╰─▗ ▘➤𖥸 out of character-

JUNGWON'S P.O.V

Eunjung was acting strangely earlier. I thought as I looked outside my mom's dark glass-paned window. "How was it? Did they make you do anything hard?" she asked. I didn't bother to turn my head and look at her. I gazed at her through her reflection on the pane instead.

She turned to the left as we made a turn along the road. "Good. Not really." She nodded. I don't even know why she tries to make small talk with me. When she knows I'll end up answering her with small words as a response.

I focused my sight on the road again, only for my view to be blocked by a bus, and my thoughts spiraled back to Eunjung. Come to think of it, she only started acting weirdly once we entered the bus. She was awfully quiet. The truth is, I wasn't even asleep earlier. How could someone fall asleep, when they feel like someone is looking at them?

Or she could be just looking out the window.

Her facial expression, too. She always seemed to be smiling, even when Leira and Jaeyun were arguing or when we were in the maze. She always seemed so optimistic—I shouldn't care.

It's not like her odd attitude has something to do with me, so why should I care? I poked the inner side of my cheek with my tongue as I looked down at my hands. Besides, why did I do that? I should've just let her fall, but then if I did, the others would think I'm an ahole.

And I now face the consequences of my actions. I believe memories can never go away, be it good or bad. The only way people actually fool themselves into forgetting is by pretending it never happened.

That is why memories can never be forgotten because they happened. Therefore, the strings of memories that I kept tangled became loose, and the other threads veiled from sight made themselves known. Just because of that simple gesture.

Her waist that I always liked to hold.

"Jungwon, hon' we're here now."

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EUNJUNG'S P.O.V

I hopped out of the bus before turning around and waving goodbye to the driver. He politely reciprocated my action. The doors then started to close automatically as the bus driver faced the road once again.

Turning around once again. I stared at the house in front of me. Reluctant on taking a few steps forward, but then I heard the bus driving away in the distance. Taking a deep breath. I held my bag tighter and started walking.

Once I was in front of the door I got a whiff of a pleasant aroma passing through the small spaces of the door. The sound of crackling oil could also be heard accompanied by the flipping of the pages of a newspaper.

Let's pretend... Pretend that I know nothing. I could tell Eomma another time. Soon. I'll just have to get the perfect timing, while I try to enjoy this peacefulness.

I let go of my bag letting it softly fall from my back. My hand touched the cold metal of the door forcing a smile to my lip as I started to twist it. Finally letting myself in.

And once I've fully stepped inside my house. I was greeted by my parent's longing stares. Their movements came to a halt as they smiled at me. "Eunjung, you're home. Perfect! I'm almost done cooking." Mom said as she turned around and started focusing on the food once again. "How was the trip? Did they bore you?" Appa was the next one to talk to me as he folded the newspaper and laid it down on the table.

I was putting down my bag as he asked that question and I had to force a smile to my lips once again before turning around and heading towards the seat in front of him. "The trip was too challenging for us to be bored. Turns out we were actually being tested for physical education by using the game Capture the Flag. I really had fun. My classmates and I even won first place." And before I even knew it, I was already talking non-stop as Dad nodded in acknowledgment.

I almost forgot how this felt...

"That sure does sound fun. Too bad we didn't get to experience that in our school days. We're glad you had fun, Eunjung."

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My emotions started to resemble a rollercoaster as more hours passed. I managed to get some sleep earlier, but that only backfired once I tried going to sleep at night. Therefore, here I was sliding my arms through both of the holes of my jacket before secretly trying to get out of the house.

Once I was outside my room I looked around trying to see any open lights, any indication that my parents were still awake. Though, I doubt they were because they were asleep by this time and once I was sure I proceeded to walk down the stairs carefully.

Treating it as something fragile as I slowly made my way down and finally success!

I heaved out a sigh of relief as I finally walked out of the door. I huddled myself in my jacket more as the cold breeze managed to penetrate through the fabric. I blew out a puff of smoke before heading toward the bus stop.

I didn't have to wait that long as I heard the sound of wheels negotiating through the pavement and once I caught a glimpse of its rectangular build and headlights shining my way. I stood up tucking my hands in the pockets of my jacket.

The bus stopped before me and the automatic doors soon opened. I came face to face with the middle-aged bus driver, who seemed to be shocked that I, a girl, was out and about at this time.

I nodded my head as a sign of respect before I got onto the bus, still feeling the bus driver's worried stare behind me.

I don't think I'll be going to 7-Eleven today... The park will do.

I thought as I sat down at the end of the bus. My eyes trained on the houses, restaurants, and buildings we passed by.

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JUNGWON'S P.O.V

"Ramen, again? Don't you ever get tired?" I asked Heesung Hyung as we left the park, heading towards the 7-Eleven just a few walks away. "Is that supposed to be a question? No, I don't. Especially at times, when it's so cold!" He exclaimed as he dipped his hands farther into his jacket's pockets.

"You know this is bad for our health right?" I asked him once again as I sped up my pace. "Yeah, I do, but hey! We dance, we lose a lot of calories, so why not?" He countered as he followed behind me.

"Sure," Was the last thing I said before we entered the store.

Compared to the temperature surrounding the place when I accidentally met Eunjung here. It was quite warm, which means they have the heater on. Heesung Hyung greeted the lady at the cashier, whereas I only followed him to the ramen section.

The both of us got the same kind and then headed to the back of the store to fill it with hot liquid. I could already smell the spicy flavoring. I glanced at Heesung and there was his usual excitement written all over his face. I don't know why he's so enthusiastic when he's eaten this a thousand times.

After our cups have been heated. The both of us laid it on the table near the window. "Should we eat it here? Or outside?" Heesung Hyung asked seriously. My eyebrows furrowed. Why's he treating this as something so crucial? "Anywhere's fine." I shortly answered, but he dismissed it. "If we eat here we can't enjoy the warm noodles and soup, but if we go outside it's freezing."

"So let's stay here."

"Let's go outside." Why did I even bother answering?

I sighed and picked up the warm cup once again as I started to walk to the door. "Oh, actually... You go first. I would love a sausage." He said behind me as I heard his steps fading as I walked farther away until I was met by the cold air once again. Shivers ran through my body as I held the cup tighter and continued walking.

But as I got closer to where Heesung and I were sitting earlier. My eyes landed on a familiar figure. Their long hair covers a part of the stool, with their head hanging low.

My feet stopped on the pavement floor rather than going over the grass-filled ground. My gut feeling told me that my hunch is right. That could be Eunjung. I'm certain, so I took a detour, but my ears didn't fail to pick up the occasional sniffing before I could go far.

Is she crying or is it because of the col- I shrugged the thought off and focused on the sight in front of me. Seeing Heesung Hyung only a few steps away from me a confused expression on his face. I shook my head and once I was shoulder-to-shoulder with him. "The seat's occupied." Then he groaned in disappointment.

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AUTHOR'S P.O.V

Jungwon came to school the other day. Unknowingly glancing at the oblivious Eunjung whose eyes were puffy. An evidence to him that she was indeed the familiar girl from last night.

He was intrigued as to why a cheerful girl like her would go outside and choose to wallow. It seemed out of character, however, he quickly shrugged the thoughts off.

Because they were none of his business. If she had something going on, then that's her problem. Jungwon thought.

He passed by their group of four during lunchtime and overheard a figment of their conversation. "Why are your eyes so puffy?" Minnie asked as she lifted her head and then tilted it to the side in concern for her friend. "Did something happen?" Minjung added, her voice filled with worry. Meanwhile, Leira was only looking at Eunjung with furrowed eyebrows waiting for her answer.

Their reaction made Eunjung nervous as she fought the urge to swing her foot because this would instantly give away that she was hiding something. Therefore, she laughed it off instead before saying, "I'm alright~ I was just watching a really sad movie last night and I just couldn't stop crying. Nothing serious." Eunjung answered.

Jungwon scoffed and thought, well at least, she's a pretty good liar...

A double update for my patient reader's because i SUCK AT BEING A WRITER.

BTW, I'm planning to transfer to a new school for my senior year in highschool and I'm so heckin' nervous. You see your author here isn't that good when it comes to socializing.