TËSSÃ ãñd DARÆY: A Love Written with fire

The thought of her missing the test hit me like a punch to the gut.

What if she got another carryover?

Was she stupid?

What the hell was wrong with her?

My mind raced with frustration, worry, and a tinge of anger. Tessa wasn't the type to just skip something this important—so why wasn't she here?

Then, I heard Biancus speak, her voice light, almost too casual for the weight of the situation.

"Thank God, at least my name is in the attendance," she said, stretching like she had just finished a marathon.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, she added, "If she had given us her reg number, we could've written for her… but unfortunately, she has a bad phone, so we couldn't get it."

She said it so easily, so carelessly, as if they had just forgotten to invite her to lunch instead of a damn test.

Then, just like that, she and Light walked out.

I clenched my jaw.

It pissed me off—the way they spoke, the way they moved on like it was just another normal thing.

Maybe they weren't wrong… maybe it really was just bad luck that Tessa didn't give them her details.

But knowing that didn't stop the anger bubbling inside me.

I hated how indifferent they sounded.

I hated how helpless I felt.

But what could I do?

It wasn't their fault anyway.

A few minutes after Light and Biancus left, the rain started pouring heavily, trapping me inside the auditorium.

I checked my phone, hesitated for a second, then tried calling her again.

No answer.

I tried once more.

Still nothing.

Then again.

And again.

But she wouldn't pick up.

This test might not be a big deal for some people, but I knew it was a big deal for her. Knowing the kind of person she was, there was no way she'd just miss it for no reason.

Was she okay?

I let out a long sigh, rubbing my face in frustration.

I had been waiting for the rain to stop, but it just kept getting heavier.

Fine.

I stepped outside, hoping the fresh air would clear my head.

But the moment I did, the rain hit even harder. Sheets of water poured down like a scene from a disaster movie.

I had a car, sure. But I wasn't about to run through this downpour just to get to it.

So, I decided to head back inside.

That's when I noticed someone standing under the rain.

"What's that? Is she stupid?"

"저게 뭐야? 멍청한 거야?"

(Jeoge mwoya? Meongcheonghan geoya?)

I rolled my eyes and turned to walk away.

I had enough on my plate with Tessa. I wasn't about to start worrying about some random idiot standing in the rain like they were in a K-drama.

Still…

Something about the person felt oddly familiar.

I hesitated, pulling out my phone to call Tessa one last time.

Still no answer.

Damn it.

My mind just wouldn't let go of that idiot standing in the rain.

So yeah, I sacrificed myself and walked into the downpour.

As I got closer, her face started to come into view.

"Hey, aren't you too old for children's games? Get out of the rain."

She didn't react.

She didn't even acknowledge me.

I stood there, getting drenched, watching as she stared blankly ahead like some lifeless mannequin.

What kind of situation was this? Me, sacrificing myself for a complete stranger? Yeah, that was definitely dumb.

I sighed, pushing my wet hair back.

"Hey, you'll die of cold if you keep this up, so get out of the rain," I yelled, stepping closer.

Still, she ignored me.

Instead, she kept mumbling something under her breath.

"Breathe… just breathe… it's big enough… it's a safe space… it's wide…"

Over and over, like a broken record.

I frowned.

"Is she crazy?"

"그녀 미쳤어?"

(Geunyeo michyeosseo?)

Since I was already wet, I figured I might as well grab my bag and leave.

But then—she staggered.

I paused.

She didn't fall.

But she was close.

I shook my head and scoffed.

"You'll die soon, but I won't die with you," I muttered, turning away.

I was done wasting my time.

When I got back inside, I told Joshua I was leaving.

"I'll join you later," he said, barely paying attention.

Fine.

I grabbed my bag and walked back into the rain, heading straight for my car.

By the time I got in and shut the door, I glanced at where she had been standing.

Gone.

"Huh. Stupid."

"바보."

(*Babo.**)

Guess she finally realized standing in the rain wasn't the best way to go down.

I turned my key in the ignition, ready to drive off.

But just as my headlights lit up the road—

I saw a figure on the ground.

I froze.

My heart slammed against my chest.

"She didn't go inside… she fell on the ground," I whispered, a sinking feeling hitting me all at once.

Before I knew it, I was out of the car, running toward her.

At some point, I started to think I was hallucinating.

Was I seeing things?

No.

She was right there.

But the person I was seeing…

She couldn't be here.

She wasn't supposed to be here.

This wasn't real.

Not you.

No.

"What the hell am I seeing? Why the hell am I seeing you at this moment, huh?

This isn't possible..... It can't be you....."

"내가 도대체 뭘 보고 있는 거야? 왜 하필 이 순간에 네가 보이는 거지?! 이건 말도 안 돼. 네가 있을 리 없어."

"Naega dodaeche mwol bogo inneun geoya? Wae hapil i sungan-e nega boineun geoji?! Igeon maldo an dwae. Nega isseul ri eopseo."