This week was long. It has been a week since Soobin came into Hive. After that, he didn't mention anything.
We crossed paths a couple of times and he was civil. He was more than civil. He was his usual friendly self.
I was the idiot, stuttering and blushing every time he was near me.
I was an intelligent girl and yet I became a red statue every time I had to speak to him.
It wasn't that I had a crush on him but my mind wandered to the night when he kind of - but I am not sure - asked me out on a date.
He did not mention anything remotely similar ever since. To the point, I feel like I may have suffered a hallucination.
It wasn't, particularly that I was attracted to him. No doubt, he is very handsome but I never imagined anything with him. Hell, I didn't imagine anything romantic with anyone.
The idea of a high school romance sounds good theoretically but I didn't ever think it would happen in real life. And that too with me!
I am getting way ahead of myself again.
He may have been joking. He may have meant the date as a small harmless joke. Or maybe it is the term that is used for people to hang out.
I don't know.
I was spiraling.
I told Woojin and Saehi what happened but not San. We were still angry at each other.
Woojin high-fived me saying that I was all grown up and making innuendos about how my beauty in the god-awful yellow uniform must have blinded him and fogged his judgment.
And Saehi took it more realistically and told me to be a little careful because there is never knowing what is serious and what isn't with the Royals. And then she proceeded to ask me how I was feeling about this situation.
Honestly, I don't know.
I have never paid attention to the possibility of dating or anything remotely close to that because it was a luxury I couldn't afford.
I was working 3 jobs from the age of thirteen and school. If I ever got some free time, I spent it helping my parents run the noodle shop or studying so that my schoolwork didn't pile up.
As a result of my lifestyle, I never really paid much attention to my appearance. Well, I want to look presentable wherever I go, whether at school, work, or anywhere outside but that is where it ended.
I never dressed to look pretty for someone, never followed the trends, and tried makeup that looked good on my features or made my eyes look brighter and bigger.
These were all things that took too much time and money, both of which were scarce to me.
This led to zero interest from any guys in my school looking at me with any perspective other than a simple friend.
That is what I thought here, in Royals High as well. I mean, I was a nobody. I didn't stand out in front of the crowd because of my looks and neither did I have a family name that made me a crowd favorite.
On the contrary, I think, whatever my involvement with the Royals was, it led to more speculations than interest of people.
So Soobin's statement... caught me off guard.
This was the first time a guy had said something like this to me. That is why my reactions were so animated around him. It had nothing to do with me generating feelings for him because he kind of asked me out.
Yes, definitely.
And besides, he didn't mention anything of that sort after that so maybe he didn't mean it. Maybe he said it to get a reaction out of me.
He was having fun and he probably didn't even think about the interaction after he left Hive. He was not fretting over it and thinking about it every day.
He most definitely wasn't scribbling mindlessly in his notebook when he should have been paying attention to the class.
"Ughh" I scratch my mindless scribbling and look up.
The entire school is seated in the auditorium. We were called here for an announcement but the principal was not here till now.
There was slight murmuring about what this announcement might be about and what was the reason for calling us all in here together but I didn't pay attention to any of their words because I was busy thinking about useless things.
The principal enters and the room falls to a pin-drop silence.
The entire senior batch follows suit.
The way that woman carries herself is commendable. She has an aura of power around her. She is kind and, followed a sense of authority that demands respect.
She clears her throat, and all eyes are on her.
"Good afternoon, students. I hope you all had a productive week," she begins, her eyes scanning the room. "I've called you all here today for a special announcement."
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, wondering what could be so important that it required the entire student body to assemble in the auditorium.
The principal continues, "As you all know, the Royals High is known for its exceptional students and their achievements. Today, we have a special recognition to make."
My heart skips a beat. And my attention is zeroed in.
Recognition?
Who could this be related to, I wonder?
The principal gestures towards the entrance, and in walks Soobin, wearing a slightly embarrassed expression.
Murmurs ripple through the auditorium as everyone turns to look at them.
"Soobin here has been selected as the Royals High representative for the upcoming city-wide academic competition," the principal announces, and a round of applause erupts from the students.
I search the crowd for San I notice him standing at the other end of the auditorium with an angry expression.
San was the student president of his class and as far as I knew, he was the topper. Shouldn't it automatically mean that he should be selected as the representative?
I'm torn between clapping with the rest of the crowd and wondering why I hadn't heard about this earlier.
I look back at Soobin and he looks genuinely surprised
His eyes scan the sea of faces until they land on mine. He gives me a small, appreciative smile, and my face turns beet red.
The principal continues, "We believe Soobin's dedication to his studies and his exemplary performance make him the perfect candidate to represent Royals High. We are confident that he will bring honor to our school."
The applause grows louder, and I find myself clapping along, my thoughts still swirling in confusion.
Soobin, a representative for an academic competition?
I never knew he was so academically inclined. Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye.
Maybe he is even better academically than San.
As the principal wraps up her announcement, she dismisses the students, and the auditorium empties in a matter of minutes.
I pack my belongings, lost in my thoughts when Soobin approaches me.
"Hey," he says, a hint of that friendly smile playing on his lips.
I nod, trying to conceal the inner turmoil. "Congratulations. I had no idea you were into academic competitions."
He chuckles. "Yeah, it's not something I broadcast. But hey, maybe we can celebrate. How about that date we talked about?"
I blink, caught off guard.
He said date, right?
I am not making it up in my head again, right?
Was he serious about the date, or is he just bringing it up now as a casual comment?
Maybe he wanted to get another reaction out of me?
"I...uh, sure," I stammer, feeling the familiar blush creeping up my cheeks again.
What was wrong with me?
"Great! Let's grab something to eat this weekend. My treat," he says, and with that, he heads off, leaving me in a state of utter confusion.
Soobin, the academic achiever, and potential date material?
I shake my head, realizing that this week just got a whole lot more interesting.
A/n: A very late update. I am sorry for the delay. I am swamped with work and I am trying to hatch out which direction I want the story to go in. In another week or so I'll go back to regularly updating. Hope you like the chapter and your comments and votes mean a lot to me❤️❤️❤️❤️.