0.3

The cafeteria was filled with the sounds of people chatting, trays clattering, and the smell of greasy pizza. The group sat inside today since it was kind of cold, and Areum couldn't sit outside for long.

It was finally the last day before the weekend, and Areum couldn't wait to go back home to sleep. She usually spends her weekends studying, which was why she needed to sleep well today.

"So, what are your plans for the weekend?" Seungkwan asked as he took a bite of his sandwich.

"I guess I'll be studying," Areum answered. "But there's this new cafe I really wanna go to!"

"Oh, we should go!" Mingyu said excitedly. "I heard they make amazing strawberry cake, I'd love to try it!"

"We could go tomorrow," Jun suggested.

"I really wanna sleep," Vernon added.

"You're always sleeping." Wonwoo laughed. "We should go tomorrow."

Suddenly, the cafeteria door opened, interrupting their conversation. Their chatter slowed down as they turned around to see who'd walked in.

And there, standing in the doorway, was Hajoon, Areum's crush.

Wonwoo froze, his spoon halfway to his mouth. Hajoon had just transferred to their school last year. Him and Areum talked for a bit, when Areum finally realized that she liked him. Wonwoo tried telling her that Hajoon didn't seem like a good guy, but she wouldn't listen.

It wasn't because he liked her, no, no. He'd overheard some of Hajoon's conversation whenever they were both in the restroom. Hajoon always talked badly about other students, he even bullied some of them.

Wonwoo couldn't even understand how Areum could like someone like him. But he knew that she didn't know about Hajoon's... actions.

He looked up at Areum, and right now, she looked like the heart eye emoji. He rolled his eyes, ignoring the stab he felt in his heart.

"He's so cute," Areum said dreamily.

Wonwoo's chest tightened as he noticed Hajoon walking over to their table, a confident smile on his face. Hajoon was the type of guy who could charm anyone with ease, he was handsome, and popular. Kind of dumb, though.

"Hey there," Hajoon greeted, smiling at Areum.

Only Areum.

Like the rest of the group was invisible.

Seungkwan cleared his throat, grabbing Hajoon's attention.

"Oh, hi, didn't see you there." He smirked.

"What do you want?" Seungkwan glared at him.

Areum kicked his leg under the table, making him groan.

"How's your week going, Hajoon?" She asked him.

"Kind of boring," he answered. "But I know how to make it better." He winked at Areum, making her blush.

Wonwoo couldn't stop glaring at the guy. He was flirting with her, right in front of him.

"If looks could kill, he'd be dead right now," Mingyu whispered in Wonwoo's ear, laughing softly.

Mingyu was the only person who found out about Wonwoo's crush on Areum. Wonwoo didn't tell him, he just noticed the way Wonwoo looked at her, how he was always by her side, how he would do anything for her, just to make her happy. When he confronted Wonwoo, he didn't deny it.

"We should hang out, Areum," Hajoon told Areum, causing her to blush.

"Sure, just let me know when," she answered quickly.

He winked at her before walking away.

"You still like him?" Vernon asked. "I think he's stupid."

"Oh, stop!" She laughed. "He's so cute! And he wants to hang out with me! Finally!"

Wonwoo stiffened. He tried his best to hide the hurt he felt.

"You're not going out with him," Wonwoo said before he could stop himself.

"Are you my dad?" Areum laughed.

"He's just going to break your heart," the boy warned her, but she chose not to listen to him.

Wonwoo looked down at his lunch, not feeling hungry anymore. He wanted to do something, anything. But he knew he couldn't. He couldn't just control her.

What could he do when the girl he'd loved for so long was slipping right through his fingers, falling into the arms of someone else?