Chapter 64
Sarah's POV
I settled onto the long bench, my dinner finished, and surveyed the lively scene around me. Some students were still eating, while others chatted or lounged in the evening air. The teacher's earlier announcement echoed in my mind – no curfew, no strict rules, just the freedom to explore and enjoy the campsite. It was liberating, really.
As I gazed out at the relaxed crowd, I caught sight of Camilla out of the corner of my eye. She was laughing and joking with a group of girls, her infectious energy drawing smiles from everyone around her. But my reaction was different. A knot formed in my stomach as I watched her, memories of our past encounter flooding back. The way she'd locked me outside, rummaged through my things... it still stung. I felt a wave of heat rise to my face, followed by a sinking feeling. Why did she get to be so carefree, so unaffected, while I still carried the weight of our past interactions? I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the peaceful evening unfolding before me.
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As I pushed open the door, the soft creak echoed through the quiet room. My eyes adjusted to the dim light, and I was met with the serene sight of hyun min lying on the bed. His chest rose and fell with slow, steady breaths, his hands clasped behind his head, and his face relaxed, lost in the depths of sleep.
I closed the door gently, careful not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. The soft rustle of my clothes seemed amplified in the silence as I walked further into the room. My eyes were drawn to him, and I approached the bed cautiously, taking in the calm contours of his face.
For a moment, I stood there, frozen in time, wondering what had drained him so thoroughly. I hadn't seen him come out for dinner, had he been consumed by some intense project, or was it the weight of the day's stress that had finally caught up with him?
I stepped out of the shower, the cool air enveloping me as I wrapped a towel around my body. After dressing in a comfortable, oversized T-shirt,and a short, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. But as my gaze swept across the room, my tranquility was short-lived. The single bed stared back at me, a daunting reality I hadn't considered.
How was I supposed to sleep? The floor was out of the question; I'd never slept on it before, and the thought of it now made me shudder. Sharing the bed with him wasn't an option either. The idea made me feel uneasy, like I was trapped in a puzzle with no solution.
I stood frozen, my mind racing with possibilities. Maybe I could ask him to sleep on the floor? No, that was ridiculous. I couldn't very well demand he give up his bed. The silence in the room seemed to grow thicker, weighing heavily on my shoulders.
As I stood there, the soft sound of his steady breathing was the only sound that broke the stillness. His eyes remained closed, oblivious to my dilemma. I let out a soft sigh, feeling like I was stuck in limbo, unsure of what to do next.
I stood over him, my gaze drifted to his face, and I couldn't help but notice the way his features seemed to soften in sleep. The sharp lines of his jaw and the gentle curve of his lips created a sense of calm, a stark contrast to the intensity he exuded when awake.
I leaned in, my fingers grazed his skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt a flutter in my chest as I gazed at him, my heart beating in sync with his gentle breaths."how can someone be this handsome!"
The air was thick with an unspoken connection, and I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be this close to him when he was awake.
I stood there, frozen in time, I felt a sudden urge to touch his hair, to see if it was as soft as it looked. My hand moved of its own accord, and I gently ran my fingers through the strands, feeling a sense of wonder at the texture. He stirred slightly, but didn't wake, and I froze, my heart racing with anticipation.
I let my fingers graze his cheek, and he stirred again, his eyes fluttering open. Before I can withdraw my hand, his fingers wrap around my wrist, holding me in place.I could literally hear my own heartbeat. "Don't pull away," he whispers, his voice husky with sleep, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles.
My heart skiped a beat as I feel the gentle pressure of his fingers on my skin.
As I attempted to free my hand from his grasp, Hyun Min's fingers wrapped tighter around my wrist, his touch igniting a spark within me. "What are you doing?" I asked like I wasn't enjoying it.
Hyun Min's expression turned somber, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that seemed to pierce the very fabric of my being. "I'm haunted by the memory of our first encounter," he said, his voice low and husky, like the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. "I was blinded by my own biases, and I spoke without thinking. For that, I am truly sorry."
The words hung in the air like a confession, heavy with the weight of regret. I felt like I'd been transported to a different realm, one where time stood still and all that existed was the space between us. I was speechless, my mind reeling as memories of our first meeting came flooding back.
"The..library.." I stammered, my voice barely audible, a mere whisper of sound.
Hyun Min nodded, his eyes never leaving mine, the sincerity in their depths like a beacon calling out to me through the darkness. "Yes, I was...reckless with my words. I've been wanting to apologize for a long time, to make amends for the hurt I caused."
The weight of his words settled upon me, like a mantle of understanding. I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me - surprise, curiosity, and a hint of vulnerability.