A walk to remember I
Salient LoveWe both walked in silence towards the school gate. Luhan with his usual impassive expression, and with me inwardly bashing myself for saying stupid things.
The security waved goodbye to us and Luhan nodded back, before we walked past the gates.
"HEY.. WAIT!" The guard suddenly yelled.
I jumped and grabbed Luhan's arm in shock - but after feeling his entire body stiffen, I quickly let go.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my rapidly palpitating heart.
Then once my anxiety faded, I got annoyed.
What kind of security guard felt that it was a good idea to shout when it was dark and we can't see clearly whether a was around us or not?
"What?!" I replied, my voice a little sharp from irritance, as I spun around and glared at the guard. I wasn't in a good mood because firstly, I said something stupid already, and secondly and most importantly, I'm going home .. Which is not something I'm looking forward to.
The guard was unfazed by my tone, and glared back at me.
"Weren't you the girl I caught for being late today?" He suspiciously asked.
I paused, and my eyes widened.
I lost my earlier smugness and irritation.
Oops.
I forgot I was supposed to find the discipline master at the general office after being caught for being late.
I gulped.
"Y-yes?"
Luhan just stood stoically behind me, hands in his pockets, but I didn't miss the slight amusement that laced his features.
This isn't funny at all, Luhan.
"Well, the discipline master told me he was expecting you, but you never came," the guard folded his arms, his tone accusing.
"Er heh heh.. I forgot?" I nervously chuckled, slowly backing away from the guard.
He didn't laugh or find it funny either.
"Find him tomorrow," he said in utter seriousness, his eyes piercing.
I swallowed and nodded, before spinning around and walking away as quickly as possible.
Now I know why he is a security guard ; he is so frightening that he can scare away anything.
I made a mental note with neon lights all over it - visit the DM tomorrow or die. I inwardly shuddered.
In the midst of all my thoughts, I heard some shuffling of feet behind me and in shock, I spun around and wanted to punch whichever robber or that was following me.
The supposed grabbed my fist, holding me in place, before raising an eyebrow at my stance.
It was just Luhan.
Great. Another embarrassing moment witnessed by him.
I almost growled at him in frustration.
"Why are you following me?" I frowned, snatching my hand away from him and standing up straight. "I thought you were a rapi- robber.." I mumbled.
"I'm walking you home." He says, matter-of-factly.
I raised a brow, dusting my skirt. "Why? I can go home myself perfectly fine."
"It's late. It isn't safe," he answered.
His short answers started to get irritating, I didn't know why.
"There's no need. It's perfectly safe and I can defend myself from robbers or rapists and such," I replied confidently.
I saw his mouth curl up slightly. But it wasn't a normal happy smile - it was a sarcastic one.
"Really?" He looked right into my eyes. "It's perfectly safe?"
He was testing me, i knew it instantly.
Those were rhetorical questions. I frowned, trying to think of the underlying meaning under his words.
Unable to think of any, I arrogantly retorted, "YES IT'S PERFECTLY SA-"
Oh.
I paused, my jaw open.
My mind rewinded to the first time we met.
When Luhan appeared to save me from those drunks.
Oh yeah.. Why didn't I think of that quicker?
Why am I so stupid?
And why was he such a smart alec? I inwardly groaned, I made a fool out of myself once again.
I cleared my throat as my smug facade started to fade.
Luhan folded his arms, looking down at me with eyes that practically screamed "you poor peasant."
"Like I s-said, it is perfectly safe from robbers and rapists. That's all. I didn't say it was safe from other threats" I replied, trying to keep the arrogance in my tone, but it was obvious it was wavering.
I coughed my embarrassment away.
I said rapists and robbers but I didn't say drunks... So I win, right?
"So.. If you want to follow.. That's fine," I spun around and walked the opposite direction.
Just walk away, just keep walking and he wouldn't be able to judge you for long, I told myself.
And then I suddenly liked his short answers, so he wouldn't comment on my idiocy. Ugh, why was I so dumb? I wanted to pull out all of my hair.
I quickened my pace, not bothering to check if he was following.
"Hey!" He suddenly yelled. I ignored him and continued on. I didn't want to give him a chance to say anything sarcastic again.
"Isn't your house this way instead?"
I paused and my stomach dropped. I bit back the curse words churning inside and stopped walking.
Cheeks flushed, I turned around immediately, keeping my eyes glued to the floor as I walked to the other direction. I didn't have to turn around to know Luhan was trailing behind me.
I am just the smartest person on the planet, aren't I.
- LUHAN's POV-
I couldn't help but let the hint of a smile play on my lips as I watched her trudge her way home in front of me.
She was really amusing to watch and it made me feel .. Lighter. I wasn't so worried and troubled as always.
I almost let out a laugh when I told her that her house was the other direction instead. How foolish can she get? She's too stubborn and smug for her own good.
I shook my head, amused, as I followed behind her. I guess she didn't find anything weird that I knew which direction her house was at. The less she questions, the better.
Her footsteps were heavy as she looked at the ground, her cheeks flared red. Well, she should be embarrassed, after making a fool of herself more than twice in front of me.
I bit my lip to hold in my laughter when I saw her trip on her own foot and silently cursed.
She must have been staring at the ground so intently that she forgot to see where her feet were going.
"Watch where you step," I couldn't help but add, without emotion, but I was trying hard to hide the smile in my voice.
She grunted a response before straightening up and walking properly.
We walked in silence for a minute after, before her voice sounded.
".. Can you please walk faster."
I blinked, and realised I had fallen back quite a bit. So I quickened my pace until I was beside her.
Her earlier embarrassment had faded and she had this .. unusual expression. Her eyes were far too sober and distant, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. Was she anxious about something? What is she so troubled about? I found myself being curious about what was bothering her as I pondered on.
Oh.
Was she thinking whether I had eaten the food in the paper bag?
I almost started to smile again, thinking about her weird attempt at checking whether I had taken the food.
' are you hungry ' was a horrible attempt.
Was she troubled about that? She might be, but I highly doubted that was it, judging by the extent of her anxiety.
Being so worried over a paper bag was far too petty.
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