𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 norenmin

17: nostalgic shenanigans & letting go

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NA JAEMIN.

"So I'll pick you up from here tomorrow at three?"

I nod, smiling softly at the man before me, his silhouette outlined by the setting sun. Jeno smiles back at me and my cheeks grow hot.

Suddenly, he takes my hand in his, pressing his lips to it briefly before dropping it back gently by my side. I freeze as he turns towards the door, leaving me with a timid "goodbye" before closing it.

I continue standing there like a stunned mullet.

I'm actually going on a date with him. I'm actually- oh my god. I wonder what he's planned... he did say it was a surprise...

I need to stop sounding like a lovesick teenager.

I shake my head slightly before returning to the spot by the window, observing the orange hue that shone softly through the clouds.

"What'd he say? Is my best friend head over heels that quickly?" My head whips around to face Chenle's triumphant smirk.

"No! I... he just... we're just hanging out tomorrow... that's all..." I reply carefully, observing the subtle glint in my friend's eyes as he takes in the news.

It's easy to tell he's restraining himself from doing a victory dance right in the middle of the shop.

"THAT'S NICE. THAT'S REALLY GOOD. I HOPE YOU GUYS HAVE... FUN. LOTS OF FUN." He responds far too loudly, failing miserably to contain his obvious enthusiasm.

I simply roll my eyes before turning back towards the view, desperate to catch the last bit of sunlight before it sinks beyond the clouds for the night. The last glimpse of light in the dark.

Maybe he is the light.

The world is black... but he appeared, as if he were a guardian angel, ready to save me from the despair I drowned myself in.

It's only been a couple of days, yet I can't remember talking this much, laughing this much. I can't even remember the last time I held conversations this long without hating every second of them.

Jeno is like the breath of fresh air I've been craving for so long.

SOHN ERIC.

So it's really happening, huh?

I quietly slip back behind the counter, after overhearing Jaemin's farewells with Jeno.

I sigh, wiping away the tears of frustration that cascade like a river down my cheeks.

Hell, I don't even understand why I feel like this.

Maybe after chasing a one-sided love for so long, I've clung to the first person that caught my eye.

All I know is that it feels wrong, liking Jaemin.

Jaemin didn't ask for it. He doesn't deserve it.

And Jeno doesn't deserve the bitterness or the jealousy, for he wasn't to know I have these feelings.