~ Together by a String ~ (Jiyoo)

~17~

"Because of that? Are you fucking serious Minji? Did you even care about her the whole time you two were together?"

"Of course I did! I just can't be with her, I promised myself to never forgive the people who hurt me that day."

"How much longer are you planning to let your priorities get in the way of your happiness? Are you happier now that you broke up with her?"

I thought for a while but knew that it would lead me nowhere if I lied to her. No, it wasn't only her I was lying to - I was lying to myself.

"I'm.. *sigh* I'm not. I thought I would feel better if I break up with her, but why do I feel like shit all the time? Every time I see her I feel my heart hurt and my eyes always want to avoid her because of that. I was supposed to feel happier and free from the past, but it's even worse than before."

"That's because you want her back Minji. Why would you feel pain if you didn't still like her? I know your priorities are important to you, but haven't you thought for a slight moment that it's not Yoohyeon who is actually hurting you?"

"What do you mean?"

"All that Yoohyeon did was care for you and show you what.. love.. really is. Maybe it's not her who's causing the pain, but you.."

She took out a piece of paper from her bag and handed it to me. I looked at it closer and noticed it was a ticket for a performance - Yoohyeon's performance.

"I'm giving you this just in case something happens and you decide to go."

I watched Siyeon leave the bathroom while I was staring at myself in the mirror, thinking about everything she said. I tilted my head and looked to the ground, and then back to the mirror. I slightly slapped my face with water a few times and left the bathroom to go back in class and sleep through the school day so I could go home as soon as possible. I had.. I had to think for a while. Alone.

♪♪♪

14:34 PM / KYH

I was practicing on my guitar when Yoojung knocked on my door and peeked his head to tell me something.

"Yoohyeon, can we talk for a bit?"

"Yeah sure. I was just done practicing anyway. What's up?"

He awkwardly sat down next to me on my bed and scratched his neck, not knowing how to exactly ask me whatever he wanted to ask.

"I know I'm probably going to annoy you now, but.. Did something bad happen between you and Minji? I already know she was feeling upset, but I don't know if it's still the same like before and-"

"We broke up."

"Oh! Uh, are you okay? I know you really cared for her and I just wanted to make sure you're fine and ask if there's anything I can do to help."

"I still do care for her.. so much.. but I don't know if she'll ever forgive me, Yoojung. I hurt her a lot.. There isn't anything you can do. All I'm going to focus on right now is my gig, so just pray my performance will go well tomorrow."

"I definitely will! How's your fever by the way? Are you still sick?"

"I'm feeling much better now than this morning. I guess it was one of those 'heartbreak fevers' that people talk about. So stupid.."

"*chuckle* I'm glad you're feeling better, though. And don't worry, I'm sure everything will get better between you and Minji. Just wait for her to come back to you, okay?"