~ Together by a String ~ (Jiyoo)

~3~

"Yoohyeon? Why're you crying, oh my god- I didn't mean to change the mood, I-I'm- I didn't mean it.."

"No Minji, thank you. Thank you for sharing this. I know it must be hard for you to keep this to yourself. I'm sorry you had to go through this."

My tears couldn't stop falling at this point. I looked like an absolute loser. Minji stretched her shirt's sleeve and moved her wrapped hand to my face and wiped my tears. I smiled at her and noticed she had tears swelled in her eyes as well.

It didn't take long before she let just a single, lonely tear escape her eye and drip down her cheek. It was my first time seeing her look so invulnerable, yet strong.. and it felt very comforting to see a side of her I never thought I would see. But her next action took me out by surprise.

She hugged me.

I was a bit surprised by this but I would lie if I say I felt uncomfortable. I hugged her back very tightly to let her know I'm comfortable around her. She placed her head on my shoulder and leaned in a way that I could feel her shaky breath on my neck.. She was trying not to cry. I have hugged other people before, but there was something about this moment that felt so new to me - I didn't want it to end.

Minji sniffed and slowly pulled out the hug to wipe her runny nose and glanced at me. Her expression changed and now she was laughing at me.

"W-Why are you laughing?"

"Your eyes... They're so swollen and you look so funny."

"Hey! Look at yourself first and then talk about my eyes!"

We laughed at our own comments and sighed at the same time. We stayed in silence for a little bit before we heard the bell ring. Minji took her guitar and hid it back inside her case and we made our way to the entrance but I stopped before entering, which made Minji look at me in confusion.

"Aren't you going to class?"

"I am but.. I don't really want people to see us talk or walk together so they won't assume anything and say bad stuff about my whole 'perfect' reputation."

I noticed her slightly frown after I said that. Wait, does she think I'm embarrassed of her? I tried to explain myself but she just gestured that she understood and nodded, slightly smiling and went back inside first.

I didn't like that smile..

It wasn't the annoying nor the happy smile, it was similar to a sad smile. Was she genuinely sad? I thought of running after her, but she was long gone before I could catch up with her. I hit my head and looked down, cursing at myself.

"Fuck... Yoohyeon, why do you always mess up everything at the worst times..."

♪♪♪♪

3 WEEKS LATER

A lot of time passed since that day on the rooftop and Minji hasn't been herself ever since. It sounds like I know her personally for years now, but she wasn't exactly the most subtle girl ever.

"Minji, that's the wrong string. You've been messing it up a lot, is everything okay?"

"Of course, everything is okay. I just think I'm a bit tired so let's skip today's lesson."

She left her guitar under the bench and walked away. I wanted to walk back with her, but she held out her hand infront of me to stop me.