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Serim was in his class, trying to listen although he can't bring his attention fully to what his professor is saying. It's at the boy in front of him.
He hopes the look he's giving now was the same as how it was before.
Serim blinked thrice before changing his gaze. He shouldn't have looked anywhere anyway.
Minutes later, the bell rang and the students came dashing by the door as if someone will take their lunch away if they won't be in the cafeteria on time. Everyone went out except for Serim. He stayed in his seat. No one could even paint his expression right now. It's somewhere between irritated, scared, and sad. He sighed.
He stayed there for a couple more minutes until his friend, Wonjin, comes back to him. "Hey," Wonjin started, Serim nodded.
"Aren't you going to lunch?" Wonjin asked. "Well, even if you won't eat, you are still obliged to come with me," he added.
"Can't we just stay here?" Serim responded.
"Do you want my level rep position revoked?" Wonjin answered. Serim rolled his eyes and let himself get dragged by his friend.
"Hey, cheer up, if he treated you that way then stop supporting him. He doesn't deserve your recognition," Wonjin said as they walk to the cafeteria.
"It's just sad that he looks at me that way," Serim frowned. "I didn't even know he was there too! I and my family just happened to be in the same hotel as him. That doesn't mean I followed him, he's too full of himself!" he resumed.
"What's good about him anyway?" Wonjin asked.
"He's..." Serim trailed. "He's good at everything," he proceeded.
Wonjin produced a disbelief sound, "He treated you that way and you still can praise him, wow."
"Hey, I admired the person for years, okay?" Serim retorted. "It's not easy to let go of old habits, although I have to."
Wonjin clung to the taller as his way of comforting, "It's okay, you'll move on from him soon."
They entered the cafeteria, welcoming them with loud chatters of students from every level. The place was almost full. They waited minutes before taking a seat with their trays on hand.
"So, there's this dance.." Wonjin said as he sits right across his friend.
"I'll just pay," Serim shrugged.
"Come on! Are you planning to make me a loner on that night?" Wonjin complained.
"Yeah, like your boyfriend won't be there," Serim rolled his eyes.
"Oh, we broke up," Wonjin whispered. Serim gave him a confused and concerned look. "What? Nothing was serious in that relationship. Besides, Jungmo will leave after graduation for their business in Japan," Wonjin sighed.
"But you liked him, right?"
"That's not enough, I guess." Wonjin looked down on his plate sighing before looking back up. "Stop with Jungmo or I'll throw my food on you," Wonjin glared teasingly, which made his friend laugh.
"You should come to the dance," Wonjin started again. "I know that you know Woobin and his band would perform again like every other dance night we had but please, for me at least?"
"I'll see," Serim muttered. Wonjin face lit up in the excitement but soon turned into a frown as his friend speaks again. "Don't get your hopes up though, I still want to avoid him. Just like what he requested."
Just as fast as a flash, the day of the dance came. To Wonjin's disappointment, Serim did not come as he is still very scared to face the singer.
The program went by clean. The school head had a speech, selected students showcased their talents, the band that Serim was avoiding performed, and the rest was, well, a dance.
Everyone in the venue was hyped up. People started interacting with people they are not close with, there were loud waves of laughter, shouts, cheers. There were no alcoholic beverages but it seems that there are. It was chaos.
Wonjin, who was enjoying his time so much, is with the famous band of their school. Just like the others, he was laughing, making dares with the guys. Everything was going smoothly and fun until he snapped a photo of the band's vocalist, Woobin.
Woobin doesn't really like being photographed. He appreciates everyone that supports him and his band but as much as possible, he would love to avoid the camera. Very unfavorable to his career, right? So with that, Woobin stormed out of the venue.
The Park residence is the very opposite of the dance. It was quiet and peaceful. Not until he received a text.
From: woobin
hey
Serim jolted up his seat as he read the sender's name. Panicking, he left the message on seen.
From: woobin
answer. I saw you've seen the message.
To: woobin
oh hey
From: woobin
you stayed at home but sent a minion huh?
Serim stared at the message for too long, confused about what the singer was saying.
From: woobin
didn't I tell you to stop taking pictures of me?
Serim's lips parted in shock as he reads the latest text. Instead of feeling scared or sad, he felt anger. The treatment was too much. He was accusing him of something he didn't do! For heaven's sake, he was avoiding the singer for almost a year now!
To: woobin
excuse me?
To: woobin
I've avoided you for almost a year now. I haven't been in your sight since you asked me to!
To: woobin
I don't know what you're talking about.
From: woobin
isn't Ham Wonjin your friend?
To: woobin
and so?
From: woobin
he took a photo of me.
To: woobin
so you assumed I asked him to do that?
A minute passed without the singer's reply.
To: woobin
what?
To: woobin
you're an asshole.
To: woobin
what did I even do to you? Was it wrong to be your supporter? What? The hotel incident? Well, sir, I don't think the hotel was yours for you to complain about who their guests are. I and my family were there to have a vacation. I didn't follow you. I know my limits as a fan. I know how to respect you. That's simple etiquette. Just because you're famous, doesn't mean you can step on people like this. Know your limits too, as a person.
Right after Serim sent the message, he blocked Woobin and removed everything.
"He's the worst person I've ever met!" Serim ranted on his friend after they got back to school, Monday morning.
Wonjin sighed, "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I shouldn't have taken a photo of him."
Serim hung his arms around his friend for comfort, "No, you did nothing wrong. He's just...a jerk. Don't feel bad."
The two friends separated for their classes. Serim became more focused on his studies as he no longer has someone to support on their gigs. Wonjin was always with him through every day, except for times when the student government has meetings.
Serim indeed stopped everything he used to do about Woobin. He never showed himself to the singer, unfollowed him on all social media, and Woobin is still blocked from his phone.
It went on for weeks, to months, to years. Serim completely forgot who that guy is. They are now in their graduating year. He seems happier than when that happened. But, the singer appears otherwise.
The band went downhill. Well, without Serim leading the school fanbase of the band, it was hard for others to keep up with them. You see, Serim was the one who organizes the meetings, where the band would perform, where the band needed support, where to listen to their songs, everything you need to know.
Woobin knew or realized that it's his fault. The boy wasn't doing anything that could harm him. If anything Serim did, it was for his good. Woobin felt guilty after years of them ignoring and avoiding each other. He now admits that he became so ahead of himself after gaining popularity. He wants to apologize, but how? He's blocked from the boy's life!
"Bro, I know what you are bothered about but that isn't what made us... well, less popular," Allen, his bandmate tried to comfort him. Woobin lifted his head to lock eyes with their pianist as he speaks again, "New bands add up each year, right? People just like them better now and that's okay."
"I know, I know," Woobin sighed. "I just feel guilty. I pushed people away for unreasonable reasons. I, myself, don't get why I did that now. I want to apologize."
"Then do it," Taeyoung, their drummer said pointing his drum sticks to Woobin.
"I would want to, honestly, but he blocked me everywhere! I haven't seen him for a year and we're in the same school!" Woobin groaned in frustration.
The drummer laughed, "Deserved."
Woobin glared at Taeyoung then changed his gaze to Allen as if he's seeking help. "You know, if it's a will, there's a way!" Allen exclaimed.
And Woobin did. He tried all ways, contacting him through his bandmates, knew his schedule, would wait for him at their school's entrance every morning and by the end of the day, but Serim is a level ahead of avoiding.
On the verge of giving up, Woobin thought of just grabbing the boy to make him talk to him. But that would make it worse.. he thought. He became desperate to talk to Serim. All his ways didn't work but he still has one more chance and it's through the help of Wonjin, Serim's best friend. He was hesitant to do it at first because he also had a conflict with Wonjin during the dance two years ago so he had to apologize to him first before he sought help.
The plan was to make Serim go to a place where he could talk to him privately since the boy would avoid and ignore him all day. It is forced, not what he wanted it to be but he has no choice!
From: Wonjin
Selm, can you do a favor for me?
Serim's eyebrows furrowed when he saw Wonjin's text.
To: Wonjin
I still have classes, but sure
From: Wonjin
Oh yeah, It's not very urgent. The papers in the music room are very important for the event next week. Can you get it for me, please? I'm really busy right now. I'm worried that they might get lost if I don't get to keep them immediately.
To: Wonjin
Sure
When the bell rang, Serim walked out of the classroom and headed to the music room. He was peacefully walking through the halls but as he gets near to his destination, he heard something that made his heart beat fast.
"I’ve only dreamed of myself like this
I still can’t believe it
The spilling sunlight, the passing wind
Just realize I feel so fine.."
It's Woobin's voice. He's inside the room. It's the same song that made him fell for the singer!
"Oh oh on top of my wings
Oh oh brightly engraved
I know you know
The world I dreamed of every day
I feel so fine.."
Serim made his walk a little slower, scared of reaching the room and seeing the singer once again.
"Oh oh to the end of the sky
Oh oh spread out
I know you know
The brightly shining world
I feel so fine.."
This is for your friend, he needs those papers! He thought, calming himself.
"On the path, I silently wandered around
The nights that I faced
Everything’s alright now
I don’t care.."
The singing stopped when he appeared on the small window of the door. They both locked eyes before Serim opened the door.
"U-uh, I'm here to get the papers," Serim said getting his eyes off of Woobin.
"Hi," was all Woobin can say. He brushed off the awkward atmosphere and spoke again, "There are n-no papers. I asked Wonjin to help me talk to you."
Serim's brows crossed in annoyance and confusion but his expression changed into a shocked one when the other talked again.
"I wanted to say.. I'm sorry." Woobin began. "I know I acted wrong towards you. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, I should've listened to you. I was an asshole, just like you said before so I'm sorry."
Serim nodded, "It's okay, you're forgiven."
"I know it took me long to realize this but I'm so thankful for what you did before. Thank you for always listening to our songs and supporting us on our gigs," Woobin bowed his head.
"It was a normal thing for a fan to do," Serim smiled.
Woobin lifted his head, "So are you back?"
Serim chuckled, "When did I ever leave?"
"When I fought with you?" Woobin asked honestly.
"Yes, I avoided you just as you asked, but I never stopped listening to your songs," Serim smiled again.
"Thank you," Woobin repeatedly said, almost crying.
"Of course, old habits don't die easily. Even if you push me away a hundred more times, I still find comfort through your music. So I will always be here," Serim said before hugging Woobin.