when the stars align | sim jaeyun

12.

-

The next day, I walked into school with a sinking feeling in my stomach. It wasn't because of any particular reason, but more like the growing realization that everything around me felt... different. And I hated it. 

I found myself glancing over at Jake's usual spot in the hallway as I passed, expecting to see him with his usual group of friends—Jay, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Heeseung. But for once, Jake wasn't joking around with them. He was standing off to the side, looking at his phone, and when he glanced up, his eyes met mine. 

My heart skipped a beat before I quickly looked away. 

---

In class, things were quiet. Too quiet. Jake sat next to me again, but this time, there was an almost tangible distance between us. Not physically, but in the way he kept his gaze forward and didn't acknowledge my presence, as if he were pretending that we hadn't just spent the last few days speaking to each other outside of school. 

I sighed, turning my attention back to the lecture. This was frustrating. One moment he was acting like everything was normal, the next he was distant and cold again. 

I didn't know what was worse—the teasing or the silence. 

---

After class, I was walking toward the exit when I saw him again, standing near the door. 

"Jisun." 

I stopped in my tracks, raising an eyebrow. "What now?" 

"I need you to do me a favor," Jake said, his voice not quite meeting my eyes. 

I crossed my arms. "A favor? You've got to be kidding me." 

Jake sighed, clearly exasperated. "It's not like that. It's for a group project. Just help me out, okay?" 

I stared at him, wondering what game he was playing now. "Why don't you ask one of your friends for help?" 

"I don't need their help," he muttered. "I need *your* help. You're the one who actually knows what they're doing." 

I raised an eyebrow. "And you're asking me for help because...?" 

Jake shifted uncomfortably, his usual arrogance missing. "Because I know you're smart enough to handle it. Not that I'm *asking* for charity, Park. Just... help me." 

His tone was still sharp, but there was something underneath it. I couldn't place it. 

I took a step forward, leaning in slightly. "You're lucky I'm the nice one." 

Jake's eyes flickered, but he didn't say anything more. 

"I'll help you, but don't think this means I'm suddenly your friend," I said, turning to leave. 

Jake watched me as I walked away, a slight frown on his face. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, but I quickly shook it off. 

---

Later that afternoon, I found myself at my desk, helping Jake with the assignment he'd asked for. It wasn't so bad, to be honest. I had offered to help him before, back when we were still friends, and it felt oddly familiar to be working together again. 

Except it wasn't the same. 

Every time Jake spoke, it was with a tone that reminded me of the distance he'd put between us. The coldness. The way he used to look at me like I was just someone to mess with. 

"So, you get it now?" I asked, keeping my voice steady as I pushed the papers toward him. 

Jake looked at the work I'd done and gave a short nod. "Yeah, thanks." 

I couldn't help but feel irritated at how dismissive he was. After everything that had happened between us, I expected more than just a casual 'thanks.' 

But instead of calling him out, I just got up and walked away. 

---

jakes pov.

I wasn't sure why I had asked for Jisun's help. It wasn't because I was desperate for her to come to my rescue, even though I kind of was. No, I needed her help because, somehow, she was the only person who seemed to get it—get *me*. 

I hated that it was this way. 

I had no idea when things had gotten so complicated between us. One minute, we were best friends, sharing everything, laughing about the stupidest things, and the next, she was walking away from me, like I was the one who'd wronged her. 

I didn't know what to say to make it right. 

But that didn't stop me from trying. Even if it meant asking her for help when I really didn't want to. 

---

The days went on, and Jisun and I continued to interact in a weird, almost uncomfortable way. I'd catch her looking at me in class or in the halls, but every time I turned my head, she'd quickly look away. 

It was almost like we were both pretending the other wasn't there. 

And yet, I couldn't stop thinking about her. About how things used to be. 

---

That Friday, I found myself walking to the football field with my team after school, the air chilly as the night settled in. I didn't feel like being here, not with everything on my mind. 

"Yo, Jake," Sunghoon called from behind me. "You gonna play today or what?" 

I waved him off. "Maybe later." 

My mind wasn't on the game. It was on Jisun. 

And how long I could keep pretending things hadn't changed. 

---