━━━ ℳ.
❝ I pretend it doesn't hurt, but I crave you
like a bad habit, and you never see it. ❞
𝗜𝗡 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛,
Yang Jungwon found himself
in a dilemma when his bestfriend,
Kang Hyerin, asked him to help
her out with her crush.
...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
★ | twentyeight. healing the broken 06:00pm : monday.
IT'S BEEN DAYS since Jungwon saw Hyerin with Jay outside her house. the image of them together was burned into his mind— Jay standing so close to her, Hyerin smiling in a way that used to be reserved just for him. ever since that day, he couldn't bring himself to talk to her.
he wanted to, more than anything. but every time he thought about it, a wave of emotions crashed over him— jealousy, confusion, anger, and something deeper that he couldn't quite name. he was afraid that if he did talk to her, he'd let everything out. all the feelings he'd been bottling up for so long, the ones he couldn't even admit to himself.
so he kept his distance, hoping that by avoiding her, he could keep it together. but it was getting harder every day. every time he saw her, or even thought about her, the emotions surged up again, stronger and more chaotic.
after school, Hyerin walked home alone. Jungwon usually walked with her, but today was different. she thought why he'd been distant for days, and it bothered her. she couldn't figure out why he was acting this way, though she had a hunch it had something to do with the kiss incident. she thought he might be embarrassed and decided to give him some space, but it didn't make things any easier for her.
deep down, she hated herself for not kissing him when he asked. she'd never admit it, but the regret lingered.
as she made her way out of the school, her thoughts swirling, she noticed a familiar figure sitting on one of the benches.
it was Jay.
his arms were rested on his lap, fingers intertwined tightly, but his head was lowered, hiding his face from view. his usually sharp and confident expression was gone, replaced by a heavy slump in his posture. his dark hair fell forward, casting shadows over his features, but even from a distance, Hyerin could sense something was off.
his shoulders shook slightly, the only indication that he was fighting to hold back tears. he looked so different from the Jay she knew— so vulnerable and lost. the sight of him sitting there, alone and struggling, sent a jolt of worry through her. it wasn't like him to break down like this, especially not in a place where anyone could see.
her heart tightened, unsure whether she should approach him or give him the space he seemed to need. but seeing him like this, she couldn't just walk away.
Hyerin approached him quietly. she moved closer to Jay and sat down beside him, the soft rustling of her clothes the only sound breaking the silence.
she noticed the pain etched across his face, his eyes red and puffy, a clear sign that something had happened. it wasn't hard to guess— she guessed it had something to do with Bora.
with a gentle touch, Hyerin placed her hand on his shoulder, her fingers moving in slow, comforting strokes. the warmth of her hand seemed to draw Jay out of his thoughts. he turned his head sharply, eyes wide with a mix of surprise and vulnerability. as he realized who it was, he quickly swiped at his face, trying to hide the evidence of his distress.
