Those days - txtzy

part 5: 七

Ara's reason was simple.

"Why should I hold you back from doing what you want to?" Her eyes were wet and glinting but her smile was genuine and kind. "And it's mutual, after all. We don't have anything real for each other, so-" She paused to lift her gaze to meet his eyes "-let's find our own happiness."

"Thank...you," Soobin managed to squeeze out, "For making my mother happy in those last few moments she had."

The girl only managed a shaky laugh, giving Soobin a small pat on the shoulder, and she took her leave.

-

The holidays were mere days away, making all the students feel a lot more relaxed and less stressed. Curriculum was lighter and homework dwindled down to partially nothing.

Beomgyu casually sat on the table next to Soobin's one day after school, as the other was packing his things. "Ryujin's having a party," He announced, "A small one, more like to commemorate the holidays. Wanna come?"

Soobin wrinkled his nose, "I actually have some stuff to do-"

"Jisu will be there," Kai interrupted sing-songy as he joined their sides.

The two boys eagerly awaited Sooin's reply, before he slowly asked, "When would it be?"
-

"Ryujin, are you sure you'll be allowed to hold another party? Since your parents will be at home-"

"Nah," Ryujin waved off the concern, instead scribbling down a list of things the party would require. Yeji sighed, unable to convince the girl otherwise. To make her friend calm down, Ryujin added, "They have very conveniently planned a staycation on that day, so we're free. We just have to make sure no one accidentally stumbles drunkenly into my parent's room."

"If you say so," Yeji begrudgingly said, "Who are you inviting?"

The other paused from her writing to think. "Probably you, Yuna, Jisu, Chaeryeong, Beomgyu and his gang, maybe Yeonjun if you want, and a couple more classmates."

"What happened to the small party?" Yeji said, exasperated.

Completely ignoring the question, Ryujin then muttered, "Shoot, we have to move it at least a day earlier, Jisu just told me that she has a trip planned on that day."

-

Party invites were scrawled on loose notebook paper and slipped into the hands of the select few of invitees, just the date, time and venue (which everyone already knew). Ryujin had said that she didn't want to send it individually, so writing was easier.

There were more people this time, since Ryujin could afford a bigger mess, and they took up more than just the small room they previously used, spilling into the living room and even the kitchen, where snacks and drinks were piled and lined on every available surface.

By the time the trio comprising of Soobin, Beomgyu and Kai had reached, a full-blown party had already erupted. "Wasn't it supposed to start at like, 6?" Kai mentioned as he noted their already-tipsy classmates and a good amount of trash strewn on the floor. "And wasn't it supposed to be a 'select few' that were invited?" Beomgyu added.

"Glad you could make it," Ryujin said teasingly as she wove through the labyrinth of messy bodies, three drinks held between her hands extended to them.

Beomgyu wrinkled his nose and Kai took it after some consideration, while Soobin literally just grabbed the plastic cup and chugged it down, regretting it immediately.

"You shouldn't have done that," Ryujin laughed, half amused and half concerned, then beckoned to the back, telling them their friends were inside the rooms.

Yeji and Yeonjun were lounging on the only available couch, watching their friends with bemused expressions. Yuna and Chaeryeong were stacking up empty plastic cups for some weird game, Jisu passing around bowls of snacks. Soobin, with a little alcohol already in his system, managed to play it cool and be natural. At least it looked like he was being natural.

So the night ran on, party music blaring so loudly it was surprising the neighbours didn't come over to complain, the bottles of booze dwindling down to single digits. People were losing energy, those with low stamina already sprawled across the couches and chairs and floor.

And Ryujin suggested they play truth or dare again. "What could go wrong?" The girl had asked, her eyes already cloudy due to the heavy flow of alcohol in her system. Soobin, equally drunk, murmured his approval.

It was all fun and games until Ryujin asked hard questions.

Chaeryeong had to take four shots of pure tequila, making the alcohol-hating girl scrunch her nose in distaste.

Beomgyu was dared to strip off one item of clothing, and the boy begrudgingly pulled off his socks, with a triumphant grin to Ryujin, who looked rather disappointed that he had not selected a different one.

Then Ryujin turned her vicious and heartless gaze on Soobin. The girl clapped her hands excitedly, the alcohol wearing off, as she announced that she was a little more sober now. Then the dare just tumbled out of her mouth.

"I dare you to confess to your crush by a phone call," She smirked, her eyes clearer and serious.

A heavy awkward silence ensued since it had become spicy news that Soobin had broken up with Ara.

How could it be that he got a new crush so easily?

"Well?" Kai urged, yanking Soobin's phone from his pocket, way to eager for an opportunity to embarrass the older. Soobin slowly plucked his phone from the other's hold, and realised that he didn't have the number he needed.

"Can I borrow your phone?" Soobin managed a crooked smile to Ryujin, "Her number isn't on my phone."

That made the girl's eyes widen in surprise, but she offered her unlocked phone carefully and watched as Soobin scrolled down, selected a contact, and held it to his ear. Everyone waited with bated breaths.

Then Jisu's phone rang.

It startled the girl, who was very much sober and very much awake, the phone violently vibrating in her hands.

Eyes darted from Jisu, who was frozen with her phone, and Soobin, who looked at Jisu in the eye with the phone still at his ear.

Peer-pressure made her cave in eventually, so Jisu accepted the call, but she didn't even have to reply before Soobin had very softly said, "I do like you. I like you a lot. And I'm sorry I rejected you the last time."

To much of everyone's surprise, Jisu stood up, and said gently, "Tell that to me tomorrow when you're awake and sober, and I'll consider."

She turned to the rest, suggesting they go to sleep or something since it's almost 5 am, and bade her friends goodbye, since she had to return home.

As she left, her footsteps fading gradually, everyone was left in a baffled, dazed state.