when the stars align | sim jaeyun

31.

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The days started to blur together, the usual cycle of school, practice, and late-night study sessions pressing on as we all counted down the weeks to graduation. The closer we got to the end, the more I found myself lost in thought about everything—about Jake, about what was happening between us, and about what life after graduation would look like. I could feel the change in the air, a quiet undercurrent that we both kept trying to ignore, but it was becoming harder to pretend it wasn't there. 

I could see it in the way Jake looked at me sometimes, like he wanted to say something but was holding back. It wasn't the same as before—the usual teasing or the cold, dismissive attitude—but something more subtle, more... careful. I didn't know how to deal with it, but I couldn't help feeling like something was going to happen soon. 

One afternoon, I was sitting with Yunjin and Yuna at lunch when I caught sight of Jake across the cafeteria. He was with Heeseung and Sunghoon, laughing at something one of them had said. And even though they were clearly enjoying themselves, Jake's gaze kept flicking in my direction, like he was looking for me without quite realizing it. 

"You're doing that thing again," Yunjin said suddenly, nudging me with her elbow. 

I blinked and looked at her. "What thing?" 

"The thing where you stare at him like he's the only person in the room," she teased, grinning. 

I felt my cheeks warm. "I'm not staring at him." 

Yuna smirked. "Sure you're not." 

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "You guys are ridiculous." 

"Mm-hmm. And don't think we haven't noticed how much you two talk now," Yunjin added, leaning in. "It's like you're... friends or something." 

I frowned. "We're not friends."

Yuna raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but you're getting closer. Something's definitely going on." 

I bit my lip, avoiding their gazes. "It's complicated." 

Yunjin just laughed. "That's the understatement of the century. But whatever's happening, I think you two are finally starting to figure it out." 

I didn't say anything after that, but I couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, they were right. There was something changing between me and Jake—something neither of us seemed brave enough to confront. 

But the truth was, I didn't know what to do with it. I wasn't sure what I even wanted. All I knew was that whatever it was, it wasn't like anything I had ever experienced before. And it was starting to feel like it was only a matter of time before things... changed. 

After school that day, I found myself standing outside the gates, waiting for Jake. My mind was racing, and I couldn't stop thinking about the conversation I'd had with Yunjin and Yuna. It was true, wasn't it? We were closer. We were talking more, and the tension between us was undeniable. But was that enough? Was I ready to face whatever was happening between us? 

I didn't have time to think about it too much because just as I was lost in thought, I felt a familiar presence behind me. I turned around to see Jake walking toward me, his hands in his pockets and a casual look on his face. 

"You're late," I said, trying to keep my voice light. 

Jake smirked. "Am I? I didn't realize you were on a schedule." 

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just saying. I could've gone home already." 

"You wouldn't," he said, and there was that familiar teasing glint in his eyes. "You know you love hanging out with me." 

I laughed, though I was sure he was just messing with me. "If you say so." 

We started walking down the street together, our footsteps in sync. It was one of those quiet moments where the world seemed to fade away, and it was just the two of us. But even in the silence, there was a tension building between us. I could feel it in the air, like we were both waiting for something to happen. 

"So," Jake said after a few minutes, breaking the silence. "Have you decided what you're doing after graduation?" 

I blinked, surprised by the question. "Uh, not really. I guess I'll figure it out. Why?" 

He shrugged. "Just wondering. You know, we all have to make decisions soon. The end of high school is kind of... terrifying." 

I looked over at him. "Yeah, it is." 

He glanced at me then, his gaze lingering just a little too long before he looked away. "Yeah. I guess that's why I've been... thinking." 

"Thinking about what?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. 

Jake hesitated for a moment before answering. "I don't know. Just... about what comes next, I guess. And, uh,"

"about you." 

My heart skipped a beat at his words. He sounded so serious, almost like he was going to say something important. I wanted to say something too, but I didn't know how to put my feelings into words. 

"About me?" I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady. 

Jake glanced at me again, this time with a more thoughtful look in his eyes. "Yeah. You've changed a lot since we were kids, Jisun. I mean, I've seen it, but I think... I think I've changed too." 

I felt my breath catch in my throat. What was he trying to say? 

Before I could respond, he stopped walking and turned to face me fully. His expression was more serious now, his usual cocky smirk gone. "And... I've been wondering if you've noticed it too." 

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words didn't come. I just stood there, unsure of what to say or what he meant. The air between us was thick with something unsaid, something that had been lingering for weeks, maybe even longer. 

And then, as if he couldn't stand the silence any longer, Jake stepped a little closer, his voice quieter now. 

"I don't know what's going on between us, Jisun. But I can't keep pretending like it's nothing." 

I felt a knot form in my stomach, and for the first time in a long while, I wasn't sure how to respond.

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i love cliffhangers when im the one writing them😘
i feel like i have all the power LMAOOO