The Way It Is

twenty four

Chapter 24

Hyunjin could feel the weight of every step that Yiyeon takes. Although he wanted to talk to her, he knows that he should give her space. She looked happy when they continued their celebration earlier, though it didn't go as planned. Now, he could only watch her as she went up to her room.

Sighing, Jeno also went to his room and changed his clothes. He stared at the ceiling as he laid on his bed. This day wasn't exactly how it was planned. Everything was almost perfect. Almost.

Minus the part wherein Yiyeon had to leave in the morning to wait for someone who didn't come. Jeno was a jerk, and Hyunjin wants to get mad at him, but knowing his reasons makes him hate himself. He hates himself for not stopping Yiyeon that morning. He could have said no firmly, but he just had to let her go.

Deciding that he would not be able to sleep with all these thoughts inside his head, he stood up and left his room until he found himself standing outside of Yiyeon's bedroom. He clenched his fist and was about to knock on the door when he heard some sniffles coming from inside.

He closed his eyes as he leaned his forehead on the wall. She looked happy when they continued their celebration earlier. She looked happy.

Was she pretending to?

Probably.

The worst part in waiting is knowing that there's no guarantee that it'll be worth it.

With heavy steps, Hyunjin decided to retreat to his room, where he messages certain people.

***

"What are these?" Yiyeon rubbed her eyes as she went down the stairs. "What are you guys doing here this early? We just saw each other last night," she said as she went towards them.

"Hey, don't disregard Hyunjin's hard work like this!" Yejin yelled, making Yiyeon look at her cousin, who was looking away nonchalantly.

"We're here to celebrate, of course!" Jaemin said excitedly. "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we weren't able to celebrate properly yesterday. So now, we must do it!"

Jaemin and Renjun stepped to the side, revealing Sungchan, carrying the cake, and Yangyang, holding a party hat.

"Who cares if September 9 is over? You can have your birthday every day if you wanted to," Yangyang smiled. "Everyone! Sing it!"

Her friends started clapping their hands as they sang the happy birthday song. She smiled as she looked at each one of them. Her heart still feels heavy with what happened the day prior, but having these people around her makes her forget.

"Happy Birthday, Yiyeon!" The people said in chorus.

Yiyeon chuckled, "I'm getting a deja vu," she said as she closed her eyes to make a wish.

She clasped her hands together.

I just want to be happy.

She opened her eyes and blew the candle.

"This will be the third time I'm celebrating my birthday," she chuckled. "Thank you, everyone." She smiled at them.

"Hyunjin-hyung messaged all of us last night," Sungchan shrugged. "Hyunjin-hyung has all the credit."