Behind the Curtain [Seo Changbin ff]

40

- How long have you been liking me for? - I asked, expecting an answer along the lines of "one or two months".

Definitely, I didn't expect what he said next.

- Remember that day during sophomore year when we got paired up for that science project? - My eyes widened.

- Don't tell me you've liked me ever since... -

- Well, it took me a little to realize it, but it was back then. I loved how you concentrated so much in that project and insisted on me doing only the bare minimum, even if I wanted to help. And how you wanted everything to be perfect... I started falling for you then. -

He blushed, shyly staring at the floor and kicking some rocks, hands shoved in his pockets.

- Sophomore year? - I mumbled shocked, still stuck on that piece of information.

- Y-Yeah, and when you invited me to your house to finish the research I thought we would have fucked, but when we cuddled and you fell asleep while we watched that movie it felt way better than any sex I had ever had. -

I blinked a couple of times, trying to take in everything he had just told me.

- Sophomore year... - I repeated once again, probably making a fool of myself.

He laughed, taking me into his embrace and rocking me back and forth.

- Is that so shocking? - He asked, still giggling.

- Then why did you bully me so harshly this and last year? - My eyes got teary, my heart breaking a little.

He sighed, parting from me and shoving his hands back in his pockets.

- I was angry because you had stopped acting like the girl I had fallen in love with. I was so furious, because I couldn't do anything, and you wouldn't let anybody near you besides Felix or Seungmin. -

He stared at the floor for a while, an overwhelming silence falling over us.

- I'm sorry. - He said, looking back up at me with teary eyes. - I'm sorry for everything I said, for not wanting to listen to you until that day at your house, when I saw the cuts on your cheek. -

I engulfed him in a tight hug, warmth radiating from both our bodies.

- Don't worry, Bin, I know you're sorry. - I caressed his back lovingly, calming him down.

He took a step back, sniffling while chuckling.

- Can I tell you something? - He said with red eyes, a contrasting smile on his face.

- Sure, tell me. - I replied, confused, tilting my head.

- Mrs. Jung never assigned me as your tutor. I made it up as an excuse to see you more often and try to understand why you were feeling so low. - 

I started laughing, not wanting to believe his words, shaking my head.

- You're lying, Bin. -

- I swear! Go ask Mrs. Jung! - He smiled, wiping his eyes and helping me inside his car.

He drove me to work, kissing me before I walked out of the car, my heart doing weird backflips and skipping beats.

Sophomore year... how could I have been so oblivious?

•••

Flashback - Changbin's POV

- Changbin, stop it, we need to work on this. - Jiho said, sighing once she saw me taking out my phone to text Chan and then opening some game app for the countless time that night.