I ignore Yugyeom for a whole week.
Easier said than done,really.He sits five feet from me at work and lives across the hall.It's been a miracle that I haven't had to talk to him.
It's Friday afternoon, and I'm in a good mood.I finished editing four manuscripts this week, having turned in my fourth one this morning and Jb is picking me up from work.
I'm excited to see him.We've both been busy all week, so we finally get our night out tonight.
The afternoon that I followed Yugyeom still fresh in my mind.Every time I look at him, more and more questions fill my brain.Who are those guys?What numbers?
I shouldn't care.But the way Yugyeom has been more reserved lately makes my mind run.
Four o'clock rolls around and everyone gathers their things to leave.I chat with Perrie as we walk out.
"What are your plans for the weekend?I ask her.She shrugs. "Not a ton. Sleep,eat,repeat" She laughs. "You?"
"I'm seeing Jb tonight"I say.
"Ooh"She says, nudging me."I must know all the details over coffee"
I flush."No we don't...uh..we haven't"
"Oh"Perrie smiles."Still,we should have coffee.Does Sunday work?"
"Sunday's great"
"Perfect,see you then"Perrie unlocks her car and waves me goodbye.
I stake out the lot, but don't see Jb's car anywhere.I take a seat at a bench outside and pull my coat tightly around me.
I check my phone for messages from Jb, but there are none.I text him asking where he is, but no reply.Maybe he's driving.Maybe he forgot the address?
He'll be here,my mind insists.He promised.
Car after car pull in and out of the lot, but not Jb's. Mr.Crystal nods to me as he walks out,phone against his ear.Even Marion makes her way out, shooting me a smile.
The autumn sky begins to dim, the air getting chilled exhale, my breath swirling in front of me.Where is he?
I check my phone.No massages.
I wait another fifteen minutes before calling him, only to get his voicemail.
I hang up and put my head in my hands.Why isn't he answering?He told me he'd pick me up.He took me this morning, so I really don't have a way to get home.I guess I could walk.It's only about fifteen blocks.
I can't help the warm tears that start to fall.Doesn't Jb care about me enough to pick me up from work?
"Y/N?"
I look up to see none other than Yugyeom standing in front of me, confusion written into his features.I quickly whipe my tears away and straighten my posture.I shouldn't have been crying over stupid Jaebum.
"What do you want?"I snap.
Yugyeom stares at me. "Are you alright?"His tone is soft and baffles me.He's never spoken to me any way that wasn't teasing ot hurtful.
I frown.
"Why are you out here yourself?"He asks when I don't answer.
"Jb is coming to pick me up"I say."And then we're going out to dinner and a movie"
Yugyeom checks his phone for the time. "Y/N, it's nearly five o'clock" It's odd to hear him call me by the name I prefer instead of my nickname.
I look away, the wind picking up slightly.I hadn't noticed the grey clouds covering the sky. They look dark and angry.
"Y/N, it's going to rain.Jb obviously isn't coming-"
"He's coming"I interrupt rudely. "He promised"
Yugyeom sighs"Just let me drive you home"I look back at him.His eyes are soft.I've never seen him act compassionate before, and it's a bit comforting.
Thunder booms in the distance.At this point, my choices are limited.I either ride home with Yugyeom or get rained on.
I rise from the bench, slinging my bag over my shoulder.Yugyeom exhales and turns to lead me to his car.
I slide into the passenger seat, the leather seats freezing cold. Yugyeom turns on the heat and backs out of the lot.
"Why are you doing this?"I ask as we drive along.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you being nice to me?:
"I couldn't just leave you there?"
"Why?You hate me anyway"
Yugyeom half smiles."I don't hate you"
"Look, if you feel bad for me or something, I really don't need your pity."
Yugyeom shakes his head"Oh, you girls" he says. "The world always revolves around you"
I cross my arms over my chest."What does being a girl have to do with anything"
"I'm just saying, you always assume someone's feeling bad for you"
I look out the window as rain starts to fall.I think about Jb.Why didn't he pick me up?My chest aches.
"Why are you here?"I ask.
"What?"
"Why are you in America?You're clearly not American"
"What is that supposed to mean?'Clearly not American?"
"I'm not stupid.Your name is Korean and everyone can tell you're Asian, dipshit"
Yugyeom laughs."I moved here four years ago.Why?"he shrugs.
"Wanted to try America on for size,guess"He doesn't meet my gaze.
"So where are you from, then?"
"My name is Korean and everyone can tell I'm Asian,dipshit"
I crack a smile."No, I mean where in Korea."
"Seoul"
"Great"
"We're from the same country,sweetie"he says.
"Please don't call me sweetie"I say for the thousandth time.
"Why do you hate it so much?It's literally a compliment"
"I don't hate it.I just hate it coming from you"
I hate that when you say it,it reminds me of the darkest time of my life.
"I see"He smirks."So you prefer Park ,then?"
"No"I say immediately.This might actually be worse.My first name reminds me straight of my brother.
Yugyeom laughs.It's the first time I've ever seen him really laugh, and it's a nice sight.His eyes squint up and his nice smile carves into his cheeks.
I hadn't realized I was staring and I quickly avert my eyes.Yugyeom notices and smiles wider.
"Honestly, though"he says."You seemed pretty upset back there.Is everything all right?"
I roll my eyes."I wouldn't tell you even if you were the last person on earth."
"Harsh,Park"
"Stop it"
"If I call you y/n for a week, will you tell me?"
"No"
"Two weeks?"
"No"
"A month?"
"Stop talking Yugyeom"
"Come on, y/n.You can tell me.I can keep a secret."
Something about the way he said it made me pause.I open my mouth to snap at his again, but I suddenly stop.I could use a good rant.And from the way Yugyeom looked at me back there, maybe he does care.I mean, he is giving me a ride home.
Jesus.I didn't know 'Yugyeom' and 'Cares' could go in the same sentence without 'doesn't'
"Sometimes I think Jb doesn't care about me"I say in one breath, clamping my mouth shut like a six year old that said a curse word in front of their mother.
Yugyeom nods slowly."Why do you think that?"
"I.."I can't believe I'm talking about this with Yugyeom."He always forgets about me and has so much work and I don't think the other interns have as much work as he does"I take a breath.
"Is that what happened?He forgot to pick you up?"
I nod silently,biting my lip.I don't want to cry in front of Yugyeom.I don't want to cry at all over Jb.
He pulls into the lot of our apartment building.Rain pours around the car.
"We should wait it out"he says."If we don't want to get soaked"
I nod, focusing on my breathing,Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry-"
"It's alright if you need to cry"Yugyeom says,turning to face me.
Damn you,Yugyeom. Damn you to hell.
I shake my head and chew on the inside of my cheek.
"Come on y/n. Don't hold it in. Jb doesn't treat you right, does he?" When I look up,his eyes are kind and understanding, sometimes I've never seen in him before.
Something in his tone makes me snap.I bury my face in my hands and let out, hot tears streaming down my face. A warm hand touches my back,soothing me.
I hate this.I hate crying in front of Yugyeom.I feel so weak.
Yugyeom doesn't say anything as I compose myself.I lean back in my seat,staring at the grey ceiling of the car.I know I probably look as deathly as the storm outside,but at the moment,don't care.
"This is a nice car"I say, my voice slightly hoarse from crying.
"Thanks"
"It has a new car smell"
"It's three years old"
"Hmm"
Yugyeom drums his fingers on the steering wheel."Want to play twenty questions?"he asks suddenly