Yuri

I stood in front of the mirror, holding up two different outfits—both casual, both totally fine, but somehow neither looked right.

"It’s not a date, Yuri. It’s just a party," I told my reflection, tossing the cream sweater onto the bed.

But my heart wouldn’t shut up. It kept reminding me of him. The kiss. Of his eyes flickering to my lips. Of the text that ended his text. Stupid.

In the end, I went with the first outfit I tried on. Brown corduroy pants and a white off-shoulder blouse. Comfortable and safe!

I wasn’t dressing for Jungwon, I told myself.

Liar.

———

Maya’s house was already buzzing by the time I arrived. Fairy lights zigzagged across the ceiling, warm and soft, casting glows on everyone’s cheeks.

Music played in the background—loud enough to energize, soft enough for conversation.

A crowd of familiar classmates mingled near the snacks, cups in hand, smiles easy and natural.

“Yuri!” Maya appeared beside me, grabbing my hand dramatically. “You actually came! And on time?! I’m emotional.”

I laughed as she pulled me into a brief hug. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Well, you look super pretty,” she whispered in a fake jealous tone. “Now get in there before I cry harder.”

I smiled and walked in, eyes scanning the room.

No sign of Jungwon.

Yet.

I found a quiet spot near the couch and sipped on the juice Maya handed me. A few people said hi—Rin even gave me a small wave before heading toward Sunghoon.

It felt like a normal party as usual. Like things were finally slowing down after the chaos of dreams and powers and confusion.

Then I felt it.

A presence.

I turned slightly—heart already racing—and there he was, like some dumb movie scene, stepping in through the door with his hands in his pockets.

Casual black shirt, slightly tousled hair, that unreadable expression he always wore.

Jungwon.

Our eyes met. He smiled showing that cute dimple of his and waved at me before walking straight towards me.

“Hey,” he said, low and smooth. “You came.”

“I said I would, didn’t I?”

He shrugged. “Didn’t mean I believed you.”

I nudged him with my elbow. “Well, now you know.” We both laughed.

He leaned against the wall beside me, just enough space between us to keep me from combusting on the spot. “You look nice.”

I glanced at him, surprised. “Oh uh thanks?”

“You nervous?” he asked.

“Huh?”

He nodded toward the room. “Crowds. Loud music. Lights. Not really your vibe, right?”

I blinked. How did he—?

“Yeah… not really,” I admitted.

He gave a small hum.

We stood like that for a moment—shoulders nearly brushing, watching everyone else talk and laugh and dance under the lights.

“Wanna get some air?” he asked suddenly.

I paused, then nodded.

———

We found a quiet balcony at the side of the house. It overlooked the neighborhood—quiet streets, a few porch lights on, the occasional bark of a distant dog.

The air was cool, refreshing against my skin.

Jungwon leaned on the railing beside me. “I hate loud parties,” he said.

“I’m shocked you even came.”

“Sunghoon dragged me,” he muttered. “Said I needed to stop being lowkey.”

I snorted. “He’s not wrong.”

We shared a small laugh, and then silence settled in again.

“I meant what I said,” he murmured after a while.

I glanced at him. “About what?”

“You looking nice.”

The way he said it—soft, almost reluctant—made my chest ache a little. I didn’t know how to respond, so I just nodded, feeling my face warm.

Then something cold touched my wrist.

His fingers.

“Your bracelet’s twisted,” he said, adjusting the charm without looking at me. “There. Fixed.”

I didn’t move. I couldn’t. He was too close. The way the light hit his profile, the softness in his voice, the gentleness of that small action—

“I’m not used to this,” I said quietly.

“To what?”

“Someone being… this.”

He didn’t respond right away. From my peripheral vision, I could see the way his lips slightly quirked amusingly, “Ill make you used to it.”

I looked at him. He looked like he wanted to say more. Maybe needed to.

But his phone buzzed.

He glanced down at it. His brows furrowed for a split second before he slipped the phone back into his pocket.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Just Sunghoon.”

I didn’t think much of it.

———

An hour later, the party was in full swing. I’d rejoined Maya and the others inside, sipping soda and playing stupid games with half-drunk classmates.

But my head started to throb.

It was subtle at first—just a dull pulse behind my eyes. Then it grew heavier, like something pressing against my temples.

I sat down, hand to my forehead.

“You good?” Maya asked.

“Yeah, I just—need a minute.”

I stood, weaving through people and stepping outside again. The air helped a little, but the pounding in my head didn’t stop.

I should go home.

I pulled out my phone.

Three missed calls from Dad.

My chest tightened.

No.

Not tonight.

But the buzzing returned almost instantly. His name flashing again. And again. And again.

I pressed my back against the wall, blinking fast. Don’t cry. Not here. Not now.

“Yuri?”

I turned, startled. Sunghoon.

His expression shifted immediately. Concern. Alarm. Something more.

“You don’t look okay.”

“I’m fine,” I whispered, even though my legs felt weak.

“Did someone call you?”

I didn’t answer.

He glanced at my phone screen. His jaw clenched.

“Was it your dad?”

My silence must’ve said enough.

He stepped closer. “Did he… do something?”

“No. I’m just—tired. It’s fine.”

“Yuri.”

I looked up, and for a second, I couldn’t hide it. Not the fear. Not the ache. Not the exhaustion that came from always pretending.

“I need to go home,” I said.

But he caught my wrist gently. “Wait.”

“I’ll be okay,” I lied.

And I walked off before either of us could say more.

———

Somewhere behind me, I knew Sunghoon was pulling out his phone.

Knew who he was calling.

Because not even ten minutes later, as I stepped outside the party gates, the air thick and heavy, I heard a quiet voice from behind me.

“Yuri.”

I turned.

Jungwon.

Breathing a little fast. Frowning a little too deeply.

“I’m walking you home.”

────୨ৎ────

Word count : 1075
SOTD : Blockbuster by Enhypen

Author's Yap:

-Bro the flood here is CRAZY
-I actually have no direction for where the story is going and im just going with the flow at this point--
-Jungwon’s pov next 🙈
-Are yall a fan of horror?