CHAPTER 7: Observations

SAN
•••

Wooyoung and I walked out of class together, something I was actually quite surprised to even do. Next to him in stride, I could take in his sweet scent that I've already grown to adore. However, there was an awkward tension between us, with neither of us wanting to speak first. However, things quickly changed as I decided to break the silence.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" I asked abruptly, mentally slapping myself for how desperate I sounded. Wooyoung froze in his steps, making me turn and look at him curiously. His face seemed to look pale at the sudden question, instantly making me start to worry.

With a small shake of his head, he smiled softly at me. "I'm not really hungry..."

I raised an eyebrow skeptically, not truly buying his answer. "Are you sure? I can pay if money is something you're concerned about?"

"I'm sure... thanks. I'll see you back in our room?"

"Yeah... see ya." I said quietly. With that, I watched as he turned and walked away.

Something is up...

Suddenly my phone buzzed and I noticed a notification from Seonghwa. Unlocking and clicking the message, I sighed to myself as I read the text.

"Meet you at Hongjoong's dorm in five minutes... I need to talk to you."

"To Hongjoong's dorm it is, then."

Making my way downstairs and out of the building, I slowly walked over to our shared dorm building. Hongjoong was one of my long-time friends since younger days, a person that could truly relate to my upbringing. Both of our fathers were well-known CEO's, but he took the path less traveled and focused on his own career of pursing music. Unlike myself who had an overbearing father that never let me have my own choices in life, Hongjoong's father was more understanding and supportive of his dreams. Nevertheless, we both stayed close and even traveled together to and from the states like brothers.

Stepping into the dorm building doors, part of me wanted to go to my room and check on Wooyoung. However, by the basis of Seonghwa's message, I knew time was of the essence and he was one person who took time seriously.

Pressing the 'up' button for the elevator, it didn't take long for the empty cart to arrive and open its doors to me. Walking and pressing the third floor, the doors shut and made it ascent to the marked destination. Once it reached, I made my way toward his room.

With a simple knock, the door opened and revealed a somber Hongjoong, who only mouthed 'sorry' to me before allowing me to step inside. Seonghwa was seated at his desk with his arm crossed over his shoulders.

"What's going on?" I asked, making my way over to Hongjoong's bed to sit.

Seonghwa sighed. "Joong already told me everything about your certain roommate, San. You have Wooyoung of all people?"

"What about it?"

"San..." Seonghwa sighed. "I've already met the kid yesterday, after he had his encounter with you. The way he described you without saying a name made me and Yunho already figure out it was you. It didn't take long for Yeosang to figure it out either, since he texted me confirming the same name an hour ago. Did you have to be so rude?"

I rolled my eyes, hearing three knocks on the door again. "I don't need you to mother me into a lecture, Hwa. I managed to at least fix that today by offering to eat lunch with him since we share two classes, but the gorgeous boy refused."

Hongjoong raised an eyebrow at me while opening the door to reveal Yeosang. "When did you do that? I mean ask Wooyoung to eat?"

"Literally five minutes or so ago. He turned me down."

Now Yeosang was the next one to question me, instantly picking up on the topic with ease. "Sorry I'm late but San...did you see him eat this morning?"

I groaned. "No! Now I'm tired of answering these questions and I'm starving. So can I leave now?"

"Sure San...Just be nice. That's all I ask." Seonghwa gestured towards the door.

"Sure, mom. I'll play nice."

Hopping off Hongjoong's bed, I nodded at the other two males in the room my goodbyes before making my departure. My appetite was gone, and all I wanted to do was go work off my frustration. Picking up my pace to my car, before I wasted any second longer, I sped off to the location of my studio.

Something I've grown a habit of doing was working out. Whether it be for fun or to relieve stress, spending my time in the gym was my way of maintaining not only my physical physique, but my mental wellbeing. There were times when I felt like my world was crumbling all around me, but just the simple act of burning calories was a good enough distraction from the external problems.

Parking in front of the studio, I walked and unlocked the door, making my way to the desired room. Once inside, I grabbed my earbuds from my bag and proceeded to work off my frustrations.

I spent hours in the gym, so much so that I failed to notice the sky had turned dark outside. However, throughout my entire workout, my mind was plagued with unanswered questions.

Why did Wooyoung deny eating with me?

How did he get so close to my friends?

Why did Yeosang ask me if he ate this morning?

Checking the time on my phone, I noticed it was after eight in the evening. Groaning, I picked up my shirt off the bench and made my way back to my car, feeling myself start to get frustrated again. Deciding to put aside my questions to the back of my head, I drove back to campus with one goal in mind: a well-needed hot shower.

Reaching back in record time, I quickly hopped out and strolled inside the dormitory, choosing to take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. Once on my floor, I slowly unlocked my door to see Wooyoung dressed in a black shirt and grey sweatpants, waiting for me with two large bags of food with a small pout plastered on his face.

Fuck...stop being so cute...

"What are you doing?" I asked skeptically, trying my best not to sound happy at the sight in front of me.

He mumbled while looking down at the floor. "I felt bad about not taking you up on your offer earlier and wanted to apologize..."

"What was that? I couldn't hear you." I teased.

"I'm not repeating it again, San."

"Fine, fine." I chuckled, stepping inside and closing the door behind me. "This wasn't necessary, you know..."

Wooyoung sighed, handing one of the bags to me, his eyes still glued to the floor. "This is a one-time occurrence, so cherish it."

Grabbing one from his hold, I opened it and instantly smelled fried chicken with kimchi and white rice. Raising an eyebrow, I looked at him curiously. "Where did you get this from?"

"My eomma brought it here after her shift. As per her words, 'share it with your roommate'..." Wooyoung giggled, finally looking up at me with a smile. "So no, you couldn't deny it even if you wanted to."

"Wasn't planning on it." I smiled back, opening one of the containers. "Smells amazing."

Wooyoung snorted. "Don't think she actually made that herself. I love her, but she's a horrible cook. I'm the chef of the family, so I told her where to go."

I smirked, deciding to sit on the floor instead of my bed since I was still sweaty. "So, I should be thanking you, not her."

"No, thank her. If it was up to me, I would've just got you school food."

"Of course."

As I began eating, I watched as he sat down on the floor and join me. My eyes traveled to his hands, as he opened the chopsticks with ease before diving into the rice. A few minutes of silence passed, a silence that was broken by his question. "Where did you go?"

"I went to work out. Why? Did you miss me?" I smirked.

Wooyoung rolled his eyes. "You wish. I was just curious."

I hummed. "Right. Speaking of curious, when is your interview for your retail job?"

"You actually remembered about that?" He raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Why wouldn't I? It was the first conversation we actually had, regardless of how short it was."

A faint blush grew on his cheeks, his eyes refocusing on the food in front of him. "It's on Saturday. I really hope I get it..."

With your looks, there's no doubt...

I smirked. "Like I said before, you're too pretty to be sweating anyways so if they don't accept you, their loss."

Wooyoung giggled, a sound I already grew fond of hearing. With that, we settled into the silence once again as we shared a meal together for the first time.

•••

Waking up the next morning, I could feel the soreness in my muscles make themselves known as I tried to sit up in bed. It was seven in the morning, and the only class I had today was Introduction to History in an hour. Glancing to my left, I saw a sleeping Wooyoung wrapped up in his sheets.

Cute...

Hopping off my bed as quietly as possible without disturbing the softly snoring male , I chose my outfit for the day and laid it on the bed: a simple white shirt with jeans. Since it was only one class, the need to elevate my attire wasn't needed. Tiptoeing into the bathroom, I sped through my shower routine without haste. It wasn't until I stepped out I saw Wooyoung sitting up in his bed and rubbing his eyes. His hair was messy, and his shirt collar was hanging off his shoulder, exposing his neck openly.

Look away...look away...

"San...why are you up?"

I bit my lip to fight back a smile momentarily before clearing my throat. "I have class at 8. Go back to sleep."

It didn't take much convincing as the male nodded and placed his head back on the pillow, wrapping himself once again in his sheets. Shaking my head to myself with a smile, I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the dorm quietly, deciding to make it to class early.

Last night made me realize why Yeosang asked about the male, specifically asking if he had eaten yesterday morning. Based on how I noticed he only ate the rice and few pieces of kimchi during our shared meal, it made me wonder how exactly his eating habits were like. Usually one could tell by body size and dimensions, but the way he dressed himself made it hard to catch.

It's not my place to ask...it's not my place to ask...

Shrugging it off, I strolled to the next building over for my class. The walk was quick, as I stepped inside the lecture hall and noticing Mingi already seated in front. A smirk grew on my lips, making my way over to the next seat by him. "I'm surprised you're actually going to class and you're early. Who are you, and what have you done with the Mingi I know?"

He rolled his eyes playfully. "Very funny, hyung. I'm trying to change my ways, okay?"

"For your boyfriend, right?"

"His name is Yunho, and mostly yes. The other part is actually for me. I can't skip class like how I used to in high school anymore." Mingi sighed. "So, I rather be extremely early than late."

I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and shook him. "Look at you! You're growing up!"

"Aish!" He cursed quietly, noticing other students begin to file in. "We may be friends and all in private San, but remember your status is way above mine in public Mister CEO."

"Don't need to remind me. It's not like I wanted this title..." I muttered.

Mingi looked at me sympathetically. "I know... No one would've expected that to happen to the boss man. How are you holding up with that by the way?"

I shrugged. "I don't have time to grieve. I'll do that at the funeral on Sunday."

He took that as his cue to briefly end the topic, as we both watched our History professor walk inside the room and begin her lesson.