~ Together by a String ~ (Jiyoo)

~28~

Did I want to go? Did I want to stay? There were two questions on my mind, but only I could answer them. Such easy questions with what seemed no right or wrong answer.

I quietly opened the door to go downstairs, only to be surprised by Yoojung in the living room, who was still awake and working on his laptop. He tapped on the couch, calling me over to sit next to him. I did so and watched him work on his project and even help with a few ideas for a bit until he was finally done with it and his attention was casted on me.

"Why aren't you sleeping, hm? Did you and Yoohyeon get into a little fight?"

"No no! It's nothing like that, it's just.. She asked me a really hard question today. *sigh* She asked me if I want to go to Norway with her-"

"SHE WHAT?"

I shushed him so he wouldn't wake up Yoohyeon and he immediately zipped his mouth with his finger, speaking with his facial expressions only.

"And I don't know what to do now.. It's so hard to choose and I only have a month to decide."

He raised his eyebrow and showed two fingers.

"Yes Yoojung, she did give me two choices - to stay or go with her. She did say it's fine if I decide to stay here, but I just really want to be with her."

He softened his gaze and pat my shoulder, pointing down with his index finger.

"I know that I can stay if I want to but.. I can't let her go just like that. I won't be able to see her for 4 years, do you know just how long that is?"

He aggressively nodded.

"It's really hard to choose because I know I'll only be a burden to her in there. She'll have to study hard while I won't do anything than sit and waddle around her dorm. But if I say no, she might feel bad that I didn't come along with- Can you also start speaking now?"

He pretended to unzip his mouth with his finger which made me giggle. He tilted his head and sighed, opening his arms for a big comforting hug. I positioned myself in his embrace, feeling the brotherly love I haven't felt in a while - or ever.

"Oh Minji, you're thinking too much, y'know? It's Yoohyeon we're talking about, she'd never find you burdensome nor be upset at you because of your choices. Whether you want to stay or go, it won't change anything between you two. You'll still be Yoohyeon's favorite girl no matter what."

I slightly smiled at his words and all of my negative thoughts faded for a moment. He was right with everything he said, but it didn't exactly make everything easier. It was undeniable that Yoohyeon would never give up on me, hopefully, but the question still remained unanswered..

Should I go or not?

♪♪♪♪

A WEEK LATER

Finals day - May 10th

(Usually, Korean final exams are done in November but these ones are in May for the sake of the story)

8:28 AM / KMJ

Shit. It was 수능 (Su-neung, aka finals) day already. Time went by just like that and here I was, waiting in the corridors for Yoohyeon to come out from the bathroom. I was anxiously fidgeting with my fingers until I noticed a running Bora and Siyeon approaching me.