In that chaos, they lost balance and fell onto the bed.
Evi landed first, her back hitting the mattress.
Before she could react, Herry shifted his weight, turning her onto the bed as he ended up over her, one hand braced beside her shoulder.
Evi's brows tightened as she pushed against his chest.
Evi (tense): "What are you doing?"
Herry didn't respond.
His silence only made it worse.
Evi tried harder to push him away, her movements growing desperate, but he didn't move.
Her breathing turned uneven.
She opened her mouth, about to scream—
but before she could—
Herry leaned closer.
Closer.
Too close.
Their faces were inches apart.
Evi's eyes widened in shock.
He tried to kiss her—
and in the next second, she kicked him hard.
Herry jerked back instantly, clutching himself in pain as his balance broke.
For a brief moment, everything froze.
Evi scrambled up, her hands trembling, tears forming in her eyes, and ran out without looking back.
Herry's mother turned at the sudden movement, confusion flashing across her face.
Mother (shocked): "Evi?! What happened?!"
But Evi didn't stop.
She ran straight out.
His mother's expression hardened as she turned toward Herry.
She stepped closer, eyes fixed on him.
Mother (sharp): "What did you do?"
Herry looked away, his jaw tightening.
Silence.
Mother (firm): "Why was she crying?"
He still didn't answer.
Mother (cold): "This is the second time she's cried because of you."
The words hit.
Herry's gaze dropped slightly, guilt settling in.
Without saying anything, he walked out and headed straight to her house.
He knocked once.
Then again.
No response.
The door opened slightly, and her mother stood there.
She looked at him carefully.
Mother (stern): "She doesn't want to see you."
A pause.
Mother: "What happened to her? Why did she come crying from your house?"
Herry stood there in silence, unable to answer.
His hands clenched slightly at his sides.
After a moment, he stepped back.
Maybe… she needed time.
He was still thinking about how to apologise when his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
It was his teacher.
Teacher: "Your group needs to submit the assignment description."
Teacher: "I tried calling Evi, but she didn't pick up, so I called you."
Herry (low): "I'll send it by tomorrow."
The call ended.
He stood still for a moment, staring at his phone.
Then a thought crossed his mind.
This could be a way to meet her.
The next day, Rex called Evi.
After a few rings, she picked up.
Evi held the phone close, her voice quieter than usual.
Evi (quiet): "Why did you call me?"
Rex leaned back slightly, keeping his tone steady.
Rex: "Don't you want to work on the assignment?"
Evi hesitated for a second.
Evi: "Oh… yeah."
Rex: "Let's meet at the library at 10 a.m. Don't be late."
Evi: "Okay."
The call ended.
Rex reached the library early and sat down, his fingers tapping lightly against the table.
Each time the door opened, his eyes lifted—
but when someone finally walked in, his expression fell slightly.
It was Herry.
Rex straightened a little, his tone flat.
Rex: "Come."
Herry sat down across from him, both of them silent.
After a few minutes, Evi walked in.
Her steps slowed for a brief second when she noticed Herry—
but she looked away and continued forward.
She sat beside Rex, deliberately avoiding Herry.
Leaning back slightly in her chair, she spoke casually.
Evi (light, slightly off): "Why today? We could've done it later… there are still many vacation days left."
Rex glanced briefly at Herry before answering.
Rex: "Herry called me."
Evi's eyes flickered toward Herry for a moment, then shifted away again.
Rex continued, "He said the teacher asked for the description by today at 3 p.m., so we decided to meet."
Evi: "Oh…"
Rex looked between them.
Rex: "So, what ideas do you have?"
Evi and Herry spoke at the same time—
Evi & Herry: "Ideas about what?"
They both stopped.
A brief, awkward silence settled.
Evi looked down for a moment, a small, awkward smile forming.
Rex: "For the assignment."
Evi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Evi (slightly embarrassed): "I hadn't really thought about it…"
Rex's expression tightened slightly.
Rex: "Then why did you make the group if you didn't even have an idea?"
Evi shrugged lightly.
Evi: "You're a topper, right?"
Rex: "Yeah…"
Evi smiled faintly.
Evi: "That's why I chose you."
Rex's heart ached.
His fingers curled slightly against the table, but he stayed silent.
Evi leaned a little closer, concern showing on her face.
Evi: "What happened, Rex? Are you not feeling well?"
She opened her water bottle and held it out to him.
He took it quietly and drank.
On the other side, Herry watched everything in silence, his jaw tightening as he suppressed his anger.
After that, Rex suggested an idea for the assignment.
Both of them agreed, and Herry took responsibility for sending it to the teacher.
But Rex's thoughts kept repeating—
How could she use me just for an assignment…
Before they parted ways, Evi looked at Rex.
She shifted her weight slightly, sounding more casual again.
Evi: "Do you want to play badminton with me on Tuesday?"
Rex didn't look at her.
He adjusted his bag strap, voice flat.
Rex: "I have to study."
Evi paused, a hint of disappointment crossing her face.
Evi: "Okay… no problem."
Rex turned and started walking away.
Evi lifted her hand slightly.
Evi: "Bye—"
He heard her.
But he didn't respond.
Didn't turn back.
He just kept walking.