5 Chapter 4

Soojung POV

"Why are you letting him do this to you, Soojung-ah?" asked Jaehyun.

"This is not the Soojung that I know," he said.

"Maybe he will tell me about it after he has calmed down?" I questioned. That is what I hope.

"Soojung-ah, you're too naive" I sigh.

"It's because I love him, Jaehyun-ah"

"I know, okay?... Let's just go" I said. We walked home together since his house was just a few blocks away from mine.

"Thanks for walking me home. Go! It's late" I smiled at him. Jaehyun then suddenly came close and pulls me into a tight comforting hug.

"It's okay. You don't need to smile. It's okay to be sad" he broke the hug and look at me.

"Thanks, Jaehyun-ah. You're the best friend ever" I said while flicking his forehead. He groans in pain and I just laughed at him.

"Go now! Your mom must be waiting for you" he said while rubbing his forehead.

"Okay. See you tomorrow, pabo-ya" I waved.

I walked inside my house and went straight to my bedroom, ignoring my mom's questionings. I threw myself onto my bed and just stared at the ceiling. This is the first time that we ever had a serious fight in a long time. I hope he will just talk to me soon or maybe tomorrow. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself but drifted into a night of sleep instead.

{The Next Morning}

I sighed looking at my phone while walking to the bus stop. Still no text message or any calls from Taeyong. I got on the bus and sat at the front seat since Taeyong wasn't with me and I don't feel like sitting at our usual seat alone. I hope he's going to talk to me today. I played with my ring on my ring finger in nervousness. I sighed again. I got out of the bus and went to our hangout spot. I could see Taeyong sitting next to Jungkook sunbae. Everybody's there too.

"Soojung-ah, you're here? I didn't see you yesterday. The boys and I were very busy yesterday" Taehyung oppa said.

"Do you miss me?" I raised my eyebrow at him.

"I didn't say anything about missing you," he said with a straight face.

I rolled my eyes at him. I looked at friends and gave them a smile, hoping that they will not worry about me.

"Guys, let's go or we'll be late for class," Johnny said.

"Annyeong unnie!" Eun Na hugs me while Jaehyun patted my head.

"Hi, guys" We walked together, I looked around and saw Taeyong walking alone at the back.

"You guys go first. I'll catch up" I told them. I walked towards Taeyong and greeted him.

"Hi, Taeyong?" I said.

"Hm? Oh, hi..." he answered without looking at me.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah..." he said without interest.

"Hey, you free this Saturday? Let's check out the new cafe that just opened near here... or should we go to your favorite store, to buy new clothes?" I said.

"Will you SHUT UP for a sec? Why are you so clingy? I'm not free, okay? You're so annoying. I'm so sick of hearing you talking about all of this" he shouted at me.

I looked at him, shocked and scared. He looked at me with his cold eyes

"I was just asking. What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"YOU! You're the problem!" he said. I teared up at every word that came out from his mouth.

"Well, If you don't want me to worry or disturb you or even annoy you, why don't we just break up?!" I said, raising my voice.

"Fine by me," he said without a doubt in his voice. I was surprised by his no hesitation towards the question. I took the ring on my ring finger and gave it to Taeyong.

"No more annoying girlfriend," I said with tears.

I walked past my friends who were looking at us and walked away. "Soojung-ah!" was all I heard from them but I just kept on walking away, far away from him. When suddenly I felt someone grabbed my arm.

"Soojung-ah..." It was Jaehyun.

"Yah, what the hell happened back there?"

"Jaehyun, please... I can't tell you right now, maybe later, okay..." I told him in a sad tone.

"Soojung-ah..." he said, wanting to pull me into a hug but I took a step back instead.

"Please, I just want to be alone now," I said walking away.

I didn't turn back at all. I went to the ladies' restroom and just went into an empty stall quietly crying. What is wrong with him? Why is he suddenly like that? Where is the Taeyong that I knew and loved?

I walked out of the stall and washed my hands and face. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked horrible. My eyes were puffy and my cheeks were red. I felt stupid crying over a guy like that. I knew I can't escape today without Jaehyun and the others worrying so I just went to class even though I didn't felt like it. I got out of the restroom to be faced by Taehyung oppa.

"Oppa?"

"Where you going?" he said.

"To class but oppa pleas-" he then suddenly hug me.

"Everything is going to be fine, okay Jungie," he said reassuring me.

"...yeah..." I said. But I felt as if this is not the end.

Jieun POV

I got to the university right on time. Everyone was getting to their classes. As I was walking to my class, I saw my friends walking to class. I was about to run to them when I saw Soojung unnie talking to Taeyong oppa. I know in my heart that something was wrong so I stopped and observed them from afar. Suddenly, I saw Soojung unnie giving Taeyong oppa her promise ring back. I thought Taeyong oppa would run after her but he didn't. he just went the other way from there I knew something was wrong. I wanted to go after Soojung unnie but then I saw Jaehyun oppa went to her instead. So I decided to talk with Taeyong oppa and maybe help him solve this. I love them and seeing them both hurts is unacceptable.

"Oppa!" I shouted at Taeyong oppa. He stopped walking. I walk in front of him.

"What the hell happened just now?" I said. He just looked down.

"Hey! I'm talking to you. Look at me when I'm talking" I said. He then looked at me with tears. I looked at him then hugged him, patting his back.

"What happened?" I pleaded.

"She...broke up with me," he said softly.

"What?!" I said while pulling away from the hug.

"I don't know.."

"What did you do?" he looked down again.

"Let me guess... you acted up again?" I said. He nodded softly. I just sighed.

"Look, I know this was all because of what happened at home and you don't want her to be involved... but she is going to know sooner or later, you know that right?" I said to him.

"I know..." he said. He then sighed.

"We should head to class or the teacher is going to be pissed," I said.

"Thanks..." he said suddenly.

"For what?"

"Just thank you for helping and talking with me. Everyone else is probably hating me right now..." he said.

"Well you did hurt her, take it from me," I said. He just remained silent.

"Hey, I'm just saying. It the truth. Look, this is both of your business and I'm not picking sides here. I care for both of you equally but you are my cousin, who else is going to help you beside me. Just know that I'm here for you too if you need anything, okay" I said.

"Yeah..." he said. Both of us went to class and everyone looked at us.

"Sorry that we're late," I said to the teacher.

"That's fine but this is the first warning for you both"

"Nae," the both of us said.

I walked to Soojung unnie and she looked at me weirdly. Well, I did just walked into the class with Taeyong oppa. But then she just smiled at me. I sat next to Soojung unnie and just listen to the class. We had dance class today so everyone was excited. Well except for Soojung unnie tho. She really tried to be happy but I know she was having a hard time inside.

{Class ended}

"After you, all go. I will be giving you guys an assignment. I want everyone to couple up into a pair of two and prepare a dance with the theme of 'What is Love?' by next week. I expect to see everyone to be done by then. That's all. Dismiss!" the teacher announced.

All of us were heading to the university's cafeteria when I felt someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to see Soobin.

"Oh! Hey," I said to him with a smile.

"Hey..."

"Is there anything you need, Soobin-ah?" I asked him. He was about to say something when Johnny oppa interrupted.

"Jieun-ah, you coming?" Johnny oppa said.

"You go ahead. I'll be there" I said to him.

"Okay! Don't take too long" he said. Johnny then walked away.

"So, what is it that you want to tell me?" I said to Soobin.

"I was wondering whether you have a partner for the assignment?"

"Oh, I don't why?" I said.

"Well, I was thinking about whether you'd like... I don't know... be my partner" he said anxiously.

"Me? Really?!" I said, slightly surprised. He nodded.

I smiled at him. "Sure! I'd be honored to be your partner!" I said while giggling.

"Okay then, see you tomorrow for practice?" he said.

"Yeah, sure!" I said.

"Oh wait, here's my number. Well you know just in case anything happens" I said to him.

"Thanks..." he said while blushing. I laughed a bit at his blushing.

"Bye"

"Yeah, bye..." he said.

I went to the cafeteria as I knew my friends to be there waiting by now. As I get there, I instantly notice my friends were sitting apart from Taeyong oppa. They in one table and Taeyong oppa at another. I know they are hurt but he is hurting too. I went to Taeyong oppa's table which I know will look weird but I have to help him.

As I sat down, I saw my friends were giving me a confused look. Taeyong oppa and I never were that close before. But in the meantime I ignored them, I sat and looked at him. I was about to say something but he said something first.

"What are you doing here, Jieun-ah? Why are you sitting here?" he said in a pissed tone.

"It's because I want to," I said back.

I sat across from him and looked at him then glanced at Soojung unnie. That's when Soojung unnie looked at us and a tear dropped. She quickly wipes it away. I turned back at Taeyong oppa.

"Please say you're sorry to Soojung unnie..." I said.

"I can't... and you know why," he said quietly.

"for me...please she's hurting"

"I can't, Jieun-ah" he raised his voice a bit.

I really can't stand them hurting like this. So I stood from my seat and walked to Soojung unnie. As I stood up, Taeyong oppa suddenly said,

"Where do think you're going?"

"I'm going to tell her everything... the things that you've been through and also... about us," I said as I walked to Soojung unnie's table. I reached her table and said,

"Unnie! I need to tell you something" grabbing everyone's attention.

"What is it?" she said while slightly glaring at me.

"It's about Taeyong..." I said nervously.

"Yeah, what is up with that? What is it with the both of you? Since when are both of you close?" Soojung unnie said.

"See the thing is... Taeyong oppa and I are actua-" suddenly someone grabbed my hand. It was Taeyong.

"Come with me!" he said and he pulled me out of the cafeteria.

I saw Soojung unnie was surprised and full of shock. Taeyong oppa pulled me all the way to the rooftop. I pulled my hand away from him.

"What is the matter with you?" I said.

"Me? What's wrong with you? Why did you have to tell her?" he said screaming.

"Because she deserves to know!"

"Well, It's my problem Jieun-ah!"

"Your mom and Lucas may be your problem but our relationship isn't! okay? I have the right to tell!" I shouted back.

"I know that... I just... don't want them to know..." he said while looking down.

"Why?!" I asked.

"I don't want to see you getting hurt, okay," he said. I then turned silence.

"It hurt you once. I don't want the same thing to happen to you again. After what happened with Mark, I can't afford to see that again"

A tear dropped from my face. I didn't even notice it. I guess hearing his name was a bit too much. Taeyong oppa was surprised seeing me teared up. I can't help it. His name is a trigger of mine I guess. Taeyong oppa hugged me.

"I'm sorry... Everything is going to be okay.."

"yeah..." I said.

He pulled away and said, "But please don't say any of these to Soojung first, okay? I will tell her in my time.." I nodded my head and said, "Okay"

I looked at the time it was almost time for the next class, so I went before I was late again.

{After class}

I received a text from Johnny oppa saying that the whole group is having dinner tonight at a nice diner and that he'll be waiting for me outside. I finished all my class already so I went out to see him waiting in his car. I smiled at him.

"Let's go," he said.

He drove us to the diner. We went in and saw that everyone was here already. Looked and saw that Taeyong oppa wasn't invited. I sat in between Johnny oppa and Soojung unnie. We ordered our food and we just talked. I sat there listening to everyone when suddenly Soojung unnie asked me something.

"Hey, can we talk?" she said.

"Sure, what is it?" I asked.

"What the hell is going on between you and Taeyong? You were about to tell me before he interrupted" she asked but it quite loud enough for everyone to hear. Now everyone is looking at me.

"Yeah... what is going on between the both of you?" Johnny asked.

"I-I can't really tell you guys"

"Why not?"

"Taeyong oppa asked me not too," I said.

"Seriously, not even me..." Johnny said.

I was about to say something else to them when suddenly I saw something on the TV about the diner that I shouldn't have seen. Tears were dropping from my face and I can feel my heart shattered into a million pieces. Everyone saw me and quickly averted their eyes to where I was looking at. All of their eyes widened. I saw still in tears, that seems to can't stop.

~TV news announcer: Mark Lee, the son and the next heir of Lee Company in Canada will be marrying Nancy, the daughter of Jewel Enterprise next week and everyone can't wait to see their beautiful wedding!~

I felt like everything in life was sucked into a black hole. I felt slightly numb, tbh.

"Jieun-ah..."

"Now I know why he broke up with me, right?..." I said with a sad smile.

"Jieun-ah..." was all I heard.

"I'm sorry I think I have to get some fresh air. Excuse me!"

I went out of the diner and just sat out in the cold. I couldn't feel anything not even the cold like I said numb.

"Hey..." as I felt someone back-hugged me. I knew it was Johnny oppa.

"...hi..." was all I could say.

"Okay?"

"What do you think?..." I told him.

"Everything is going to be fine..." he said.

"Is it? Because so far it's been horrible for me lately! Everyone kept on telling me that it's going to be fine and that's everything is okay but is it really?! My life just went downhill and now after that... I feel like I didn't mean anything to him all this time..." I slightly shouted with tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm really am"

"for what?"

"For not being able to protect you... you definitely don't deserve any of this," he said.

"It's okay, it's not your fault and sorry for shouting," I said.

"That's okay. It's fine" he said.

"I love you but right now I feel like I really want to be alone. I hope you understand" I told Johnny oppa.

"Okay..."

Both of us walked back into the diner.

"I'm sorry guys, I really need to go..." I said while taking my coat and bag.

"Jieun unnie, do you want to talk about it?" Eun Na said.

"No, I think Johnny oppa already did that but I just want to be alone for now. We can another time besides you need to stay here for Soojung unnie. She needs you more than I do...She's having a more difficult time" I said.

"Jieun-ah..."

"Bye guys! Have fun!" I said as I walked out of the diner.

I didn't know where to go, so I just went to the park. I just sat at the bench at the park and thought to myself. I felt so tired of crying over him over and over again.

"Jieun-ah?" I looked up and it was Soobin.

"Oh...hey...what's up," I said wiping my tears away and smiled at him.

"What happened?" he said while sitting next to me.

"Oh..it's nothing"

"Really? You know you don't need to hide your feelings from me. We are friends" he said. I smiled at him.

"Well, I just heard in the news that my ex-boyfriend is marrying another girl just now," I said.

"I'm sorry...was he someone special?" he said.

"He was actually. He was always there for me, always made me laugh, smile and I really genuinely thought we would marry each other one day and have a family but now... I know that all that he did was a lie and he was making someone else happy instead. Like I didn't mean anything to him..."

"Hey! I may have not known you longer than he has but I do know that you are an amazing and special person. You are nice, kind to people, sweet, caring, and very talented that any guy is lucky to have. Ignore him! He doesn't know what's his missing..." he said while looking deeply into my eyes.

"Thanks..." I said while giving him a smile. To be honest, I felt like my heart just skips a beat.

I then rest my head on his shoulder and I can tell he slightly jumped when I did that. I mean I get it, I too was surprised when I did that. I mean I barely know the guy but I just made me feel safe.

"Come! Let's get you home!" he said getting up and letting out his hand.

I grab his hand and we walked to my house. As we reached my house, I said to him, "Thank you for everything" then I kissed him on the cheek. His eye widened and he turned slightly red. I thought it was cute.

"Be careful walking back home, Soobin-ah... Goodbye," I said with a smile while walking to my front door.

I went to the bedroom and lied on my bed and thought to myself...

'What the hell just happened?'

Eun Na POV

I saw Jieun unnie walked out and I was about to go after her but then Johnny oppa stopped me.

"Don't. She needs some time alone" he said.

"Fine..." I sat back to my sit.

I look over at Soojung unnie and she looked very worried. I went and sat next to her.

"Hey, is everything okay, unnie?" I said.

"I don't know... I feel so bad that I pressured her like that and then this happened...I feel horrible. I mean I'm dying myself to know what's going with her and Taeyong but I know she is having a hard time herself...probably more than I expected" she said.

"We don't know that something like these would happen and even if we knew, you know we couldn't do anything about it... not without her. They probably have their own reasons, okay. When she is ready, she'll talk to us" I told her.

"You're right..."

"Of course! Besides she won't do anything to hurt you or any of us, you know that" I said. She just nodded and said,

"Yeah!"

I haven't seen Winwin these couple of days after the lunch we had together but suddenly he came.

"Winwin-ah!" I said excitedly.

"Hey guys, hmmm... Eun Na, can I have a word please?" he said. I followed him outside.

"Look... I know you're having a hard time helping your friends and all but I'm too currently having some problems myself... I know it's out of nowhere, just know that I love you very much but... I feel like we're better off as friends. Is that okay with you?" Winwin blurred out.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked.

"There's nothing wrong with you, me nor us... it's just I need time for all of this" Winwin said. I was at a loss for words.

"We've been doing just fine... why are you suddenly changing your mind?" I said.

"I told you, I know it's wrong to do you like this. I've been feeling unsure of us...of my feelings lately. I'm sorry, EunNa-ya" he said while walking away from me.

"You're really doing this to me!" I shouted at him. He stopped walking and faced me.

"After what is going on with my friends... you're really leaving me like that? After what I've been through with Jisung leaving me and also...Jaemin... we've experienced that together. Everything! Now is when I needed you and you're leaving me?" I said to him.

He then hugged me. A tear dropped. I hugged him back. We stayed like that for a while.

"I know you've been through a lot... I said that, didn't I. I'm doing it now is because I don't want you to find out later in the future and hurting more... I don't want to be the guy who makes you unhappy later. I want you to happy and smiling always and I feel like I'm not the one to do so for you. I'm very sorry" he said while patting my head. He pulled away.

"The love that we had all this while was real, don't ever think it was fake but sometimes things like this happen," he said.

"But I am still going to be here for you as a friend if you need me, okay?" he said to me.

I just nodded my head and wipe away the tears.

"Look I have to go"

"Okay," I said while nodding my head.

"I love you, EunNa-ya. Don't forget that" he then kissed my forehead.

"Love you too..."

He let go and walked away. I don't know what I've done wrong but what else can I do. It's his feelings. I went back to acting as if nothing happened.

"Where's Winwin?" Johnny oppa asked.

"He had to go and he's not going to join us as often now," I said as I sat back next to Soojung unnie.

"Why? What happen?" Soojung unnie asked.

"We just broke up," I said with a slight smile.

"What?!" Everyone said. Soojung unnie hugged me immediately. I just hugged her back.

"It's fine guys. I'm fine. It was mutual" I reassured them.

"What happens?" Jaehyun oppa asked.

"Well let's just say, it's how it is," I said.

"But I'm fine"

"Are you sure?" Soojung unnie asked.

"Yes plus... we decided to stay friends. It's cool guys, calm down" I said.

"Okay...but if you want to talk, just know I'm here," Soojung unnie said.

"Nae unnie!"

We just had a quiet dinner and left right away.

"Any other plans?" Jaehyun oppa asked.

"Jaehyun-ah, can you accompany me somewhere?" Soojung unnie asked.

"Sure, where?" Soojung unnie just pulled him with her, without saying anything.

"Here! Let me take you home!" Johnny oppa offered.

"Thanks, oppa... But I think I'll just walk home it's closer"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah... thanks again tho, oppa," I said

"Okay, bye"

"Oh, oppa. If Jieun unnie talked to you, let me know? I'm worried about her" I said.

"Yeah, I'm worried too but if contacts me, I'll let you know," he said.

"Okay, bye oppa. Drive safe"

"Bye, you too. Make sure to be safe" he said.

"Nae"

I left and while walking I just remembered about what happened today... I'm okay. I'm really am. It hurts but I have to be mature about this. I have to put his feelings into perspective too. I just hope he's happy. Everything has definitely gone downhill for all three of us. What are we going to do??