Hanahaki Strings • seventeen jihancheol

Chapter 43: Phone Call

Jeonghan

I plopped myself on my bed as soon as we arrived at my house. Since Jun and Minghao always stayed at my house every Christmas and New Year, they already knew what room I prepared for them so I didn't instruct them anymore. I just went straight to my room to sleep.

But despite my tiredness, I couldn't sleep. So I remained staring at my room's ceiling without any thoughts in my mind.

It was interrupted with the sudden vibration of my phone.

Curiously, I took it out of my pocket and lazily opened the message.

Seokmin:

If Shua hyung calls you and invites you to his birthday, tell him you can't go because you have something to do.

My brows furrowed immediately at the message. Confused, I replied.

Me:

What do you mean?

As if on cue, Joshua's name suddenly appeared on the screen. Still confused, I answered it.

"Shua?" I greeted him.

"Han! Han! Are you free this Friday?" he asked me enthusiastically.

"Why? What's going on?"

"It's my birthday on Friday and I'm wondering if you're free? Mom's going to throw a celebration and I thought of inviting all of my friends this time because I'm going to introduce to you my friend from the States too!"

Oh. So this is what Seokmin is telling us about.

He probably told us to decline Joshua's invitation to make him believe we're not going to attend. Part of our surprise for him.

I smiled bitterly.

"I'm sorry, Shua. As much as I want to, I already had plans for this week," I said. Every word makes me more guilty.

"Oh... is that so..." the enthusiasm in Joshua's voice depleted, which made me feel more guilty than before, "it's alright, Han! But can I call you on that day? The others also said they have plans for this week and I asked for a video call. Is it fine?"

"Of course, Shua! I'll make sure to make time for you," I lied once again.

"Thanks Hannie!" He happily exclaimed, but not as much as earlier. However, I couldn't feel sad because of the name he called me. He rarely called me that so it really made me flustered whenever he did. To add that his voice is just so effortlessly sweet and soft.

"You're welcome, Shua. Anything for you," I said.

I heard a voice of a man calling for Joshua in the line. It made my brows furrow. Was that his friend he wanted to introduce to us?

"Alright, Vernon! I'm coming!" Joshua yelled to someone on the line, "Han? Are you still there?"

"Yes, Shua. I'm still here. Who's that?" I asked.

"That's Vernon! Remember what I told you and Cheol before? My childhood friend from the States?"

"Then he must be your ex-boyfriend too?"

Silence.

"Shua?" I called in confusion since he didn't respond to what I've said.

"A-ah what is it again, Han?"