In Between

Chapter 2

Vivian Pov.

It's been a week since I started attending university, and I'd say I'm slowly making adjustments to things as they come. I'm Vivian, and there's no reason to give up – I need to work hard for my famil, I'm their only hope, and I couldn't disappoint them.

As I sat inside the cafeteria, reviewing yesterday's lectures, I suddenly felt someone's gaze on me, which prompted me to glance around and find him eyeing me.

The hell! who he is? and why he gazing at me?

Is he a Stalker or something? how about a flirt pervert guy? omg!! noooo way!!!

Someone help me with that guy!

Yes, again my overthinking side kicked in, and you couldn't blame me for it, given my tendencies. Aside from studying, I'd developed a love for reading books - particularly novels and short stories, which, while connected to my studies, but mostly brought me personal enjoyment.

Well, I must mention another thing about me, so be grateful to know me, everyone...

Soon he seemed to decide to approach me.

Oh my, are you serious? Why does this guy seem interested in me? What should I do now?"

Well, even though I'm not exactly the kind of gorgeous lady, I still have average looks, aside from that, I have a sense of humor, but I often tend to overact.

"Hi, sorry if I made you uncomfortable, but... can I ask?" His voice reached my ears, and I looked at him for a while, contemplating what words I should utter. "Hey, are you okay?" I heard him speak again, which made me realize I'd stared at him like a fool for too long.

The f**k!

"Oh, sorry. What things do you want to ask about?" I replied curtly, not looking at him, as I had no intention of entertaining anyone. "Can... I have your notes?" he stated shyly, which made me glance at him and place a confused expression on my face.

Don't tell me were classmates?.... arent we?!..

"Are we classmates?" I asked, which made him crack up into a smile as he looked at me. "No, we're not, but since we have the same subject... so I asked you. By the way, I'm a transfer student," he said, which made me hum in response as I took out the notes he needed. Well, I didn't mind him particularly, but the fact that he's a transfer student here, I cared about him in terms of his studies, because learning and studying are such important parts of every person's life. So, it couldn't hurt to let him borrow my notes.

"Here. Just give it back when you're done."

"So... can I see you more often?" he said, chuckling, which made me throw some glares at him before composing myself into my usual serious expression. "Stop being flirty and focus on studying," I said, taking my way out and leaving the cafeteria.

I don't have any plans to entertain anyone.

But how could I settle into talking to a stranger? And letting him borrow my notes just like that? Could someone explain to me what's happening?! "Well, darling, as you've said you cared about him in terms of study, that's why you let him. Am I right?" Who are you? "I'm your thoughts." Whatever.

I snapped out of that bunch of thoughts, composed myself again, and headed to the room, sitting properly in my seat as the next subject was about to start, which meant I needed to pay full attention to the discussion.

**************

It is the third day of this second week. As I walk at a steady pace going home, I know Dada could scold me if I didn't follow her curfew time - that's one of her rules. Well, if I had a choice to rent a condo elsewhere, I would usually do so, but the fact is my allowance can't afford renting another condo here around Busan that's near the university. I should say I need to suffer.

"Hey!" As I walked, I heard a voice behind me, which made me take my steps at a steady pace, knowing who it was.

It's the same guy at the cafeteria, Why did he annoy me?

Not minding him, I continued walking at the same pace. Somehow, it also caused me to catch my breath. I didn't have a choice but to avoid him. I didn't know him anyway - he was just a stranger I'd instantly met.

"Hey, don't walk like you're in a marathon. Chill out." He added, trying to surpass my steps, which made me feel irritated with him. "Can you just leave me alone?" I managed to utter, portraying myself as being pissed off at him. Like, how could he do this? We're still strangers, right?

"Don't be so rude... By the way, I'm Theo," he said, smiling at me as I took a quick glance at him. When I was out of breath, catching my breath and feeling exhausted from walking in a rush, I stopped myself in my tracks and inhaled and exhaled. Once my breathing slowly returned to normal, I threw glares at him, which made him stare at me, displaying a confused expression.

"Why are you following me? Are you a stalker?"

"Me? With this handsome face, a stalker?" He said, bursting out in chuckles, staring at me.

"Couldn't you blame me?"

"Well, I'd apologize for that, but... the thing is, can I join you walking home?"

"Are you kidding me?" I asked him, wondering how he could ask a favor like we're close.

"Obviously not?"

"Why did you do this whole thing?" I said, asking him straightly, as I couldn't bear him around me. Well, if you look at him, he seems nice, as well as his physical features, which are neat - he has wavy blonde hair, a pointed nose, plump lips, and his perfect tanned skin complexion. But even so, he's still a stranger, so I don't think I should give him any entertainment.

"Nothing, I just want to be friends with you."

"But I don't want to be, sorry." I said without looking at him, then took my way again while he again followed me, surpassing my pace.

"No need to be so serious, I'm harmless."

"Do you think I'd care?" I replied to him. Without throwing a glance at him.

"Well, I think so. What's your name, anyway?"

"No."

"Oh, come on, I'm sure your name is beautiful. So, can I know?"

"What about I beat you?" I said sarcastically, glaring at him, then turned my back again, taking myself away. His personality is kind of pestering.

**************

I headed inside, taking myself straight to my room, as I didn't see Dada waiting for me at the doorstep. Well, it's not usual that Dada didn't scold me and wait for me today? "Phew! Basically, she's not around!" I know, so don't you dare scold me!.

As I headed inside the room, I made my way towards the bed and then plopped my body onto it. As I felt the whole day was tiresome, it made my eyes close for a while, and I meditated my mind to do some assignments for tomorrow later, after I took a bit of rest. Soon, I heard my phone buzzing, indicating that someone may have called or texted me. As I grabbed my phone from inside the bag and opened the screen, the caller ID flashed, prompting me to answer.

[On the phone]

"Hello, Ma?"

"Hello, Vivian, how are you doing? Are you good there in Busan?"

"Yes, Ma, I am."

"Uhm... Vivian I'm sorry. I can't send your allowance for this week, our restaurant is weak in terms of customers."

I took a sigh hearing my mom on the other line, indicating that I needed to budget my remaining allowance firmly to make it last until the other week. But how could I complain? It's not like anything would change if I did. Well, as you know, we have a small business - it's like a small eatery, or small resturant.

"It's okay, Ma, I'll get my salary this week."

"Are you sure? You'll be fine there?"

Well, honestly, it's not okay, but I needed to lie to my mom so they wouldn't worry. As I know they're having a hard time now.

"Yes, Ma, don't worry about me. Anyway, where's Papa?"

"He's at work, but he'll be home later. Why? Do you want to talk to him? I can call you later when he gets home."

"No need, Ma, it'll be next time."

"Alright, take care of yourself, Vivian, okay? If you have problems, just call us, hmm?"

"Yes, Ma, I'm hanging up now, I have assignments to do. Bye, and take care of both of you."

Once we were done, I hung up the call, putting myself in a sitting position and taking steps towards my study table to do my work.

***************

It was Friday, the last day of the third week of school, and she was heading home now. As she walked into the cold night street, she could observe the city lights, vehicles passing throughout the road, some people roaming around, and some crowded restaurants. Well, that scenery was usual to her, as she observed all of them when heading home. This week had passed, and she could say that she was now adapting to her routine as a college student. Also, this week had passed, and she wasn't able to feel his presence - yes, she didn't have any interaction with that stranger guy whom she considered an annoyance to her. And it was a good thing for her, as she could now focus on studying without any distractions.

"Good thing he's not around me this week," she uttered under her breath, walking and sniffing the fresh cold air that made her shiver, placing a smile on her lips in enjoyment. But somehow, she grew to think about the reason why this stranger guy popped out like a bubble.

Did I become too hard on him? "Well, you seemed" But I'm just being honest. "But you didn't need to be that hard on him." So, he's on your side now? "What if yes? Could you complain? Well, Vivian, may I remind you that we have a conscience, that's why you feel guilty now about being harsh on him!" So, you mean that I need to apologize to him? "Of course! For us not to think much." What if I don't want to? "Then he'll stick in your head, living in guilt." The hell! How can my thoughts go on his side? Is it my fault that I'm just being honest? Is it my fault that I don't have a choice but to avoid him? Is it my fault when I choose to stay focused and not give entertainment? Is it really my fault now?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Fine... it's my fault! That aside, of so much reason, I shouldn't have been hard on him. Yeah, I admit it!

Snapping out of her thoughts, she stopped in front of the kimchi stall - well, she had been craving kimchi since yesterday. "Ma'am, can I have one order of kimchi, please?" She uttered while the old lady prepared her order, rubbing her hands to generate heat as the cold night touched her skin. Out of her notice, some figure stood next to her, making her think that it was also a customer buying kimchi. She shoved herself aside to make way for the man standing next to her.

She let out a gasp when she heard the man speak, and the familiar voice reaching her ears made her take a glance towards him, finding the stranger guy again and displaying a surprised expression seeing him once more. As the man turned his back and met her gaze, he placed a surprised expression seeing her also at this coincidental moment.

***************

To be continued........