The Change Within

㊸But... Were You?

 
Time flowed like a halcyon river on a sunny day for Jeongguk; no anger, no nightmares, not even an argument with another student.

He had almost turned into an utterly different person. Even Mr. Kung was astounded by the change, although he knew the reason.

Everyone knew the reason.

He was happy. Cherished. Loved. By someone other than his friends. And that someone was more than he could ever ask for. He could finally breathe because of him. Enjoy his life. Live each day instead of just getting through it.

And he could only pray for things to stay the same from now on.

 
For Taehyung, it was just as peaceful. Just as heavenly.

He completed his novel and started proofreading it, he endured the dull business classes he had with a positive mindset, and he found the courage to free himself from the weight of his parent’s pressure to be perfect — to succeed in something he wasn’t interested in.

He was determined. Determined to finish this academic year and change his course of study the next year to what he truly wanted to do.

Even though that decision pricked his heart and brimmed it with guilt every time he thought about his parents, he couldn’t bear to live in misery because of them. Not anymore.

They hadn’t gotten in contact with him since the incident with his father sixteen days ago. And Taehyung didn’t venture to phone them, not even text them. The fear of getting yelled at or being ignored was too dolorous to handle.

He also mentioned to Jeongguk what Haejun had told him about his father and his plans to appeal his conviction since he believed he had to know, but the younger already knew about it.

He had kept contact with an attorney from the prosecution who was in charge of his father’s trial, and she had called him the first time he wanted to appeal his conviction. Thankfully, his request was denied back then. And she let him know again the moment she found out. That was even before he met Taehyung.

🥀

Taehyung checked the clock for the nth time, eager to finish his shift to meet his friends and boyfriend at the night out they had planned.

“You’re spacing out again,” his boss, Seowoon teased, taking him by surprise since his mind was floating far away in colorful bubbles where Jeongguk’s astonishing face was engraved.

“Sorry, hyung. I’m going out tonight with my friends and I can’t wait. It’s been so long since we had a night out.”

“Why don’t you go out more often?”

“Everyone has their schedule and it’s difficult to find a day that works for all of us.”

“I see. Well, you can leave now if you want. We don’t have a lot of customers, anyway.”

“It’s okay, I only have ten minutes left.”

“Exactly. You won’t be missed.”

“I don’t know if I should thank you or be mad with what you just said.” Taehyung folded his arms over his chest, a fake pout adorning his traits.

“Come on, you know what I mean, Tae,” he answered with a chuckle as he ruffled his hair. “Go.”

“Wait,” he said, preventing him from leaving. “I wanted to ask if I can work more hours. Is it possible?”

“Why would you do that? You won’t have any free time with the uni and stuff.”

“I... fought with my father and he said he won’t give me any money from now on. I was coping until now since I had some extra money saved up, but with the bills and everything I have to pay in a few days, I’ll be broke.”