Disconnect || Lee Minhyuk

[ t h i r t y - e i g h t ]

Lee Jooheon

"you're leaving our hometown?" i asked.

minhyuk released a deep breath and i watched it fog in the midst of the cold night. i was saddened by his sudden revelation. i thought we were inseparable together but this day has eventually come.

my entire face broke into a frown that i wasn't able to control. i certainly didn't like the news he just spoke of to me.

"it just can't be helped. it was my parents' plan and i tried talking them out of it back then. seeing how things are turning out for me now, i only got them enraged and disappointed in me so i have no say in this matter and i'll have to comply. it's the least i can do to please them."

"i can't accept this. you're the only real pal that i have. how can i possibly hang out with the other kids? let's face it, though people fear us in school, that's basically what makes us outcasts there. people think we're chaos-causing dumb bullies."

"i was fine with it because i had you. i didn't need to care what other people thought of us in school. now you're leaving me. i had high hopes of bringing our friendship until college, minhyuk-ah." i spoke my heart out.

"don't think that i don't feel the same way as you, jooheon-ah. i'm gonna have a hard time in seoul getting used to a new environment with new people. i've also earned myself a violation report in the last semester of 12th grade so i'm gonna struggle with this reputation in applying for universities. i'm living with a burden of not having you near me to get through all of this, jooheon-ah."

i slowly looked away from minhyuk realizing that he was right. i thought that i was hurting more for having a friend leave me, but it was going to be just as hard for him too. i ran my fingers through my hair and released a deep sigh.

suddenly, i remembered one more thing.

"how about soo yi?" i absent-mindedly blurted out.

i turned my head to see minhyuk beside me again and he had a painful reaction written all over his face that he was somehow trying to hide.

he quickly brought his head down low and smiled.

"ah- she's... doing well with shownu. i've done what i could've for her. she helped me with jisoo but it didn't turn out right. i really hope shownu treats her well. i think that would be good for the both of us."

"really? how do you think she would react to this news?" i asked him.

"i'd have to keep this from her and slowly distance myself probably. that way it would hurt less.. when we learn to detach ourselves from each other." minhyuk spoke in a weak voice.

i carefully analyzed minhyuk's answer to my question in silence. my eyes were glued to him as i was afraid he was giving out the truth to me a bit too much.

"... don't you think you're being unfair? why do that to her when we can all remain friends?" i asked once more.

minhyuk slowly brought his head up and turned to look at me. with a weak smile, he eventually spoke.

"i don't think i'd be able to do that."

i looked at him with my face slightly dropping. minhyuk slowly turned his head away from me and stared up at the dark sky.

my heart slightly shattered at my friend's answers. i wanted to confront him about it and be frank with both our feelings, but i didn't have the guts. i didn't wanna cause chaos during such a gloomy night with just the two of us.

that was just when i knew exactly and i had finally confirmed...

minhyuk liked jung soo yi the way i did, too.