|Jiyoon's POV|
"Yah, until when are you going to stop avoiding me?"
"From now on, I'm back to the Moon Bin that you used to know. The old crazy Bin that you grew up with."
At that very moment, I couldn't help but smile. Happiness quickly filled my body up as soon as I saw his lips curved upwards as his eyes turned into two crescents. I've been missing that old sweet smile for days. Gosh, things finally went back the way it used to be. I missed my bestfriend. But, a weird feeling was mixed up with my happiness too. Something.. I've never felt before. Honestly speaking, I was kinda nervous when he approached me but.. once he stated that specific line, I was actually relieved. Relieved that, he's back. The old him is back.
It's actually a great thing that he broke the awkwardness between us. Well, after his.. confession. Speaking of which, I still owe them my answer. What am I supposed to do now?
Ugh. Let's sleep for now. I need to get a rest.
•••
The next day
We are standing outside Eunwoo's house while waiting for him to come out.
"Yah, it's been 5 minutes already. We can't be late for school." Oppa whined.
"Don't worry. I'm sure he's coming out anytime now." I replied, sending a reassuring smile.
"Okay."
After another 5 minutes
"Jiyoon-ah, if we stay here, we'll totally be late. We need to go now." Oppa said with a hint of frustration in his voice as his face turned serious.
"But-"
"You need to make a choice. Would you rather wait for him and be late for school, or let's go now? Remember, late is equal to a detention." Oppa said, crossing his arms.
I heaved out a sigh. "You're right. Maybe he was just early at school." I said, hoping for what I said to be true.
"Good. Now, come on." Oppa said as he quickly walked ahead of me. I took a last glance at Eunwoo's house and followed Oppa.
•••
As I got to my classroom, I was kinda relieved. I was not late. But, I was mostly disappointed and sad. He's not here. I took my seat and fixed my bag as I took a glance at his desk.
"Hey," I lift my head up and saw Bin. "Where's Eunwoo?" He asked.
"I.. I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders as a frown crept up my cheeks.
"Hey, you okay?" He asked with concern as he tapped my shoulder. "Uhh.. yeah." I hesitantly replied.
"Attention everybody! Now, get back to your seats." Professor Shin instructed as soon as he got inside the room.
"Jiyoon-ah, if something's wrong, you can tell me. Okay?" Bin said, sending me a comforting smile as I nodded in reply.
"Now, get your books and turn to page 253." Professor Shin said.
•••
School day's almost over, yet he didn't even tell me if he's going to be absent. I'm getting worried. I hope he's fine.
Finally, the last subject ended. Cha Eunwoo, where in the world are you? Recess, absent. Lunch break, absent. Until.. dismissal came and, he didn't even sent me just one text.
I heaved out a sigh and headed to the school gate. "Jiyoon!" I turned around and saw Bin rushing towards me with a smile on his face.
"What's up?" I asked, still wearing that frown since morning. "You look pretty gloomy today. Is.. everything alright?" He worriedly asked.
"Nah, don't worry about me. I'm fine." I lied. "Okay. I hope you enjoy your 'movie date' with your crush." He said, plastering a smile. An obvious fake smile.
"Yeah." I replied as my voice got lower. Yeah, I hope.
"So, I'll get going now. I need to change my clothes for later. Bye." He nodded his head and waved his hand, bidding his goodbye.
As I got home, I quickly changed my clothes and looked at myself in the mirror. "Jiyoon, let's not doubt Eunwoo. He wanted this to happen. So.. he'll be there. He'll totally be there. Maybe there were just some important stuff he needed to do that's why he was absent. Come on. Smile!"
I forced a smile on my face, trying to get rid of my worry. Then, I headed downstairs. "Mom, I'll be going out."
"Don't stay out too late!" She exclaimed as I put my shoes on and headed outside. I took the bus and made my way to XX mall, just like what he said.
"It's exactly 5:55 pm. I'll just wait for him. He told me we'll meet up at 6. So, I'm five minutes advance!" I exclaimed to myself as excitement suddenly ran across my body.
I headed to the 2nd floor of the mall, where the cinema was located. I had my head up high, looking for him. It's kinda good that it's not that crowded today.
I looked at the big screen, trying to figure out what movie to watch with Eunwoo. "Should I buy two tickets for-uhh.. Minions? Eunwoo loves minions. But.. I need his opinion. Nah, I'll just buy it when he arrives."
I took a seat at a nearby bench, watching people come and go. Some were friends hanging out, and some were even couples.
I felt alone at the moment since it was already 6:30 pm and still.. he hasn't arrived yet. Out of boredom, I took my cellphone from my sling bag and scanned through the texts. Well, I was expecting he would send me one, saying that he's almost here, or this movie date would be delayed. But.. no. Nothing. There was no text coming from him.
Time passed by fastly, and it was already 9:00 pm. I am totally disappointed, upset and super sad today. He has let me down. I don't even know if I could still consider him. I have waited for 3 hours. I feel like crying.
"Excuse me miss." A male employee said as he approached me.
"Y-yes?"
"Our mall is going to close right now. I'm sorry but, you have to go." He explained.
"Oh, sorry." I bowed my head and made my way outside.
I took my phone once more and scanned through the text messages. Still.. nothing.
My feet dragged me to a bench beside a lampost with my head hung low. I covered my face with my hands while my heart was aching so badly. I felt tears were starting to form in my eyes but it stopped as soon as someone called me.
"Hey," That husky voice said. I lift my head up and saw..
"B-Bin.." I stuttered, trying to hold my tears back. "W-what are y-you doing here?"
"You okay?" He worriedly asked, ignoring my question. "I-I'm fine." I lied, stuttering.
He then crouched down to my level and looked at me straight into my eyes. "No, you're not." He said.
"I said I'm fine." I insisted. He stood up straight and reached out his hand.
I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at him in confusion.
"What are you waiting for? Take it." He said, sending me his puppy smile. I took his hand as he helped me stand up.
He then pulled me into a warm, comforting hug as he caressed my hair. "Yah, how could you lie to your own bestfriend? I can read your eyes, you dummy. I told you, if something's wrong, you can te- NO. You need to tell me. I am always here when you need a shoulder to cry on." He said.
I felt like I was in the verge of tears as I remembered what just happened today. Just then, tears came right out.
How did he know what I truly felt? I was trying my best to hold my tears back but.. once he pulled me into his embrace, I felt safe. It only took one warm hug from him to calm the storm inside me. I hugged him tighter as more tears fell.
"There, there." He softly said as he caressed my hair. "Aigoo.. I didn't know that our sweet Jiyoon is such a crybaby." He joked. I slapped his arm playfully as I continued sobbing.
"Sorry. The truth is, I followed you here. I was worried, so I wanted to check on you." He admitted.
My eyes widened as I was surprised at his statement. I choked on my own saliva as Bin quickly broke the hug and examined my face. "W-what's wrong?" He worriedly asked.
I shook my head as my reply. "Yah," He called as he cupped my cheeks and made me face him. "Don't cry. I want to see your smile." He said, passing me that sweet smile of him.
At that very moment, my heart was beating really crazy. I didn't know what to do. I mean, how could I be so nervous with him? He's my bestfriend. We have known each other for like, years. I should be super comfortable around him right? But why is my heart telling me something I can't understand?
"Come on. Turn that frown upside down." He said smiling as he wiped my tears with his thumb.
"T-thanks." I mumbled as I looked down. "Uh.. sorry? I didn't catch it." He asked chuckling.
"Thank.. you, for being by my side." I repeated as I faced the floor.
He then cupped my cheeks once more and lift my face up, making me meet his shining puppy eyes. I gulped harder. Our faces are just inches apart. "Smile please." He pleaded.
His soothing voice rang against my ears as it took away all my worry and nervousness. Then, I smiled. Just seeing someone stay by my side in times like this makes me feel.. safe and happy.
"That's it! Now, I want you to tell me if something's wrong okay?" He said as he passed me a smile. I nodded my head as he patted it. He then pulled me into his embrace again. I could feel his heartbeat, it was beating so loudly and fastly.
"Thank you Bin." I said. "It's nothing. Just take note of what I said. I'll always be there whenever you need someone to talk to." He replied. Just then, he broke the hug and looked at me.
"Come on. Let's take you home. It's super late. Your mom must be worried." He said smiling as I nodded my head.
This day, I felt like crying when I expected Eunwoo to come. He could have at least sent me just one text. But no. He didn't. Even one call.
But as Bin came, my pieces got back together. He was like the sunshine that calmed the storm inside my heart.
•••
"Thanks for walking me home. And.. thank you for everything today." I said as I stood in front of our house.
"Yah, stop thanking me. Just like what I said, it's nothing. Now go in." He replied smiling as he stuffed his hands into his pocket.
"Bye, and good night." I said as he nodded his head and waved his hand.
Once I stepped inside, that weird feeling crept up my body. I must admit, I'm getting weird and strange lately. This undescribable feeling is bugging me these days.
"Jiyoon!" Oppa and mom both exclaimed as they rushed to me. I quickly hung my head low, avoiding eye contact.
"Where have you been? We were so worried!" Mom exclaimed as she grabbed my shoulders.
"I-I'm sorry mom." I stuttered.
"Yah, you should've at least called me to pick you up." Oppa said.
"It's okay. I'm fine. I'm safe. Bin sent me home." I explained as I looked at them.
I could see their faces holding back smiles as they both sent glances to each other. Believe me, they looked super weird. "Oh, Bin sent you home? That kid sure is a good son-in-law. He always takes good care of our dear Jiyoon." Mom teased as she playfully tapped Oppa's shoulder.
"Moooooooomm!!" I whined. "What do you mean son-in-law?! You told me that twice!"
"Yeah, I know right." She teasingly replied, wiggling her eyebrows. "I mean, what's not there to like him? He takes care of you, he's kind, he had known you for many years, so he knows what are your likes and dislikes. Most of all, he's handsome." She explained.
I scoffed. "So, what answer did you give him sis?" Oppa abruptly asked. My eyes grew wider as I was taken aback by what he just asked.
No. No. No. He means something else right? "W-what do you m-mean?" I stuttered.
"Yah, don't play dumb in front of us. Allow us." He said as they both cleared their throats.
"I will confess to you now, stay with me." Oppa said dramatically, imitating Bin.
What the heck?
"What kind of script are you memorizing now Bin? It's pretty cool." Mom said while fluttering her eyes.
Aaaaaahhhhhh!!! How do they know this?!
"Jiyoon, I like you." Oppa imitated Bin as he took a step closer to mom.
Oh my gosh! Tell me I didn't see that.
"Then, you hurriedly ran inside the living room, leaving his confession unanswered." Mom and oppa both said in unison.
"Haha.. what are you two talking about?" I nervously asked, avoiding eye contact.
"We-"
"Oh! Look at the time! It's almost 10. I need to sleep now." I stuttered as I quickly ran upstairs.
"What about dinner?" Mom asked. "I'm not hungry!" I exclaimed as I threw myself into my bed.
"Ughh!!" I frustratingly screamed as I covered my mouth with my pillow.
"Leaving his confession unanswered."
"Both confessions are unanswered. And.. it's really confusing." I muttered under my breath.
"Just listen to your heart, it knows where to lead you."
"I don't even know what my heart is saying. It's giving me some weird feeling that I can't understand."
•••
The next day
|Bin's POV|
"You better have some good explanation Cha Eunwoo. You messed with the wrong girl." I mumbled as I waited for that jerk to step inside the room.
3 minutes had passed and finally.. he's here. Wait.. where's Jiyoon? Ugh, let's just get to the point.
I stood up from my desk and walked towards him with my hands stuffed in my pockets. "Cha Eun Woo." I called him as he looked at me.
"We need to talk." I said coldly as I headed outside the room. I felt eyes were on us and whispers were heard in every corner.
•••
At the rooftop
"What do you want Moon Bin?" He asked nonchalantly, as if he didn't do anything wrong.
"Yah. Where were you yesterday?" I asked, sending him a glare.
"That's none of your business." He replied, crossing his arms against his chest.
"Answer me. Where were you?" I asked as I raised my voice and walked towards him.
"I told you. That's none of your business, you punk." He replied as we both glared into each other's eyes.
"You said you like her, you jerk. Then if you like her.. why did you leave her waiting outside the cold street last night?!" I yelled. Finally.
Eunwoo's eyes grew wider in shock as he took a step backwards. I sent him a smirk and said, "What? Why do you look so surprised?"
"She waited for you 3 hours straight Cha Eunwoo! 3 hours! Then you tell me.. it's none of my business? I care for her!" I exclaimed as I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Cha Eun Woo, listen carefully. You should be aware of your actions.. especially when it comes to Jiyoon. I'm warning you, don't hurt her." I said as I bumped his shoulder and made my way back to the room.