1.6

The next few days were a blur. Areum couldn't stop thinking about the conversation she had with Seungkwan. She knew she couldn't keep running. She needed to talk to Wonwoo.

She didn't know what she was going to say, or if she even had the right words. But the longer she avoided Wonwoo, the more she felt like she was slipping further away from him.

And God, she missed him so much.

The group was already gathered at a cafe near school, and Areum almost missed this one out. But she'd gotten a message from Mingyu.

Mingyu: Wonwoo's here. You should come. He's been asking about you again.

Her heart skipped a beat. She knew if she didn't meet up with them, she might lose Wonwoo. With a heavy sigh, she grabbed her bag and headed out.

When she walked into the cafe, she spotted the group right away. Seungkwan, Mingyu, Jun, Vernon, and of course, Wonwoo. He was sitting, his back turned to her, speaking quietly to Mingyu.

For a moment, she stood frozen in the doorway. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe.

As she walked over to their table, Wonwoo turned towards her, his eyes slightly widening. When she was in front of them, he gave her a hesitant smile, the same soft, almost shy smile she'd always known.

"Hi," he greeted quietly.

She smiled back. "Hey."

Seungkwan, who'd been watching, stood up and nudged Mingyu with his elbow. "We'll give you two some space." He said, grinning.

Jun and Vernon followed suit, excusing themselves with knowing glances, leaving the two of them alone.

For a moment, there was silence. Areum swallowed, her throat tight. She didn't know where to start. What was the right thing to say? Was there even a right thing?

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She looked at the floor, and then back at him. "I've been avoiding you."

Wonwoo's gaze softened, and he shook his head. "You don't have to apologize. You needed time, I understand."

She looked at him, and her heart ached at the sincerity in his eyes. "I didn't mean to shut you out. I was just... scared..." her voice cracked.

"Of me?" He asked, his brow furrowing slightly, and his voice filled with concern.

"No," she answered softly. "Not of you. Of us."

"What do you mean?"

Areum took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. "I was scared of what would happen if I let myself feel the way I do about you. I don't want to risk our friendship, I don't want to lose you."

The words hung in the air between them. She had been avoiding him because, in truth, she had been avoiding herself. She had been avoiding the reality that she had loved him for so long but hadn't been brave enough to admit it.

Wonwoo was silent before he slowly reached across the table, resting his hand gently on Areum's. "You don't have to be scared. You'll never lose me, Areum. No matter what happens."

"I don't know what to do," she confessed. "I don't know if I'm ready to jump into something like this. But I can't keep pretending it's not there. I feel the same way, Wonwoo... it's just that... I don't want to rush..."

Wonwoo gave her a small, gentle smile. "You don't have to rush it. Take your time, I'm not going anywhere."

Her heart softened. This was what she needed to hear.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"I'll be here," he said, his hand giving hers a reassuring squeeze. "Whenever you're ready."

For the first time, Areum felt a sense of calm settle over her. She wasn't sure where this would lead, but she was starting to believe that maybe taking this step wasn't so scary after all.