C-8
I didn't know that silence can be so loud.
We're sitting beside each other like normal seatmates, but no one's talking. I gave him what he wanted but everything's far from being peaceful because it's so awkward and it's only been a day. I wonder how I'll survive this setup for the rest of the school year.
I steal a glance from my peripheral view and see him yawning. I slap my mouth when I accidentally yawn too, catching his attention. I blush when our eyes meet and we hurriedly look away. Minho clears his throat while I avert my eyes in front.
This is awkward!
A few minutes pass and our English teacher arrives. I sigh and brace myself for another day of the Cold War.
"Good day, class. You may submit your works now," Mr. Li says.
I'm about to stand up when Minho suddenly takes my paper. He doesn't look at me and just straight up walks in front to pass our essays. I mutter a small thanks when he gets back and he nods a little in response.
Oh god! How long are we going to do this?
"Can anyone in this class tell me the meaning of the poem 'Enchanted'?" Mr. Li asks.
"Sir! It's sugar, spice, and everything nice in one," Felix answers which earns a laugh from the class.
"Well, that's not wrong." The teacher chuckles. "We can all have different interpretations when it comes to poems as they are written to tell stories we can decipher in our own understanding, but what I'm looking for is the gist on why it's called 'Enchanted'."
"Sir." Seungmin raises his hand first before speaking. "It's about the feeling of euphoria that might've only lasted for a short moment, but will stay in the heart and mind for so much longer."
"That's a good point, too!" He smiles. "I see that you've all been studying and I'm very proud. Now, let's see if your interpretations align with the poem and let me discuss 'Enchanted' by T. Swift. The poem narrates..."
I'm paying attention because the author is really great. It's a story about a girl who's tired of her very mundane and normal life, but that all changed when she met a boy. She's wonderstruck and all that she could think of was the feeling of it when she was with him.
Wait a second... Why does it feel familiar?
"There's a line that says 'these are the words I held back as I was leaving too soon, I was enchanted to meet you'..."
The class 'aww' in unison at the sad twist of the poem and our teacher laughs at our reactions.
"I know, right?! Can you imagine the chance that was lost by holding back? So if you have something to say but your fear is holding you back, just do it! The nerves are momentary, but not all chances are unlimited. You don't know what life has in store for you."
"Ahem, just say it, ahem!" Felix seconds.
"Okay, listen up." Mr. Li clasps his hands together. "For today's activity, I'm instructing you to think of someone and write whatever you want to say to that person on a sheet of paper. No limits and go all out if you want, take it off your chest. Go!"
I'm just staring at the paper on my desk as my hand hovers over it. I know who I'm writing to, but I don't really know what to say.
Here goes nothing!
I position my pen to write when my arm suddenly bumps with Minho's.
"I didn't mean to--"
"I know," he says and uses his right hand instead.
I'm in awe for a moment because I didn't know he was ambidextrous, but it turns into a pout when I realise that I still know nothing about him. Here I am wanting to be friends with a person I know nothing about and getting rejected in a harsh way.
I sigh and start writing.
Dear Minho,
I'm sorry I was too pushy, I just really wanted to be your friend. Don't worry, I won't bother you anymore! Please know that I don't think you're a bad guy, I just got scared because of the rumours. You looked really cool putting those thugs in their places, by the way! Thanks again.
Sincerely, Y/n
I just doodle cats and flowers on the paper whilst waiting for further instructions, he won't read it anyway.
"Are you done? If so, exchange papers with your seatmate and just pretend they're the person you wrote to."
My eyes widen as I look at the teacher in shock. I can hear some of my classmates complain too.
"Come on! You'll get a perfect score or do you want to write a poem and read it in front instead?"
I bite my lower lip as I feel my whole face heats up. This is embarrassing!
Minho scoffs as he snatches the paper from my grasp.
"I-I'm not ready yet!"
"Me neither, but did I complain?" He raises a brow.
I'm about to duck my head in shame when he halfheartedly puts his paper on top of it. I look at him but he immediately looks away to read mine, so I do the same thing.
To that scaredy-cat crybaby,
Maybe I was harsh but at least I got my point across. It's not my fault that she cried because she had it coming. Ignoring me then asking to be friends? What a clown... But I guess I was too harsh and judgmental? What a hypocrite... How do people apologise and why the hell am I writing this piece of shit anyway?
From LMH
Wow.
I can't hide the surprise on my face when I finish reading his thoughts. I turn to Minho and he rolls his eyes at my reaction.
"Apology accepted."
"I never apologised?"
"I just want to forgive you."
"You shouldn't have read that." He sighs.
"Does this mean we're friends now?" I ask expectantly.
"Nice try." He smirks.
I pout at my failed attempt once again. "At least I tried."
It's like the gloom surrounding us is lifted and it becomes sunny again. Even though we're still not friends, I feel like the widened gap between us has returned to normal. The silence isn't awkward anymore and I finally feel like I have a seatmate instead of a cold statue beside me.
Minho clears his throat as he combs through his tousled hair. "You can go back to the rooftop if you want, I won't mind."
"Sure?"
"Sure."
That is all it takes to bring a smile to my face.
Minho is worth it.