when the stars align | sim jaeyun

01.

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When I think about Jake Sim, I always find myself remembering that day in the park. I was thirteen years old, my feet dangling off the edge of the wooden bench as I clutched a sticky lemon candy in my palm. It was warm, the kind of late spring day that smelled like fresh flowers and dust, and Jake sat beside me, his sneakers scuffed and his baseball cap pushed back so the sun highlighted his tan skin.

"I don't get why you like these," he said, scrunching his nose as he held up one of the candies I'd given him. "They're too sour."

"They're perfect," I countered, popping one into my mouth. "You just don't appreciate good things, Jake."

He rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Whatever. I'll still eat them because you like them."

At the time, it had felt like a promise. Jake Sim would eat sour lemon candies for me, and in my thirteen-year-old heart, that meant something. He was my best friend, my partner in crime, the boy who never let me walk home alone after sunset. It felt unshakable, the bond we had. But somewhere between middle school and now, everything had crumbled.

Now, as I walked down the halls of our high school, the sound of my sneakers echoing against the tile, I couldn't even picture the Jake I used to know. The boy who ate lemon candies without complaining had been replaced by someone else entirely—a version of Jake who seemed to hate everything about me.

"Watch it, Park," his voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and cold. I flinched as I realized I'd accidentally brushed past him in the crowded hallway. His tone was laced with annoyance, and when I turned to apologize, his usual smirk was firmly in place.

"Sorry," I muttered, stepping aside. He didn't respond, just walked past with his group of friends, their laughter echoing long after they disappeared around the corner.

Jake Sim. My former best friend, now my greatest enemy. It had been like this for years—a series of biting remarks, cold stares, and the occasional prank that left me humiliated in front of the whole class. I didn't understand it, not really. One day, we were inseparable, and the next, he'd decided I wasn't worth his time.

"What did he say this time?" Yunjin asked, appearing at my side with a sympathetic smile. She had her long black hair tied up in a ponytail, her gym bag slung over one shoulder.

"Nothing worth repeating," I replied, forcing a smile. "Just Jake being Jake."

Yunjin rolled her eyes. "He's such a jerk. I don't get how everyone still likes him."

Everyone did still like him. Jake was popular, effortlessly so, with his easy charm and quick wit. He was the star of the football team, the guy every teacher seemed to have a soft spot for despite his cocky attitude. And me? I was just another face in the crowd. Sure, I had my friends and my grades, but I couldn't compete with Jake Sim.

"Don't let him get to you," Yuna chimed in as she joined us. She was holding a boba cup, her lips stained pink from the strawberry drink. "He's probably just overcompensating for something."

"Like what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know. A tiny brain?" Yuna suggested, and we all burst into laughter.

The bell rang, signaling the start of our next class. As I made my way to the back of the room, I caught sight of Jake sitting near the window, his head tilted as he talked to Heeseung. He didn't even glance my way, but I couldn't help feeling like he knew I was watching.

The memory of the park came back to me then, unbidden. Jake smiling as he peeled the wrapper off a lemon candy, the sunlight catching in his eyes. I shook the thought away. That Jake was gone. All that was left was the boy who seemed determined to make my life as miserable as possible.

As I sat down and opened my notebook, I told myself that I didn't care. Jake Sim didn't matter anymore. But deep down, I knew that was a lie. No matter how much I tried to hate him, a part of me still missed the boy who ate sour candies just to make me happy.

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guys it's happeningggg
the first chapter of my first book ever WOW i'm so excited
i'm gonna try to update a couple chapters a day but we'll see