i'm not the only one - new ver

chapter twelve

bever wasn't in the mood to drink. but here he was, sitting in a booth with pond, maxky, and ngern, pretending like everything was fine.

the bar was so packed tonight, music blasting through the speakers and neon lights flickering against the walls. his friends were joking around, drinks were being passed around, and the atmosphere was electric.

but he couldn't relax.

not when he was here.

bever's fingers tightened around his glass as he caught sight of tonliew walking in. he quickly turned his head, pretending not to see him. his heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to act normal.

he didn't want to deal with this tonight.

didn't want to see him.

didn't want to remember how much it hurt knowing that tonliew had known about yin's affair and had done nothing.

"bever, you good?" ngen nudged him with an elbow, giving him a questioning look.

bever forced a smirk. "yeah. just thinking about how ugly your face is. kinda ruined my mood."

"fuck off." ngern laughed, throwing an ice cube at him.

"yeah, but for real," maxky cut in, eyeing him suspiciously. "you've been acting weird since we got here."

"and you keep looking at the entrance," pond added. "you waiting for someone?"

bever scoffed. "no."

but just as he said that, tonliew's eyes landed on him.

bever's stomach twisted.

tonliew hesitated for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly. then, as if deciding something, he started walking toward their table.

bever cursed under his breath. he saw how tonliew smiled at him, and that smile was always his favorite.

he didn't want to do this.

didn't want to see tonliew's face, didn't want to hear his voice—because the moment he did, all the anger would come rushing back.

he turned in his seat, deliberately facing away.

maybe tonliew would get the hint.

maybe he'd leave him alone.

"bever," tonliew's voice was quiet, unsure. "can we talk?"

bever ignored him.

"bever," tonliew tried again, stepping closer.

still, nothing.

ngen and pond exchanged glances, sensing the tension. maxky, on the other hand, leaned back, clearly entertained.

"oooooh, is this some relationship drama?" he teased. "should we leave?"

bever shot him a glare. "shut up."

tonliew sighed, frustrated. "are you seriously ignoring me right now?"

bever didn't even glance at him. he picked up his phone, pretending to scroll through it.

tonliew exhaled sharply. "fine. if you won't look at me, i'll just stand right here until you do."

he moved directly in front of bever, blocking his view.

bever's grip on his phone tightened.

this was so typical of tonliew. he'd always found it annoying—but back then, it had been endearing. back then, he had liked that tonliew wanted his attention so much.