Yeonjun and I slowly but surely began to get closer to each other and he's even become comfortable letting me see different sides of him as did I. We get along well and even find ourselves longing for one anothers presence. Everyday after he comes home from work, he seems tired and even then he always finds some energy to spend time with me. With school rolling in for the upcoming semester I'm not sure how much time we'll have for each other though.
He is well aware of this and undoubtedly supportive about it, but will I really have any time to focus on school while keeping him company?
"Aaeri let's go out for the rest the night" He said.
We gather our things and leave and he holds my hand in his. Soon enough we find ourselves at the mall and grab a bite to eat. He playfully attempts to feed me and I couldn't help but laugh. He makes me happy for reason. I enjoy his presence and truthfully I missed this feeling.
"haven't your parents ever taught you to not play with your food Yeonjun?" I asked.
"I'm not playing with my food though I'm playing with yours" He says back with a smile.
"Aaeri? Hwang Aaeri"
I look over in the direction the voice came from and seen the two people I truly despise most in this world.
"Eunchae. Jeong-In" I said. I felt the tears threatening in my eye in remembrance of what they did to me.
"Aaeri how are you?" He asked.
"who cares she's clearly moved on" Eunchae said rolling her eyes.
"Ignore her. Look Aaeri I'm so sorry about that night I really am" He said trying to hug me.
Suddenly I was pulled away as Yeonjun steps in front of me.
"mmm seeing him up close sure is a delicious sight" Eunchae says stepping between the two guys.
"Leave" He said.
"oh but babe we just got here. Stopping by to say hi to our friend Aaeri here" She said.
"Friend? You were never my friend Eunchae" I say.
"Oh she speaks" She mocks.
"Read the atmosphere she doesn't want to see or speak with you " Yeonjun said.
"Then she doesn't have to. I only want to speak with you" She says.
"Eunchae" Jeong-In said pulling her arm.
"don't touch me" She snaps.
"You just can't help yourself can you?" I asked annoyed.
"excuse me?" she said stepping forward. Yeonjun holds his arm out protecting me.
"You take anyone you want when ever you want without thinking of the consequences" I say.
"Why should I? I'm pretty sure he'll leave you for me any day Aaeri. After all pretty people always end up with pretty people and your not one of them" She said.
We stood face to face before Yeonjun covered me completely.
"You not worth liking. I could never leave Aaeri for a girl like you. Your just like her" He said to Eunchae.
She scoffs and brings her face closer to his before he pushes her off.
Jeong-In watched her with a hurt expression filled with betrayal. He knew she was like this and still didn't care to leave her after that night.
"Hey Aaeri know who your friends are and as for you don't think I'm done trying to claim you as my prize" She said to Yeonjun.
He scoffs at her statement before she and Jeong-In leave.
"Aaeri I'm sorry for bringing you here" Yeonjun said turning to me with sad eyes.
"You meant well Yeonjun. You didn't know what happened between all of us so it's not your fault" I said. He took my hand and we left the mall. We walk around for a few more hours before heading home.
We walked into his apartment and both of us flop onto the couch.
"Was she always like that?" He asks.
"Eunchae?"
"Yeah" He says.
"No. She wasn't I don't know what happened to her but she just wanted to take any and everything she wanted for herself even if it meant hurting others. She was actually a very sweet person and never liked hurting anyone. My brother loved her like a sister and I too felt like she was my sister. My parents opened our home to her and they raised her as their own. When they died it took ripped my heart into shreds and I needed to be alone but I guess she didn't like that. She lashed out and spiraled. I eventually found out she was sleeping with Jeong-In my ex. I didn't even stop to think that she was probably hurting over their death as much as I was. That night, she had said some pretty disrespectful things to me about my parents and I kicked her out along with Jeong-In and my other friend Nara who knew what they were doing while I was grieving" I said. By the time I finished tears stained my cheeks and I couldn't stop them from falling. Yeonjun pulled me closer to him hugging me tightly as I cried. It hurts more now that I've said it all out loud.
He tried to calm me down and even wipes away my tears with his hoodie sleeves cupping my face.
"I'm sorry I made you talk about all of that" He says.
I shake my head understanding that none of it was his fault and that it wasn't his intention to make me cry. He cuddles me close to him for a bit before falling asleep. I stood up and covered him with the throw blanket and leave to the bathroom. I fill up the tub and undress. I step in and crouch into the water I lay back and let the tears fall again. I didn't want them knowing about him. I didn't want him knowing about them. I didn't want any of this to happen and yet, it did.
I splash the water on my face and wash the tears. I submerge completely under the water and resurface. I wash up and get out wrapping a towel around myself. I head to my room seeing that he was still asleep. I dry my hair and put on some sleepwear and lay in my bed. I hope he doesn't blame himself for today. That was not his fault.
