chapter ii. | drifting

Of course, whatever strange messed up idea her mind conjured up during that class with Hanbin was dismissed before she was able to fully understand it. It was fleeting and desperate, maddening that she rejected it as soon as it came.

Hayi couldn’t even believe she thought of it.

The stress must be taking a toll on her, she decided. Seeing her Hanbin like this was really just too upsetting. She should just remain optimistic and help as much as she could.

Desperate measures were unnecessary.

“Hey.”

Hayi’s ears perked up as she heard a voice from her left. She ceased the absentminded scrawling on her notebook and found the familiar stare of Suhyun’s number one tormentor.

“Bobby.”

“Hey, Hayi,” he greeted once more.

She almost forgot she had this class with him, hell, she forgot where she was at all. Hayi mentally slapped herself to get it together.

This always happened every time her mind drifted off to Hanbin, and it hadn’t been pleasant lately because the once giddy emotions that came with a crush was now replaced with crazy ideas. How pitiful.

“You okay?” Bobby sounded uncertain as he gestured to her desk.

Hayi blinked and discovered the big fat line she etched on her notebook over and over again that the paper was on verge of ripping. Her lips thinned into a frown.

“Yeah,” she replied. “I guess, I got bored.”

“Huh,” Bobby sounded incredulous. “That’s surprising. Lee Hayi never gets bored during class.”

And in a way it was true because she always paid attention in class. Though like anyone, she did get bored from time to time but it never stopped her from taking notes—just so she had something to do, at least.

A sigh slipped past her lips. “Yeah. I guess I’m tired too.”

That got Bobby’s interest as he leaned in with that usual wag of his brows.

“Tired, are we? Did someone have fun last night?”

Hayi deadpanned, choosing to look up and find their teacher flipping through his blinder instead of the mischievous friend beside to her.

“I’m not you, Bobby. Thanks.”

It had been a relaxed class today, the lesson finishing just a few minutes ago. They have a measly five minutes to spare before the bell.

Bobby muffled a snort and failed miserably. The teacher looked up for a bit but luckily not at them as two poor souls in the front got the look of warning instead.

“You do know it’s not me who drags everyone out right?” Bobby whispered. “You do know, I’m the one that gets dragged, right?”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?” Hayi mumbled back.

“Hey, just because I get pulled along, doesn’t mean I don’t end up enjoying it. Anyways, it’s mostly Hanbin who invites us to these parties. He has connections, you know?”

Just at the mention of the name, her heart seemed to contract.

“Really?”

“Yeah, you should know. But then again, you haven’t been coming with us.”  

True. The last time she attended a party with them felt like ages ago, hosted by a college friend of theirs, Kang Seungyoon. That one was pretty wild that Hayi could still remember the dancing, the smoke, the party streamers shooting from left and right like makeshift rainbows in the air.

“Honestly, I don’t even know how you guys find the time,” she replied. “Didn’t we have exams like a month ago?”

“You just got to straighten out your priorities,” Bobby said with a grin. “Anyway, there’s actually one happening tonight. Want to come?”

Hayi didn’t expect the abrupt invitation.

“On such a short notice?”

“I would’ve told you earlier but I thought Hanbin would’ve done that himself.”

Hayi mirrored the flash of uncertainty on Bobby’s face. She couldn’t blame him. Hanbin hadn’t mentioned or invited her to any parties for a while now and it wasn’t exactly his fault. Hayi kind of promised herself to do well in this last year of school.

Despite that though, she couldn’t help but feel a little left out.  

“I’ll see,” she said just as the bell rang.

Soon, everyone was shuffling to their feet, stuffing books and materials into their bags before flooding the door.  

“Just message one of us or better yet just arrive with Hanbin,” Bobby offered. “He’ll probably drive.” Just as he was about to make his exit himself, a thought seemed to come to mind. His blinding grin returned with a certain sparkle in his eyes. “Oh, and make sure you bring Suhyun with you, okay? Later.”

And then, he was gone.

Hayi chuckled to herself as she also prepared to leave. Of course, he’d want her to bring Suhyun. They’re so cute.

The canvas of the sky today chose to be a serene azure, dotted with a few stray clouds. Hayi relaxed as she bathed under the sun, listening to the rustle of the trees and grass around her.

“Tonight?” came a whine from Suhyun.

“Mhm,” Hayi hummed as Jisoo texted away on her phone from between them.

Today’s lunchtime was just the girls occupying their normal spot because the boys they usually loitered with decided to go to the court. Something about the perfect weather to play ball. They would’ve joined them if the girls didn’t feel like relaxing instead. This weather was perfect for basking in the warmth, thank you.

“I guess I don’t have any plans tonight,” Suhyun said with obvious reluctance, playing with a leaf on the grass. She turned to the other girl on her phone. “How about you, Jisoo?”

Jisoo scratched her head as she tossed her phone to the grass.

“That was just my boss. Apparently, I have to cover someone today.”

Suhyun seemed to deflate, groaning into the air dramatically. The theatrics made the other two watch with mutual adoration.

“What’s wrong with that?” Jisoo couldn’t help but laugh. “Hayi’s still there!”

“But it’ll just be me and her with seven other guys!”

“Isn’t that us every day here in this spot?” Jisoo said but Suhyun’s pout never diminished in the slightest. “Just minus me.”

“Exactly! Plus there’s other people we don’t know too!”

“It’ll be fine, Suhyun,” Hayi finally spoke up. “I’m still there and you’ve known the boys all your high school life now. Just stick with each other.”

The youngest girl had always been a little shy when it came to strangers. It even took her a while to warm up to the boys so she and Jisoo understood where this was coming from. <