Chapter 7:The Notebook

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Sehun's notebook she had been hugging around her was still there with a smooth cover which she found herself petting while walking across the crowded corridors and looking for her next class. Simple as it was, for some reason, the notebook had turned out to be her favorite thing in the world of most things, and each time she looked at it, some inner warmth and longing washed over her. She wanted the first sketch she would make it to stand out, to convey what she was feeling right now, but no idea seemed to come out.

Her footsteps slowed a little when the classroom door came into her view. Just as she was about to put her foot inside the class, a sound reached her and broke off her train of thought.

"Wow, look who it is," said Lee Minji, her bitter enemy, as she helpfully leaned against the wall. How truly tiresome it was that Minji's very existence felt like a competition over everything; grades, Minji always had a way of getting one over her and even down to fashion in the future as she was her rival in the fashion industry. Almost every single activity they had done and been matched up in, this time around inevitably even their fantasy of ruling the fashion world.

Hairi exhaled, attempting to get past her, but the predatory gaze of Minji found its home in the notebook she was holding. "What's that?" she asked, her tone tinged with intrigue and derision.

"Nothing," Hairi said but Minji got to it. In one motion, swift enough for anyone to notice, Minji reached forward and took the notebook right from Hairi's hands.

"Minji, return that to me!" Hairi yelled, however, Minji just flipped the cover and started skimming through pages of it before stopping when Hairi had a single neat drawing of a boy, Sehun, on the page.

The corners of Minji's mouth dropped as she scanned the illustration, but it was soon replaced by an amused smile. "Your crush has been so intense to this point, hasn't it?" she said as she picked up the notebook after Hairi grabbed it. "I thought you were being ridiculous, but it was actually cute."

"Minji, seriously, give it back," Hairi firmly stated. Even though she maintained a steady demeanour on the surface, a small part of her was exposed even though she was proud of herself. This notebook was not just an ordinary book for drawing or writing; it contained her dearest memories. And she certainly didn't want Minji of all people to know that.

Before Minji could say something, a bunch of girls came along, laughing and chattering. Hairi noticed the change in Minji's expression as she finished this sentence, the way her eyes moved towards the group and how her self-assurance wavered a little. Following Minji's movement, Hairi was able to see subtle eye rolls and quiet laughter directed towards her enemy.

It made sense now. This was the very group of people Minji would most often turn to for support and help, and yet, had mockery written all over the drawing about them. They were like talking behind her like she isn't  her friends but their enemy.In fact, for the first time, Hairi realized why Minji used to put on so strong a facade – it was because there was pain beneath it.

Hairi inhaled deeply. "Minji, look... I get it. We've been at each other's throats for a long time," she began, softening her voice. "But... it doesn't have to be like this. I don't think it's fun for either of us anymore."

Minji's hand gripped the notebook tightly as she looked at Hairi in bemusement. She even appeared a bit perplexed or maybe regretful. Gradually, she offered the notebook, devoid of her emotions looking defensive instead of irritated."

"Take it," she said in a voice that was less teasing than it usually was. "I... I did not mean to go this far."

Hairi reclaimed the notebook from Minji and this time, she held it to her chest releasing a small sigh of relief. "Thanks," she said, a slight emotional tone indicating gratitude. "But Minji... if you want to talk to someone, I'm available. You see, we don't have to fight all the time. We could just... I don't know... be friends for a change."

Minji looked at her, eyes softening. "I... cannot believe you just said that. I guess, I did not make it easy for you." There was silence and she finally looked down, her uncertainty evident. "I... apologize."

Hairi nodded encouragingly. "Let's make a fresh start," she said. For the first time, Minji offered a small real smile and nodded back quickly before leaving down the hallway.

Relieved, Hairi made her way to her seat. She tried to focus on her notebook again, and as she flipped open to her sketch, she felt something inside her shift. Minji had returned her notebook and even offered a real apology, and Hairi felt like she'd somehow changed the course of her own timeline.

The rest of the day went by in a happy blur. During lunch, her phone buzzed with a message from Sehun.

Sehun: "Rooftop?"

A soft smile spread across her face as she replied:

Hairi: "See you there :)"

When she arrived on the rooftop, Sehun was already leaning against the railing, his relaxed posture a comforting sight. He turned and gave her a bright smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Hey! Took you long enough."

"Sorry, got caught up with... something unexpected," she replied, tucking her notebook into her bag as she joined him.

Sehun raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips. "A secret project, I see?"

Hairi chuckled, shaking her head. "More like... a change in perspective." She glanced at him, feeling warmth bubble up inside her. "Sometimes, people surprise you."

He tilted his head, intrigued. "Like... how?"

"Well, you know how you think someone is one way, but then you realize they're not what you expected? It just makes you see things differently." She hesitated, then added, "I had a... moment like that today."

He nodded, his expression softening. "I get that. People are usually more than what we see on the surface." He reached into his bag, pulled out a small paper crane, and held it out to her. "Here, I made this for you."

Hairi took it, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, Sehun. It's beautiful." She placed it carefully inside her notebook, where it felt like a tiny treasure amidst her memories.

They kept the conversation going, and the flow of the talk made Hairi perceive a certain change in him. His body language was different, more relaxed, easier to laugh at, and without hesitation he plunged into some sharing on his family and aspirations with, however, a certain shyness about him. She caught herself returning the warmth and laughter, sharing more than she is used to, savouring the soft heat that had engulfed them, as well, in their rooftop talks.

But then again, as she looked at him, there was that unsettling feeling of "What if I am causing disturbances to the time-space continuum?" Her mind went back to the present where she decided to be friends with Minji. Had she done the right thing in being Minji's friend and changing their relationship?

That same evening, when she returned to her room to try to rewind the events of the day back, silence in the room was interrupted when she received another message. This time she reached for her cell phone expecting it to be Jiwoo or some relative only to find it was an unsaved contact.

Unknown: "Every decision comes at a price. Are you certain you are ready for the consequences?"

Clinging to the sentences, her heartbeat racing, icing dread filled her. No matter how much she tried to correct certain changes, did she fix anything or change things that were not yet comprehended?

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