Aera's P.O.V

They didn't stop talking to me. After class, I packed up my things as quickly as possible, but Namjoon caught up to me as I hurried out of the classroom.

"Where's your next class?" He asked.

With a frown, I handed him my schedule. Just take it. May as well.

"Oh, we have the same class," he said, my head started to ache. "But I'm in a higher level," he continued haughtily.

"Mm. Too bad," I lied, snatching my schedule back. Thank you.

"We should sit together at lunch," he suggested.

"Why?" I found myself asking.

"Why not? You haven't met anyone else other than my friends. And I am the class president."

"Yes, you've mentioned that," I said, but he was walking away.

"Anyway, I'll see you at lunch!" He said with a wave.

"The lunch I never agreed to? Okay," I replied quietly, knowing he couldn't hear me, not that he would care.

••••••

"How's your first day been going?" Hoseok asked.

"Fine," I said, shoving a large bite of food into my mouth.

I didn't know why I was sitting there. I had sort of just ended up with them.

"Tell us again why you moved here?"

I swallowed and took a gulp of water.

"My grandpa lives alone. So we moved in with him. He's old." I tried not to sound too annoyed.

"What about your grandmother?" Taehyung asked.

I was silent, though I knew this question was coming. I turned down to my legs and squeezed my eyes shut for a second.

"She--uh," I shook my head and looked up again. "She passed away last year."

An awkward silence passed over the table, one that I'd been expecting. With a sigh, I began eating again.

"Oh...I'm sorry," Taehyung said.

I nodded to him in reply, seeing as how I couldn't exactly talk with the load of food in my mouth. They were quiet again, but soon enough fell into a steady chatter that didn't involve me. Grateful, I ate in peace. As we cleaned up however, a random thought came to mind.

"Um, Namjoon?" I said.

"Yeah?" He turned to me quickly, probably surprised I'd actually said his name.

"You know all of the students, at least in our grade, right?"

"Of course. I am the cl--"

"Yes, yes, I know, the class president."

He looked away sheepishly.

"Would you happen to know a certain person, who may go here?" I continued.

I knew the idea of him attending was pretty ridiculous, but I was getting desperate for explanation.

"What does he look like?" He asked.

"Um. Dark hair..." I trailed off.

"And..." He frowned.

"Never mind, just forget it." I walked away, towards the trash can.

There was no way he went to Danwon Academy.

••••••

Of course, Namjoon ended up in my last class, and followed me as I walked to my locker.

"So, do you actually have a boyfriend?" He asked suddenly.

I frowned in confusion and turned to him. Why are you bringing that up?

"Why? What does it matter to you?"

"I-I'm just curious." He rolled his eyes and turned away.

"Okay..." I opened my locker and began to pack up. "Don't you have to go to your locker?"

"Oh. Right, um. Can you just wait here?" He asked, backing away with his eyes on me. "Just a minute."

I shook my head and slung my backpack around my shoulders.

"Sorry, class president. I'm going home."

I walked out of the school entrance in huge relief. I had survived my first day at school. I stretched my arms as I walked down the steps, my pace quickening as I got to the parking lot. There was no way Namjoon would follow me, right? I didn't want to take any chances, so I practically ran towards my home. I wondered why he was so clingy as I slowed down, nearing a stoplight.

I completely stopped when I saw who was standing across the street. Him. I gulped and stared back at him. It was the closest I'd ever been to him. And now I could see his eyes better. They watched me with interest, curiosity. For some reason, I didn't feel as rigid as I had before. The light changed, and the people around me began crossing the street, but I stood still. He seemed to notice the light change too, because he glanced towards the light and then back to me, giving me a small nod. Then turning and walking away. It was the first time we actually had a sort of interaction. I didn't cross the street until the next light change. Confusion followed me the whole way home.