Mina's POV
A sense of happiness washed over me as we laid on our backs, staring up at the stars. I used to do this with Min all the time, but after everything happened, I haven't had a minute to relax and just wish away the bad.
It was comforting.
Especially with Jaehyo next to me.
"Look," he smiled. "That bunch looks like Yukwon."
I squinted my eyes, gazing up at the vast sky. "Where?"
He pulled me close to his side and pointed to a bunch of strangely aligned stars. "There, see? The pointed ears and that wide smile, it looks just like him!"
I stifled a laugh. "Jae, that looks like a cat."
"It's the same thing!"
We laughed, trying to decipher the other stars. After many cats, bunnies, and the other 6 members later, we decided to explore town a bit longer.
The street lights and the smell of the food vendors made me realize how much I've missed Korea. How long has it been since I last had a nice, traditional Korean home-cooked meal? Or the last time I've gone to a festival? Too long, way too long. I've only been back for a few months but the only times I've ever actually gone out was with Jaehyo, and occasionally Jongin, who surprisingly can't go alone to get Chinese take-out.
Being around the brightly lit shops brought a smile to my face. In fact, the whole place did at the moment. From the cheery owners, to the lovely couples and happy faces everywhere, I didn't seemed to be worried anymore. I nudged Jaehyo and smiled contently.
"Thanks for today, but next time, I get to pay for things alright?" I winked out of habit and bit my lip. He blinked, ruffling my hair as he chuckled.
"Sure, sure."
I gave him a pointed look. "Why did that sound sarcastic?"
With his hands deep in his pockets and his head tilted to the side, Jae gave a playful, crooked smile. "Gee, I don't know?"
I scowled as he teased me. "Yah! Stop it!"
"Eh, I think I'm good." He chuckled.
"Meanie."
He pinched my cheek and was about to say something until his phone buzzed. He stopped, furrowing his brows as he took a minute to glance at the screen, then glanced at me for permission. I nodded as he went to take his call. I took this chance to go check out some of the food vendors, eyeing the samples. I greeted the owner of a small stand with a smile and the bubbly elder looked ecstatic when I asked her if I could try the samples.
"Ooh, what an adorable young lady you are!" Ahjumma cooed, placing more trays out. "Eat as much as you like, but please tell me if it's tasty, arasseo?"
I nodded, taking a small sample and smiling in content as I ate. A mixture of flavors, spicy yet sweet, but yet so delicious. "I love it," I smiled as Ahjumma beamed in delight. "Could I buy a small box of these please?"
After I paid for the Spice Cakes, I bowed and said my thanks. "Most people don't really like these because of the hotness from the peppers, so these don't sell very much. Please come back soon, it's nice watching someone enjoy my cooking."
I smiled softly. "Well, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you, I'll come back, I promise." I glanced over at Jaehyo who was still on the phone, then back at Ahjumma who smiled.
"He's a nice boy, that one." She pointed to Jaehyo. "He used to come by with several others just to buy these, but the poor boy has been working all the time to even visit." She smiled, then handed me a bag. "I'm sure the other boys would enjoy this, could you bring it to them?"
I blinked. "Yes ma'am, but how'd you know?"
"The young boy spoke about you from time to time, and when I saw you, I knew you were her. So, I figured I could get you to deliver these for them."
I smiled gratefully, taking the bag and saying my goodbyes. Jaehyo was still on the phone when I walked over, and I scrunched my brows, not thinking much of it. He looked like he was arguing with someone. I shrugged it off, not wanting to interfere and went to buy drinks for the guys.
"Mina?" A new voice spoke, startling me. I turned around and immediately beamed when I saw four familiar faces. "Is that you?"
I quickly nodded and hugged all four of them tightly. "I missed you guys!"
They chuckled.
"Still being cute I see," Luhan smiled, speaking in his native language.
"I'm glad we ran into you," Yixing chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Taking a break from speaking Korean is great every once and a while. It's so hard."
"You think you have it bad? EXO-K's maknae laughs at me all the time! The MAKNAE!" Zi Tao complained. I couldn't help but giggle.
"So what are you guys doing here? I thought you were heading to China?"
"We are, but the Managers want K & M to have a meeting before we head off to do promotions." Yifan informed coolly. I nodded in understanding.
"Just don't forget about me when you're all famous, okay?"
"Who can forget about you, you're one of the weirdest people we've met since coming here." Yixing cooed. I nervously chuckled. "Is that a good thing?"
"More or less." He smiled.
"Hey, why's that guy over there staring at you? Do you know him?" Zi Tao asked in a hush tone. I glanced over at where he was looking and I saw Jaehyo with a questioning look on his face. I waved and signaled that I'd be over in a minute.
"That's Jaehyo, he's actually taking me on a date." I said quietly.
"Really? How'd he get the chance to go out with you? Lucky dick," Luhan muttered, running a hand through his hair. "He must not be doing that well if you already found other guys to talk to-"
Yifan jabbed him with his elbow to keep quiet. I chuckled, knowing he was only joking.
"Sorry, sorry," Luhan said quickly.
"He isn't doing so bad, I'm having fun." I smiled. "But I have to go now, so I'll see you guys later?"
They nodded and each hugged me goodbye, Luhan hugging me last placed a friendly kiss on my forehead. "If you ever get bored with him, you know where to find me." He winked before being pulled away by Yixing. I blushed and skipped over to Jaehyo, who still had that questioning look.
"Hello?" I waved my hand in front of his face. "I bought Spice Cakes." I said cheerily, hoping to get his attention.
He blinked and stared at me. "Who were those guys?"
What?
"Who were those guys?" He repeated, but something about his tone kept me on edge.
"They're my friends."
"Tch, okay sure."
My brows furrowed.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just peachy." He scoffed, grabbing onto my wrist as he began pulling me. "C'mon, we're going home."
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"Jae.." My brows furrowed.
"Jae." No response.
"Jae!" I clenched my fists.
"AHN JAEHYO. QUIT FREAKING DRAGGING ME, I CAN WALK!" We were both at the door when he finally let go. I grabbed my wrist with my good hand and rubbed the red marks away. His back was facing me when I glanced up.
I took a deep, long awaited breath. "What's going on? We were having fun today and then, boom! Out of nowhere you drag me and ignore everything I say?"
"Whatever." He brushed off my words coldly, unlocking the door and leaving it open for me to follow. I groaned, closing the door behind me and placing the bags on the counter as I followed him to his room.
"Seriously," I said softly, gaining his attention. "What's going on?"
He scoffs, staring at me ridiculously. "What's going on?" He repeats. "Mina, obviously there's nothing going on."
"I don't understand..."
"That's the problem Mina! You never fucking understand." I winced as his words came out like venom. I could feel my blood starting to boil. My temper was never good.
"Then tell me what don't I fucking understand?!"
"Everything! Everything Mina! How do you not see that?!" I watched, annoyed as he groaned, slumping down against the bed frame. "You know how much I want you. You know how much I want you to be my girlfriend, for me to actually claim you as mine, but here you go rejecting me. Over and over. Like it's some type of game for you... but then you kiss me and you tell me you like me? 'What's going on' should be the question I ask." He looks me in the eyes and I could see the hurt in his. "Look, I get it if you don't like me, but you could've just said something besides flirting it up with four randoms. Stop toying with me."
I bit my lip. "Do I really come off that way to you? Jaehyo, you know that I like you! I only like you and I only want you. I wasn't flirting, I swear. They're my friends and that was probably the last time I'd see them before they went back to China."
Jaehyo shut his eyes and when I thought this argument was over, it only got worse.
"Stop lying to me."
My eyes widened slightly, not in shock, but in anger.
"I'm not lying! Why do think I'm lying?!"
"I saw him kiss you!"
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
"That fucking doe-eyed prick!" He snapped, his gaze burning into me. "I saw the way he looked at you. Don't you dare tell me there's nothing going on between you two!"
I flinched, slowly closing my eyes as I slid to the ground, my back against the door. "It's obvious that no matter what I say at this point, you won't believe me, but there really isn't anything going on." I could hear my voice breaking. "I only like you... hell, I think I might even love you..."
Jaehyo lowered his head, as if contemplating something. He chuckled bitterly, then rose his head to look me in the eyes.
"Tell me Mina," He said softly. "Has there ever been a time where you actually told the truth?"
"Jaehyo what--"
"Answer the question." He snapped, his eyes filled with sadness and betrayal.
I bit down on my cheek and covered a hand over my mouth to stop my uncontrolled breathing. I tried calming myself, telling myself not to cry. Not in front of him.
"I'm telling the truth, why aren't you believing me!?"
"What reasons have you given me to believe you!?"
I slammed my palms down on the hard surface, hoping to hold onto something for my own sanity as I shouted.
"Since we've met, never once have I ever lied to you! I don't even why we're fighting anymore... I just told you I love you, and you just shove it away? Saying that I'm lying to you?"
My voice broke to hardly a whisper, looking at him with pleading eyes.
".....What did I do?"
His eyes softened and he looked as if he was about to reach out to me, but he stopped himself.
"You always act so pure." He muttered quietly. "You act as if you never notice all these guys willing to do anything for you... as if you have no one, but in reality, you have more people than I do. That's all you do. You act so much that you're living in one of your lies." I tried looking for something in his eyes, something that could tell me that he wasn't meaning what he said. I found nothing but cold, dark, vacant-ness.
"I can't bring myself to trust you, despite my feelings." It was the first time he couldn't look at me. I felt a pang in my chest, his words seemed to eat away at me. "Who knows how many guys you have behind my back."
I bit my tongue, glaring at the boy in front of me.
"This is all bullshit." I scoffed. "You mean, all this was because you were jealous? You sat here, tearing me apart, making me confused out of my mind because you couldn't just sit down and talk to me about this? Jaehyo, you don't know anything about me." My eyes narrowed. "I don't act for anyone. I don't have guys lining up for me. And I'm sure as hell not cheating on you. I keep saying no to you because I don't want to lose you. Every time someone gets close to me, they end up leaving me... and I didn't want you to leave me either. But now, I can't even think right because of you! I don't even know who I am anymore!"
"Mina, listen--"
"No Jaehyo, you listen." I cut him off. "You say you're worrying about me with other guys, but what about you? I worry every time I see you on a Talk Show or having a performance. You think I don't notice how women practically throw themselves at you and you do nothing to stop it? I sit at home, saddened by the fact that they can get so close to you, but then I'm reminded that you're mine." I vision blurred as I stood up. "That is, you were mine."
I reached out for the doorknob but felt a hand tugging me back.
"Let go."
I tried as to say my words as coldly as possible, but merely had them crack for the millionth time that night. My back slammed against the wall as Jaehyo hungrily crashed his lips to mine. He held me tightly, his body pressed to mine as he tried to deepen the kiss, but after the events, I couldn't bring myself to kiss him back. I wanted so bad to slap him, to cry and to have him hold me like nothing happened. But I knew better. My hands were on his chest, trying to shove him away from me, but he was too strong and my mind was weak.
"Please... Jaehyo please... stop," I whimpered as my tears finally fell. I couldn't help myself, I lost it. Jaehyo pulled away slowly, but when he saw my tears, he held me closer in a gentle embrace, rubbing soothing circles on my back. That only made it worse.
My face was buried into his chest, but my body was shaking violently. Why am I hurting so much? Why do I keep hurting him so much?
My hands shoved against him, breaking the embrace. I wiped at my tears and even though I was still shaking, his words from earlier came rushing to me, bringing me more pain.
"N-no," As much as it hurt me, I looked him in the eyes with every word I said. "You don't trust me. You didn't even give me time to explain myself before verbally tearing me down. I've already escaped one man like that... but I didn't expect you to be another."
He stared at me with a hurt expression, but he knew exactly what I meant. I reached out for the door knob, this time with anyone grabbing me.
"Mina wait!"
"Jaehyo please... Just leave me alone..."
I walked out of his room, grabbing my stuff and wiping at my eyes as I left in a hurry, bumping into the people outside the apartment corridors. I quickly apologized, leaving before anyone could comment, but I know they saw.
The best day of my life turned into the worst in an instant, and I didn't even see it coming...
I got into a fight with the one I love, heard every single hurtful word he said, and pushed him away... and to top that off, his friends just witnessed my breaking point.
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Author's POV
Jaehyo watched in silence as Mina ran out. It hurt him to see her like this, but it hurt him worse knowing that he caused this to happen. His fist hit the wall in sheer anger, punching the same spot over and over until a dent was formed. He let his emotions get the best of him without hearing her out. She was right. He was being as much of an asshole to her like her step-father was in the past.
He hated himself for it.
He hated being jealous over every little thing.
But most of all, he hated how he just let her go...
Jaehyo stared up at his ceiling, not knowing what to do as his members rushed to the room. One member in particular, looked more deadly than usual.
Yukwon sent the elder daggers, grabbing a fistful of his shirt and forcing the Jaehyo to look at him.
"What did you do to her?" His piercing glare burning deeper as his hold on the elder never faltered.
"I told you never to hurt her, hell, I told you to not even get involved with her. Now she's crying again. Do you have a death wish!?"
Jaehyo didn't budge, not even phased by the threats of being beat. B-Bomb and Zico held Yukwon back before he threw a punch at the elder's face.
"Kwon calm down." B-Bomb said, making the younger boy count to ten, controlling his temper. "We'll figure out how to handle this in the morning."
Yukwon dropped his grip on the elder and scoffed, rolling his eyes as he left to blow off steam. "Fuck this."
B-Bomb groaned, "I'll take care of Kwon, you guys look after Hyo."
The door slammed, creating an eerie silence in the dorm. It was Taeil who spoke up, breaking the silence.
"What just happened?"
Jaehyo looked at his slightly bleeding fist, which was now red and swollen, then to the other members.
"I messed up..."
"Badly."
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A/N:
Hello readers, was this chapter okay?
-M.J.'s first fight :O
Comment what you think? :3
Oh and to those non-EXO fans out there, I need to clear something up. Kai and Jongin are the same person, it's just that Kai is a Stage name (or in this case, a nickname). And the Chinese members in this story, those are their actual names as well. (They were mentioned briefly in Chapter 11).
Kai = Jongin
Lay = Yixing
Zi Tao = Tao
Yifan = Kris
Comment, vote, anything! I'll try to update the next chapter soon :D