Chapter 147: You Don’t Get to Talk to Her Like That[June’s POV]
Of all people in the world... why did it have to be Ian Han who found me like this?
The same Ian Han I swore I couldn’t stand.
The same one who never missed a chance to tease me, annoy me, drag me into his orbit.
I hugged my knees tighter, biting the inside of my cheek. Regretting everything.
And of course, because he’s Ian, he had to open his mouth.
"So," he whispered, leaning his head against the wall. "Any reason you’re crying in the middle of a party? Just curious."
I shot him a glare. My face was still swollen from crying, my swimsuit was still dripping, and he looked like he was about to laugh at me.
He shrugged. "I mean, I saw you storm off in a bikini. I had to grab a towel and a shirt before some creep got any ideas." His eyes flicked down for a second before he caught himself, and...
Oh my God, was Ian Han actually blushing?
He cleared his throat, looking away. "You, uh... should be more careful. You’ve got... you know. A body. Nice... body." His voice cracked like he regretted saying it.
My jaw dropped. "You’re definitely are stalking me."
His head snapped back toward me. "What? No! I...god, you’re delusional. I’m not stalking you."
I smirked. "Then why are you here, Han? Hmmm? Watching me cry, bringing me clothes, giving... compliments?"
He groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "Whatever. You’re impossible." His eyes darted to me again, softer this time.
Then, casually, he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I saw your best friend," he scratched the back of his hair. "The ginger one. Not the one always hanging with Dominic."
My head snapped toward him. "Marcus?"
"Yeah." Ian tilted his chin toward the stairs.
"He’s having the time of his life up there. Playing beer pong. Half the room’s hyping him up. And..." he laughed, "most of the girls are practically wrapped around him."
I didn’t know when I also laughed.
It was funny that Marcus was actually having fun.
Ian raised a brow, watching my reaction. "Didn’t peg him for the type to enjoy being the center of attention. Guess people can surprise you, huh?"
I nodded.
Then after a while, he decided to open his mouth again.
I just need a quiet time without Ian ruining it.
"So why exactly were you crying? Did someone..." He hesitated, then went for it. "Did someone break your heart?"
My chest tightened. I froze for a second before snapping my head toward him. My glare could’ve sliced him in half.
"Did you just tell yourself someone broke my heart?" My eyebrow shot up.
Ian’s mouth opened, closed, then opened again. For once, he didn’t have a comeback ready. His cocky expression wavered, caught between smirking and speechless.
"Uh.." He coughed, leaning back like he could play it off. "I didn’t. I mean, I was just..."
I stood glaring down at him, water still dripping down my thighs. The towel slid a little lower, exposing the strap of my bikini.
I wrapped the towel tighter around my waist. His eyes flickered, dragging up my legs, my shoulders, the way my hair stuck to my skin, before snapping back to my face like he didn’t just check me out.
"I... didn’t say that," he muttered, his voice dropped lower.
"Oh, so you didn’t just assume my heart’s broken?"
He tilted his head, and laughed.
"Please. You’ve got mascara running down your cheeks. I didn’t have to assume. It’s written all over your face."
I narrowed my eyes at him, still clutching the towel.
"What’s really your deal, Han? First you literally ignored me an hour ago. Acted like I didn’t exist. Now you’re running around bringing me towels and shirts like a lifeguard?"
He smirked a little, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Maybe I just didn’t feel like watching you storm off in a bikini with half the creeps at this party drooling. Someone had to save you from yourself."
I shoved the shirt into his chest. "Here. Take it back."
The towel slipped, sliding lower on my body, and his jaw actually clenched before he dragged his gaze back up to my face. I pushed that at him as well. "Take them back."
He raised his brow. "What are you doing?"
"I’d go get my clothes. Shit!" I froze, smacking my forehead. "My clothes are still in that stupid chair by the pool."
He groaned. "If you’re going back out there, tie the towel around your body at least. Unless you wanna give the whole school a show."
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze.
"Why are you so concerned, huh? You think I didn’t notice you checking me out when I first walked in?"
He scratched the back of his head, again.
"Maybe I was. Maybe I wasn’t. You tell me."
I stared at him and nodded. "Exactly."
Then I snatched the towel back out of his hands, tied it lazily around my waist.
"See, I have. Now, mind your business, Ian. Thanks for the towel, but I don’t need your help anymore."
I turned on my heel, and stormed down the hallway.
All I wanted was to grab my clothes from the poolside and leave this stupid party before anyone notice.
But of course, someone noticed.
"Damn, June," a voice called. I turned to see Orion. One of the guys from my grade, leaning against the wall, his eyes shamelessly scanning me up and down. "Didn’t know you could clean up like that. You’re looking so hot tonight."
My stomach twisted. Before I could even roll my eyes, a sharp voice cut through the hallway.
"Hey!"
Ian.
He was on his feet in seconds, glaring daggers at Orion like he was about to deck him.
Orion blinked, confused. "What’s your problem, man?"
Ian stepped closer, chest to chest with Orion. "You don’t get to talk to her like that."
Orion frowned, nodded and walked away.
Honestly, what’s Ian’s deal?
I turned around, snapping, "Ian, mind your business. Why are you so bothered about another guy flirting with me?"
He clenched his jaw but kept following me as I stormed toward the pool deck.
"He might be a creep," he muttered.
"He’s my classmate. The only creep here is you," I shot back, pushing through the crowd until the neon-blue glow of the pool hit my skin.
"I’m just trying to help," he said, yelling towards me.
"If you want to help, start by minding your business and stop following me!" I spun on him, the heat in my chest started spilling out of me.
"You know..." His smirk faltered. "If you wanted me to chase you around a party, you could’ve just said so. Saved us both the tears."
I froze again, spinning on him, heat rushing to my face. "What makes you think I want you to chase me?"
He leaned closer, smirk tugging at his lips. "Because you’re not telling me to stop."
"I really don’t know what your problem is, Ian!" My voice cracked. "This morning you tried to kiss me, then you turned around and said I’m not your type. Now you’re... what? Chasing after me?"
"June!"
"No." My throat burned as I yelled it this time. "Ian, leave me alone!"
The music throbbed in the background, but my voice was louder.
Because suddenly, the crowd went quiet. Heads turned. Eyes landed on me.
And then.....
"June?"
That voice.
That familiar, warm voice that always made my heart skip.
I turned.
Ren.
Standing right there on the pool deck. His arm wrapped tightly around the same girl I’d just watched him kiss.
My chest caved in.
The entire world tilted.