GOLDEN STRINGS | Heejake

Chapter 11: Distance

Jake had never avoided Jungwon before.

Not in elementary school, when they accidentally wore the same knock-off Minions backpack and argued over whose was “more authentic.”
Not in middle school, when Jungwon had a weird phase of writing everyone’s names in gel pens and calling it “branding.”
Not even when Jungwon had dyed his hair bright orange for a week and Jake pretended not to know him.

But this?

This was different.

This was survival.

Jake needed space—space from Jungwon, and more importantly, from Heeseung.

It Started That Morning

Jake didn’t wait for Jungwon at the school gate like usual.

He didn’t answer the three texts and one voice message that came in before homeroom.

He sat with a different group at lunch—next to a guy from bio class who always smelled like tangerines and never asked questions.

He kept his head down. Pretended to scroll. Pretended he didn’t hear Jungwon calling his name down the hall between periods.

It was killing him inside.

But he had to do it.

Because Heeseung had crossed every invisible line Jake had.

And what scared him more than anything?

Jungwon didn’t seem to see it.

By the time the final bell rang, Jake was shoving his notebooks into his bag when Jungwon appeared in front of him like an adorable, angry mushroom cloud.

“You’re avoiding me.”

Jake zipped up his bag. “I’m just tired.”

“No, you’re ignoring me on purpose.”

Jake didn’t respond.

“Jake,” Jungwon’s voice trembled—not with anger, but with hurt, “if it’s about Heeseung again, I swear, you’re overreacting. He’s just like that, okay? It’s not personal!”

Jake’s shoulders tensed. His fingers clutched the strap of his backpack tighter.

“He’s not normal, Wonnie,” Jake said softly. “And I just… I need space right now.”

Jungwon looked as if Jake had slapped him. “So you’re just cutting me off?”

“I’m not cutting you off. I’m just…” Jake exhaled. “I need a break.”

“But I’m your best friend,” Jungwon pleaded, voice wobbling. “You can’t just go quiet like this over—over some misunderstandings!”

Jake turned away, not trusting himself to speak. If he did, he might scream. Cry. Say something he couldn't take back.

So he walked away.

Heeseung twirled his car keys between his fingers, leaning casually against the black sedan parked across from the school gate. The sleeves of his varsity jacket were rolled up just enough to show his toned forearms, and the way his dyed red velvet hair caught the sun made passing students whisper.

He wasn’t here for them.

He was here for Jake.

That idiot had blocked him. And while Heeseung had smiled through his teeth and played dumb when Jungwon mentioned it, the rage hadn’t left him for a second.

Jake needed to unblock him.

He needed to understand his place.

Heeseung didn’t like being ignored.

So when Jungwon finally appeared, walking out of the school gate alone and clearly sulking, Heeseung frowned.

No Jake.

He pushed off the car and opened the passenger door for Jungwon. “Hey. Where’s Jake?”

Jungwon tossed his bag inside and slid into the seat. “He’s not coming.”

Heeseung’s brow twitched. “Why not?”

“He said he needed a break… from me. From us,” Jungwon said bitterly. “He’s being so dramatic.”

“Hmm.” Heeseung tapped the wheel, expression unreadable. “Did he say why?”

“Just that you’re ‘not normal.’ Like—what does that even mean? He doesn’t understand you’re just not good at texting. You’re direct, sure, but you’re not trying to be weird.”

Heeseung smiled faintly. “Yeah. Guess he misunderstood.”

But inside?

Inside, he was boiling.

Jake had blocked him. Avoided him. And now Jungwon was defending Heeseung, still unaware of everything that had been happening behind his back.

Heeseung’s jaw clenched.

Jake should’ve stayed soft and sweet and sunshine.

He shouldn't have tried to pull away.

He didn't realize…

Heeseung didn’t like when his toys walked away.

Jake sat cross-legged on his bed, phone face-down on the pillow beside him. His chest still felt heavy from earlier. From walking away from Jungwon. From the silence that followed.

But at least Heeseung hadn’t texted again.

He couldn’t.

Blocked was blocked.

Jake breathed deeply and told himself he’d done the right thing.

But still…

A part of him itched.

Because if Heeseung could say “don’t bother” right before Jake sent the screenshots…

Then what else did he know?

Was there something Jake was missing?

Could Heeseung really manipulate Jungwon that easily?

He didn't know what was worse—being harassed by Heeseung, or not being believed by the one person who was supposed to always be on his side.

Jake covered his face with his hands, exhausted.

Tomorrow, he’d keep avoiding them.

Maybe forever.

Or at least until something gave.