The air hung still at the library, little motion was observed in the background. Exam season was over and students were taking a break, all but of course, the hardworking or as usually called, the 'nerds'.

It was noon as Taehyung rested his back on the wooden chair trying to find a comfortable position as he had been doing for the past few hours. Aiming for Haewon's attention which unwavered from the book she had been reading, he felt desperate.

They hadn't talked much since the other night, and the library was almost empty giving him no excuse to ask her out to the cafe nearby. He sighed for the millionth time, his eyes fell on the huge clock behind her as an idea popped in his head causing a smirk to show up on his indulgent face.

"Ahh," he stretched his arms out forcing a fake yawn, "I'm hungry, let's have lunch," he said slamming his hands on the table to which she abruptly turned her head to.

"It's 1 pm, too early," she spoke casually, flipping pages with her slim fingers, her wedding ring shining in the morning light drawn on them through the glass ceiling. He grimaced internally at the gratuitous reminder.

He slammed his hands once more, "brunch then?"

"Shh," Haewon glared at him as if glaring at a child, she noticed the people around getting pissed by his actions.

"I won't stop til you eat with me," he pursed his lips, frowning them and flared his nose at her like a little kid luring his mother into buying him bonbons. He then smiled innocently, turning his head sideways, "please."

Mouthing a dramatic 'EAT WITH MEEEE' with his teeth obviously grinding and lips forming a wide box, he kept slowly slamming his closed fists at the table.

The sudden change of atmosphere caused a smile to break onto her sweet lips and she found herself unconsciously nodding. Hastily and without warning, he stood up seizing the chance, the chair squeaking underneath him but he didn't waste another second as he grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the building and onto the open streets.

"Wher-"

"Mall nearby," he looked back at her, panting, "did I mention how much I adore junk food? Pretty much the only good thing new era's come up with."

She chuckled bringing her free hand close to her mouth, "you know you sometimes speak like an old man.."

Smirking nervously, he gave her a side-eye check, "oh do I?" as he continued pulling her into the crowded building.

It was only when they stepped into the brimming building, filled with teenagers who skipped school earlier, struggling part timers and old women merely chit chatting as they bought their needs and what else but mainly, it was the students and she wondered how they would easily skip and play without guilt then she recalled herself doing the same a few years back, a smile making its way on her face.

Only when they slowed down at the massive crowds, that she had noticed the warm hand engulfing hers, as it had been for the whole way. She hadn't noted earlier due to the sudden pull and run as if they were teens rushing to skip school and it left her wondering at what he would look like at highschool, how different things would have been if they were friends. She smiled sadly, the image of him in a white shirt and blue panted uniform, his black and blue striped tie loosely tied around his neck, a backpack hanging on his left shoulder held by his hand to keep it from falling at such hurry and the other? Stretched out behind him, holding onto her, tightly but warmly.

Her, in her once neat now messy uniform, a similar backpack on her right, her straight hair swaying around, her bangs probably up in the air as they rushed to grab food and a few coins for the arcade before the school time ended.

Oh, what would have been.

The smile got off her face as she tried to push away her imaginary memory of things that would have never happened and never would. Yet, she wanted to keep a picture of herself smiling wide and genuine, messy hair and flying bangs.

Bangs? She recalled she hadn't had those back then, her hair wasn't long back then, no, not ironed straight. None of those were her and that slapped her awake, it wasn't the short wavy haired lively Haewon. She was now Jaehyun's Haewon, the perfect 'ladylike' woman he wanted, the horrendous woman she hated, which stared right back at her in every reflection,

Had the old Haewon seen the new one, what would she do?

She brushed off the idea, knowing the frightening truth, not wanting to admit it, she focused on the warm hand engulfing hers.

Tightly but warmly.

"So what do you want to have?" He smiled at her now standing close by as the didn't have to rush anymore, they were at the food court, a hundred table encircled with many food chain outlets around.

"Anything,"

"How about burgers? I love those!"

She scowled, "that's unhealthy,"

"Oh puhlease," he shrugged and tilted his head back before stooping down to her height, looking her in the eyes.

"Enjoy some moments, Haewon. It's not like we have many anyway," she wondered at the glimpse of sadness crossing his eyes and as she opened her mouth to ask, he grinned widely changing auras, "burgers it is!"

"It's too crowded, can you sit here while I order us some food?"

She nodded slightly as he went ahead. Had he left, did she only notice there were people.

Many people,

Way too many people.

Jaehyun, he was around wasn't he? Panic washed over her face as her heart rate accelerated.

No, it was not possible. He was at work, like he always was at such an hour.

Then was it a friend of his? A colleague? Impossible, they didn't know what she looked like neither did she for he had kept her hidden like a precious prize. She should've noticed how they were never invited to their wedding.

Then what were those pair of eyes staring, she could feel them piercing through her flesh. Her eyes went back and forth, swinging at all directions.

Where were they? Where were they?

She was going mad.

Whose were they?

"Brunch time!" the deep melodic voice called behind her, forcing her out of the nightmares like a beautiful dream, he pulled her out of the darkness she drowned into.

"Are you alright?" he tilted his head, holding the tray filled with burgers in various sizes and three large cups.

"I am now," she smiled at him, a reassured smile that one you see at the end of a long, long tiring day, that one you dream of at the end of an exasperating journey. Like a fresh sea breeze, it swept him off his feet so he returned the same endearing act as they began filling their stomachs.

Finishing her meal first, Haewon couldn't help but swoop her eyes across her surroundings until they stumbled upon a stall, vibrant colours popping out of it. The luminiscent baby coloured neons captured her gaze and like a child she watched as the man made scoops out of the heavenly frozen cream onto a cone and handling it to a kid standing. 

Ice cream, she recalled the last time she'd had one of those. What was her favourite? Was it vanilla? Chocolate? She liked all but always one stood out, cookie dough, the idea of having one formed a smile on her face forcing her peer to look up at her, amazed at the beauty and what she had looked at so adoringly.

"Do you want ice-cream?"

She looked at him abruptly, hesitance clouding her mind, "I can?"

He pursed his lips for a second before standing, taking her along, "we'll get you the biggest ice cream there is."

Indulging herself in the creamy flavours, she took in every bit of sweet taste she could find. A luscious cold strawberry and chocolate cream exploded against her hot awaiting taste buds, next she tried on the cookie dough as she tried not to drop her three-scooped cone.

Too quenched in the melting cold tastes and warm laughter, pointing out at mannequins and trying on silly accessories pushing away that odd feeling of someone staring yet it still lingered; someone was definitely there.

Her gut feelings however, were true.

Like a shockwave, the aftermass of an explosion, a deep steady voice errupted behind her.

"Haewon?!"

Wingless, her heart dropped at the sound of what might be her doom.

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A/N

Hello :)

Finished first year of med school :)) thats y i was busy

How r yall doin in quarantine?