Eight Shots of Espresso | Na Jaemin

Chapter 14

Three days.

It's been three days since you saw Jaemin and Nayoung together. What's supposed to be a harmless interaction became a big deal when a picture of them chilling at Starbuxks was posted by one of the seniors in NeoU.

The campus was buzzing with rumors about the two. Some were convinced they were dating, some were still in denial.

It's been three days since you and Jaemin talked.

It's mostly because you were avoiding him. You didn't know why either but every time he would approach you, you would find an alibi not to talk to him.

If I lose him again, so be it. It's not my loss. I have many good friends, you would tell yourself every time you feel guilty for dodging him.

This behavior, of course, didn't miss Jaemin's radar.

"What's with that girl," Jaemin muttered under his breath but Jeno's sharp ears still heard it.

"Which girl are you talking about?" Jeno asked. Jaemin glared at him before stabbing a slice of steak and putting it in his mouth. Tonight, Jeno cooked them dinner as per Jaemin's request.

"What do you mean which girl? As if I hang out with a lot," Jaemin said.

"The student body says otherwise," Jeno teased. "What's the deal with you and Nayoung?"

Jaemin's forehead creased at the mention of Nayoung's name. "Nayoung? Who's Nayoung?"

Jeno sighed at his hopelessly forgetful friend before explaining patiently. "The girl you had been hanging out with for the past few days. I'm surprised you two got along. It hasn't been long since she wanted to slit your throat."

"Nayoung? Is that her name? I thought it was Nayeon, or was it Sooyoung? I can't really remember," Jaemin said as he scratched his head trying to remember her name. "We don't really hangout. It's just that my professor in one class asked me a favor to help her with something."

"Oh, okay. I thought you two are hanging out. What about the photo at Starbuxks?" Jeno pressed.

"She wanted to thank me for helping her but I declined, I told her that I didn't voluntarily do it but she insisted. She wouldn't leave me alone so I granted her offer for the sake that she won't bother me again," Jaemin answered. "I wonder why everything we do is a big deal. They always assume things about us."

"Well, that's because we're good-looking and famous," Jeno said and Jaemin didn't contradict because where's the lie? "So if it's not Nayoung, then surely you're talking about (Name)."

Jaemin's ears perked at the mention of your name. He tried to hide the giddiness he felt but he couldn't hide even a single hair strand from his best friend of nine years.

"Tell me what's going on," Jeno said.

"I think she's avoiding me."

"What makes you think so?"

Jaemin, being comfortably weird around Jeno, left his seat and reenacted the scenario that happened earlier.

You were walking down the hallway going to your next class when Jaemin spotted you. He was sitting on a bench, nursing an iced coffee since it was his vacant time. He hadn't talked to you for awhile and even though he might not admit it, he missed you.

That's why when he saw you, he immediately got up from his seat and walked towards you.

Oblivious of his approaching presence, your soul almost left your body when a toned arm casually dropped around your shoulders. You pushed Jaemin away and it was too late because he dropped his coffee on the pavement.