The Flowers You Left For Me.

I stare at the rose on my desk. My eyes take a quick glance at Baekhyun, who is nonchalantly listening to music at his seat. It’s early in the morning and we’re the only ones in the classroom.

As I approach my seat, Baekhyun looks up with a small smile. “Good morning.”

I ignore his greeting and only stare at the plump flower on my desk.

“Oh that,” Baekhyun notices my gaze. “That was-”

I pick up the rose, glaring at him. “Do you think this is funny?”

He looks at me in surprise. “W-what?”

“This!” I wave the flower in front of his face. He blinks at me, somewhat clueless, and I throw it on his desk. He looks at it with an empty expression.

“Ari, I’m sorry for everything I said yesterday.” He says as I take my seat.

I don’t look at him. Whatever, it doesn’t matter, what’s done is done.

Baekhyun tries desperately to talk to me during the duration of the class. Together with Chanyeol, the two of them repeatedly made up excuses to talk to me.

“Ari could you help me with this problem?” Baekhyun leans towards me during math class.

I glare at him with an annoyed expression and he retracts back into his seat with a disappointed sigh.

“Ari, you’re being mean.” He mumbles to himself.

I scoff and return to my work on my desk. I don’t want to hear that from him.

The lunch bell rings and I brush past Baekhyun, heading to the cafeteria. With a tray full of food, I sit at an empty table. Within seconds, the table is filled with my colleagues who also work at the diner. I watch as they talk amongst themselves and shove food in their mouths like pigs. My mouth falls open as I observe them. Really?

“Areum.” Sehun taps my shoulder. “You haven’t shown up for work since Kai moved. Is there something wrong?”

“What is it to you.” I respond, coldly and eat a spoonful of rice.

“N-nothing… just…” His voice trails off, a bit flustered.

They eat in silence and I watch them. I have no appetite. My mind is blank.

“Areum-shi. Here, eat some of this.” Kyungsoo hands me a chocolate chip muffin. “It doesn’t seem like you’re enjoying your meal, so you can have some of mine.”

The muffin. Like last time.

“Just eat it and worry about yourself. I’m not hungry.” I glare at him. He pulls back his hand holding the muffin and slowly munches on it.

“Areum, are you sure you’re not hungry? I know there must be something going on, however-”

“I’m not hungry!” I say, cutting of Suho. “Stop acting friendly like the first time we met. It’s irritating.”

“Ari, I-”

“I told you not to call me that!” I slam my hand on the table, making them jump slightly. “It’s Areum. KIM AREUM. Call me that again and I’ll break your face.”

Chanyeol’s confidence falls to zero. He slouches and leaves his head low as he stuffs food into his mouth.

“You’re not the only one upset about Kai’s sudden move.” Xiumin scratches his nape, changing the subject. “We didn’t even get to say goodbye to him.”

“When did I ever say I was upset about his leave? I’m actually glad, as happy as can be. One less idiot to bother me.” I say, forcing a laugh. “And should I remind you there’s only one person who gave him a farewell.”

And with that, Baekhyun sits down on the edge of the table, in front of me. He heaves a sigh and we meet eyes. Xiumin and the others blink at the atmosphere Baekhyun and I create as we stare each other down.

“Did you make it home safe, Ari.” Baekhyun asks. He breaks out stare and sets up his lunch. “Chanyeol told me he walked you home from Kai’s old apartment last night.”

The grip on my spoon tightens and I clench my teeth.

“So that’s where you were.” Sehun mutters. “You could’ve just told us you missed hi-”

I dramatically stand up and the cafeteria falls silent on my command. Students stare at the twelve of us. I take one last glance of Baekhyun. A smirk creeps up his mouth and I storm out of the cafeteria. Fresh air. That’s what I need.

In the hallways, I walk so fast, you can barely get a glimpse of my face. A familiar face walking in the other direction slows my pace. I turn my head as he paces me. K-kai?

The bell rings, bringing me back from my thoughts. I blink a few times and the figure is gone. I pause and slap my cheeks. Why are you still looking for someone who’s left you?

With a sigh, I head to the roof, a place I’ve been going to often lately. The warm air welcomes me as I swing open the door and suddenly, I feel my shoulders lighten.

I sit myself against the wall where I have the full view of the sky and close my eyes. As I listen to the silence, I replay the events of the day over and over in my head.

There is no other way to explain my feelings other than guilt. I didn’t want to yell at the others, it was rude of me to take my stress out on them. I remember the look on Sehun’s face and I bite my lips. I’m sorry.

I let out a groan as I realize that I have to go to work after school. I’ll have to see them there. All of them, including-

“Baekhyun.” I whisper and brings my legs to my body. Who knew he’d be like this?

I kind of miss the old times where he’d always stay happy and friendly no matter what the case was. He was so caring, especially when my hands were injured. Or the first time i met him. We were strangers and yet, he was still willing to tend my wounds.

But that was when I was a stranger, and I didn’t open up to anyone. I didn’t let anyone know what a monster I really am. A monster that makes everyone around her…. Leave her. Sehun, Kyungsoo, Chanyeol, Xiumin, back there, I….

I stand up and hold onto the bars lining around the roof. I take a deep breathe and close my eyes.

It’s better this way, opening yourself up to others was never a good idea. Chanyeol was your warning and Kai is your proof.

-----

Baekhyun’s POV

Maybe I went too far. I look at Areum’s empty desk next to me. Too far that she skipped class. Again. I’m just trying to protect her… but all I’m doing is ruining our relationship.

A few minutes before schools over, she shows up to class. She looks at me with her mask. A mask where I can’t detect what she’s thinking. We’re back to square one.

The professor doesn’t notice her arrival and continues teaching until the final bell rings. She nonchalantly packs her things up and is the first one to leave the classroom.

I watch as she passes the bus stop and walks down the sidewalk. Where is she going?

“You going after her, hyung?” Chanyeol puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it lightly.

“Tell my father by the time I return, I’ll be prepared to take any consequences he’ll give me. “ I smile at him and walk forward.

I run to catch up with her, but hesitate before walking side by side with her.

“What do you want.” She says, looking straight.

“You mind if I walk you home?” I ask, crossing my fingers she’ll agree.

“Even if I disagree, it won’t stop you from trying.” She sighs.

I smile, knowing she’s right.

“What do you want.” She repeats, picking up her pace.

“I want you accept my apology. I’m truly sorry… I just can’t help myself. I just get really protective over you and-”

“Apology accepted. There. Satisfied? Oh wait, you’re never satisfied.” She scoffs.

That hurts. I have to jog to keep up with her. “Ari-”

“Baekhyun, just leave me alone.” She sighs and waves me away. “You’re going to be late for work.”

I say nothing and just follow after her. From the distance, a few dark clouds loom overhead. I bring my hand over my forehead and squint at the sky.

“It looks like it’s going to rain.” I mutter to her. “More of a reason for me to walk you home.”

“No,” She says slowly. “More of a reason for you to go home.”

Just as we walk up the stairs to her place, I block her way and stare into her eyes. She scoffs and crosses her arms, looking expectantly at me.

“Why do I have the feeling that you’re not taking my apology seriously?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I already said your apology is accepted, what more do you want?”

I bite my lips and stare at the ground.

“What,” She snickers. “Do you want me to jump into your arms and declare my love for you too?”

The color rises in my cheeks. She’s making fun of me.

“It’s not going to happen Baekhyun, now go home.” She pushes past me and walks to her door. I watch her run her hand through her hair once and pull open her door with a small grunt.

“But Ari… I love you.” I mutter under my breath.

It starts with one drop, then suddenly rain starts pouring down, hard. She turns around and looks at me with no expression. I hear myself whimper and soon, you can’t differ my tears from the raindrops.

“Alright… if that’s what you want, I’ll go home. I’ll listen to you because I love you and respect you.” I sniff and wipe my face. “I’m truly sorry, Areum… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I turn around and start walking for the nearest bus stop.

“W-wait.” There’s hesitation in her voice.

I stop in my tracks, but don’t look back. I know my face was a mess, even without the rain. “What.”

“Come here.” Her voice is almost desperate.

I turn my head to the side and feel my heart lifts ever so slightly. Is she accepting my apology?

“So, what’s it going to be Areum. You want me to go or to stay? I can’t keep walking around like this. I’m already in a ton of trouble for skipping work to walk you home and ensure your safety. My uniform is soaked and talking to you right now is not making it any drier. I-”

The puddle beside me splashes and I look at it in surprise. A red umbrella lays in the middle of the puddle, waiting for me to pick it up.

“Take the umbrella, don’t catch a cold.” She says simply.

I spin around and open my mouth, only to see her door click close.

That’s it? That’s all she has to say?

I pick it up and walk back to her steps. I sit on her last step, letting the rain soak me.

What have you done Baekhyun. You’ve ruined everything.

Notes

A transition chapter for you lovely readers. It's Alexis again. Today, Monday and so on. I mean, just for now. Nancy is currently in China having the time of her life for one month. She already sent me pictures of the Great Wall of China and advertisements that have LUHAN in them. It's so pretty there, I'm so pissed off she didn't let me fit inside her suitcase and help me smuggle me over the border. LOL.

Literally crying because she's on vacation and I'm still in school preparing for my exams and what not. The difference between a high schooler (me) and a colleger (Nancy). My life. LOL. FML.

Happy Thursday Readers, I know this chapter was boring, but the goodies are coming in the next few updates.

See you Monday~!
Counting down the days until school is over. Am I the only one? LOL.

-Alexis Thao

P.S. Let me be Sehun and Nancy be Luhan. kekeke, just because I'm from South Korea and be from China. And we're separated right now *cries some more* <3 we love you losers