in which two souls are binded together with the red string of fate are then forced into a contract to be in a fake relationship where they're not supposed to fall in love but they do so anyways.
enhypen / park jongseong - jay
STARTED 220115
COMPLETE...
can't you sense me? i've been right here all this time. would you still be here pretending you still like me?
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the cafe smelled like cinnamon and roasted beans, the air warm with the hum of early afternoon lull. kyorin pushed open the door quietly, the bell above her head chiming a soft note as she stepped inside.
she spotted him right away behind the counter. jaemin, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled, focused on steaming milk with that same quiet concentration he always had. he didn't see her at first. she smiled to herself and waited until he turned around.
his eyes landed on her and widened in surprise with a grin forming on his face, "kyorin?"
"hey," she said, lifting a hand, "surprise."
"what are you doing here?" he set the milk pitcher down and walked over, still looking stunned, "don't you have class?"
"i got out early," she shrugged, "i figured i'd visit my favorite barista."
he gave a small laugh, then motioned to a stool at the counter, "well, your timing's perfect. it's slow right now."
she slid onto the seat and leaned her arms on the counter. "so, how've you been? you kinda ghosted me,"
jaemin hesitated, "yeah, about that."
"don't tell me you've been avoiding me," she teased.
"not exactly," he said, grabbing a cup and starting to make something for her without asking what she wanted. he still remembered. he placed the cup in front of her and let out a small sigh, "today's my last shift actually."
kyorin was just about to pick up the cup when she froze, "what?"
"i'm leaving next week," he said quietly, "i'm studying abroad."
her eyebrows knitted together in confusion, "when did this happen?"
he nodded, "ive always been enrolled in the program, i just never thought i'd actually get picked. im going to school in the states for a while. new york, actually."
she stared at him, stunned but happy, "jaemin, that's huge. why didn't you tell me?"
"i didn't want to make a big deal out of it," he said with a weak smile, "i guess i didn't really know how."
kyorin looked down at her cup, "so you were just gonna leave?"
"i was gonna text you," he added quickly, "i know that sounds bad. i just didn't want to be weird about it. you have a lot on your plate, especially with jay,"
her expression softened a little, "yeah. it's a lot but i still would want to know. you helped me a lot."
"you look happy," he said, genuinely, "and i'm glad i helped you through it,"
