The days that followed that awkward encounter with Minho felt like a blur. Time seemed to drag, but every moment, every glance, every slight interaction with him, made it feel like the world was speeding up. The air between us was thick with unspoken words, and I could feel my own hesitation echoing back at me every time I ran into him on campus.
It was a Monday afternoon when it happened.
I was leaving the drama club rehearsal, my mind already back on my notes, trying to get ahead of the mountain of work I had left to do. The campus was relatively empty, save for a few scattered students, and I was grateful for the solitude. I needed some space to think.
And then, like fate itself, Minho appeared.
His voice broke through the quiet as I turned the corner.
"Haru sunbae."
I froze.
Of course, it was him.
I slowly turned around, trying to keep my face neutral, but I could already feel the heat rise to my cheeks. He was leaning casually against a pillar, looking like he belonged in a magazine ad, with his effortless style and that annoying smirk of his.
"You're not gonna keep running from me, are you?"
I couldn't help but scoff. "I'm not running, Minho."
"Oh, so now you're just avoiding me for fun?" His tone was teasing, but there was something else beneath it. Something that made my heart beat a little faster.
"I'm not avoiding you," I repeated, but even I didn't believe the words coming out of my mouth.
Minho pushed off the pillar and took a step closer. "You've been distant since that day, Sunbae. It's not like you to hide from someone."
"I'm not hiding." I took a step back, feeling the distance between us suddenly close in. "I've just been busy."
"Busy with what?" He raised an eyebrow, his gaze soft but probing. "More rehearsal? Or avoiding me?"
I could feel my hands trembling slightly as I clenched them at my sides. "Neither," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I just don't want to talk right now."
Minho's smirk faded, replaced by something more serious, more understanding. "Okay. But don't pretend you don't want to talk. You've been avoiding me because you don't know how to deal with this."
I blinked, taken aback by his bluntness. "What 'this'?"
"The way things are between us," he said, his voice quieter now, as if he was letting the words settle between us. "You don't want to admit it, but you're confused. And that's fine. But I'm not going anywhere, Sunbae. I told you I want to be with you. I meant it."
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like the walls around me were closing in. He was too close now, and I could feel his presence in a way that made it impossible to ignore him. The things he was saying were too raw, too real. I wasn't ready for this, but part of me… part of me wanted to be.
"I… I don't know what you want me to say," I muttered, looking away. "I don't even know what I want."
"I know," he said, his voice softening, almost as if he understood me better than I understood myself. "But I want you to be honest with me. If you need time, take it. But don't shut me out. Not like this."
I wanted to say something, to argue, to tell him to leave me alone, but the truth was, I didn't want him to leave. I wasn't ready to confront what he was asking of me, but I didn't want to lose him either. There was something inside me that was screaming to just let go, to stop overthinking everything.
But how could I?
"You don't get it," I said, finally turning to face him, frustration bubbling to the surface. "I don't know how to handle this. You're not just some guy I can ignore. You're everywhere. I can't escape it."
Minho took a step forward, his eyes unwavering. "Then don't escape it, Sunbae. Face it."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The weight of his words hung in the air, and I could feel my heart racing. I didn't know what to do with this tension, this pull between us that was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.
But then, as if by some unspoken agreement, Minho softened. He smiled, but it wasn't the teasing grin I was used to. It was… tender.
"I'll give you space," he said quietly. "But only for a little while. Think about what I said. I'll be here when you're ready."
And just like that, he turned around and walked away.
I stood there for a long time, rooted to the spot, my mind racing. I wanted to run after him, to drag him back and tell him everything. To tell him I wasn't ready, but that I didn't want him to leave. But the words wouldn't come. All I could do was watch him disappear down the hallway.
Later that night, I sat alone in my room, my thoughts swirling around me like a storm. I couldn't focus on my homework. I couldn't even focus on the things that usually kept me grounded. The only thing I could think about was Minho.
I knew I was avoiding him. But what did that mean? Why did it feel like the ground was shifting beneath me whenever he was around?
The sound of my phone vibrating on the desk startled me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I picked it up to see a message from Seojin.
"Are you going to that party tonight? I'm going with some friends, and it'd be weird if you didn't come."
I stared at the message, not sure how I felt about going to a party tonight. I wasn't in the mood for loud music or crowds. I wasn't in the mood for anything, really. But the thought of staying alone in my room, wallowing in confusion, felt even worse.
I typed out a quick reply.
"Fine. I'll come. But no funny business."
"No promises," Seojin replied, followed by a laughing emoji.
The party was in full swing when I arrived, the music thumping through the walls, the lights flashing in time with the beat. I didn't know half the people here, but I was used to it. Parties were just another part of the college experience.
Seojin spotted me almost immediately and waved me over, his usual grin plastered on his face. "There you are! I was starting to think you'd bailed on me."
I forced a smile and walked over to him, feeling a little out of place among the sea of unfamiliar faces. "I'm here. Happy?"
"Ecstatic," Seojin teased, handing me a drink. "Relax, Hyung. You need it."
I took the drink, but it didn't do anything to ease the tight knot in my stomach. My mind kept drifting back to Minho, to the way he had looked at me earlier, to the words he had said.
"Haru! Come on, let's dance!" Seojin called over the noise, tugging at my arm.
I shook my head, trying to shrug off the unease. "I'm good. Just gonna chill for a bit."
Seojin rolled his eyes but didn't push. "Fine, be a buzzkill. But don't stand here all night, okay? You're not gonna get answers just by sitting alone in the corner."
I nodded absently, watching Seojin disappear into the crowd.
As I stood there, trying to gather my thoughts, I felt a familiar presence beside me. I didn't need to look to know who it was.
Minho.
"You came," he said, his voice quieter now, almost as if he didn't want anyone to hear.
I turned to face him, my heart racing in my chest. "I didn't come for you, Minho."
He smiled, that same soft, understanding smile that made my chest tighten. "I know. But you're still here."
"Why are you here?" I asked, before I could stop myself. "Shouldn't you be off with your friends?"
"I'd rather be here," he said simply, his gaze never leaving mine. "With you."
The words hung between us like a promise, and for the first time in days, I felt something shift inside me. Maybe it wasn't about running from him anymore. Maybe it was time to face what was happening between us.
But even as I thought that, I knew I wasn't ready. Not yet.
Minho seemed to sense it, but he didn't push. He just stood there, quietly watching me, waiting.
And for the first time, I didn't feel the need to run.