HAIR | MT

XV

ADRIANA NARROWS HER eyes at me suspiciously, which is understandable, considering the fact that i haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face all weekend. and this morning is no different. "nobody is this happy on a monday morning. what's going on?" she asks as we head into one of the school buildings.

i only smile brighter in reply and she sighs. "fine, i'll guess." she says dramatically. "it's one of two things." she raises two fingers. "you won the lotto or a free trip, or..." she pauses, an impish look on her face, "he asked you out."

i stop just in front of our lecture hall. "who did?" i ask curiously, feigning innocence. her expression becomes even more mischievous. "i knew it!" she snaps her fingers. i stare at her in confusion, not really sure we're thinking of the same person. "i don't know who you're talking about, adri." i tell her as i open the door to the hall.

"you know," she wiggles her brows and i can't help but laugh. "mr mysterious." she finally answers. i press my lips in a line to avoid beaming from ear to ear. "why do you say so?" i still feign ignorance. "c'mon, bia. you didn't deny it. and i see you two sneaking glances at each other all the time. so tell me, am i right or am i right?" she clings to my arm, batting her eyes at me.

trying to hold back a grin at her words, i glance at her. "do we really?" i ask coyly. "bia!" she whines, stomping her feet childishly. i laugh again and nod in concession. "fine, yes." i say as we take a seat. she lets out a squeal that she quickly restrains, looking around. "tell me everything."

i'm so occupied with telling adriana the whole story that i don't notice that jinyoung has taken a seat in front of me. at least not until the professor walks in and adriana and i defer our conversation to some other time.

as soon as the class is over, we pack up and head for our next class. but jinyoung's voice stops me just outside the hall. "hey, bianca? can we talk for a minute?"

i turn around to see him standing behind me, eyes glimmering with hope. pressing my lips together, i glance to adriana. "i'll save you a seat." she says in understanding. "thanks." i send a grateful smile her way. she nods with a smile before going ahead.

turning back to jinyoung, i see he's taken a step closer though he maintains reasonable distance. "congrats," he starts, surprising me. "i overheard you talking to adriana." he expatiates with an awkward smile, scratching at his nape when i send a questioning look his way. "oh, thank you." i reply, unsure of what else to say.

"uh, remember when i said i'll tell you what happened between me and mark?" he asks, effectively switching topics. i nod my head, "yeah, i remember." i say. i guess now's the 'later' he spoke of. "if it's not too much to ask, is it okay if we meet after school today?" he shoves one hand in the pocket of his jeans, his stance a bit stiff.

i contemplate his offer. though jackson has told me their history, it won't hurt to hear jinyoung's side of the story. to somehow get his perspective on the whole thing. maybe it'll help me in convincing mark to try to talk to him, if not for anything, for his own self. "uh, sure. no problem." i shrug my shoulders.

like the other time, his face lights up with gratefulness. "thank you." he tells me. "it's nothing." i respond. "where do you want to meet?" i query. he silently ponders for a second, his brows pulled together in thought. "um, maybe at—"

before he can even finish his sentence, someone cuts into my line of vision, completely blocking him from view. blinking in confusion, i stare at the broad back that now takes up most of my field of vision. i recognise it almost immediately and a small gasp slips past my lips.

it's mark.

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happy holidays, guys! hope you had a great christmas and hoping you have a truly happy new year!!