100 Days DISCONTINUED

11

I could have laughed. I would have laughed if the three of us weren't standing in the stifling, loud hospital cafeteria and if Hongjoong wasn't being so standoffish and rude. Changbin, my dear friend had unintentionally gotten on my boyfriend's nerves and Hongjoong had decided to get a little protective of me. 

"Oh," Changbin chuckled darkly, eyes flickering to the ground beneath our feet. "I, uh, I had one but he...." My heart cracked as I noticed a note of pain in my friend's voice. "He cheated on me while I was in the hospital. So, ummm, not anymore." 

"Changbin I'm so sorry-" I began apologetically before I was abruptly interrupted by Hongjoong's fake sympathies.

"Oh my goodness, that's so horrible, my deepest-our deepest apologies." 

I bit my lip angrily as Hongjoong innocently fiddled with the buttons on my already low necked shirt. Why was he being so cruel to my friend? It was crystal clear that we had absolutely no romantic relationship but Joong still has to get up in the conversation and make us uncomfortable? 

"So," Changbin continued, still not taking the hint that Hongjoong was done with the exchange. "You mentioned you've been together for a while, yeah?"

Hongjoong suppressed an aggravated grumble and squeezed the tender skin of my arm a little too hard. I winced as I felt his nails dig into my skin. He immediately softened his grasp. 

"Of course." Joong gushed, eyes widening as he exaggerated the words. "A loooooong time. Gosh, I can't even remember how long! Can you doll?"

As both pairs of eyes were now spotlighting me, I scratched my nape and laughed nervously. I prepared the next fib as if it was nothing. "Ummm.....yeah a few years, gotta be." Hongjoong grinned widely, approving my lie and Changbin nodded, clearly buying it. I cursed myself inside. Another lie, another lie told so easily it was as if I didn't know the truth anymore.

"That's wonderful." Changbin smiled genuinely. I beamed back (also genuinely) while Hongjoong pasted on his fake, sarcastic grin. I bit the inside of cheek as to keep myself from muttering a rude remark into his ear.

"Isn't it?" My boyfriend smirked, now stroking my cheek. I gave him a hard look that ordered him to stop but a fired back one that told me he was going to do what he pleased. 

"Well then!" I finally found my confidence, breaking into the forced conversation between the two. "I believe it's almost time for the performance, oh look at that!" I checked my imaginary watch, realizing only afterwards that my wrist was bare. "Aha, five minutes to showtime. Bin, you should probably go back to the audience." The dark haired man gave a thumbs up as I gestured to the group of patients milling around, waiting for us to begin. "It was great seeing you."

"Great seeing you too Hwa!" Changbin said in his usual friendly tone. "Hug?"

Ignoring Hongjoong's envious glare, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around my much shorter companion. After a few moments, Changbin broke the embrace and nodded. "Thanks. Nice meeting you Hongjoong!" He waved to me and Hongjoong as he strode back to the audience.  

Hongjoong waved back, smiling brightly in turn. Finally once my friend had disappeared amongst the crowd, I forcefully grabbed Hongjoong's arm and turned him to face me.

"What the hell was that?" I growled menacingly, Hongjoong not meeting my eye. 

"Ya!" He exclaimed, slapping me across the face. Startled, my hand shot to his face and I smacked him like I meant it. He stumbled backwards, shocked and massaging his own reddened cheek. "I should be asking you that you son of a bitch."