Promise Me ➳ Taebin ✔

16. Stranger

"Soobin, there's something I need to tell you, and I just remembered it recently," Yeonjun said as they drove to the venue, Beomgyu and Kai being driven by the former's mom.

"What is it?"

"You have to promise not to be mad at me."

Soobin looked over at him and chuckled. "Unless you hurt Taehyun, there's no way I could be mad at you. You're my best friend."

Yeonjun bit his lip and looked out the window. "Park the car please."

"Why?"

"I wanna have a chance to run away."

Soobin parked the car on the side of the road and looked at him in concern and anger.

"What. Is. It?"

"A few years ago... when you were out of town, Taehyun came to my house because his parents were fighting and you were gone. So he didn't know where else to go. And the next morning, we went to the park and I kind of told him he treats you horribly and he started crying."

He quickly unlocked the door and got out, tripping over his own feet while trying to run away. But Soobin got out of the car and pushed him against the wall anyway.

"You made him fucking cry?!"

"I didn't know he was so emotional!"

"You told him he treats me horribly? What the fu- who wouldn't cry from that?! Did you ever apologize to him?"

Yeonjun slowly shook his head. "We kind of just moved on and stopped talking. And we only talked to each other when you brought us together."

"So you didn't apologize to him?"

"No... I'm sorry."

"It's not me who you should be saying sorry to dumbass. And how would you know how he treats me? You barely talk to him and I met him years before I met you."

"He said that." Soobin looked at him in confusion. "He said that he met you years before I did, so he knows you better."

"You know what? We don't have time for this. I have to go gradute... are you coming or not?"

Yeonjun nodded, following him back to the car and sitting there awkwardly as they drove.

"Can we... listen to SHINee?" Yeonjun asked.

"No."

"Why? I thought you liked them."

"I'm not listening to Taehyun's favorite group with you after what you just told me."

Yeonjun's eyes widened and he looked out the window.

Damn Soobin was mad.

They got to the place downtown where the auditorium was and Soobin went into the back.

"Hey Lia. Did you see where Beomgyu went?" He asked.

"Um... no. I don't think he's arrived yet. I think he said him and Kai went to go get food.

"Figures," Soobin sighed, turning on his phone and smiling at his lock screen.

A/N: This picture of Tae uwu.

"I'll make you proud today," he whispered.

"Who's that?" A short guy asked, peeking over his shoulder.

"Uh... my... brother..."

"He's cute. Can I have his number?"

Oh.

"Oh. No, he's my boyfriend. I just said that in case you were homophobic or something." The guy playfully held his hand to his chest like he was offended and smiled.

"Me? Homophobic? Puh-lease." He sat next to Soobin and looked around.

"Your accent... are you Australian?" The boy smiled at him and Soobin noticed the pretty freckles on his face.

"Yes. Lee Felix. Nice to meet you," he said in English.

"Choi Soobin," he smiled. "Do you go here? I've never seen you before."

"I graduated in Sydney last year. I'm actually here because my best friend's graduating. I'm just here for a few days, but I'm moving here next month. My friend who's also Australian moved here last year, so I'm kind of lonely back home. I'm moving out here to be with all my friends."

"You're moving to another continent just to be with your friends?" He tilted his head.

Felix nodded. "Mhm. They're important to me. Are your friends important to you?"

Soobin shrugged and then nodded. "I mean... yeah. But they're all moving to Busan in a few months."

"What about your boyfriend?"

Was it wrong of Soobin to tell Felix about the entire situation and break down in a gay Australian stranger's arms?

Probably.

But that's what he did.

"Oh my God. I am so sorry I hit on him," he said, rubbing Soobin's back as the younger cried into his chest.

"It's okay... but I don't know what to do. I mean, you told me you're moving continents just to be with your friends. But I can't even move four hours away."

He sat up and rubbed his eyes, making Felix pout.

"That's you. I'm moving because it's what's best for me. But if you think you should stay in Seoul so you can wait for your boyfriend, then stay in Seoul. Your friends would be horrible people if they guilt tripped you into going with them."

"But... everybody tells me that Taehyun would be happy if I went to college. That he would be happy if I was successful. But I don't wanna do it without him."

Felix bit his lip and nodded. "Then that's what's best for you. He obviously makes you happy. You should stay with who makes you happy, even if he isn't exactly... conscious."

Soobin looked at him and then past him where he saw Beomgyu waving him over.

"Thank you... so much for what you said. I have to go. I'm valedictorian and me and my friend have to go first."

"Oop. Period. Pop off king. I have to go too. Gotta be in the crowd when my friend Jeongin goes up."

"Oh, your friend is Jeongin? I know him. He's pretty nice."

Felix smiled brightly again and quickly ran away to go to the audience.

"Who's that?" Beomgyu asked, walking over.

"I do not know."

A/N: Stan Stray Kids hoes.