January 3rd, Han University's Corridor
"Did you really just slap me? Did you really just did that because of him? Just what happens to the friendship we had all these years?! You would side him instead of me? Why? Why?!"
By now, the scoresheet he was carrying was all over the floor as he touches his burning red cheek. Bogum just couldn't understand why Joohyun would side Sehun and not him.
Joohyun scoff, not believing what Bogum had said. She thought after all this time, Bogum would have accepted Sehun as one of her friends but her thoughts were wrong. She really doesn't know why Bogum was so against her befriending Sehun. He had always helped her out and was really nice to her but to Bogum, all Sehun ever do was causing trouble for her.
"Why? You actually ask me why? Have you ever ask yourself that question? Why did I choose Sehun over you? Have you question yourself that before? You questioned me about our years of friendship but I wonder about that too... You have been friends with me for years but you can't seem to understand me. I don't expect you to since you will never understand what I'm going through or what it feels like to be me but the least you could do is to accept my decision. Can't you be happy for me?"
Joohyun eyes were brimming with tears as she tried to control herself but it seems it was hard for her. All she ever wanted was to live quietly among the Kim's and be friends with both Sehun and Bogum for a long time but picturing it was now impossible for her. If Bogum couldn't even accept Sehun, how could they maintain their relationship for years to come?
As soon as Sehun saw Joohyun tears slowly slide down her rosy cheeks, he took out a handkerchief from his bag pack and wipe her tears away. Because of this, Joohyun tries to calm herself down. She knows that Sehun doesn't like the sight of her crying since he knows that Joohyun was stronger than that.
"If you still think of me as your friend, I want you to accept the fact that Sehun is one of my friends too. Try to get along with him and you'll know how nice he is. I don't ask for much... Just that..."
Joohyun gave Bogum one last look before leaving him with Sehun trailing behind. But as Sehun walk away, Bogum swore he saw Sehun smirking. He gritted his teeth in anger as he slowly began to pick up the scoresheets that were all over the floor.
Honestly, Bogum didn't initially hate Sehun but when he realizes that Joohyun started doing notorious stuff, he knew it definitely has something to do with Sehun. But that wasn't the only reason why he hated the idea of Joohyun hanging around Sehun. He has this feeling that Sehun has a motive for hanging around Joohyun but he doesn't know what it could be.
"Is Sehun really as nice as what Joohyun said he is? But why do I feel like there's this mutual feeling of hatred between me and that b*stard? Maybe... It could be possible but it's hard to confirm. Guess I have to do it. That's the only way for me to find out more..." Bogum mind wandered away as he stacked back the pile of scoresheet and proceed to his music class.
January 3rd, Han University's Indoor Garden
Joohyun and Sehun both were currently seated on the handmade swing that they made together. It took them a whole lot of time but they finally finish it before their term break and now they get to enjoy the result of their hard work. They build the swing on one of the branches of the big oak tree, so as they swing back and forth, the withered leaves on the tree slowly fall to the ground like as if it was snowing.
Joohyun admires the view as she calms herself down before looking at Sehun who was reading a book and quietly swing by her side. She knows Sehun was being quiet and letting her be because of the incident earlier. He knows that Joohyun needed time to settle down and organize her thoughts.
"Hey... I'm sorry for earlier... I didn't expect Bogum to hate you that much... And I'm sorry that I cry in front of you... I know you said I should start being stronger but I really can't help it. It pains me that someone I care for doesn't even understand me..."
Joohyun felt like her eyes begin to feel watery and that was the signal for her to control. She didn't want to break down in front of Sehun again. She's not that weak and it was supposed to be a time where she relaxes with him and have fun but she can foresee it being a counseling session.
"It's okay. I understand. Bogum can be such an a*s at times but I know he meant well. He was just worried about you and I'm sure he just doesn't want you to get into trouble with your family. And it's okay to cry at times. It doesn't mean you're weak nor does it mean you have no self-control but it's because you're feeling way too many emotion for you to handle."
Sehun patted Joohyun head, telling her that it's okay. He understood why she was being like that towards Bogum. She didn't mean to slap him nor did she wanted to cry like that but her emotion was so mixed up that she ends up not being able to control it. Sehun can't exactly blame her since the one she was facing was someone dear to her.
As they were relaxing and enjoying the swing, a figure appears in front of them. His hazelnut brown eyes sparkle as the sunlight reflect upon it while he fidgets on the spot. He was obviously nervous being there and the fact that both Joohyun and Sehun wasn't saying anything made this more awkward for him.
"I'm sorry for suddenly appearing like this but I have two things to pass to you..." His smile was stretch across his face but anyone looking can tell that it was forced.
He timidly walks towards Joohyun as he gave her the bouquet of flowers and a nicely wrap-up box. Joohyun looks at it in confusion as she wonders why was she receiving it. It doesn't make sense since it was not her birthday nor was there any special occasion.
"Okay.. I'll explain.. I know I'm suppose to be at the welcoming ceremony but I have a valid reason for that. I was looking all over for you since you went out to school earlier then I expected.. The box is from me. I wanted to give you during Christmas but since father decided to celebrate it in America, I couldn't pass it to you until today.. Sorry noona.."
Joohyun stares at Baekhyun in disbelief. She didn't expect that Baekhyun was stupid enough to skip the welcoming ceremony just to hand her a present. But she was happy. She wasn't even expecting anything from Baekhyun but he still gave her a gift. A smile slowly creeps it's way onto her face as she stood up from the swing and went to give Baekhyun a hug.
"Thank you... You don't know how much this means to me... Anyway, go attend the welcoming ceremony now. Father will kill you once he notices you're not there when he arrives!" Joohyun chuckles as Baekhyun nodded his head and clumsily run out.
But as his figure disappear, she realizes that she didn't get to ask about the flowers. She thought about it for a moment before trying to search for a letter or a card from the sender somewhere. And indeed she found one, hiding among the bouquet of flowers. She opens up the card and read it.
"I'm sorry for earlier. I know I shouldn't say such stuff but I'm just worried about you.. I don't know how he is like so I just assume he's the one teaching you all this bad stuff. I'm willing to get to know him if you give me a chance... Please forgive me? I'm really trying to understand you... Trying to understand why you like hanging around him... Please? I'll come to meet you after class for your answer. I'll be waiting..."
Joohyun heart suddenly begins to swell. She doesn't know why but she suddenly felt her heart tightening after reading the letter. Was it because she can now finally picture herself in the future or was it because it was from Bogum?