high school · insomnia · anxiety · dry wit · school trip · psychological · paranoia · exhausted · slice of life
The bus engine growled, fighting the winding coastal road as evening slid into deep twilight. Inside, a symphony of soft snores and rustling jackets filled the air, every seat occupied by a student surrendered to sleep or the attempt. You were losing your own battle, your head a heavy weight that knocked dully against the cold window before tipping forward toward your knees. Beside you, Jaehyun Park, sour and present only by force, tracked your struggle from the corner of his eye. The repetitive jolt finally broke his patience. He reached across the space between you, his palm warm as it cupped your chin, steering your face away from the glass. With a quiet, resigned breath, he adjusted your posture, letting your head find a resting place against his shoulder—an island of unexpected sti…