Wings

Classroom 7-B was empty, save for the rows of oak desks that faced the whiteboard. Perfect. Most would have found the silence of the room eerie, but to me it was comforting. There was no one I could embarrass myself in front of. I settled down in an empty chair and shut my eyes, taking comfort in the feeling of the cool metal bracelet my best friend gave to me. Finally. Peace and quiet. That’s when someone poked my arm, albeit gently. I opened my eyes only to come face-to-face with a pair of chocolate brown orbs. I jumped, face burning, and tried to collect myself. I pulled out one earbud, “Yes?” That’s when I realised that the tall boy in front of me was Sehun Oh.

“Is this seat taken?” He asked, pointing to the vacant chair beside me.

“N-no. It’s fr-free.” I said, wanting to smack myself for stammering. I fingered the bracelet, running my fingers over the inscription, “Spread your wings, show your true colours. Only then, can you fly.”

I gulped, and tried to ignore the warmth spreading to my cheeks.

He smiled, his eyes forming little crescents and slid into the seat next to me, “Thanks.”

“No p-pr-problem.” My heart was hammering in my chest. Calm down Lina. Sehun mustn’t find out.

 

Class went by without a hitch and soon, lunch rolled around. I was walking to my locker, my nose buried in “The Catcher in the Rye”, all while balancing a stack of books in my other hand when suddenly…CRASH! The next thing I knew, I was lying on the cool marble floor, with books and sheets of paper scattered everywhere. I pushed my glasses up my nose, tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear and started to gather up some books. I was reaching for a book titled “The Book Thief” when a larger hand landed on top of mine. I lifted my gaze, to meet the familiar set of Sehun’s eyes.

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

I opened my mouth, but before I could form an answer, he was rambling again. Was he nervous?

“This is all my fault. I couldn’t see around the stack of papers Ms. Kim wanted me to give Ms. Song and well, here we are,” He said, laughing awkwardly. Are his cheeks slightly pink?

I fiddled with my fingers and looked at my shoes but said in a quiet voice, “I-it’s okay. I w-wasn’t looking where I w-was g-going either.”

We continued to gather up the fallen books and papers in silence. He gave me a smile and a wave and I tried to manage a small smile back. I opened my locker and was putting my things away, but my mind was elsewhere. Why am I such a klutz?

 

“Yo Lina.” Someone said, slinging an arm over my shoulder.

I turned my head towards them, seeing my best friend Mark Tuan grinning broadly at me. He studied my face, eyes searching mine. I looked away and avoided his gaze. But that didn’t faze him. He knew me too well.

“What’s wrong?” He asked in Chinese, pulling me into an empty seat and sitting down next to me. 

I sighed, but told him about the incident with Sehun.

He pulled me into his chest and stroked my hair. I let out a sniffle, “Why can’t I do anything right Mark?”

“It’s not your fault Lina.”

I stayed silent. No comment.

“Listen to me, Lina Zhang. It’s okay to be shy. I mean, I’m certainly not the most extroverted person ever. Listen to me when I say that you’re cute, funny and smart. If he doesn’t like you, it’s his loss. And if he ever hurts you, I’ll punch him. Remember Li,” He said, using my nickname.

“Be yourself. You’re perfect just the way you are,” He finished, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I cracked a smile, “Thanks Mark. You’re the best.”

 

Later on, I was trying to gather my thoughts. Should I talk to him? But what would I say? I gulped. Just thinking about him made my heart race. His charming smile, his deep brown eyes, his fluffy-looking hair and his dark, arched eyebrows. I shivered, face warm. I’d made up my mind; I was going to talk to him. And I think I knew where to find him. I made for the dance studios, clutching a water bottle in my trembling hand. I heard music and the squeaking of shoes on wood. The door of Studio 2 was open a crack, so I peered in. Sehun was dancing to a fast-paced song, the movements of his body flowing perfectly. I admit I felt a tad bit creepy watching him like that, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk inside and bother him. However, I didn’t miss the slight frown that appeared on his features. He stopped and ran a hand through his hair. I heard him mutter something along the lines of, “Gah! Why can’t I get the move right? Why do I suck at dancing? Jong-in’s so much better.” He groaned quietly, but started to dance again.

 

I was far too distracted by watching him dance, I didn’t notice a tickle rising in my throat. By the time it hit me, it was too late. I coughed as quietly as possible, but to no avail. Sehun stopped his routine and whirled around, music still booming from the speakers overhead. He started towards the door.

Abort. Abort.

I ran for it, dropping the water bottle as I went. Sehun pulled open the door, to see a water bottle lying at his feet and a flash of dark hair disappear around the corner.

He cocked his head, “That’s strange. Why would anyone want to watch me dance? I’m not that good anyway.”

He laughed bitterly in the empty room, letting his hand drop from the door handle.

“Enough. Stop fantasizing about you and her. You’re not good enough. Focus on your dancing.” 

He picked up the water bottle and shut the door. He started up the music, began to dance again, his body overflowing with passion.

 

I flung open the door to the girl’s bathroom and shut myself in a cubicle, cheeks flaming, heart racing, breathing shakily. I hugged my knees to my chest and rested my forehead against my knees. Deep breaths. Don’t cry. I started to count to ten, trying to collect myself, idly fiddling with my bracelet, tears prickling my eyes. I swallowed, the lump in my throat burning. A tear escaped my watery eyes and ran down my cheek. Of course I chickened out. Of course he nearly saw me. I’m a failure. I let Mark down.

Just then, the door swung open and two shadows passed under the door of my stall. I knew eavesdropping was wrong, but the girls were talking so loudly, it was impossible to drown out their voices.

 

“I can’t believe he rejected you Irene. That pretty-boy Sehun doesn’t deserve your affections,” spoke the first voice.

“You’re right Wendy. That jerk. He played with me, didn’t he? I bet he likes that nerd. What’s her name?”

There was a pause, before I heard the snap of fingers and, “Lina Zhang. That’s her.”

I winced at her venomous tone. So, this was the famous queenka of our school, Irene. Most of the boys were head-over-heels for her, except maybe a handful of them like Mark, Sehun, EXO and some others. And as for the girls, well, most of them were desperate to be friends with her. Yet, she only had eyes for Sehun, by the looks of it. Shaking my head, I tried to get rid of any irrational thoughts I had, lurking in the dark space that is my mind.

Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t judge other people without knowing the full story. Perhaps she’s just like me? Someone who doesn’t know how to express their feelings. If she’s afraid to show their true self, maybe we’re not that different?

She didn’t appear like me though. Scratch that, she seemed to despise my very existence. I could practically hear her lip curl in disgust at the sound of my name. Her (slightly) whiny voice infiltrated my thoughts.

“She’s been hogging *Mark-oppa, but it seems like she’s not satisfied with him, and now she’s going after Sehun? What an attention-thirsty loser,” She spat, as if there was a bad taste in her mouth. But then again, she said my name like it was a dirty word, so her tone was understandable.

 

Even so. This is a misunderstanding. Mark was my BFF, my brother-from-another-mother, someone I could count on and liked me for me, but was certainly not my boyfriend. Sehun - yes, I liked him, and I’ll admit that. But I didn’t think it could be classified “stealing” him from anyone. I couldn’t care less about what Irene said or did to me, but I wasn’t going to let her ruin Sehun’s reputation. I was a nobody. Just another faceless freak, but Sehun was the lead dancer of his dance squad called EXO. He was someone people respected, alongside Mark, so his name couldn’t be tainted. Not on my watch. Irene and her little “minion” soon left, and I dashed out of the building, only to discover it was pouring. Great. Whipping out my umbrella, I squinted through the rain. After much searching, I spotted a figure in the distance, hunkered down under the gazebo. I swallowed, pulled my umbrella down over my head and made a run for it. Come on. It’s only a little farther. Just before I could make it under the roof, I slipped on the wet grass and lurched forward. I shut my eyes and braced for impact, waiting to make contact with the ground, but I realised I wasn’t falling anymore.

 

I cringed internally at my clumsiness, knowing that the person had caught me. Great.

“Hey.”

I opened one eye, “Yes?” Oh no. Just who I was looking for.

“Are you okay? You seemed in a hurry.”

I scrambled away from him, but as soon a gust of wind swept passes us, I shivered, missing the warmth of his embrace. No turning back now. You can do it.

“A-actually, I was looking for you.”

His eyes widened, but he quickly put on a poker face. He avoided my gaze, and I stared at my shoes.

“Wanna g-go for a w-walk?” Please, say yes. I need to warn you.

He nodded, and walked with me under my umbrella. I inhaled. The air smelt like rain, grass, and sandalwood. I exhaled, my breath forming a faint mist in the air in front of us, before turning to Sehun.

“D-do you know I-Ir-Irene?”

 

He raised his dark, arched brows quizzically. “Yes. Why?”

“I uh - kinda h-heard her talking very loudly about y-you in the bathroom. She said some pretty nasty t-things, which I’m sure a-aren’t true.”

He paused, as if deep in thought, scrunching up his nose cutely. A sudden look of realisation washed over him, “She’s the one who I rejected. The *queenka of the school?”

I nodded, “She was - planning to r-ruin your reputation. She w-wasn’t thinking properly. She was blinded by her love towards you, by the looks of it. O-of course, I shouldn’t be one to judge her.”

He seemed to understand what I was saying, nodding slowly. He smiled, pink dusting his cheeks, and ran a hand through his hair, “Thanks. For telling me.”

I rubbed my arm, feeling my heart flutter, “It was the l-least I could do. You h-helped me out e-earlier when I dropped my books in the corridor.”

“I told you it was my fault,” He grinned and pushed me playfully.

“Fine. Fine. I-It’s both of our f-faults. Sorry for c-crashing into you though.”

Come on. Just ask him.

“Do you want to um - eat lunch with my friend and me?”

 

His face seemed to light up as soon as the words left my mouth.

“Sure. You mean *Mark-hyung right? He’s on my basketball team.”

I nodded, not believing my luck. I forgot they were friends for a moment. Whoops.

“Great. Are you okay going home on your own? I don’t want hyung to kill me if his BFF gets hurt.”

My cheeks heated up and I bit my lip. “It’ll be fine Sehun. I should be okay.” Shy Lina was back.

He interlaced his fingers with mine and I felt my heartbeat speed up. “No way. I’d rather see you home safe than let you go on your own, not knowing if you got back unharmed. Which way captain?”

 

I pouted, knowing I was losing this argument. I exhaled, pointed down the street, and we eventually ended up in front of my house.

“Woah. Your house is so pretty~ Just like you,” He said, muttering the last part.

“T-thanks?” Why are you shaking up my heart?

He turned to me with a grin, “I’d love to get to know you better, Lina. You seem like a really sweet person. I’ll see you and Mark-hyung tomorrow.”

He patted my head and handed me a sheet of paper with a number scrawled on it. He grinned, waved and started off down the street. I touched my hand to my chest, where my heart was still beating rapidly. What just happened?

 

After opening up the front door, I squinted through the dim-lighting.

Looks like no one’s home.

I felt around in the dark for the light switch and turned on the lights, shutting the door behind me. My phone buzzed, the screen lighting up.

Incoming text from *“Mark-ge”.

It read; “Hey Lina~ I see you’ve asked Sehunnie to eat with us, all on your own. I’m so proud of you Li. >.<”

A smile tugged on the corners of my lips and I hastily typed a response.

 

We texted back and forth, I bid him goodnight, wolfed down my dinner and quickly finished my homework. I shot Sehun a text that said, “Hey, it’s Lina. I can’t wait for tomorrow. Good night~ ^^” I jumped in the shower, the hot water felt amazing. I grinned to myself, it wasn’t often I felt that comfortable in front of someone I rarely talked to, aside from the exception of Mark. I flopped onto my bed and as I glanced at my phone, and saw a new text. It said; “Hey Lina! Haha thanks. I can’t wait either. I’ll see you and Mark-hyung's tomorrow. Sleep well! :D”. I grinned at my phone stupidly, feeling a lot better after seeing Sehun’s answer. I removed Marks bracelet and traced the inscription again. I smiled to myself.

Mark must be an angel in disguise.

I set in down on the bedside table and settled down on my bed. The image of Sehun's flushed face made heat rise to my own cheeks.

Big day tomorrow Lina. Remember, be yourself. I sighed. I think I understand what Mark means now, when he says; “You’re perfect the way you are.”

*Hyung is a word used by korean males to address another male older than them who they are close to.

*Oppa is a respectful Korean term used by females to call older males such as older male friends or older brothers.

*Ge/gege (哥哥) is what people call their older brother in Chinese. Lina and Mark are Chinese, but they go to a school in Korea, so they speak in chinese when alone because they find it more comfortable.

*A queenka is the most popular girl in school. They’re usually most respected and can be nasty to “lower class” people.

by Selina