Clueless || Cha Eunwoo

22.

The heavy sound of the computer's fan was all I could hear at that moment. I bit my lip hard, almost cutting it. I couldn't be angrier with myself, why did I have to ask that question?

As soon as I finished the sentence, his usual bright and perfect smile dropped. His eyes fell to the ground and something on his face changed, a look I had never seen in it. Moments later, he finally looked at me. Soulless eyes, tensed jaw, and not a sign of his usual self.

"I-I'm s-sorry, I shouldn't have-" I stuttered but he interrupted me, gesturing for me to stop.

He clenched his teeth even more and let out an angry sigh "It's alright. I still get angry every time I talk about it but I trust you"

A little smile appeared on my face and my stomach twitched in happiness hearing those words.

He bit his lip and took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Before I knew it, my hand touched his arm in support. He suddenly opened his eyes and looked at my arm, averting his gaze to my eyes.

My cheeks grew hotter but I quickly brushed the feeling. I couldn't believe I had done that. He smiled at me and mumbled a simple Thank you.

"Our father left us five years ago, left us for some woman he fell in love with his job. Yes, I know this all seems like some kind of drama but unfortunately, that really happens in real life. And it sucks" He spoke emotionless "My mom was devastated, my brother was eleven by that time while I was thirteen. I remember the nights when I'd cuddle my little brother while we hugged and cried together. My mom was trying to put up the strong facade, obviously, I was grown enough to understand she was hurting like hell"

He punched his desk, his neck veins popping in his fair skin "He even moved out when we were at school and my mom was at work"

I looked at him with sadness.

The hurtful look on his face showed how much he suffered all these years.

"Thank you for telling me..." I said in a low tone, giving him a small nod. He took a deep breath and smiled, mumbling a little You're welcome.

"No, seriously. Thank you" I started "I know how it feels wanting to share some part of your life but the pain is too much for you to handle it" I said, unable to meet his eyes.

"Are you talking about... your parents?" He asked anxiously. I nodded, biting my lips and fixing my gaze on my jeans.

I heard him shifting on his chair.

"It's okay, you don't need to tell me about it if you're not ready. I'll be here to hear it whenever you're ready"

I finally looked up, seeing his reassuring smile. He always knew how to make a person feel better.

"I'm sorry, I-"

Dongmin's bedroom door flew open and a boy entered the room with his headphones on his head, holding the door handle. His eyes widened and he quickly shut the door.

I bit my lip trying not to laugh.

The door opened again and the boy stared at us with a surprised look on his face. His mouth was wide open and his eyes almost popped of his eyeballs.

"Oh. My. God" The boy said speechless. I looked at Dongmin in amusement, still trying to suppress the laugh that was building every time I glanced at the boy's cute surprised face.

"Jonghee, stop staring and introduce yourself to our guest" Dongmin rolled his eyes, annoyed, shaking his head.

"Oh, yes. Of course!" The boy said, bowing immediately "Hello, my name is Jonghee. I'm Dongmin's brother, nice to meet you"

I chuckled, looking at the younger boy. His hair was filled with gel, his bangs pushed back. His eyes were just like his brother's: double eyelids and dark brown iris.

"Hello, I'm Seoyeon. It's nice to meet you too" I smiled, bowing back.

Jonghee turned his gaze away from me and fixed on his brother, a grin appearing on his face "Okay Dongmin but she's the only girl beside Dahyun that has ever laid a foot on our house, especially your room"

The smile on my face fell and I turned serious unconsciously.

Dahyun... had already been to his house?

I shook my head and clenched my teeth, angry at myself. Why was I feeling so sad suddenly? Why did I care if she had been there or not? It wasn't my business after all...

Jonghee continued talking "Tell me she's your girlfriend, please"

He had his eyebrow arched and crossed arms, a smirk on his face. Dongmin next to me rolled his eyeballs, sighing.

"I know you want me to have a girlfriend so bad but she's just my friend, we're doing a project"

"Your loss, brother. She's beautiful" He shrugged, still with the cocky smile "Then can I have her number?"

"Yah!" Dongmin shouted, an annoyed expression on his face "She's way out of your league. You're too young"

"Too young?" His brother chuckled sarcastically "I'm just two years younger"

"Still " Dongmin said, looking at his brother. Jonghee chuckled, clearly satisfied with all the teasing and annoyance he had left on his brother. He looked at me and bowed, walking towards the door.

"It was nice to meet you, hope to see you again sometime soon" He winked at me and I bit my lip, trying not to laugh.

This boy was something else.

After he closed the door, I turned to see a super annoyed Dongmin. He had his arms crossed, furrowed eyebrows, and tensed jaw. All of that making him look manlier.

"Sorry for my brother" He finally spoke, his tone still irritated "He doesn't know how to act in front of girls"

"And do you?" I teased him and he pouted, facepalming.

"You too?!"

I started laughing "I'm just kidding..."

He shook his head and took a deep breath, composing himself and looking calmer.

"That boy really gets on my nerves sometimes" He admitted, shaking his head. I chuckled and nodded my head, agreeing with him.

"Brothers"

"For real..." He shrugged and looked at his computer "Well, where were we?"

I pointed at the google search bar, reading "I believe we were about to find information about Potassium?"