The Present Day -- 10:35 AM
Chaeryeong's P.O.V
My chest goes up and down, my breathing going slow as I walk even slower. I look ahead, squinting my eyes at the sun that shines it's light through the windows. The halls are filled, people shoving to get to lockers, and the selfish ones who stand in the middle of the chaos, gossiping, greeting, chattering, who knows. All I know is that I'd like to be alone, the scent of perfume, and people isn't flattering or enjoyable.
'Fresh air would be nice'
I'd love to leave school since my classes don't start right in the morning anyway, but I was asked, no actually I was told to tour this new student around before lunch, so now I have to be here early. I stand in front of my locker, not quite knowing what to do with my free time.
'I could go see if one of the dance rooms are open'
I nod, smiling to myself.
When I enter the room, I play some music on my phone before placing it down on the floor. Taking off my uniform blazer, I set it down next to my phone before I take a few light steps towards the large mirror.
My head bops finding the rhythm of the song. The next thing I know, I'm moving my body in familiar ways, swinging my hips and adding detail with my arms and hands. I perfect the times I stumble or look stiff and stagnant. I haven't danced in a while, I used to dance with my sister all the time. I'm not too bad though, just glad that I haven't forgotten how my body likes to move.
I'm out of breath by the end of the song and hear the bell ring, indicating the start of another class. I rest against the mirror, my breathing going slow again. It's nice to take my mind off things. It's a healthy habit I've acquired, better than all my other habits. My phone jolts with a ringing sound, I sigh, tilting my head, wondering if I should answer, if I even wanna answer.
Picking up my phone, I see text messages from Yuna.
Yuna
I can't wait to see you, I'm in class rn, but when the lunch bell rings, I'm running straight to you!
The corner of my lip curls into a smile, I text back.
Yeah, okay, don't get too excited 😌
After my little break, I jump back up on my feet and continue dancing, perfecting my movements and actually relaxing as I grin at myself in the mirror. It's different when I'm actually relaxed to begin with, I can see the difference. However, my inner peace is interrupted when I hear a clapping sound.
An applause by only one person.
Turning around abruptly, I face the one and only Kang Taehyun.
He stops clapping when he sees my narrowed eyes and lips turned down into a frown. "Could you smile for me atleast?"
His mouth is slightly turned up into a near smile, something to reassure me I suppose. It doesn't work of course. Is practically messy hair is just like I remember, the feeling of wanting my hands in them disgusts me, and the fact that I have the utter urge, the audacity to want to stare at his lips and reminisce.
'He hid the truth from me. He killed my dad"
I almost punch him right then and there.
I don't, obviously. Instead, I put on my blazer, pick up my stuff and avert my eyes from him as I attempt to leave. Though before I can get to the door, he blocks me with his body, as I'm now face to face with him.
Our faces inches apart.
However, he doesn't expect the way I hold his eyes with mine, the with I straighten my posture before tersely shoving him out of the way. "Don't waste my time" I breath out as I continue to walk away from him. Tears blur my vision but I blink them away as I continue walking.
I turn to stop when I reach the end of an empty hallway, everyone's in their classes so no one should see me. I rest my back against the creamy white wall. I glide down to the floor against it whilst my eyes close, my breathing going back to how it's supposed to.
I'm not going to cry.
I'm not going to waste my tears on the past.
Lunch
Taehyun's P.O.V
The ringing of the lunch bell signals my departure from class whilst other students do the same. I've noticed that there are a lot of new students, they're mostly seniors which is kind of weird but I don't care. There's only one thing on my mind right now, and it's a haunting lie that's been eating me up ever since that very day.
The shouts, the screams of a dying man aren't so far away. That very day I was masked and named a murderer.
A nightmare that I relive in my sleep, daily activities, and alone.
'I didn't feel alone for a period of time though.'
Walking speedily, I reach a corner before taking out my phone, searching for a specific number in my phone. I look around, making sure no one hears the conversation I am about to have. My father finally answers, the inhale I take stables me, calms me for the words that leave my mouth. Words that my father ignores, brushes off, and makes me feel incompetent for. I mean how would you feel if even your own father didn't believe you.
"We need to do something about it! It's eating me alive!" I whisper shout into the phone hoping to drill my point into his head, a point I've been trying to make for years. "What are you talking about?" His gruff voice surprising me, although I shouldn't be surprised. "You know exactly what I'm talking about! The man, Chaeryeong's dad" Sternly, I close my eyes shut, restraining the urge to yell. "We don't talk about that incident. You made a mistake, and I took care of it, like any parent would. It was years ago Taehyun, let it go." I can't help the blunt chuckle that comes out of my mouth. "No dad, it wasn't a mistake, I didn't do a thing, why can't you listen?!"
"Raise your voice again and I'll hang up."
I take another deep breath.
"I'm not a murderer, and if you still don't believe me after all these years, then I'll go to the police and make them believe me!" The words come out like a threat, but I don't regret my tone. I'm met with the sweet sound of silence, it makes my skin crawl, makes me feel like the helpless kid who couldn't do anything but wish it were silent.
The shouts, the screams of a dying man are never far from my mind.
"For goodness sake Taehyun, you were playing around with the controls when security arrived at the scene. You were there alone with the man for more than an hour." My breathing's irregular as I take a step back, my sweaty palms meeting the cold wall behind me. Tears blur my vision, and I let them fall. "You're supposed to believe me. Believe me, please" My voice is weak, breaking and barely a whisper. However, my father ignores me and continues, implanting the memory of that day, me forced into handcuffs, my eyes unable to look away from the dead man covered by a white blanket.
The ambulance's siren being the chorus of such disaster.
"How do you expect me to believe you?! You were there, hands on the buttons, caught red handed! Even the CCTV was coincidently turned off!" He hears my silent sobs and grows quiet. If I could see his face, he'd most likely have pity expressed on his face, but he wouldn't do a thing to sooth me.
"I-I didn't..."
'Or did I?'
"We'll talk about this later."
He hung up.
The tears don't stop, I'm not sure they can stop.
HELLOOO!
How was your day?
Any thoughts or predictions for this chapter?
Sorry, it was pretty sad but I promise you'll be rewarded with sweet moments between the two at some point!
MEME!!!!
see ya next time <3
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