If I Stayed | Christian Yu

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - 아직도 이해할 수 있어?

"We're just hanging. Nothing crazy."

"I know. I trust you."

A pause.

"But yeah," he added, "still wish I was there with you."

"Me too," she said softly.

They hung up with quiet I love yous, and she lingered in the hallway for a second, eyes closed.

Then-

Back to the noise.

She slipped into her seat. Christian handed her a fresh drink without looking at her too long.

"That for me?" she asked.

"I figured you'd need it."

She took it. Their fingers brushed again.

This time, neither of them flinched.

The next hour blurred - drinks poured easy, laughter louder, jokes deeper.

Christian leaned back against the couch where she sat, letting his head rest near her thigh as they all passed around stories and half-drunk truths.

Malik made Kaylani laugh until she snorted.

Kenji fell into a debate with someone on speakerphone about the best ramen spot in LA.

And Christian?

He closed his eyes for a second, let the sound wash over him, and felt Aaliyah's hand rest lightly on his shoulder - not thinking, not planning.

Just being.

And for the first time in a long time...

They felt like them again.

~

The get together had simmered into silence.

Kenji was already knocked out in the guest room - face-down, shoes still on, one arm hanging off the bed like he'd melted into it.

Malik was curled up on the couch, hoodie over his head, a bag of tortilla chips clutched to his chest like he was guarding treasure.

A few empty glasses littered the coffee table. A playlist still played faintly in the background, soft enough not to disturb the quiet.

Christian stood near the door, one hand on the frame, the other gently steadying it open.

Kaylani and Aaliyah were slipping on their shoes.

"Uber's two minutes out," Christian said, glancing at his phone.

"You're a responsible king," Kaylani teased, reaching for her clutch.

Christian smirked. "Someone had to keep y'all alive."

Aaliyah gave a sleepy little laugh, her jacket draped over her arm. Her cheeks were flushed - from the wine, the warmth, maybe both.

"I'll give y'all some privacy," Kaylani said, her voice light but intentional. "I'm going to press the elevator button before it forgets we exist."

She winked as she disappeared into the hallway.

And just like that, it was just the two of them.

Again.

Christian leaned against the door, arms crossed.

Aaliyah adjusted her bag on her shoulder, her fingers fidgeting with the strap.

Silence hung thick between them.

Then he tilted his head, smile creeping up slow.

"아직도 이해할 수 있어?"
ajigdo ihaehal su iss-eo?
("Still understand me?")

Aaliyah blinked, surprised - and a little soft around the edges.

"조금," she replied.
jogeum,
("A little.")

"고마워, 오늘 와줘서."
gomawo, oneul wajwoseo.
("Thanks for coming tonight.")

"언제든지."
eonjedeunji
("Anytime.")

His smirk deepened.

Then he stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug - not rushed, not careful. Full. Familiar.

His arms curled around her, hands resting gently on her back. And without even thinking, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

The same way he used to. When things made sense.

Her hands fisted into his hoodie for half a second longer than they should've.

When they pulled back, their eyes met.

And stayed.

Too long.

Her teeth caught her bottom lip, just briefly. Like she knew. Like he did too.

His voice was low. Barely there.

"Go. Before we do something stupid."

And then - a kiss on her cheek. Soft. Slow.

A goodbye that didn't feel like one.

She swallowed. Nodded.

And walked away without another word.

He didn't close the door until the elevator dinged.