(Jaehee's POV)

College, sophomore year.

This was the year I met him. The year I met Byun Baekhyun.

I could still remember the first time I saw him. Black hair swept messily to the side, his white dress shirt rumpled; the top two buttons undone and yet looked extremely fitting, not at all sloppy. He was leaning against the lockers, his arms crossed, staring into space. Well, it was more like slightly glaring into space.

I was a new student and I didn’t know the ways of the school. Some students gave me weird looks as I continued to stare at the boy by the lockers; as if staring at him was something that wasn’t supposed to be done.

“Psst!” I turned at the sound and found a girl with black wavy hair and glasses shaking her head at me. I gave her a confused look and she nodded over my shoulder. 

I shrugged, not getting what she’s trying to say, and looked back at the boy. To my surprise, he was looking right at me. He stared at me lazily while I stared back confidently. I wasn’t one to back down and most definitely wasn’t the shy type, so when I raised my eyebrow at him, he looked slightly surprised. 

“Yah! Baekhyun!” A male’s voice hollered across the hall and he looked over, breaking our trance.

Baekhyun, I thought. So that’s his name…

He went away without another glance while I went to my next class, his stare still etched at the back of my mind.

There’s something about that Baekhyun guy.

~~~
My first class was Math and I couldn’t help but groan at my misfortune. Of course, my first class would be the subject I hated the most. Just great.

I entered the classroom, gave my registration form to the professor and found myself a seat at the very back, right next to the windows.

Sitting down, I frowned; wishing I could make time go faster. This , I thought just when someone walked in, triggering a cloud of hush noises. I looked up and felt my eyes widen at the sight. 

Baekhyun, I thought as I watched him waltz into the classroom, looking almost regal and at the same time rebellious with his leather jacket and dark gaze. I noticed that most of the students looked away while others stared openly with either fear or admiration. The girls for that fact, looked like drooling puppies. It made me curious as to who this Baekhyun kid was.

He was heading towards me and I immediately looked down at my desk, not wanting him to think that I was one of those drooling puppies—girls— who openly stares at him like some god who fell from heaven. A piece of paper made it’s way onto my desk and I opened it up slowly. 

That’s Baekhyun’s seat. Get out while you can! 

I scrunched my eyebrows and thought, what the hell?

Before I could look for whoever sent me the note, someone cleared their throat and I looked up to see two guys looming over me with blank expressions. One was quite tall and very handsome with dark brown hair, and the other was evidently Baekhyun who stared down at me with a more curious glance than his friend’s which was more accusatory. 

“Excuse me, little girl.” The guy smirked. “But you’re sitting on someone’s seat.”

I scoffed at the name calling and crossed my arms defiantly. “Well excuse you,” I gave him a one-over. “Freakishly tall boy. But is your name written on this seat?”

A collective gasp hovered over the room and I felt all eyes on me. The tall guy looked shocked at my retort. It seems that this was the first time someone talked back to him. Who are they?

“You obviously don’t know—” he was stopped when a hand landed on his shoulders. I looked over to see Baekhyun pursing his lips and shaking him slightly. “But Baek, this is your—”

Baekhyun ignored him and continued towards the chair beside me which was occupied by a boy with glasses. Baekhyun cleared his throat and without a word, the boy stood and scurried away to another seat. The other guy sighed and moved to sit on his other side, glaring my way as he passed. 

I smiled at him sweetly and he seemed shocked by my mockery, making him glare even more. When his back was finally facing me, I stuck out my tongue at him before leaning back on my seat to cross my arms.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Baekhyun smile. 

~~~

“You’ll be doing pair work for the next few weeks and I want you all to take this seriously. It’ll take up half of your grade so if you want to pass, you better do good in this.” My history professor said as he handed out the syllabus for the semester. 

It was the last class of the day and to my surprise, he was there. Baekhyun was in my history class and I didn’t know why I even cared. I was being too happy for my own good which rarely happens. He was seated at the back near the window, staring out. I watched him from my seat, wondering what was with him that fascinated me—

“Park Jaehee,” at the mention of my name I looked up and saw my professor looking down at me. “Yes?”

“You’re paired with Byun Baekhyun.” He pointed at the boy near the window who was still staring out with a distant look in his eyes.

Oh. “Neh, seongsaengnim.” 

A few minutes before class ended, we were given time to talk with our partners about the project. As everyone started to move about the classroom to sit with their pairs, I looked over at my supposed partner who was still staring out the window with no plans of moving an inch. I huffed and stood, muttering to myself, “I guess I have to do it myself.”

Upon arriving at his seat, he remained unmoving and I wondered if he was doing it on purpose; ignoring me, I mean. I cleared my throat and to my relief he looked up. We stared at each other and I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he looked up close; with puppy eyes and smooth skin.

“Yes?” He asked slowly and I snapped from my trance. “Oh!” I cleared my throat, embarrassed at having stared too long. “Hi. I’m Jaehee.”

“Hello Jaehee.” He said, his expression changing into curiosity. “What are you doing here?”

I gave him a look as if he just asked the stupidest question on earth. “I—I’m sort of your partner for this project.”

A look of realization dawned on his face and I tried not to smile at his slight look of embarrassment. “Oh.”

“So how do you want this to go?” I asked, taking out my notebook.

“Excited are we?” He smirked and I looked at him in shock. “What?” He asked.

“Nothing, I—this morning you seemed cold...” I confessed. Did I just say that?

He smiled and I was even more shocked at the sight which made him chuckle. It was a beautiful, his smile, and I couldn’t help but smile too. “I get that a lot.”

“Yeah?”

“Shall we go through the rules, then?” He said all of a sudden, sitting up straighter to look up at me.

“Rules?”

He nudged my notebook, “Neh, take it down if you have to.” He sighed. “First rule, we do this thing at your place.”

“Why my place?”

“2nd rule,” he said completely ignoring my question. ” I call you… not the other way around.”

“Excuse me?”

“And third,” he said as his eyes bore into mine, the kindness in them disappearing. “We can’t be friends.”

At that I rolled my eyes, “What kind of rule is that?”

“Trust me, I’m doing you a favor.” He said seriously and I was just about to ask what he meant by that when the bell rang and he stood. “Nice meeting you, Jaehee-ssi.” He bowed before walking away, leaving me standing there , dumbfounded.

What the hell just happened?

~~~
(Narrator’s POV)

As the days turned into weeks, Jaehee got used to Baekhyun’s polar behavior. Sometimes he was nice, smiling and acknowledging her in class; other times he was cold, ignoring her and looking at her like she did something illegal. It was frustrating at first: always guessing, never knowing what kind of Baekhyun she would be facing. But soon she got used to it and learned to cope with his bipolar ways.

They were at the library one night, and it was one of those days when he was almost friendly. Almost.

“Yah, Baekhyun.” Jaehee called as she pointed at the paper they were supposed to be working on. “Can you please help me with this?”

He sighed as he took the paper from her hands, scribbling something on it. Jaehee looked over at what he was writing and was shocked to find him answering every single question fluidly. Once he finished, he handed it back to her. “There.”

Jaehee looked at the paper and was surprised to see that his answers were all correct. The truth was, she didn’t need any help. She knew all the answers but she wanted to talk to him or at least not ignore her. “I’m guessing you have some other place to go—”

“You asking me to leave?” He smirked.

“I thought it was the other way around.”

“Why would I want you to leave?”

“Well let’s see,” she thought, giving him her thinking face. “You ignore me. You don’t even want to be seen with me in public.” She gestured around the place they were sitting, which was at the very back of the library, hidden from everyone. “And you answered this paper faster than the speed of light… correctly, I might add. So I’m wondering why you wanted to leave so badly.”

Baekhyun stared at her. “I’m sorry.”

Jaehee looked at him, not expecting an apology “I—”

“I’m not used to being with people.” He said.

“Are you anti-social or something?”

Baekhyun chuckled, “No. I’m just cautious, I guess.”

“Of what?”

A frown dawned upon his face, darkening his features and Jaehee felt his walls coming up again. “Forget it.” He stood up from his seat and Jaehee was disappointed. “Oh okay..”

Baekhyun was about to walk away when he turned, giving her a confused gaze. “Aren’t you coming?”

Jaehee looked around, “Who? Me?”

“No, the ghost behind you.” He rolled his eyes. “Who else, Jaehee?”

“I—you’re going to walk me home?” 

Baekhyun looked like he was surprised at his own offer but tried to hide it by shrugging nonchalantly, “It’s late and it’s dark on campus. I—”

Jaehee smiled to herself as she fixed her things. “Okay.”

Baekhyun walked her to her dorm and it was surprisingly nice, since he didn’t ignore her. He actually initiated conversation and Jaehee listened to every word, drinking it in. 

"Can I ask something?" She said as they were nearing the building. 

Baekhyun shrugged. “What did you mean by doing me a favor? The first day we met?”

He glanced at her and sighed, “Ever heard of the phrase ‘choose who your friends are?’”

“Are you saying I’m not good enough to be your friend?”

“I’m saying I’m not.” 

Jaehee stopped and looked at him, her eyes telling him to continue. Baekhyun shuffled from foot to foot. “Look Jaehee, there are two types of people in this world: the good and the bad—”

“And you’re saying you’re bad?”

“That depends on you.”

She crunched her nose, “How would I know if you won’t try?” 

“I don’t need to try.” He said and Jaehee couldn’t help but hear the bitterness in his tone. “I already know who I am.” he muttered almost inaudibly. Baekhyun suddenly stopped and Jaehee realized that they have arrived at her dorm’s front entrance. “Here’s your stop.”

Jaehee gave him a small smile. “Thank you, Baekhyun-ssi.”

“Why the sudden formalities?” He chuckled, his eyes alight that he almost looked flirty. 

Jaehee rolled her eyes and turned away but a sudden thought came to her “Hey.”

Baekhyun half turned and raised his eyebrow. Jaehee bit her lip as she asked, “If you’re so bad, why didn’t you ask me to get up from my seat during the first day?”

Baekhyun stared at her, letting her question sink in. After a few heartbeats, he answered with a shrug, “It was a nice change of view.”

At that being said, Jaehee blushed and she was thankful that it was too dark for him to even see it. She watched him walk away until his dark figure blended into the night.

You’re really something Byun Baekhyun.

~~~

After that night, something changed in Baekhyun. He was smiling more, talking more, and he didn’t ignore Jaehee the way he usually does. He was more approachable and he acknowledged her presence…in public. 

“Good morning, Jaehee-ssi.” Jaehee jumped when she heard a whisper by her ear and when as she turned, she jumped again as Baekhyun was leaning closely behind her. Too close.

Baekhyun chuckled as he backed a way a bit. “Mianhe.”

She laughed nervously but tried to hide how much his closeness affected her by replying, “Why the sudden formalities?” 

Baekhyun grinned cheekily and shrugged, “How are you today?”

Did he just talk to me about something non school related? She thought. “I’m okay…are you?”

Baekhyun smiled then shrugged, and Jaehee coulnd’t help noticing how cute and bubbly he was acting. “I’m great!”

“That’s good to know…Baekhyun—” she said as she turned to her locker, placing in some books.

“Baek.”

“What?” she looked at him.

“Call me Baek.” He said and Jaehee couldn’t understand why he was suddenly being like this. “Baekhyun’s too long.”

Jaehee chuckled, “I don’t mind—”

“Well I mind.” He smiled.

“But—” Jaehee suddenly stopped when she realized what she was about to say. 

“But what?”

“Nothing.” She smiled, adamant at changing the subject. “See you later for the project?”

“I—” Baekhyun was about to answer but a loud call interrupted him. “Baekhyun-hyung! Baekhyun-hyung!” A guy was running towards them, looking panicked.

“What is it, Sehun?”

The guy, Sehun, stared at him seriously and Jaehee saw Baekhyun’s expression change. “Let’s go.” He said, not waiting for an explantion.

“Baek!” Jaehee called before he got two feet away from her. 

“Baek?!” Sehun asked incredulously as he glanced at Baekhyun. He knew he didn’t let anyone call him that unless—

He half turned face her, “I’ll see you later.” He said before running off. 

~~~

(Jaehee’s POV)

I didn’t see Baekhyun after that. 

Not in class, nor anywhere in the campus. It had gone on for almost a week and I started to get worried.  I didn’t know why, but something in the look in his eyes the day he left me in the hallway a few days ago scared me. 

Unable to help myself, I tried calling him but it was not a pretty experience…

“Yeoboseyo?” A familiar voice answered and I felt myself release the breath I was holding; relief washing over me. “Baekhyun? It’s me.”

A pregnant silence hovered over the line. “Hello—?”

“What did I say about calling me?” He spat and I winced at his harsh reply. 

“You’re gone for days, and I got worried—”

“Well stop. You don’t have to worry about me.”

The word pierced through me like a knife and I felt stupid for even trying. “I’m sorry, Baek—I—”

"Don’t call me again." He said before hanging up; the unmistakable sound of the receiver shutting down, echoing in my eardrums. I stared at my phone, his words like a reverb in my consciousness.  

Stop. You don’t have to worry about me… Don’t call me again…

I sighed as I ran a hand over my face, realizing how crazy I was to even think he’d changed. That he’d actually like—

I let out another frustrated sigh as I thought,  How do I stop, Baek?

How do I stop when I like you?

~~~
It was a Saturday night when I decided to go out of the campus to buy some food since my supply at the dorm was running low. It was late and I almost considered not going, but the temptation to buy a bag of sour cream chips was too strong. I decided on going to a nearby supermarket; a few minutes walk from the university. The air was cold and I had to tuck my hands into my coat to keep them warm.

I was in the middle of walking in a dark empty street when I heard it: a loud shrill that was enough to shake my very being and make me stop dead in my tracks. It was a terrifying sound and my heart immediately quickened as the screams became louder and more painful to hear. Cautiously, I followed the sound; wanting to know who or what could have caused it.

As I rounded the corner, I heard another sound. This time it was a man’s voice, clear and obviously angry. I couldn’t make up the words but I could pretty much tell that he was threatening someone, considering the other voice choked on pleads. My heart hammered in my chest as I got closer, the voices getting more and more clearer confirming my suspicions: someone was in trouble.  I grabbed my phone and prepared to call the police and as I turned another corner, I felt my heart literally stop at the gruesome sight:

 A middle-aged looking man was pinned against the wall by a tall hooded figure; a gun pointed to his temple. The man on the wall had a bloody face, like he’s been punched deliberately several times, and the man pinning him had slender fingers covered in blood and bruises.

“Please, I beg you! I—” the man pleaded but at that exact moment I hear the familiar click of the revolver.

 Bang!

 It was like time stopped and I couldn’t breathe as I watched the man lose the light in his eyes, his body slacking. My hands shook, making me drop my phone and the device skittered to the ground with a loud clank. The hooded figure snapped at the sound and turned towards my direction, his eyes meeting mine. 

I covered my mouth as a piercing scream escaped my lips. 

to be continued…