made Dani's stomach do backflips. She couldn't help but internally curse at herself. Now that she realized her feelings for the boy, she was such a mess.

"Maybe you are sick, your face looks flushed."

Dani turned her head away from her, embarrassed. "Maybe so... I'm going to rest until class starts, okay?" She laid her head down on the desk, pulling the hood she wore over. She heard Geurim walk away with a sigh. Dani groaned to herself as she closed her eyes and waited until the bell rang.