Hate To Date You ➤ Jake

|| Until We Meet Again

˚.🎀༘⋆

Fable -

⋆ 𐙚 ̊."Divinity says, "Destiny can't be earned or returned"
I feel when I question, my skin starts to burn"₊˚⊹ᰔ

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The airport felt colder than I remembered. Maybe it was just the way my heart felt—heavy, reluctant, unwilling to accept that summer was already over.

Jake's hand was in mine, gripping tightly, like if he held on hard enough, he could keep me from leaving.

But we both knew that wasn't possible.

The departure board in front of us flashed the updated status of my flight. Florence, Italy. Boarding soon.

Each second that passed felt like sand slipping through my fingers—impossible to hold onto, no matter how much I wanted to.

I stole a glance at Jake. His usual cocky, playful expression was gone, replaced by something softer, something more fragile. He hadn't cracked a joke in the last ten minutes.

That alone told me everything.

Nearby, Minji was anxiously biting her lip, while Jay stood beside her, hands in his pockets, his usual blank stare hiding whatever emotion he was feeling.

I turned back to Jake and mustered a small smile. "Well... I guess this is it."

Jake inhaled sharply through his nose and let out a slow breath. "No, it's not."

I blinked. "Jake—"

"It's just a few months," he cut in, voice low but firm. "We survived last year, didn't we?"

I let out a small laugh, though it came out weaker than I intended. "Barely."

Jake chuckled too, but there was something strained about it. "Okay, fair point. But this time, we know what to expect. No surprises."

I didn't answer. Because even if that was true, it didn't make saying goodbye any easier.

Another announcement echoed through the airport, reminding passengers on my flight that boarding would begin in ten minutes.

Minji sniffled behind me. "This sucks. Why couldn't you have picked a university here?"

I turned to her with a teasing smirk. "Because you're the one who told me to chase my dreams."

Minji groaned. "Ugh. Past me is so annoying."

I laughed before pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm gonna miss you so much."

She hugged me back, squeezing almost too tight. "You better text me. Every day. I don't care if you're drowning in assignments—I want updates."

Jay shifted beside us, then sighed. "You're visiting for Christmas, right?"

I nodded. "Of course. And you guys better not do anything fun without me."

Jay scoffed. "Define fun."

Minji elbowed him. "She means no dramatic life changes while she's gone."

Jay just shrugged. "No promises."

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling as I turned back to Jake.

And that smile wavered the second I saw the look in his eyes.

He was staring at me like he was memorizing everything—every little detail, from the way my hair fell over my shoulders to the tiny nervous habit I had of fidgeting with my fingers.

My chest ached.

Before I could say anything, Jake stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into the kind of hug that made it hard to breathe.

I buried my face in his chest, squeezing my eyes shut, as if that could stop time from moving forward.

His scent—clean, warm, familiar—filled my senses, making it even harder to imagine leaving.

Jake's voice was quiet, but firm. "I love you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and whispered back, "I love you too."

He pulled away just enough to cup my face, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks. His brown eyes searched mine, like he was trying to find some reassurance that we were going to be okay.

I nodded before he could even say the words. "We're going to be fine, Jake."

His lips twitched. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

He huffed out a soft laugh, but I could see the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed. "You better not fall for some Italian guy this time."

I gasped dramatically. "Sim Jaeyun, are you doubting my loyalty?"

His lips curled into a smirk, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just checking."

I rolled my eyes but squeezed his hands. "Never. I'm already in love with an annoying, overconfident, ridiculously handsome guy."

Jake exhaled, shaking his head. "You forgot 'incredibly charming.'"

"Debatable."

Before he could respond, the final boarding call rang through the speakers.

I felt my stomach drop.

This was it.

Jake's fingers tightened around mine, reluctant to let go.

I bit my lip, forcing myself to stay strong. "I have to go."

Jake exhaled through his nose, nodding slowly. "Go be amazing, Sooah."

I smiled, even though my heart was breaking.

Then, before I could overthink it, I reached up and kissed him.

Soft, slow, lingering. Like a promise.

His hands found my waist, holding me like he never wanted to let go.

When we finally pulled apart, our foreheads rested together, and his voice came out as a whisper.

"I'll see you soon."

I nodded, my fingers brushing against his one last time before I turned away.

And I look back one more time before walking away.

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A/N: THEY ARE NOT ENDING LIKE THIS DWW SILLYBILLYS