Yunho leaned casually against the fence near the tennis courts, arms crossed, trying to look cool and confident. He had overheard some whispers, something about Jason backing off after Bella quit the club. Yunho wasn't the type to gossip but this was different. It was about Bella.
He spotted Bella sitting alone on a bench, scrolling through her phone, looking calm but distant. Perfect.
He walked over, trying to sound casual but firm.
"So," Yunho began, smirking a little, "I hear you really gave Jason the buff. Didn't think you had it in you."
Bella's head snapped up, eyes flashing. "What does that even mean?"
Yunho shrugged, trying to keep his cool. "You know. You know how it is. He liked you but you shut him down hard. Guess that's why he's been avoiding you."
Bella's cheeks burned, a mix of anger and embarrassment bubbling up. "Maybe you shouldn't be so sure about things you don't really know."
Yunho laughed softly, still grinning. "Hey, I'm just calling it like I see it. You've got people noticing."
Bella stood up quickly, glaring. "Look, I'm not some game to be played or talked about. And if you think acting tough like that makes you interesting, you're wrong."
Yunho's smile faltered for a moment, surprised by her sudden fire.
She grabbed her bag and started walking away, shaking her head.
Yunho watched her go, a little stunned, and maybe realising that getting close to Bella wouldn't be as easy as he thought.
Yunho stayed by the fence long after Bella walked away, her words echoing in his mind. "Not some game to be played." She was right. His attempt to act tough hadn't made him look confident, it had made him look careless.
He ran a hand through his damp hair, frustrated.
How do you even start again after that?
Just then, Aiden jogged over, spotting Yunho's thoughtful expression.
"Tough day?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yunho sighed. "You have no idea. I messed up massively. Tried to be cool, ended up pushing her away."
Aiden laughed at his friend's predicament. "Maybe just be yourself next time."
Yunho nodded slowly. "But I was! Argh.. guess I need to rethink this."
Meanwhile, Bella met Emily at their usual spot in the school courtyard, eyes still flashing with frustration.
"Can you believe this Yunho?" Bella burst out. "Like, what was that? Trying to act all macho, talking about me like I'm some prize to be won?"
Emily laughed softly. "Tell me."
Bella shook her head, cheeks still warm. "Still, it was embarrassing. And honestly, I'm tired of all this drama."
Emily reached over and squeezed her hand. "You don't have to deal with it alone. Whatever happens, I've got your back."
Bella smiled, feeling a little lighter.
"Thanks, Em. I really need that."
Later that evening, Bella sat by her bedroom window, watching the sky fade from gold to deep indigo. The day's events swirled in her mind, stirring a restless mix of frustration and confusion.
Why does this have to be so complicated?
She thought about Jason, the way things had fallen apart between them, the silence that stretched longer with each passing day. She'd never wanted to hurt him, but she hadn't known how to say no without breaking something.
And then there was Yunho.
Their conversation kept replaying in her head, the way he smirked, teasing her about Jason as if he wanted to make her uncomfortable on purpose. Bella was sure he'd set his mind on embarrassing her, not anything else.
Why else would he act like that?
Feeling overwhelmed, Bella grabbed her phone and messaged Jake, her childhood friend and trusted sounding board.
Bella: "Guys can be so confusing. I don't get what Yunho's deal is, he's been acting like he wants to embarrass me or something. And Jason... well, that's a whole other mess."
Within moments, Jake replied.
Jake: "Haha, guys do weird stuff when they're nervous or interested. Like how we used to pull the girl's hair until she cried just because we wanted some of her attention."
Jake: "Maybe Yunho's just messing around, but it could mean something else too."
Bella frowned, typing slowly.
Bella: "I don't know. It feels like he's trying to make things harder for me."
Jake's answer came almost immediately.
Jake: "Could be. Or maybe he just doesn't know how to say what he really feels. Guys suck at that sometimes."
Bella smiled softly, relieved to have someone who understood.
Maybe I'm not the only one feeling lost.
Jake's next message popped up, teasing and playful:
Jake: "Honestly, with all this going on, maybe you should just accept all these guys into your harem. You'd be the queen of the school drama scene."
Bella laughed aloud, the tension easing from her shoulders.
Bella: "Great. Just what I needed, to be famous for awkwardness and a harem."
Jake: "Hey, if anyone can pull that off, it's you. And I'm always here if you need a distraction, or a reality check."
The quiet night wrapped around her like a shield, giving her space to think, to be.