Resting on the banister, staring at the foggy sky, she held her phone staring and contemplating whether or not to message him.
Alex stared at her phone, her thumb hovering over the chat icon. She'd been avoiding contacting Baek Hyeon, afraid of what might be the outcome. But now, with the project over, the silence between them felt heavier than ever.
Taking a deep breath, she tapped on the chat icon.
Alex: Hey
She hit send and waited, her heart pounding in her chest. A few minutes passed, and then she saw the typing indicator start to blink.
Baek was sitting on a chair by the window when his phone chimes with a message from an unknown contact. Immediately he bracing up to the idea of who it might be
Baek Hyeon: Ok. Now what?
Alex bit her lip. She hadn't expected such a short response.
Alex: Just wanted to say thanks for the help with the project. We made a good team.
She hit send, her fingers hovering over her phone, waiting for his reply. A moment later, Baek Hyeon replied.
Baek Hyeon: Yeah, whatever. I guess.
Alex was taken aback by his curt response. She knew he could be like this, but it still stung. She decided to be direct.
Alex: Look, I know things have been weird between us. I'm sorry about what happened at the grocery store. I didn't mean to.
She sent the message and waited, her heart pounding. This was a risk, but she felt it was necessary to clear the air.
A few moments later, Baek Hyeon replied.
Baek Hyeon: You didn't mean to? Are you kidding me? You almost knocked me out.
Alex sighed. She knew he was being defensive, but she was determined to be honest.
Alex: I said I was sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you.
She paused, considering her next words carefully.
Alex: And about the other thing... the photo.
Baek Hyeon was taken aback by her message. The photo? What photo? He had no idea what she was talking about. But he could sense the sincerity in her apology.
Baek Hyeon: The photo? What do you mean?
Alex realized she had jumped the gun. She quickly backtracked.
Alex: Never mind. Forget I said anything.
Baek Hyeon: Yeah. One last thing before we end this conversation. I would be glad if you keep this chat hidden from friends.
His message popped making Alex fidget.
Alex: On one condition.
She replied with a dude emoji, getting on his nerves.
Baek Hyeon: What condition this time.
He typed back. Frustration lingering in his text.
Alex: That we would let bygones be bygone.
She replied.
Baek Hyeon: Fine. Just keep this away from anyone else. Pretend nothing ever happened between us
"He's finally submissive." She thought, smile creeping on her face.
Alex: Promise. Good night friend.
She replied not expecting a reply which didn't come as expected.
Baek Hyeon dropped the phone on the side table lying gently on the bed.
"What picture." He thought.
* * *
THE NEXT DAY AT SCHOOL
Everything seems to looks awkward. Both pretending as if nothing happened. Alex will secretly take several glance at Baek-Hyeon empty seat when no seems to be watching.
"Alex." Mrs Yun-Ari called making her startled.
"What was the last statement I made." She asked.
Alex stuttered as she rose in her feet "Ehm... Uhmmm... I think..." She said looking over at Ja-Young for help but met with her shrug.
"What the hell... She's not listening as well. How come mine was so obvious?" She thought , nipping her lower lips.
"What was my last statement?" Mrs. Yun Ari questioned again, snapping her from her thought.
"Actually. I wasn't concentrating." She replied honestly.
"What a beautiful confession." Da-Eun scoffs making the class burst into a round of laughter.
"Isn't it better than telling a lie huh?" Alex asked, irritated.
"You think you're honest? What made you think that?" Da-Eun said not giving up.
Mrs. Yun-Ari can feel the tensed atmosphere in the air as she cleared her throat to make them aware of her presence.
"I'm sorry." Alex apologized.
"You can have your seat, but make sure you concentrate this time." She warned while Alex nodded in appreciation.
"I will." she replied taking a seat.
"What in hell's name were you so lost thinking of?"
Alex scoffed. "Don't make me feel like the victim here Yun. You were obviously not even concentrating as well." Alex said.
"You thought." Ja-Young said trying to be defensive.
"I know." Alex whispered.
Baek Hyeon was yet to be in class as the lesson was already close to coming to an end.
"It's a good thing he's not here. Maybe he's shy to even face me after our discussion yesterday." Alex thought, smiling to herself.
"Can you please share with us the reason behind your smile." Mrs. Yun-Ari said, cathcing her off-guard.
"Not again." She thought, standing on her feet while Ja-young giggles.
"I thought of a joke." She began.
"Mhmm... And?" Mrs. Yun-Ari asked.
"Nothing. I'm sorry. But i wasn't loud, was I?" She asked, making Mrs Yun-Ari furrow her brow. She attempted to speak but a presence Alex wished not to see today through out the class came in. Baek Hyeon, his powerful aura filling the classroom, with Min-Jun behind him,, as if shielding himself from whatever might come their way.
"Look who we got here." Mrs. Yun-Ari noted scanning them with up and down with her eyes.
"Sorry we're late." Min-Jun apologized knowing fully well his friend wouldn't bother to say a thing.
Mrs. Yun-Ari's gaze shifted from Min-Jun to Baek Hyeon in expectation.
"This won't repeat itself." Baek muttered.
Mrs. Yun-Ari scoffed at his apology "Seriously Baek Hyeon, this sort of behavior has always be repeating itself!"
"You know, he's usually somewhat busy, especially week days." Da-Eun defended.
"Oh, I see." Mrs Yun-Ari said signalling them to move to their seats, which they did rather reluctantly.
Alex, who was staring at the two latecomers all this while quickly grabbed her textbook, putting it over her face to avoid been noticed. Baek Hyeon took a brief stop on his steps as his eyes met with hers, before moving to his seat.
"Have your seat Alex. That means, we come to the end of today's class. See you tomorrow." Mrs. Yun-Ari said. "Baek Hyeon, I advice you to keep track of what is been taught today, maybe by collecting notes from your colleagues." She added while they nodded.
"Are you okay?" Ja-Young asked peeking on her face.
"I am fine. It's high time you stop asking me that." Alex said.
"And its high time you stop giving me 'I am fine answers.' Ja-Young retorted.
"Will she tell you lies if she's not fine?" Lee-Kwnag interrupted with a frown.
"I'd be glad if you do me a favor of staying out of this." Ja-Young said with a scoff.
"Lee-Kwang always understands me better." She said making Ja-Young raise a surprised eyebrow.
"I'm glad you took note." Lee-Kwang replied with a wink while Alex pick a notebook, standing up.
"Where are you going?" Ja-Young asked.
"Going to help a friend in need." She replied walking away towards her Baek Hyeon leaving Ja-Young confused and Lee-Kwang confused secretly annoyed.
"What does she think she's doing?" Lee-Kwang friend asked placing a hand on his shoulder which he nudged off.
Alex walked toward Baek Hyeon who was busy with other things in his phone. he just saw a book stretched out to him. Looking from the book to the holder in confusion.
"How may I in any way help you." He asked.
"Here's the note on what Mrs. Yun taught." Alex said.
"So..." Baek Hyeon started, noticing all eyes on them.
"Make sure you update your note with mine." She completed dropping the note on the table. 'Besides, there's nothing to be shy about." She added noticing his hesitance.
"Seriously Mrs. Smith." Da-Eun started walking towards them. By this time all attention were fully on the characters of any drama that might be unfolding.
Dropping a note on Baek-Hyeon desk, she altered "Mrs. Yun-Ari asked me to give him this, if you don't mind."
There was an awkward silence in the classroom as some students exchange confused glances.