Noori's POV
My alarm was buzzing like crazy. I groaned as I tried to turn it off.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!"
I turned to my right and found my mom — hair tied up in a loose bun, toothbrush still in her mouth.
"Five more minutes!" I groaned again, covering my whole body with the blanket.
Mom yanked the blanket off aggressively. "Come on! It's junior year! Aren't you excited to see your friends?"
"Mom, it's 5 a.m.! Lemme get some sleep!"
"Well, the way from here to college is pretty long, soooooo—better get up now."
I groaned at her response.
"Or shall I call Yeji to come here with a frying pan just to get you up?"
"Okay, okay, fine!" I finally sat up, eyes still half-asleep.
"That's my girl," Mom said with a satisfied grin before leaving the room.
I got up, got ready and had breakfast before going to school
Fast forward to the bus stop.
I was so lost in my music that I didn't even realize someone sat next to me.
Lee Minoh.
Well, we call him Lino.
We're in the same friend group, but it's always been kinda awkward between us. No clue why.
I kept listening to my playlist when he suddenly took one of my earbuds and put it in his ear.
I didn't even mind—until Whiplash by NCT 127 started playing.
Of course, that part had to come on, and all my free skips were used up for the day.
"So, you like listening to this kind of music?" he asked with a smirk.
"Uh, not really. I don't focus on the words… just the sounds," I said quickly.
His smirk grew even wider.
Goodness. What did I even say to make him smirk like that? My brain started replaying my words, and that's when I realized how close we were sitting. Our legs were brushing.
Okay, fine, the seat was small—but why did it suddenly feel like there wasn't enough air to breathe?!
I tried to ignore it.
When the bus finally stopped (about time, my brotha ), I wanted to get down ASAP. But everyone was already crowding the aisle. And this man? He didn't move an inch.
Worse—he moved closer.
"I tend to let everyone else move first," he said, smiling that cute smile.
CUTE? NO, NO, NO, NOORI—WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!
Wait… why was my heart beating faster?! I'm not getting butterflies—I'm just hungry, right?
"Uh sure, I don't mind," I said awkwardly, forcing a smile.
My stomach twisted as I looked into his eyes.
We finally got down, and I decided to start a conversation.
"So, I know we aren't really that close, but—"
"I wanna keep it that way."
I blinked.
Before I could even question what he meant, he walked away like nothing happened.
Weird.
I was walking through the hall alone when I heard a familiar voice.
"Yah, Noori! Forgot about us already?"
I turned around to see Yeji and Hyunjin waving.
I smiled and immediately ran to hug Yeji while fake crying.
"What's wrong?" she laughed.
"Junior year started and I didn't get enough sleep," I whined dramatically.
Yeji and Hyunjin both cracked up.
When we pulled away, Hyunjin looked at me and said, "Wow, you weren't kidding, were ya?" He ruffled my hair.
"Ya! Don't have the nerve to flirt with my bestie. She's mine!" Yeji yelled playfully while Hyunjin rolled his eyes. Typical sibling chaos.
Me and Hyunjin had the same first class, while Felix and Yeji were paired together. No clue where the others went.
"First period's math," Hyunjin groaned after checking the timetable.
I sighed. "Good lord, why math first thing in the morning…"
We were both being way too dramatic the entire walk to class. At least we weren't late.
Luckily, Jisung was there too. Han's been my childhood friend since I was, like, five or six? I don't even remember anymore.
I quickly sat next to him, leaving Hyunjin standing there like a lost ferret.
"I guess this is what betrayal feels like," he sighed dramatically, clutching his chest.
Jisung burst out laughing.
"Calm down, drama llama. There's space for you there," I said, pointing to the seat next to the window.
"Seriously?" he groaned.
I just shrugged.
Hyunjin suddenly grabbed my hand, leading me outside like he was about to show me something important—only to rush back in and sit in my place.
I gave him the deadliest death stare known to mankind while both of them were laughing their lungs out.
Whatever. I actually like sitting next to the window anyway.
Math class went by like usual—slow, boring, and full of confusion. Finally, it ended, next was chemistry
I walked into the chemistry classroom and sat next to the window. Again. Don't judge me, okay? I like the view.
I placed my bag on the seat while chatting with a few classmates, when suddenly—the teacher walked in.
Now, this teacher? Strict. Like "you-breathe-too-loud-you're-in-trouble" strict. Not surprising the classroom wasn't full.
After roll call, she announced our seating arrangements.
And guess who I got to sit next to?
Lee Minoh.
I didn't even know he was in this class.
He dropped his bag beside mine and smiled. "We meet again."
"I guess so," I said, trying to sound chill while my heart did parkour in my chest.
He sat down next to me and—oh lord—why are the seats so small? There was literally no space.
Hold up.
There was a little space on his side, yet somehow his shoulder, arm, and maybe half his soul were brushing against mine.
I froze.
He then moved closer—like, actually closer—and I swear my soul left my body.
"Comfortable?" he whispered, just loud enough for me.
"Not really. You're taking up ninety percent of the oxygen here," I hissed.
He chuckled softly. "Maybe you're just too close."
I whispered-yelled, "I'm literally glued to the wall right now!"
He leaned slightly over my desk, pretending to look at the teacher's notes, and our arms brushed again. I definitely felt a spark.
Every time I looked at him, he gave me one of those smug little smirks—like he knew exactly what he was doing.
He leaned back, resting his chin on his hand,trying to focus. Every so often, he shifted just slightly closer under the desk, and my stomach did somersaults.
"Don't pretend you're not noticing me," he whispered once, just low enough that my ears burned.
"I'm… totally focused," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.
Yeah, right. My brain? Long gone. My heart? On fire. My soul? Definitely MIA
after what felt like a year, the class was over. Now, we had dance practice
Now, I actually LOVE dance! It has been my hobby since I learnt to walk. There are not many people in dance tho. But I'm happy yeji is there along with felix, ryujin and hyunjin. That's pretty much all I know. I walked into the practice room,
The practice room smelled like wood polish and sweat — basically, home.
Music was already blasting from the speakers, and Felix was in the middle of doing… whatever move that was supposed to be.
"Felix, that's not the choreography!" Ryujin yelled over the music.
Felix just grinned. "It is now!"
Yeji facepalmed while Hyunjin laughed so hard he almost fell. I couldn't help but join in. This was exactly why I loved dance — it never felt like a class. It was chaos with rhythm.
I tossed my bag in the corner and tied my hair into a bun. "Alright, what are we doing today?"
Ryujin clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright! Today we're starting with the new choreography. It's a group dance, so focus, please."
"Focus?" Felix snorted. "Never heard of her."
"Felix," Yeji warned.
He immediately stood straight, grinning. "Ma'am, yes ma'am!"
I couldn't help but laugh. These people were my chaos, and I loved them.
We lined up and the music started. The beat hit hard — fast, sharp movements mixed with smooth turns. It felt good. I could feel my heartbeat syncing with the rhythm, the floor vibrating beneath my shoes.
Hyunjin spun past me with that overconfident grin, and Yeji smacked his shoulder mid-turn. "Stay in your spot, show-off!"
I nearly tripped from laughing. "You two are like an old married couple."
"Oh please," Yeji rolled her eyes. "You're worse when you dance next to Felix."
"I just happen to be talented!" Felix said dramatically, hair flipping in slow motion.
Ryujin groaned. "Can we please get through this routine once without a comedy show?"
We tried again — and honestly, it went well this time. The mirror reflected all of us moving together in rhythm, and for a second, I felt that rush again — the one that reminds me why I love dance in the first place.
When the song ended, we all collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air and laughing like idiots.
"Not bad," Ryujin said, wiping her forehead. I was lying flat on the floor, out of breath.
"Break time!" Ryujin shouted, and I swear angels started singing.
Now that it's break, I might as well see who survived.
Felix was face-down like a corpse. "Leave me here," he muttered. "This is my new home."
Hyunjin was sitting cross-legged, staring dramatically at the ceiling. "Why do we dance… if gravity always wins?"
"Because you like spinning like a Beyblade," Yeji said, throwing her towel at him.
Ryujin was drinking water like she just came back from a desert war, and I was on the floor questioning all my life choices.
Then suddenly— thud!
I turned to see Felix on the ground again, laughing hysterically. "I tried standing up too fast—"
"Sit down before you break something!" Ryujin yelled, already done with everyone's nonsense.
That's when Lee Minoh walked past me and tripped over Felix's leg. He didn't fall, but he did stumble… right into me, hovering over me
BAM.
My water bottle went rolling away dramatically like it had somewhere important to be.
I gasped, trying not to laugh.
He blinked at me, still hovering close. "Well… that happened."
"You almost flattened me!" I said, half-laughing, half-dying inside.
Felix was cackling on the floor. "Bro, that was the most romantic fall I've ever seen."
Yeji's jaw dropped. "Felix, shut up!"
"WHAT? I'm just saying—look at them!"
Hyunjin started clapping like an audience member. "Encore! Encore!"
I covered my face with my hands. "I hate all of you."
Lee Minoh was trying not to laugh too, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt. "I'm… sorry?"
"No you're not," I mumbled through my hands.
"Yeah, you're right," he admitted grinning. Ugh, I roll my eyes, grabbing my bottle from where it rolled halfway across the room. "You guys are actual toddlers."
"Correction," Hyunjin said, raising a finger, "we're artistic toddlers."
Felix gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, I'm at least a gifted toddler."
Ryujin facepalmed. "You're all getting detention if our dance teacher would have stayed in here." Oh my gee, he was the reason I skipped dance class to dance
"Good thing he didn't !" Felix said, rolling across the floor like a tumbleweed.
Yeji burst out laughing while I leaned against the mirror, trying to catch my breath again.
That's when Lee Minoh casually kicked Felix's water bottle out of the way and sat down right next to me — again.
"Why do you always sit here?" I asked suspiciously.
He shrugged. "Good lighting."
"Sure," I muttered, sipping my water.
Then he stretched his arm behind me — not touching me, but close enough for my brain to short-circuit for a second.
Hyunjin noticed immediately. "OHHH SOMEONE'S GETTING COMFY—"
Before he could finish, Ryujin chucked a towel at his face. "Everyone shut up and stretch before I lose it!"
"Copy that, captain!" Felix said, saluting with his towel.
I couldn't help but laugh — because honestly, at this point, peace was impossible with this group.
The chaos went on for sometime, and then there was break, for about 30 minutes. I pull my bag out of the class and followed yeji, subconsciously.
"I'm convinced I joined a circus instead of a dance class" she groaned.
I laughed. "I should have known the second hyunjin and felix entered the class" she mumbles.
"You two really are the typical siblings aren't you?" I questioned. "I guess, so…"
her voice drops into a whisper "you wanna talk about what happened back there?" She smirked. I gave a confused expression.
"Oh come on! When Lee minoh was on top of you" she said it in a whisper scream tone
"Stop it! You are making it sound so wrong" I whisper screamed back.
"I mean he was" she shrugged
"he is a friend in our group, what's wrong with that?" I asked
"Gurl, you are so clueless, do you have any idea how he looks at you?"
"he looked at me?" I blushed unknowingly
"Ooooooo, someone is getting shy" yeji teased me
"no, I am not interested" "cuz you like that jerk? Cyrus?"
"um" I froze, fiddling with my fingers
Yeji sighed. "Noori, that guy treats you like an option."
"He doesn't," I tried to argue, but even my voice didn't sound convinced.
"Oh please. He only talks to you when he needs something, and when you stop replying, he guilt-trips you until you say sorry— even when you didn't do anything wrong!"
My throat tightened. "He's just… complicated."
"Yeah," she said flatly. "Complicated is code for toxic."
I looked down at my phone — no messages. He hadn't even bothered to text all day. Still, a part of me kept hoping he would.
Yeji noticed the silence and sighed again. "You deserve better, you know that, right?"
I didn't answer. I didn't know what to say.
Before the silence got heavier, a loud, familiar voice came from behind us.
"YOOO, you two plotting to steal felix's brownies without me?" Hyunjin shouted dramatically, nearly making Yeji drop her water bottle.
"HYUNJIN!" she yelled. "Do you ever not sneak up on people?"
He grinned. "Nope. It's part of my charm." Then he looked at me. "You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost. Or worse— Jisung doing aego… again."
That made me laugh, even if it was small. "I'm fine. Just tired."
"Liar," he said softly, not teasing this time. "You've got that 'thinking too much' face again."
Yeji glanced at him, then at me. "See, even he notices."
"Shut up," I muttered, trying not to smile.
Hyunjin just smirked. "Whoever's making you frown like that, tell me. I'll trip them in the hallway."
"You can't just trip people, Hyunjin," I said, laughing for real this time.
"Watch me," he said proudly.
And just like that, the heaviness disappeared— even if it was just for a moment.