the story of us 》sungtaro

35

Apologies to anyone reading this, I had to step away for a moment. You see, I have been dreading writing this part since the moment I began this silly story.

But after taking a breath, eating some comforting snacks, and dwelling on how much I hated high school: we're back.

If we remember correctly, at this point in our story, I am standing at the edge of a circle, gawking like a fool while my dearest beloved makes out with someone else.

Thinking back now, I really don't know if I would have crumbled to the ground or ripped the girl off of that player. Know this; I never once blamed her. She didn't know about Sungchan and I, but he did.

Luckily for me, I'll never know what I would have done, because I was pulled away from the circle right as Sungchan was deploying his decietful tongue.

Glancing at the person who was gently pulling me by the hand, I was met with a frowning Jeno. Leading me away from the disaster behind me, I could see his sincere sympathy.

"Let's go home." He told me, his warm tone a comfort to me. I was still frozen, allowing myself to be pulled along as I contemplated what I just witnessed.

Nearing the door, Jeno never let me go for a second. He glanced around the mansion of a place, coming up short. "We just need to find Jaemin and then we're out of here."

Maybe he could see the panic, the desperation to get out of there on my face because he spoke again, his face softening. "Let's get you to the car, we'll wait for him out there."

The arrangement sounded lovely, but unfortunately it never happened as a hand gripped onto my wrist, pulling me the other direction.

Jeno and I both glanced over to find an irritated Sungchan, his nails digging into my skin.

"Sungchan, you're hurting me." I remember getting out, pathetically attempting to pull myself back.

He stayed latched onto me, his face red. "Come here. We need to talk."

I was stuck, as Jeno held onto me as well, not about to let me go with the out-of-his-mind Jung. He moved between us, meeting the giant's gaze. "Let him go. You've been drinking, Sungchan. Don't do anything you'll regret."

We were attracting attention now. People pretended not to blatantly watch our interaction, most not even attempting to hide it.

Sungchan wasn't intimidated. If anything, he glanced and Jeno and I's connected hands, infuriated by the sight. He towered over my ebony hair friend, yanking me closer. "Stay out of this, Jeno."

I saw the way this was going, a possible fight breaking out, Sungchan too drunk to know better. I looked to Jeno, a sincerity in my eyes. "It's ok, Jeno. Let me go."

The Lee hesitated, his gaze questioning if I was sure. I nodded, letting him know it was alright. He hesitated, but let my hand free, not before letting me know: "I'll be right here if you need me."

I wanted to thank him, but the beyond-tipsy Sungchan was impatient. He pulled me away, dragging me up the stairs and barely stopping when I tripped on the way up.

He scanned each room we passed, searching for an empty place. Finally locating one, he pulled us in, locking the door for good measure behind us.

He let me go, running a stressed hand through his hair. "What was that about? You're all close with Jeno now?"

"What was that about?" I mocked, not sure where the sudden fire came from. Perhaps it was the memory of him sucking face with some chick not 10 minutes previous. "You're seriously asking me that? You're the one who needs to explain."

"Explain what?" Sungchan didn't sound a thing like himself. His drowsy eyes burned holes into me as he finally caught on. "What? The kiss? That was nothing, Shotaro."

"Sure didn't look like nothing." Anyone could have seen that. I couldn't believe he would even try that line.

"What was I supposed to do, Shotaro?" He asked as if the question was valid, and maybe it was to him. "I was trying to protect us!"

"Protect us?" I remember the scoff that left my mouth, the answer ridiculous to me. "How is you making out with a stranger helpful at all?"

"People would have asked questions if I said no. You should understand that, you're the one who wanted us secret in the first place." He was losing it, his hands waving wildly about the room.

"That's bullshit and you know it." I pointed a finger at him, my mind running wild. I was moving now, couldn't be stopped. "Was that what you told yourself with all the other girls when I wasn't around?"

Sungchan's face dropped, taking a step closer to me. "You know about them?"

Them. There was more than just the one Donghyuck had mentioned.

"I do now." I can remember my voice breaking. Hearing the defeat, Sungchan used his strength to his advantage, pulling me in his arms. I couldn't help but wonder who else had been in this same position with him without my knowledge.

Burying his head on my shoulder, Sungchan was the weak one now. I could barely hear his pathetic voice. "They didn't mean anything, Shotaro. It's only you, you know that."

Did I?

I allowed myself to be held, smelling the faint scent of alcohol wafting off of him. The smell repulsed me, and all I wanted in that moment was to be far away from him, but I made no effort to move.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, placing a gentle hand under my chin. With my head being forced to look up at him and his unwavering gaze on my lips, I knew what was coming.

In a flash, I thought of all the other people that he'd kissed just like that, and my body moved out of instinct before I even thought about it.

Sungchan watched as I pulled away from his touch, a scoff escaping his mouth. He wasn't used to rejection, the feeling completely foreign to him.

"Fine." He stepped away, eyes narrowed. He mumbled under his breath, a drunken attempt at humor. "I'll just go find someone else to kiss."

"What did you say?" I watched him in disbelief, the knives in my back never ending. "Seriously, Sungchan?"

He didn't expect to be overheard, pitifully attempting to cover it up. Eyes bored, he shook his head. "It was a joke, Shotaro. You always take everything so seriously."

At that point I was tired. Tired of Sungchan, of his lies, and of that whole miserable place.

"This is a party, Shotaro. You're supposed to let loose a little. Do me a favor and try having fun for once in your life." Sungchan groaned, gaze on the ceiling. His sharp tone made me want to cry, but I held it in. "You're ruining the whole night."

With everything I knew being questioned, I kept things short. Looking into those lying eyes, I felt hollow inside. "Enjoy your party, Sungchan. I'm going home."