story extra; park jisung

十六

I pushed my thoughts aside and continued to focus on our project that was nearly done. I finally glued on the construction paper that I poorly cut before hearing a bang on the door.

"Taesaaaaaa," I heard a familiar scream.

Speak of the devil, I cursed myself in my head.

The one person I had been avoiding for days now shows up at the place I wish he hadn't.

But what was I supposed to expect? This is his best friend's house.

"Oh, that's Jisung! He has the keys to my house and he just comes here whenever he wants to. I'm sorry, I didn't expect him," Taesa said, jumping from her seat and going to the door.

I watched as Taesa and Jisung hugged as she let go first.

"Me and Mira are doing a project," Taesa said—Jisung's eyes widening with the mention of my name. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom, can you help Mira for a bit?"

"Uh, I-"

"Thanks Ji, you're the best!"

Wait, what? She's just ditching me with Jisung like this? I didn't even have a say in anything.

I heard the door slowly creak open as Jisung walked in. I pretended not to notice and instead focused on figuring out how to open the glitter glue bottle.

We both sat still in silence as I fidgeted with the glitter glue bottle. A random bang came out of nowhere as Taesa opened the door to her room, sending a glare with me.

"I have to go uh, buy something," Taesa said, looking at me as if she was telepathically sending me a message.

"Wait, let me buy it for you!" Jisung said, attempting to get out of the "situation" he was in.

"Uhhhh, I'm sorry but I have to go get this myself," Taesa said, giving me eye contact.

I sighed, "It's okay Taesa, of course you can go. It won't take too long, right?"

"Yes, thank you! You're the best, I have to repay you sometime. Also Jisung, you help Mira. I'm sure you'd get along well. Bye," Taesa zoomed out of her apartment.

A moment of silence engulfed us as the sound of the friction from my hands and the glitter glue bottle let out every few seconds before he said, "I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I know you're really tired of hearing this, but I'm really, really sorry. I was thinking about what you were saying the other day and I hated to admit it but it was all true and I wish I had never done that to you because you're the bestest friend ever and you deserve so much more—wait, what did she mean by 'I'm sure you'd get along well,' did you tell her anything?"

"Jisung.."

"Sorry, I got sidetracked. Anyways, I noticed you were fidgeting a lot and you looked pale at times, and out of everyone I don't want to be the cause of your—yeah. I promise, I'll make it up to you," He said, grabbing my hands together. "Please, I really want to be friends with you again. Please?"

"What about Taesa?"

"Mira, this isn't about Taesa."

"No, isn't she your best friend?"

"I can have two best friends."

"Jisung.. I accept your apology but I really don't want to be friends anymore if we're going to continue to be like this. I-I can't believe you easily replaced me like that, I don't know," I said, finally making eye contact with him. "How did you feel when I started hanging out with Chenle?"

"Oh..."

But then I realized—I have to accept the fact that Taesa's now in my life. I can't just erase her away—and maybe accepting the fact that Jisung will always have her as his best friend may be better for everyone. Including myself. So quickly after I said, "But yeah, we can be friends again."

"Really?!" He said, eyes widening.

"Yeah. But just friends," I spoke quietly. "I don't want your friendship with Taesa to be broken because of me."

"What? But you've been my best friend my whole life, and you still can be, why does it have to change?"

And right when I was about to speak, Taesa entered the apartment.

"You know why, Ji."

-

agh i don't like this chapter i feel like i'm rushing things

)):