Author's Pov:

The party had finally ended, leaving Haeun with a heavy heart. She knew that Joshua would never speak to her the same way again. As she retreated to her room, the weight of the situation settled on her.

"Haeun", her mother's voice called from the other side of the door. But Haeun ignored it, burying her face in her hands. "This thing is going to haunt me even after my death", she whispered to herself.

Her mother persisted, opening the door and stepping inside. "Haeun, wait. I need to ask you something". Her expression was a mix of concern and curiosity.

“What do you want to say, Eomma?” Haeun pouted, her eyes still red from tears.

"What is going on between you and Joshua?", her mother asked directly. Haeun couldn't help but chuckle. "There's nothing going on between us, n.o.t.h.i.n.g".

Her mother's gaze intensified. "Tell me the truth, Haeun. Why did Joshua's father say something like that?".

Haeun hesitated, glancing at Soonyoung, who stood awkwardly by the door. "We almost got into a relationship", she admitted, her voice barely audible, "until his father decided to interfere".

"And what did you do? Did you choose to be with him or leave?", Her mother's eyes bore into hers.

"I wanted to be with him", Haeun confessed, "but my mind didn't want that".

Her mother's concern deepened. “What are you saying?”

"It's nothing, Eomma", Haeun replied wearily. "I'm tired. I just want some sleep". She pushed them out of her room, closing the door behind her.

Outside, Soonyoung knocked insistently. "Haeun, open the door".

"Go and sleep, Soonyoung", Haeun yelled back. "I don't want to see you as a zombie tomorrow".

"But Haeun—"

"I'm not opening the door until morning", Haeun collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in the pillow as fresh tears flowed. The weight of her emotions threatened to suffocate her.

"Why did I say that?", Haeun whispered, her words hung heavy in air. The door clicked open. "Hey, hey, hey", Soonyoung rushed in, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Don't cry", Soonyoung whispered caressing her hair, "It will be fine. Don't blame yourself". Haeun tightly hugged him.

"He must have felt so bad, Soonyoung. I'm idiot, a huge idiot", Haeun cried. Soonyoung patted her head, "Shh, don't cry. We have practice tomorrow again. Come there and talk to him".

Haeun looked at him, "You think he will hear me out?". Soonyoung shrugged, "There is nothing wrong in trying, is there?".

"Now sleep, I don't know about me but you will definitely turn into a zombie if you keep crying like", Soonyoung said.

Haeun laid back down, "What if he doesn't listen to me?". Soonyoung shrugged, "Don't think too much, you want me to sing a song for you?". Haeun nodded using his hand pillow.

Soonyoung hummed a song caressing her head until she feel asleep, "Sleep well", he gave her forehead kissed, carefully removing his hand.

Next day:

"Haeun-ie, wake up", Soonyoung's sweet voice echoed through the room as Haeun covered herself in the blanket.

"Wake up or I'm pulling your blanket", Soonyoung said. Haeun murmured something. "Okay fine", Soonyoung said pulling her blanket.

Haeun held it tight causing her to fall down with a loud thud. "Oh, you fell down", Soonyoung said rushing to her side. But this worry was soon replaced with disbelief as he saw her sleeping, again.

"Haeun get up, we are going to pratice. Remember you need to talk to Joshua", Soonyoung said patting her head

Haeun slowly opened her eyes, "I don't have good feeling about this". Soonyoung helped her to get up, "Stop over thinking, Haeun. Just think every thing will be good".

Haeun nodded towards bathroom. "Good, I'll be waiting for you", Soonyoung ruffled her hair.

He went out to see his mother waiting for him. "Didn't I tell you not to support her in this?", his mother asked. "Eomma, I already told you that Jiwoo doesn't matter. You know nothing that is going on between them", Soonyoung said.

"But still, Soonyoung. Joshua comes from a rich family while look at us", her mother said. "Eomma, please. I know they can't fire you. Why are you stopping her then?", Soonyoung asked.

"They are rich, Soonyoung. I'm afraid what if Haeun gets heart broken at end. Those rich people won't even care about the people like us. For them Haeun is nothing but a commoner", Her mother's voice was laced with worry.

Soonyoung sighed, "But Joshua isn't like that, Eomma". His mother scoffed, "People change Soonyoung. Not everyone remains same".

"Haeun knows what she is doing, Eomma. I'm sure, Joshua will never do something like that", Soonyoung said eating the pancakes, "These are tasty".

"Slowly Soonyoung, don't stuff your mouth like that", his mother said. Soonyoung smiled as he was finally able to change the subject.

Haeun glanced at Soonyoung before entering the auditorium. "It will be fine", Soonyoung whispered opening the door.

Joshua was sitting in the corner, adjusting the straps of his guitar. His eyes met hers briefly, but then he looked away.

"Hey, do you know when Yerin will be coming?", Junhui asked. Haeun smiled, "She is on the way. You have her number, call her". Junhui blushed, "Uh, I already called her".

"How many times?".

Junhui raised all his five fingers. Haeun shook her head, "She is coming lover boy, wait for her". Junhui leaned closer, "Well, I'm not only the lover boy here. Someone has his eyes on you since you entered".

Haeun blushed looking down. "Oh, Yerin is here", Junhui said waving at her, "Bye". Haeun shook her head.

She looked at Joshua who turned away meeting her eyes. "Joshua", her voice trembled, "Can we talk?".

"Can we please not talk about it, Haeun? I need some time alone. I was an idiot to believe everything. I don't want you anywhere near me", Joshua said continuing to fiddle with the strings.

"But just hear me out, Joshua. Once", Haeun said, her eyes pleading. Joshua sighed keeping away his guitar, "Seungcheol there's some time for practice right?".

Seungcheol hummed. Joshua stood up looking at Haeun who smiled thinking he will hear her out. She was about to follow him when Joshua stopped her, "Why are you following me?".

"Don't you wanna talk?".

"Haven't I just told you that I don't want to talk about this? I'm going to wash room. You want to come in there?"

Haeun shook her head, "I-I am sorry for that". Joshua sighed, "I have talked to Mr. Lee, he will assigning us different tutors".

Haeun bit her inner cheek, "I just hoped you listened to me once. I-"

"I heard enough yesterday, Haeun. I don't want to hear more. Maybe it was nothing for you, but for me it was a lot", Joshua said.

Haeun opened her mouth to say something but Joshua stopped her, "I just need sometime. Is it too much to ask for?".

"But–", her voice cracked, and he turned away, unable to meet her gaze. "Let us treat each other like strangers now, Haeun. I need some time. Let's forget whatever happened".

Joshua went out without hearing anything. He straightaway went to washroom. "I'm sorry, Haeun", he whispered washing his face, trying not to cry.

Flashback:

While Soonyoung and Haeun were busy talking with each other. Their mother excused herself and went to Joshua.

"Joshua, can I talk to you?", she asked. Joshua flinched but nodded, "yeah".

Her mother hesitated before speaking, "You come from rich family, we all can see that. While I come from a family who's income is still less than your daily income".

Joshua awkwardly smiled, "W-What do you mean?". She sighed, "I have one small request. Please stay away from Haeun. I don't have any problem with your friendship with Soonyoung but Haeun, I don't want her to face problem. I beg you, please stay away from her. I'm sure you know how your father is, I'm scared what if he does something to Haeun. She is stubborn,  do anything to make her stay away from you".

Joshua looked down fidgeting his fingers, "I know how my father is. Don't worry, I'll stay away from her". Her mother smiled patting his head, "Thank you so much".

Joshua glanced at Haeun who was hugging Soonyoung. 'She is sad about something', he thought.

Present:

Joshua again washed his face so no one sees his tear streaked face. His mind kept reminding of Haeun's face.

"Joshua, are you in there?", Jeonghan asked. "Wait, I'm coming", Joshua replied going out. "What happened to you? Were you crying?", Jeonghan asked. Joshua shook his head, "Let's go".

"Yah, you can't ignore me like that", he shouted but Joshua just ignored him.

Going inside the auditorium, Joshua looked at Haeun who was sitting beside Yerin. "Haeun~ what's wrong, why are you so quiet?", Yerin asked. Haeun shook her head, "Nothing".