[✔] lightbulb » lee taeyong & na jaemin

ch. 24

fika: a moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life; "coffee with friends"

» kwan ara's pov // 5:30 p.m. »

i put on a pretty sundress and twirled in front of the mirror. it was almost time for dinner with my mom, although i wanted to come earlier to help with cooking so i still had a few hours. sitting down, i leaned forward. i hummed as i put on makeup. my body was already covered, so now i was putting makeup on my face. unfortunately, my face was breaking out, so i'd have to use a little more than usual, even though i knew it would be bad for my face.

adding the finishing touches, i checked to make sure all my bruises were perfectly covered. the slightest change in color could cause suspicion, especially since my mom was observant. satisfied, i walked into the living room and grabbed my bag.

"where are you going?" taeyong asked from behind me. i stiffened, having not seen him all day. he must've gotten home from work while i was in my room, changing.

"i'm going to go see my mom, that's what," i spat coldly. if taeyong wasn't there, i would've given myself a pat on the back. i sounded so badass.

"no need to be rude," he said, frowning and scrunching his eyebrows together. i almost wanted to tell him, hey! you're gonna get wrinkles! bet people won't call you handsome, then!

"who's taking you?" he asked.

i scratched my head. "er...jaemin. now i need to go, bye!" i said really fast, running out the door.

jaemin was already there, opening the car door. i ran to him and stopped in front of him. he was wearing simple clothing: just blue, ripped jeans, a black t-shirt, and all-black sneakers. he pulled it off well, especially with his black hair. he even styled it today.

"hey, there," i said, grinning.

"hey." he smiled back, and his nose scrunched up while his eyes crinkled. cute.

almost stupidly, we just smiled at each other in silence. i was just about to say something when somebody spun me around by the shoulder roughly.

it was taeyong. he looked infuriated, and i placed two hands on his shoulders to make sure he didn't do anything harsh.

"taeyong-"

"why are you leaving with him!?" he shouted. i rolled my eyes. "why, him!?" he shouted again.

i shoved him, just slightly. it was enough to make him stumble backwards a step. "I CAN'T EVEN HANG OUT WITH MY BEST FRIEND!?" i yelled. "you stupid, jealous, abusive-"

"ARA-"

he came forward, raising an arm to most likely slap me. but jaemin stepped in front of me and spread his arms out, like a cliché male lead in a k-drama. although, the situation was very different from clichés. i peeked over his shoulder on my tippy toes, seeing taeyong freeze.

he was red, shaking with anger. "jaemin, move out of the way."

"move? move?" jaemin threw his head back slightly and laughed. "so you can add more bruises to her collection?"

taeyong faltered. something in him had changed. the three of us stayed quiet; the only sound we could hear was our own breathing.

"you're right. i'll let you leave now," he whispered. and with that, he left, as if nothing had even happened. i watched as he entered the house, never turning back.

i laid my forehead against jaemin's back. i could feel the rise of each breath he took.

"jaemin," i whispered against his back, making it sound muffled. i wrapped my hands around his waist. he turned around.

"ara," he said. "princess, look at me." he placed his warm hands on the sides of my face, making me look up at him. there was so much care, so much kindness in his eyes. so much love. my bottom lip trembled.

he hugged me as i began to cry. i placed my head into the crook of his neck.

it was a perfect fit. almost as if he was my missing puzzle piece.

——

» lee taeyong's pov »

she looked so happy with him. she smiled, she laughed. she glowed. absolutely radiating with happiness. and jaemin, he was a nice guy, well off, and good looking. they were perfect together. look at the way they looked at each other, visited family together, fit together in an embrace.

i could see why he fell for her. after all, i loved her. just in the wrong way.

i would leave her. that's what i would have to do.

but i looked her, her perfect face, her infectious grin, her pretty hair. her cuteness. i could never leave her, never.

she would be stuck with me until the end. we were tied together.