22 I Heard You

Being able to talk to Dahyeong right now is more than I need to organize my thought, even if she isn't exactly doing anything about - or trying to at least. It makes me feel like everything's back to normal and that I'm done with the whole warring clans business. I guess being a source of comfort is just what Dahyeong is good at, even if she doesn't comfort someone in the conventional way. She'll acknowledge your feelings but at the same time, focus more on positives about your life. If you can't think of any, she'll make a whole list of them.

What did I even do to deserve her?

"You seem like you're zoning out." Dahyeong props herself beside me on a bench I just wandered to. She daintily places herself in the spot beside with her lips pressed against each other, creating a derpy-looking smile. "Got anything to say?"

I take a deep breath and allow myself to press my back against the backboard of the bench, curving it out and stretching it. Dahyeong does a few joking winces at each crack of my spine. I'm not too sure why I like cracking my back. Something about it feels so liberating just by hearing and feeling them crack one by one.

"I just can't seem to function today - like at all."

Dahyeong nods in understanding as she leans back into her spot. She starts licking and biting her lips out of slight boredom. Dahyeong always had a habit of doing weird things with her mouth all the time. Occasionally, she'd suck in her cheeks to make herself look like a halloween ghoul or bite down on her top and bottom lip, making her look like a grandma without her dentures. For some odd reason, I find every little trivial habit of hers fascinating. Not in a creepy way or anything but take it as you will.

I subtly jolt in shock when Dahyeong jumps up from her spot on the bench.

"RIGHT!"

Dahyeong assumes a power stance and freezes there for a split second. She quickly realizes what she did and slowly readjusts her stance to a normal one while staring directly at me.

In this moment, how can you not find it hard to laugh? My face breaks into a grin as a soft chuckle escapes my lips.

"I just, uh, remembered something that I forgot in my locker. Wait here and I'll be back as soon as possible."

With those words, Dahyeong races back into the school as if she was in a hurry, leaving me alone on the bench. Not that I actually mind but it's worth noting at times. I look up one last time to see Dahyeong weaving her way through a pack of students, causing a minor ruckus on her way in the school. A smile finds its way to my face before dropping as soon as I dart my eyes back down into my lap.

The group of students by the bench beside me noisily holler and cackle amongst themselves with words pouring out of each of their mouths like a waterfall. I turn slightly to their direction so I can get a better view of what's happening. They're 4 boys and 3 girls who look to be in their senior year. I find myself racking my brain to attach a name to their face but I only run blank on ideas. In the end, I don't need to know who they are to understand the things they say.

Whenever I'm alone, I like listening in on other's conversations. For people around my age, it's especially intriguing since there is always some sort of gossip to go around. You want the latest news around town? You'll get it just by existing in the same space as blabbermouths. It's like a game to me every day - what'll be THE scoop I get today? I might never get to actively take part in those conversations, and heaven knows, I'm not social enough to, but you learn more than you'd expect just by keep an ear open.

"Did you see what happened during class today? Someone was about to spill water onto Junior Yuna's project but it ended up only levitating above it and moving to the side before dropping onto the floor beside her."

"That's insane! Did you get a video?"

"Yep, right here. It's hilarious, man! Everyone, including the teachers, was so scared of her for the rest of the block."

"It's about time honestly. She's so used to getting a silver spoon from the teachers since she's one of the accelerated students."

"Send the video over to my Kakao! I wanna save it to my phone."

"How do you think that even happened though? It's not every day water decides to not be, y'know, water."

"I think she's a witch! Do you even see that her skin is sickeningly pale?"

"You're right! That makes more sense than Quadratic Functions that I learned in math."

"Right? I definitely agree."

The conversation flies over my head but not enough for it to go completely undetected. While they're jumping to conclusions about who Yuna is, or what she is, I already know exactly what went down from their conversation.

Once I see Yuna later tonight, she has a decent amount of explaining to do. I guess it's more like explaining why she even decided to use her ability like that in front of everyone. I know it's for a school project but man was it poorly planned.

"What are you thinking about?"

I snap my head to the direction of the sound only to spot Seoyun waving me down. Her backpack hung over her shoulders in a neat manner while her hair was tucked forward to maintain the clean image.

"I just thought I heard something else." I respond quickly, brushing off the question. "Did you see Dahyeong on your way here?"

Seoyun seems to pause for a bit while letting an arm drape at her side with the other propped on her hip.

"I did see her grabbing something from her locker."

"Ah, alright. I was talking with her earlier. She told me she forgot something so she went back in the school to get it."

Seoyun bobs her head in acknowledgement of what I just said before opening her mouth to talk.

"Hey, can I tell you something-"

"GUYS I'M BACK!"

Dahyeong speeds over to where Seoyun and I are sitting, planting herself right in front of us. Seoyun looks taken aback from the sudden arrival but doesn't question and stops talking.

"Got what you needed?"

I glance up at Dahyeong who was now hovering over Seoyun and I. She let her bag dangle at her side, holding it by one strap.

"Yep!" Dahyeong chirps.

My mind wanders back to what Seoyun was about to say to me. Unable to just forget about it, I decide to prompt her about it.

"You were in the middle of saying something, right Seoyun?"

"It's nothing. I just wanted to ask you how long Dahyeong was gonna take. She's already here now though so there's no need to ask."

Seoyun puts a smile on her face and shoots me an assuring expression. I force a small smile to pretend that I believe her.

"Alright then."

I wish I could agree with those words coming out of my mouth, but I don't.

"I guess we're ready to go."