In Between

Chapter 12

"Shit." Red cursed, making Vivian turn her gaze to him, and she approached Red with some worry as she saw him holding the doorknob, and they now both stood in front of the door.

"What's happening?" Red stared at the door for a while, and Vivian followed his gaze before he took a glance at her.

"W-were... s-stuck?" Vivian asked, stuttering, while Red kept eyeing the door.

Is this really happening? We both stuck?... Were stuck together? Omoooo

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Red Pov.

We're staying at the door, resting our backs against it. How could this day be so unlucky? Is this a joke? How could they not notice us? This scene looks foolish, now we're stuck here in the middle of the night, really? How long will it take for them to recognize that somebody occupies this area at the south lounge? How can they close the door without knowing we're still here?

As I let myself observe, the mild darkness engulfed us because the few lights that were on began to fade, knowing that some stuff around the school sets the lights to close automatically when the school is out of use. Her figure came into my sight as I noticed she was acting scared.

Wait... is she scared of the dark? Letting out a sigh, I dared to speak to her, which made her look at me for a while. Seriously, she's going to stare at me instead of talking?

"Are you fine?" I said straightforwardly, as I didn't have any intention but to assure if she was okay or not, after all, I'm now in charge of her because I'm stuck in here with her, so in case something might happen to her, it's definitely my concern.

"Y-yeah." she said, stuttering, looking around.

"Are you scared of the dark?" I dared to ask again, as it was obvious that she definitely is, but she's still keeping herself relaxed, and that's quite a good thing that impressed me about her personality.

Honestly, I really don't mind getting to know her, but since we're stuck, I have a chance to observe her and gather some little information about her. At first, she looks different, I remember the day she dared to approach me, knowing that she wasn't used to going along with people she doesn't know, but still, she kept on doing it and trying beyond her usual self. That's the attitude I like about her, she can stand on her own.

"Y-yes." she uttered, almost in a whisper, as I know she's shy. Well, everyone could feel embarrassed confessing their weaknesses to someone they don't know well, right?

"Don't worry, in some time they'll come for us. Just relax yourself, can you?" I said, looking at her, and she took a glance before slightly nodding her head. As time passed by, it was already midnight, and our phones were out of power. I stood up, feeling the cold, and decided to walk around to find some heat, which made me unintentionally gaze at her. Noticing her keeping herself closed, I paused for a minute, eyeing her, before my feet decided to walk closer to her. I knelt down to be at her level.

Did she feel cold? For some reason, I didn't realize I was staring at her seriously, which made me shake my head, I didn't know what urge was born in me to do such a thing that was out of my zone. I took a step back, stood up, and walked to another table, where I found a small blanket on a bookshelf. I took it and wrapped it around me, feeling warmth as I tried to go back to sleep. Blinking my eyes to compose myself and gain some rest, I suddenly caught a glimpse of her direction out of the corner of my right eye, barely open, seeing her sitting opposite me.

After a while, I decided to take steps approaching her again with the blanket with me, as I didn't have a choice tonight. I know I'm not the type of person who does things like this, but I didn't know what was happening, it's like there's something in me that wants to do such things, and I couldn't control it.

Once I reached her, I pulled the blanket open wide, looking at her, before letting it fall onto her. After that, I rushed back to my place and let myself drift off to dreamland. Honestly, I didn't know what I was doing.

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"So, do you bear being alone here?" Theo commented, occupying the one chair at the dining table while looking at Vivian, who was busy cooking dinner.

As both their classes ended at the same time, and it being Friday, Theo offered her a lift home, as he usually did, and asked Vivian if he could come over to her apartment for dinner, since he was too lazy to cook for himself after a tiring day. Not complaining, Vivian agreed, as it was his first time coming to her apartment, and they hadn't been able to hang out in the past few days, so it wasn't a big deal.

As she remembered she was going with Red to Daegu the next weekend, she thought it was good to have some bonding time with her best friend before getting busy with her thesis.

"Yes, Dada mentioned that she's so busy with her things, so the weeks she's staying there will be extended." she replied while preparing their food.

"I must say it's comfortable here, but... are you really sure you're good living here alone, Vian?" He asked her once again, his tone of voice worrying, as he repeatedly asked about it, making her chuckle.

"Well, even Dada told me that I can find some temporary condo rentals, as she was also worrying about me being alone."

"See, even she sees my point, it's dangerous for you to be alone, Vian. I don't know why you're so stubborn. I insisted you to stay in my place with no fees but you still refuse." he said, standing up and approaching her.

"Anyway, any plans for the weekend?" he said, making her take a glance at him before grabbing the spatula to fry the bulgogi.

"How about we go to the beach? We could build sandcastles," he commented, chuckling, which made her smile and murmur "Childish." earning him a giggle. Soon, Vivian prepared the food at the dining table, and they settled down to start digging into their meals.

"Theo... did I mention Red to you?" She said out of nowhere, allowing herself to observe him before diverting her gaze.

"Yes, you mentioned him seven times now, even before that, we were on the road earlier." Theo replied, enjoying his food, which made her place a shocked expression on her face at his words.

Did I really talk too much about him?... What's happening to you, Vivian! she thought.

"Did I?" She confirmed, making him stare at her confused, but Theo managed to reply nonchalantly, nodding his head, and then refocusing on his food. How can I be thinking about him that much? Is it because I'm excited to be with him in Daegu?... or about the... Insane! How am I supposed to deal with this kind of situation? Crazy...

Theo noticed her staring at her food, which made him smirk and think of something.

"Wait a sec, do you have a crush on him? Didn't you?" he exclaimed, jokingly teasing her.

"What?! Why are you thinking like that, brat! Of course not!" she said, complaining and hitting his arm, which made him burst out laughing.

"Then why did you talk about him often?"

"None of your business." she said, standing up and approaching the sink to put the plates in, then starting to wash the dishes. Not minding him and his teasing, Vivian's thoughts drifted, wondering why Theo thought that kind of thing, is it a big deal if you talk about someone often? Does it have meaning? But she also pinned down some "what ifs," and his face suddenly flashed through her mind.

After she was done with the dishes, they both settled into the living room. Theo was watching TV while she prepared some stuff needed for tomorrow's interviews with Red and does some research. Vivian didn't mind telling him, as it wasn't necessary to tell him anyway.

"Hey Vian, why are you so busy? Don't you want to watch a movie? What movie do you want to watch? Come on over here." he said, glancing at her before paying attention back to the screen, they were watching the Spiderman into the Spider-Verse movie, which was why he wasn't getting off the couch.

"Why don't you help me here instead of asking me to watch TV?" Her words reached his ear, and he let out an exhale before turning his head to glance at her.

"How can I help you with that? I don't know anything about it." he said, smiling, and then turned back to the screen. After that, Vivian somehow paused, contemplating something that hit her mind and realizing one thing.

"What do you mean you don't know anything? Didn't we have the same subjects? I'm sure you know about thesis work, brat." she spoke, continuing to fix something for tomorrow.

"Thesis work didn't used to be part of my law course." he said, paying full attention to the screen. After a while, Theo instantly regretted his words when Vivian quickly replied.

"What? So you mean you're taking a law course? Then the?.... " Theo hurriedly interrupted her, smiling kindly because he knew his sin against her for lying about the scene of their first meet at the cafeteria when he asked for her notes because he said they had the same subject, even though they didn't.

Getting the meaning of his smile, Vivian knew there was something suspicious, but she still placed a confused expression, wondering what the point of all this was.

"Well, I think it's the right time to confess. We didn't really have the same subjects since then, and I made that an excuse to be close to you because you were the first person I saw at the university who I thought I could be friends with. And look how we got? I didn't get it wrong, you're the best person I've met, Vian." he said sincerely, making her feel the same as their gazes met. Somehow, her irritation turned into appreciation of his words, complimenting her being a nice person he had met.

Vivian looked at him sternly, making him lower his head. Soon, a kind smile slipped onto her lips.

"I also appreciate your words, brat. And I'm really glad to have met you that time and still be friends now." Her words reached his ears, making him look up at her with an overwhelmed expression, which made her crack a laugh, finding it weird that he was so overwhelmed.

Now I know everything happens in life, you should appreciate it because it has a purpose, and that's why it happens. She thought herself.

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To be continued......