Hide and Seek

>>>JOO YOUNG'S POV<<<

I tried to sleep that night. My tears won't stop. Se Hun's mad.

I'm deeply affected. Why must I be so affected? This is getting harder.

I waited for him to go back home. 12 am. 1 am. 2 am. 3 am.

He's not coming home any sooner. I cried myself to sleep. I need to see you, please.

>>> FAST FORWARD<<<

I had to wake up early. I looked around. No signs of Se Hun. Where are you, Se Hun? Please come back. 

I put on my clothes lifelessly and took the bus to school. On the way out, I bumped into Jino.

"Jino, have you seen Se Hun? He did not go home last night." I told him.

Jino was smiling for some vague reason. "Are you worried?" He asked. Why is he smiling like he knows something??? 

"Of course." Uh-oh. Why did I say that? 

Noticeably, Jino smiled brightly, but, "Sorry Joo Young, I don't know where Se Hun is." Jino answered.

"Oh. Alright. Thanks anyway." 

Argh. Schhol. Second day, and I felt like giving up. I think I live a double life. Part time fake wife, full time student. Bell, please ring.

Lunch time. I contacted Jinri-eonni to help me find Se Hun after class. She agreed to do so.

>>> FAST FORWARD<<<

The moment we were dismissed from class at arounfd 8 PM, I ran to the bus station and took a bus to the SM building.

I need to find Se Hun. I need to. I just need to find out why he doesn't want to talk to me anymore, then I'll back off if he wishes to. 

I entered eonni's office. I saw her with a haggard face. 

"Eonni, what's wong?" I asked worriedly.

"Joo Young, I'm so sorry. Sorry. Super Junior's stylist is asking me to help him. Emergency styling. Joo Young, I'm so sorry." She told me.

Eonni doesn't need to say sorry. If I were her, I'd definitely help someone in need. 

"It's alright, Jinri-eonni. I can manage. Please don't worry about it." I told her.

She hugged me. "Be careful, okay? Don't stay too long finding him. He'll go back soon." Jinri-eonni told me. 

"Ne. Arasso."

So I left SM alone. Where will I find you, Se Hun? Please don't tire yourself. Tsk. It's all my fault. Pabo Joo Young. Hmph...

And I started looking for him. Never mind my dinner, never mind the cold. I have to find him. And even if I'm thinking that he won't like it if I find him, I'll still look for him because...

because I really really like him. And I can't deny it any longer.

I braved the cold and ran. Where are you, Se Hun? I ran and ran, trying to look for his handsome face in the crowd.

But no. Hours passed. I took seven bus rides here and there. The heavy rain was not helping.

10 PM.  I wanted to give up, but no. Then an idea popped in my head.

SM BUILDING.

Why did I not look for him there?

I swiftly went to the SM Building. Only a few people were left inside. The lights were already closed, and I could barely see the steps. 

I don't care if SM has 15 floors with 10-12 rooms per story. I shall look for him. I will not stop until I find him. I've never been so stubborn until now. 

First Floor.  Second Floor. Third Floor. Fourth Floor. Fifth Floor. Sixth Floor. Seventh Floor. Eighth Floor. 

Hmm. I ran. I opened every room. No Se Hun. 

When I reached Ninth Floor, I stopped to catch my breath. Beads of sweat filled my face, and I was starving. Ugh. You can do this. 

Ninth Floor. Tenth Floor. Eleven Floor. Twelfth Floor. Thirteenth Floor.

A saddening thought filled my mind. How will I find someone who never wants to be found?

But... I just have to apologize for whatever I did, and I shall leave SM. That's it. 

I had to skip the Fourteenth Floor since there was pretty much nothing in there but stacks of papers and old albums.

Fifteenth Floor.

My heart was racing. Please, please be here. Or I'll take your absence as a sign that I should stop. 

I walked slowly. Carefully, I looked in all the rooms, even the Men's Bathroom. I was in despair. Hope was beginning to fade.

And I searched 15th  floor twice. No Se Hun. 

I sat on the floor, hidden by the darkness. Right, Joo Young, you clueless person.

I went downstairs. Fourteenth Floor.

My feet just took control of me. I was just walking along Fourteenth Floor.  My thoughts were lost. I was walking aimlessly. Is there no hope?

I looked at the room behind, and again,

there was hope.

There you are Se Hun. There you are.

He was dancing in the  practice room. Why did I not think of the Practice Room?

I watched him dance to perfection. He was here all the time? 

Se Hun stopped the music. Uh-oh. Should I hide? I don't know.

Stupid me hid behind the doors, so he wouldn't see me.

Se Hun stepped out of the room.  I couldn't breathe. Thankfully, he didn't notice me. He went to the bathroom. Maybe he took a bath. Yeah, he probably did. That guy is a neat freak. 

I sat down in a corner and started to cry silently, making sure that he won't hear my sobs. Why am I being like this? Tears of joy that I found him? Or Tears of sorrow that I can't get to talk to him?

I stayed like this for a while. I was covering my face and looking at the floor the whole time.

When I looked up, I almost died in shock when I saw Se Hun sitting across me while examining my face. 

He was looking at me. Why can't I say a word? Why? He wasn't saying anything, I get it. He's waiting for me to speak first.

I started to cry before I could even talk. I covered my face and looked down.

"I'm so-so- sorry... Se- Se Hun. I-I... I'm so ss-stupid. I cc..." I stammered while trying to fight back my tears. I tried to say something again, but he already spoke.

"You don't need to apologize. I think I get it now." Se Hun told me.

My heart started doing crazy drum beats. I looked up again with my red face. ( My face gets so red when I cry)

I gave him my clumsy smile. I feel so unattractive. "Thank you too." I added.

Then the thunder roared. I almost jumped from my position. I actually have Astraphobia( fear of thunder and lightning)

Se Hun took notice. "Let's just get inside first." He said, voice arrogant. (I've gotten used to it!)

He went inside the practice room and I followed him. I sat against the mirrored wall and covered my ears. I didn't want to hear the thunder yelling again. 

The handsome Se Hun got his black headphones.

Se Hun sat beside me. We were both facing the mirror across our direction. "Astraphobia..." Se Hun uttered.

How in the world did Se Hun know the proper term for fear of lightning and thunder?

I nodded. To my heart's surprise, Se Hun placed his headphones on my ear, so I won't hear anything. 

"Sleep." He commanded me. 

"Did you eat already?" I asked out of concern. 

"Lady, you can worry about that tomorrow. I told you to sleep, didn't I?" He asked. 

There goes bossy Se Hun that I like.

He then placed my head on his left shoulder. OMO. OMO. OMO. This guy is unpredictable. 

Soon,  I fell asleep.

No Thunder, just Sweet Dreams. 

-----END OF CHAPTER 18-----

[A/N: More interaction to come. Haha. ♥]

p.s. Thank you to my  great friend for helping me with this!