I sluggishly climbed out of bed and let out a long, hoarse groan. When I was upright, I lost my footing and fell. I was so lazy to even get up that I merely slumped forward until I was lying face down on my bedroom floor. The word ‘exhausted’ couldn’t even cover what I felt right now. I seriously think I’m dead, if not, dying at least.

With my face pressed against the cool floor, I had almost fallen back to sleep but then my phone started to rudely ring non-stop. I wanted to cry just hearing it but I’ve done enough of that and honestly, I don’t think I had any tears left after yesterday. I cursed under my breath and got up from the ground. I was again too lazy to walk around my bed to get to my nightstand so I plopped onto my bed and rolled my way there.

I picked the noisy phone up and frowned at the bright red battery icon. It was dying like I am. My eyes move to look at the caller ID and seeing that it wasn’t from certain people I was avoiding, I took the call. “What do you want?” I muttered gruffly as I closed my eyes. I could already imagine a frown on Yebin’s face at my grumpiness. I was a lazy person in the morning but I was never grumpy.

“Well, good morning to you too.” I chuckled a little, knowing that she was most likely rolling her eyes right now. “Sorry… why are you calling?” I heard shuffling on the other end, followed by some whispering and then sound of someone being hit. A very loud ‘shh!’ was next after that, making my brows furrow curiously. What is going on?

“Unni,” the girl whispered into the receiver. My brows furrowed even more as I hummed in reply. “Is it true? Are you back together with Sehun?” My eyes shot open and I sat up immediately. What?! What is she saying? “What makes you think that? No, I am not!” I involuntarily yelled back at her. I heard her sigh in relief before cursing under her breath.

“I swear to god the rumors are insane! You’re famous in our university now just because of Seulbi. You have no idea how many people I’ve told off for calling a you a and all sorts of other bull!” My already gloomy mood had multiplied as I slowly got out of bed. I walked to the bathroom, my face crumpled up angrily with what Yebin was telling me.

Seulbi had definitely out done herself this time. I could only imagine what savagery I was going to get in school later. For all I know, maybe half the school’s population knew of my name and how I ‘stole’ Sehun away from the brilliant and angelic Lee Seulbi. “Yah, Unni,” I heard her say seriously. I had told her to hang up so I could start my morning routines and normally, she would’ve hung up without even a goodbye.

Suddenly feeling nervous, I hummed shakily. “Take care of yourself, okay?” I couldn’t help but break into a grateful smile. My little sister always liked to tease me. She wasn’t the affectionate type and I wasn’t either but we knew we loved each other. After all, actions speak louder than words, don’t they? Feeling my heart warm up at her subtle way of protecting me, I couldn’t help but tell her I loved her.

“What the ? You gross little ! I’m hanging up!” I chuckled into the phone before throwing it onto my bed. As I walked further inside the bathroom and into the shower, my thoughts suddenly attacked me. I sighed deeply. Instead of one problem at a time, I was trying to handle a dozen at a time.

I stepped into the school grounds with my heart ramming against my ribcage in anxious beats. So far, everything seemed to be normal. I in the fresh morning air and calmly exhaled. Maybe I was worrying for nothing after all?

Immediately, my heart eased up. I casually walked into the school building with an odd hop in my step. I wouldn’t have thought that I’d suddenly be in a good mood considering my mood a few hours ago but I wasn’t complaining. After what I had gone through yesterday, I think I deserved a break and I fervently pray that fate would allow it.

Taking in another calming breath, I opened my locker… and ended up gasping. Balloons started to fly out of it with a shower of confetti, a box of expensive chocolate seated right at the middle of my neatly piled books. My wide eyes zeroed in on a baby pink note that was shaped like a heart. What the actual is this?

I could feel people crowding around me with all the extravagance my locker just spewed out. I discreetly looked back which I hope I didn’t because the stares I was getting had fidgeting. I turned back to my locker with a scowl. Feeling annoyed and a little embarrassed, I quickly snatched the note on top of the box of chocolates.

It only had one word written on it and I already knew who the culprit of this was. ‘Chance?’ the note read, making my scowl deepen. I crumpled the dainty thing in my hand mercilessly. I felt my blood start to boil inside of me at a very fast pace while I slammed my locker shut loudly, cutting the strings of the balloons and making them float up to the ceiling.

My head snapped to the side and Sehun appeared right on cue. He chuckled, pointing at the crumpled piece of paper in my tightly balled fist. “That’s exactly what you did to my heart,” he said through a ridiculous pout. I glanced at all the spectators whispering to each other before I shot him a glare.

His head ducked as I did so, a nervous and shy gesture that didn’t really suit him. My glare softened at that. Why is he acting like this? I sighed in resignation and stuffed the note in my jacket pocket. “What is this about, Sehun?” I tiredly asked. The man looked up, nibbling on his lip now. He took a while replying and I just stood there, eyebrows raised as I waited for him to say something.

“I’m asking you out…” he muttered meekly, dropping his gaze to his feet for a split second before looking up at me again and saying, “…again.” Right at the moment that the word left his mouth, my memories of the very day that Sehun asked me out started to flash in crowded mind.

It was similar as now except that there were no balloons and chocolate that day and he didn’t look as anxious as he did now. I was speechless and immobile, my eyes just darting from one orb to another as all sorts of other memories with the guy came crashing down on me. My heart started to clench all of a sudden.

I swallowed hard and in a breath. My mouth slowly part to speak. “I can’t…” I replied in an exhale and before he could say anything that might change my mind, I walked past him, past the crowd and past curious eyes. I bit down on my lip as my steps quickened. I wasn’t about to let him ruin my mood.

It was all good. I was okay and I can survive this day without ending up like a puddle of mess. With a new-found confidence, I held my chin up a little higher and sauntered my way to my first class of the day. I walked casually to my usual seat then dropped my bag at the foot of my desk and got my materials out.

I flipped open my binder, uncapped my pen and sat back to wait for the bell to ring. It was only a few minutes later that the bell rang just in time for students to start filing inside. I was looking out the window when our professor walked inside as well, greeting us a good morning just before he put his brief case down on his desk. And as I looked away to start paying attention, I found Sehun staring at me.

I involuntarily gasped in shock. I slapped my hand over my gaping mouth and quickly looked away from him when everyone in the room seemed to have swiveled around just to look at me. The guy merely furrowed his brows at me and chuckled lightly before turning away too. I cursed under my breath, mentally scolding myself for forgetting that we had this class together.

I lightly shook my head and cleared my throat, straightening up in my seat to try and convince myself that I wasn’t nervous just now, that I didn’t mind sitting next to Sehun for an hour and a half. He wasn’t going to bother me anyway. We’re in class for goodness’ sake. He wouldn’t even glance my way.

My own body betrayed me when I found my hand tapping my pen nervously on my notebook and my foot shaking under my desk. I tried to stop myself but I really couldn’t. I bit my lip hard and just prayed that Sehun wouldn’t notice but really, who wouldn’t when he was right beside me? From the board, his eyes traveled back to look at me.

I quickly and nervously dropped my head, pretending to take down some notes of whatever my professor was blabbering about. Then I heard him whispering my name. My grip on the pen tightened just a bit. “What?” I hissed back with my brows furrowing in concentration at the gibberish I was writing down.

There was quite a long stretch of silence before I heard him sigh. I couldn’t help but look at him curiously. He was smiling at me but his eyes had a rather sad glint in them. I suddenly felt guilty. “I’m sorry,” he finally said. I merely looked at him, waiting for him to say more.

“I-I just really wanted…” he chuckled humorlessly then shook his head. “I understand that you don’t want me back but… please. One day. That’s all I’m asking for. Go out with me for just one day and if you still don’t want me back then I’d stop. I promise.” The sadness in his eyes were mixing along with a plea and it just made my stomach lurch.

“One day…” I repeated to myself, already pondering heavily over his little condition. The room started to feel a lot smaller than it actually is. It was getting stuffy and our surroundings were starting to blur in my vision, my eyes only focusing on him and his eyes. They held so much emotion, wistfulness, hope, grief, plea… love.

I found myself gulping at that. I was starting to drown in his eyes and I could feel myself caving in. The longer I looked at him, the more I suddenly wanted to give us a second chance. There was apprehension. It was holding me back but I felt something pushing me towards him as well. Slowly, I opened my mouth and a stuttering “Okay,” came out of it.

I winced at my own voice, almost regretting it right after but he smiled at me, brightly and sincerely. I found a new emotion in his orbs, gratefulness and maybe even joy too. I felt very stupid for being so mad at him for his little act a while ago but still ending up considering a date with him. I didn’t know I was bipolar but I guess I was only feeling that way because I was initially scared.

I was scared of wanting him back and having feelings for him again but here I am, cracking into a smile because his is just so contagious. Sehun bit back an even wider grin as he looked away, a sudden red tint decorating his cheeks.

As I looked away too, I felt my worries leave my body. It was a nice and light feeling. And I guess it was just what I needed. I had been so caught up on so many doubts that I was so blandly making myself suffer. What if I took a chance this time? Who knows right? It was a liberating feeling and it had me sighing in relief. I don’t think I was doing anything wrong. All I was doing was trying something out and whatever the outcome is, I guess I’ll just have to accept it.

One measly day of spending time with Sehun wouldn’t hurt, I guess. I don’t think I had to think of Seulbi or consider what she would feel with what I was doing. She was no longer my friend and I don’t owe her anything anymore. I don’t think I should be thinking about what Baekhyun would feel too or Chanyeol. Baekhyun still had his Nari and Chanyeol is my brother, they shouldn’t fit in the equation.

I took a deep and relaxing breath, clearing my head of his invading thoughts and just setting my mind on having a good day today. ‘Remember, you deserve it!’ I told myself and smiled. I couldn’t help but look back at Sehun. I was surprised to see him staring at me already but I didn’t tell him off. I held his gaze for a while then I looked away again.

Events of last night had Baekhyun swimming in his thoughts for the entire night. Even with Nari sleeping soundly right beside him, he felt so empty and lonely. The imagine of you running away would replay in his head then he’d feel a dread creep in his heart. He sighed deeply. He might’ve really lost you this time.

That night, he forced hims