WHELVE ↠ NA JAEMIN

↠ C . 39

"Johnny told me about NCT as well and who he is. He told me how you found a new family with Taeyong. I was kinda mad how you just tried to move on with your life. I was suffering alone while you were living perfectly fine. But then I realised that all of this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for me. If I reported everything that day I saw those men outside your house, then your mother would've been in prison. And she wouldn't have gotten injured."

"You wouldn't have run away and tried to commit suicide. If I didn't give the statement my parents would've stayed alive. I should've listened to them. But if I did I would've drowned in nothing but resentment to myself for not reporting and helping you for your case. It was so stressful making the correct decision. Whichever one I chose would've lead to bad consequences"

"Now look, they know you're alive, they're after both of us and my parents also died. Looking back it was all my fault. I caused this whole problem. I put your life and mine in danger." her frustration weakened as beads of heartache left her eyes. Energy drained out and fragile she fell to the ground sobbing into her hands. Watching her cry brought tears at the edge of her eyes. She immediately hugged Byeol in her arms tight.

"No it's not your fault Byeol. I shouldn't have run away. I should've reported to the police about my mother abusing me but I never did because I was scared. Scared that I would be alone. I never took into account that you were always there for me. You always stayed beside me." She tried to stay strong and not let a single tear fall but hearing Byeol's cries didn't help a bit. Slowly they trailed down her cheek .

"Even when I wasn't there you always protected me. I left but you are still caring about me. I can't explain how grateful I am to have you in my life. Don't say that you were the cause of this whole situation because you aren't I am. You lost your family because you were trying to be a good friend." Both girls began to sob in each others arms, not letting go for dear life.

"I'm sorry that you lost your family because of me Byeol. I really am. You were always there for me but from now on I will never leave you. Nothing will happen to us. We aren't in danger. We got through this the past 4 years. We can live for another 4, 8, 10, 50 years." Byeol looked up at Taeyeon's glassy orbs.

"Promise me that we will always stay friends." Byeol spoke out choking. She put her pinkie out.

Taeyeon immediately wrapped her around and looked into her friends eyes "I promise Byeol. I will always be there for you like you always have with me. You're like a sister and I don't want to ever lose you again. I made a mistake leaving back then. I won't ever do the same again. You're not alone." Taeyeon didn't know how to express her emotions towards the girl but Byeol was heartfelt by her words.

Taeyeon didn't realise but meant a lot to the girl, making Byeol smile. Losing her family and friends and being alone for 4 years pained her heart. Hearing that she said she isn't alone anymore made her feel content that deep down there is still someone for her.

"I really missed you idiot. If you push me away again I will get Johnny to break your leg" she joked around making Taeyeon giggle wiping her tears away.

"Do that and Yong would fight him," she threatened.

↠

Second lesson bell rang. The girls skipped the first and were planning the same for the second. They wanted to relax and catch up for the past 4 years they missed not being together.

"You know something Aera, you-"

"Taeyeon. Call me taeyeon from now on"

"Does it remind you of everything?" byeol asked curiously. Taeyeon nodded and stared at the floor. Byeol gave a small smile and changed the subject straight away.

"Anyway, I wanted to say that you've changed a lot. You used to be so quiet and introverted. But I realised that you're more free. Maybe because you're not controlled anymore and have no restriction anymore. It's a good thing. You look more happy and satisfied with your life now" Byeol starred in space speaking her feelings out.

Taeyeon's eyes widened in shock. She doesn't hide her feelings that much like when younger. A small grin laced across her lips. She turned to face the girl, impressed. Byeol is observant as ever.

"You haven't changed a lot. You act the same. Which I'm glad about." Byeol chuckled and nodded "But you know what changed about you!" Byeol tilted her head towards the girl waiting for her to speak. "Your beauty. Your hair colour suits you and that nose ring" Taeyeon complimented making her grin ear to ear, whispering a shy thanks.

A few quiet minutes passed. They began walking around stretching their limbs. Their butts ached sitting on the cold hard floor so they moved towards the benches.

"Taeyeon-ah .... About Haechan - is he your best friend?" Byeol asked. The annoyance was detected by Taeyeon. Byeol couldn't hide her jealousy by the fact that she was close to the boy.

Holding back her laugh she cleared her throat. "Don't worry you are still my best frien-"

"WHAT!!" a scream projected from afar as a thud of the rooftop door was flung open. Donghyuck was standing with a betrayed look. He glared at Taeyeon and ran towards her and flicked her forehead. "exCUSE Me! How dare you try to steal Yeon from me?" he glared at Byeol.

"Ow that hurt Hyuck! And seriously she was my best friend before you were mine." Donghyuck pouted at Taeyeon, making her laugh. Byeol made a thin lip with her lips and faced the floor. "Forget that! Didn't I tell you to not eavesdrop on my conversation with others? How long have you been listening?" she demanded an answer.

"Since the second lesson started" a voice from behind spoke. Taeyeon tilted her head to find Jaemin standing a few feet away with his hands placed in his pockets. Taeyeon rolled her eyes in annoyance. He walked beside Donghyuck.

"Do you both hate me?" Byeol asked unsure of what those boys still feel about her.

"I did at first because you made Yeon cry but after hearing the truth... No, I don't hate you. Unless you try to steal my best friend" he pointed his finger at Byeol while giving a playful angry face. Byeol just scoffed, shaking her head.

"Your personality is rubbing off on Taeyeon." she stared at Donghyuck who smirked amusingly. She looked at Jaemin who said no words. He turned his back and walked off. Byeol felt a pang of hurt in her heart. She didn't want any of the NCT members to hate her.

"Ignore him. He is like that to everyone. He doesn't hate you otherwise he would be giving you a cold shoulder but he simply said no words and walked off" Donghyuck blabbered on to Byeol and didn't notice the other girl's disappearance. "By the way, you can call me Donghyuck." Byeol nodded and sat down on the bench following Donghyuck "Where did she go?"

"She ran after Jaemin I think," she said with a smirk. Donghyuck slapped her arm softly after observing her change in aura. A slightly teasing tone in her voice. "You can see it as well can't you?" Byeol glanced at him and nodded after understanding what he was talking about. They both laughed.

"They aren't good at hiding it"

"Yeah you're right about that"