ISTTIMI

CHAPTER 50: IS IT RAINING?

TAEHYUNG'S POV

Loving my best friend wasn't in my plans before leaving high school.

The only plans in my list was to graduate high school, get in KNUA with my first chosen course, be recognized by different talent agencies during big stage plays, graduate college, and land on my first role in acting, hopefully, with Jisoo or the hyungs.

But then things happened.

Me sensing that Mark Tuan likes my best friend then me being a little protective of her.

Me seeing Jisoo close with Mark's friends.

That's when I realized that it was jealousy that I was feeling, not just being an overprotective best friend.

Then there's Jisoo drowning in the ocean.

Jisoo getting anxiety attacks that one night.

Jisoo crying because of her father.

That's when I realized that I want to protect her. Not as a best friend. But because I love her.

I love her, and I don't know why I did so suddenly. I was 17 when I liked her. Along the way, I fell even harder. I don't know when exactly... but I just did.

I don't want to say or even think of the reason why I love Jisoo because I'll only get stuck with that reason.

Then this wrong courtship happened. That afternoon, when I was surrounded by other people because they thought it was So Hyun I was asking out, I saw Jisoo. She was disappointed. She was crying... until I saw someone pull her out of my line of vision.

"Taehyung," So Hyun said, "I think Jisoo's waiting in our room." She showed me the books she was holding. "I took her book for our next class."

I decided I should tell So Hyun about the misunderstanding later on after class. Jisoo was nowhere to be found during our vacant time, and she didn't acknowledge me during class hours even until dismissal.

I was set to approach her before she went out of the room, I wanted to tell her about what really happened. But our classmates called me. "Taehyung, are you going to walk So Hyun home from now on?"

"Uh-" I said, unsure of what to reply, then I saw So Hyun looking at me with expectant eyes. I can't do it right now. "Yes." I continued, trying to muster a smile.

Walking with So Hyun was awkward. Really awkward. I know we can talk about stuff but I just don't want to talk because I might say something that would trigger her.

"Taehyung.." she finally said, "Can you drink with me?"

"What?"

"I want to drink." So Hyun softly said.

I looked around and spotted a nearby convenience store. "Want some Pepsi?"

"Soju. I want soju. I want anything that would help me forget that I'm still living with my dad." So Hyun said, now holding the sleeve of my shirt.

"Okay." I replied, "We'll just finish one bottle then I'll take you home."

However, when we were already drinking, I couldn't make her stop. She kept on buying, I kept on telling her to stop, even asking the man who owned the store to stop entertaining her requests for more. So Hyun got mad at me for stopping her, and days like that went on until I couldn't find a way to get out of the relationship anymore. She even hurt me physically twice when she's too angry at me for restraining her. Luckily, it was just a scratch on my arm and it's December so no one questioned me why I wore long sleeve outfits for two weeks.