Standing Next To You

~ The one where you confess

Vote pleasee <3

You wake up to the soft morning light filtering through your curtains, your phone buzzing persistently on the bedside table. Groaning, you reach for it, only to see a series of notifications—eight missed calls from Naza. Your heart sinks. Something must be up.

As you sit up, the events of the previous night start to replay in your mind. Ryeoun had come over to your restaurant, and though the evening had started a little awkward, it ended quietly at your place. You'd talked, shared a few laughs, and then he left, just like you intended. The fact that Naza was blowing up your phone made it clear that someone had filled her in—likely Hobi.

Still, you find it strange that she called so many times instead of showing up at your door like she usually would. Unless she knew about your visitor. The only person who comes to mind to even tell her is Jungkook. Would he do something like this? He didn't know Ryeoun left shortly after him. The thought makes you sigh, a mixture of frustration and guilt tugging at you. You're not even sure why the idea of Jungkook intervening feels so complicated.

Taking a deep breath, you hit Naza's number and bring the phone to your ear. She answers on the first ring, her voice sharp and full of concern.

"Finally! What happened? Are you okay?" she asks.

"Good morning to you too, Naza," you say dryly, rubbing your temples. "Why do you sound like the world is ending?"

"Don't play dumb," she snaps. "Hobi told me Ryeoun was at the restaurant last night! The night ended up at your place? Did something happen between you two?" Naza says mockingly.

You close your eyes, groaning inwardly. "Seriously, Naza? Nothing happened. He came over because I felt guilty for cutting things short at the restaurant. We talked, he left. End of story."

Her silence on the other end is suspicious. "So...he just left? That's it?"

"Yes, that's it," you say firmly. "Why are you so hung up on this? Wait, How did you even find out?"

"Uh..." she starts, clearly hesitating. "Hobi told me."

"Hobi wasn't even there when we left!" you point out your frustration building. "He has no idea what happened after we walked out. So, again, how did you know?"

"Fine," she huffs. "Jungkook might've mentioned it."

Of course. You should've seen that coming. "Why would Jungkook even bring it up?" you ask, irritation creeping into your tone.

"Maybe because he's Jungkook?" she counters. "And maybe because he was worried about you?"

"Worried about me or does he just not like Ryeoun?" The words slip out before you can stop them, and Naza gasps theatrically.

"Ohhh, so you've noticed it too!" she says, her tone laced with triumph.

You pinch the bridge of your nose, feeling a headache forming. "That's not what I said. Look, Naza, can we just drop this? There's nothing to tell. Ryeoun was here, and then he wasn't. End of story."

"But why did Jungkook feel the need to tell me at all?" she presses, her voice quieter now, almost cautious.

"That's what I'd like to know," you mutter, flopping back against your pillows.

"Maybe," she starts, her voice soft but insistent, "it's because he doesn't actually want to leave you alone with Ryeoun. "

You let out a shaky breath, her words sinking in far deeper than you want them to. "It's not like that, Naza. "

"Is he?" she asks, her tone carrying a note of challenge. "Because he sure doesn't act like it."

You're silent for a long moment, staring up at the ceiling. "Look, I need coffee," you say finally, your voice quieter now.