Strings Attached ➤ Jay

|| The Plan

🎸

They Don't Give a Fuck About Us -

⋆.𐙚 ̊"And just looked at the whole situation
'Cause once u look at it
You know"⋆˚꩜｡

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By Saturday night, I was convinced my chest was going to explode.

For the past few days, Jay and I had been... fine. Normal. Civil, even. He hadn't brought up the kiss, hadn't teased me about it (too much), and we'd kept our usual banter running as if nothing had happened. If anything, things were light, almost easy.

But every time he was near me, I felt like my entire nervous system went into panic mode. My pulse jumped, my palms got sweaty, and my brain turned into a static-filled radio station that only played embarrassing thoughts like his hands are really nice or don't stare at his jawline.

It was unbearable.

So I did what any sane, rational, definitely-not-spiraling person would do: I grabbed my guitar case, threw on the first hoodie I found, and walked the six blocks to the Echo Room.

The neon sign buzzed softly above the door, painting the puddles on the street that soft blue glow I'd always loved. The moment I stepped inside, the familiar warmth hit me — coffee brewing somewhere in the back, faint smell of beer, and the sound of someone lazily strumming an acoustic guitar near the stage.

Minhee was easy to spot. She was sprawled across the Echo Room's oldest couch, legs kicked over one armrest, phone in hand, looking like she owned the place. Her silver hair was tied up in a high ponytail, a few strands falling loose around her face, and she grinned the second she saw me.

"Ohhh, look who decided to leave her cave," she said, sitting up and patting the empty cushion next to her. "Come sit. Tell me everything."

"I have nothing to tell," I said flatly, though I still slid onto the couch because I was weak.

"Liar," Minhee said immediately, leaning closer and squinting at my face. "You've got that look."

"What look?"

"The look you get when you're trying to act like you don't care but you secretly care so much it's eating you alive."

"Wow," I deadpanned. "Love the psychoanalysis."

Minhee grinned. "I'm right though, aren't I?"

Before I could answer, Nari appeared, carrying two mugs of tea. Her shoulder-length black hair was tucked neatly behind her round glasses, and she set the mugs down on the table before sinking into the armchair across from us.

"You're here late," she said softly, wrapping her hands around one of the mugs. "What's going on?"

I hesitated for half a second before blurting, "Do either of you know what it means when your chest feels like it's doing backflips every time someone walks into a room?"

Minhee gasped so loudly half the people in the Echo Room turned to look at us.

"Oh. My. God," she said, grabbing me by the shoulders and shaking me. "Who is it? Who's the someone?"

I tried to wriggle free, but Minhee was stronger than she looked. "Nobody!"

"Liar," she sing-songed, her grin widening. "It's Jay, isn't it?"

I froze, which was apparently enough of an answer for both of them.

Nari tilted her head slightly, watching me carefully. "You've been mentioning him a lot lately," she said gently.

Minhee nearly vibrated out of her seat. "I knew it!" she squealed, clapping her hands. "Oh my god, this is amazing. Byeol actually likes someone!"

"I didn't say that!" I protested, my face burning.

"You didn't have to!" Minhee said, grinning like a maniac. "You just described every symptom in the 'I Have A Crush' handbook."

"I do not have a crush," I said stubbornly, even though my chest was now burning in a way that felt suspiciously like confirmation.

"You do," Minhee said, already pulling out her phone. "And this is the best day of my life. I need to write this down."

I reached over and smacked her arm. "Do not put this in your notes app like some kind of science experiment."

"Oh, I am," Minhee said, typing furiously. "'Byeol likes Jay. Documenting for historical purposes.'"

I groaned, burying my face in the nearest pillow. "You're the worst."

"Correction: I'm the best," Minhee said proudly. "Because I'm about to help you confess."

I peeked at her from behind the pillow. "Absolutely not."

"Absolutely yes," she said, her grin wicked. "And I know exactly when you should do it — at the big showcase next week."

"What?!" I nearly choked.

"It's perfect!" Minhee said, ignoring my horror. "You're already performing. You're going to be up there on stage looking like a total rockstar. He'll be watching. The vibes will be immaculate. And then you tell him how you feel. Boom. Movie moment."

"Minhee—"

"Nope, I've decided," she said, scribbling something on a napkin like it was a legally binding contract. "'Operation Confess at Showcase.'"

"This is a terrible idea," I muttered.

"It's an amazing idea," Minhee corrected, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "Trust me, I am a professional when it comes to romance."

I arched a brow. "You've been single for six months."

"By choice!" she said indignantly. "And besides, I know what I'm talking about."

Nari had been quiet through most of this, sipping her tea, and when I looked at her, she just gave me a small, polite smile.

"You think this is a good idea?" I asked.

She hesitated, just for a moment, before nodding. "If that's what you want, then yes."

Her voice was calm, but something about her expression felt... off. I pushed the thought aside, chalking it up to me being hypersensitive tonight.

Minhee, oblivious to the quiet tension, launched into full planning mode — brainstorming what I should wear, which song would be the most "confession-worthy," and even suggesting that I work on making direct eye contact with Jay while I played.

By the time we wrapped up and I left the Echo Room, my stomach was full of knots — the good kind.

The terrifying kind.

Because, apparently, I was going to confess to Jay next week.

And somehow, against my better judgment, I was almost excited about it.

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A/N: uhm...heyyy...HELP SILLYBILLYS IM SO SORRY FOR NOT POSTING!! MY WHOLE WATTPAD SHIT DOWN AND I HAD TO EMAIL THEM TO HELP ME anyways im back and ready ! AND GUYS I WAS AT A KPOP FESTIVAL AND I SAW ATEEZ, MINGYU AND S SCOUPS, iii, AND MORE GUY I CANT I ALMOST CRIED