✩ NOT MEANT TO BE ✩
a/n: this is a college au!
Saturday, 10:34am — "Guess where I am!"
You squealed, showing off your room to your boyfriend, Jeongwoo, who was connected through a videocall.
"Well, you are not home, that's for sure," Jeongwoo retorted with a chuckle, making you giggle. "Are you in a hotel room? Did your university take you on another trip?" He inquired, impressed as it was only last week you had told him of a trip to Quebec City.
"It's a trip, of sorts."
"Dang, the only time we go on trips is during the spring and summer, but we never have awesome trips like yours."
You laughed, shaking your head. "Woo, can't you guess where I am?" You angled your camera so it captured the infamous Han River in the background.
"I have no clue, but that's a pretty nice view, princess. What part of Canada are you in now?"
"Idiot, I am in Korea. That's the Han River!"
You and Jeongwoo were the best of friends when you were in middle school, and the feelings blossomed into love when the two of you were seniors in high school. After a lot of hesitation and pep talks, Jeongwoo finally asked you out — literally, when your entire grade knew of you two liking each other — and you guys started dating.
The sweet dates and memories ended when you got accepted into an university in Canada — on a scholarship — and with the pressure you got from your parents and school, you ended up choosing the same university, which meant you had to leave Jeongwoo behind.
But he would not give up that easily. Even though you had hinted at several occasions to break up with you, Jeongwoo never agreed to it. People say long-distance relationships never work, but I want to prove them wrong, he always said, being stubborn. You were glad he never broke up with you, because if anything, ever since you went to Canada, your love for each other has become stronger.
I told you, Y/N. I won't give up on us.
"Wait, for real?! You are in Korea right now?!" Jeongwoo exclaimed, getting an excited nod from you. "It's been years since we met. We should definitely meet up!" Your smile brightened at his words, glad he had the same idea as you.
"The university brought us for a two-week exchange program. I'm the only Korean who is fluent in our batch, so they said I should tag along too, so I could be the translator for them," you explained, and Jeongwoo stared at you in awe. "We have some stuff planned for these two weeks, but I'll send you my schedule, you and cross-check and see if we can meet up on a free day."
Jeongwoo nodded, a wide smile on his face. "Yep, we have some stuff planned with our university too, but I'm sure we can meet up," he stated. "I can't wait to see you after a long time, princess."
"Me too, Woo."
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Tuesday, 07:14am — "I'm really sorry, Y/N. I forgot about the annual festival."
You shook your head, waving it off, feeling bad. "It's fine, babe. They planned an impromptu tour of Iksan, and apparently I have to take them around." You pouted, feeling relieved when you saw a slight smile on Jeongwoo's face.
"You are going to Iksan now?" He questioned, causing you to nod in reply. "Maybe I can ditch the festival and meet up with you in Iksan? I just have to inform Haruto and then I'll leave soon," he suggested, rushing around his dorm as he tried to find his roommate.
"No, Jeongwoo." You frowned. "Aren't you singing for the festival? You can't just cancel your act and come to meet me. Besides, it's a festival for charity, and people would really donate if they heard you sing. Don't ditch the festival. We can always meet up, I'm here for another week, after all." You tried convincing the male, sighing in relief when he grudgingly agreed.
"Fine, then. How about this week, Thursday? I'm positive I have nothing that day. No lectures, no parties, no outings, nothing at all." He looked at you in anticipation, hoping you were free too.
You bit your lip, going through your schedule, brows furrowed. "Hm, we have a seminar that morning, but it ends at 11. I'm free for the day after that," you spoke, meeting Jeongwoo's gaze through the screen, smiling widely, which caused him to do the same.
"I won't give up, princess. We are going to meet up if it's the last thing I do."
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Wednesday, 09:52am — "Yes, Sir. Yep, no problem. We could do that, yes. Okay, good night."
You grimaced as you buried your face in your hands, frustrated with the situation. As it was the last week of you guys being in Korea, your department head wanted to treat everyone in your batch to lunch and dinner, along with an escape room experience for some fun after the dreadful seminar you guys had.
Fisting your hands over your eyes, you held back a choked sob, not knowing to break the situation to Jeongwoo. The two of you were planning to meet up on tomorrow, but things didn't work out with the day your department head had planned.
It wasn't like you could refuse to go with them ... you were their guide, after all.
Your roommate, Hana, who was the guide of the Engineering faculty, watched you with a sympathetic gaze, having known all the plans you and Jeongwoo had made. She walked towards you, sitting on your bed as she patted your back, feeling bad for you.
"Maybe I can take your faculty around tomorrow?" She offered, wanting to do her best to help you out, since you had done so for her frequently.
You shook your head, knowing it wouldn't work. "Mr Costell insisted he wanted all of us to go, so I can't just burden you like that. Besides, it's a faculty day, and that means you can't do the tour with them." You sighed, shakily grabbing your phone. "I'll just text Jeongwoo."
"I'm sure he'll understand. Oof, if only I could kick Mr Costell back to Canada." Hana tried cheering you up, ruffling your hair as you sniffled, typing through your teary eyes.
i don't think i can make it tomorrow, woo.
our head planned a faculty day out
again?
what is with your faculty head and impromptu trips?
it's fine, i guess
our uni has another fundraiser tomorrow, i'll just help out there
i'm really sorry, woo
what about friday?
we are leaving on saturday, so we are getting the whole friday free
are you free?
yeah, definitely. let's do friday
don't be disheartened, princess
we will meet each other, no worries
you are the best, jeongwoo
see you on friday near the han river :)
i love you <3
i love you more <3
good night, sleep well
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Friday, 10:49am — "You have to be kidding me."
Jeongwoo stared at his roommate, Haruto, in disbelief. His eyes were widened as he heard the news, shaking his head as he tried to convince himself he was simply having a nightmare.
A nightmare, and nothing else. I'm gonna wake up now. Just wake up, I'm gonna–
"Jeongwoo, just take a breath," Haruto worriedly spoke, holding the younger before he collapsed. "I don't know much either. Hyunsuk hyung called me and said to come to the hospital with you quickly because Jihoon hyung got into an accident."
Jeongwoo shakily nodded, feeling weak as he heard the news of his brother getting in an accident. "What hospital? Let's go," he mumbled, grabbing the keys off his desk as he tried his best to rush out of his dorm.
"I'll drive," Haruto offered, seeing his best friend was too shaken to do anything.
During the ride to the hospital, Jeongwoo remembered you, closing his eyes as he leant against the headrest before taking out his phone. He quickly typed out a text, sending it before realising they had arrived at the hospital, hurrying out of the car to the hospital.
i can't make it today
i'm sorry y/n not delivered!
my brother got into an accident and i'm at the hospital not delivered!
Jeongwoo didn't leave his brother's side, waiting for the older to come into consciousness so he could scold him for being reckless. He cried and cried as he held his brother's hand, not really knowing why as a million thoughts ran across his head.
Was he crying because his brother got into an accident? Or was he crying because he could not meet you, no matter how hard he tried? Whatever the reason was, he couldn't help but take the blame for all of it.
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Saturday, 12:19pm — "Jeongwoo, did you text Y/N about what happened?"
Haruto inquired, seeing the notification of a confusing message from you. Jeongwoo turned to look at his best friend, raising his brows in question as his brother, Jihoon, did the same.
Jihoon had regained conscious around six in the evening and had to listen to Jeongwoo's lecturing till around midnight. The doctors said he had to be monitored for a day or two, and Jeongwoo signed the documents as Jihoon's guardian, despite being younger than him.
He confusingly looked at Haruto. "What do you mean, Ruto?" He asked, gesturing him to explain what he had meant.
"I don't know. Y/N gave a heck lotta calls and sent you a text." He handed Jeongwoo his phone, which the latter took quickly and checked, grimacing and hitting his hand against his head as he saw the 50 missed calls from you and read your text.
i guess you gave up on us jeongwoo
i'm leaving in a bit
just thought you should know
Jeongwoo scrolled upwards, cursing under his breath as he saw the messages that were not delivered because he didn't have enough credit for it. Jihoon read the messages from over his shoulder, catching glimpses of the older texts and getting an idea of what had happened.
"Woo, I'm fine now. Just meet Y/N, even if it's just for a few minutes," Jihoon urged, feeling bad for his brother. "When is the flight?"
"Y/N said they had to board by 12.45." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Can I make it in time?"
"You have to try," Jihoon muttered, looking over at Haruto, gesturing him to say something.
"The airport is only five minutes away. If you go now, you can definitely make it. Sort out your misunderstanding, and it's better to do it in person rather than over the phone," Haruto spoke, getting a nod from Jihoon.
"Hand me the keys, Haruto."
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Saturday, 12:27pm — "Y/N! Y/N! Wait up!"
Just like in the movies, Jeongwoo ran through the airport, relieved when he saw you lounging outside with the rest of your batch, staring at your phone sadly. Thankfully, you hadn't gone through the gates yet. Otherwise, that would be it.
You looked up as you heard your name being called, going slightly red as everyone in your batch looked at you. You turned towards the source of the voice, tearing up as your gaze landed on Jeongwoo, looking like a madman as he rushed through the crowd, apologizing continuously as he hit against people.
"Y/N, I'm sorry! I really am! Let me explain!" He begged, grasping your hands, not caring about who was around. He just wanted to make things right.
"Idiot," you cried, shoulders shaking as you did. "You stood me up." You weakly raised your hands, hitting Jeongwoo's chest repeatedly.
Jeongwoo shook his head, taking out his phone and showed it to you. "I'm really sorry, it's a misunderstanding, please," he apologized. "Hyung met with an accident, and I was too frantic about it, so I didn't see that the messages were not delivered. I'm really sorry, Y/N."
Realising you were too quick to put the blame, you hung your head low, unable to meet Jeongwoo's eyes. "You could've called me, Woo. Or have Haruto call me. I was worried sick. You do not know the things that went through my head," you croaked as Jeongwoo wiped away your tears.
"I'm sorry, Y/N."
"I thought you gave up on us, Jeongwoo."
The male's eyes widened, shaking his head vigorously. "No, of course not, never! I would never give up on us, princess. Never." He cupped your face in his hands, making you meet his eyes as he gave you a slight smile. "How could I ever give up on you?"
"But nothing works out, Jeongwoo." He tilted his face in confusion, feeling his heart tighten when you called him by his name. Twice, now. Did you give up on him? "It hurts when I cannot see you, but it hurts more when I had the chance, but didn't have enough luck to meet up."
"But, Y/N, you can't just–" He prayed internally, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.
"Don't you see it? For the past two weeks, every time we tried to meet up, something or the other came up. Fourteen days! Fourteen days, and we weren't able to meet up for even one, and when we did, it had to be the last few minutes I have left in this country."
"W-What are you s-saying, Y/N?" Jeongwoo held back tears of his own, gripping onto your hands, not wanting to let go.
An announcement came on, stating passengers to enter the gates — which meant it was time to go. Your batchmates shook themselves out of the drama that unfolded in front of them, and your department head blinked confusingly, clearing his throat to grab everyone's attention, and he announced to start boarding.
"Maybe we are not meant to be, Jeongwoo."