Best of Me

Chapter 26: Let Go

"Yo, Jeongguk. You coming to the party tonight?" Yugyeom asked, snickering as he plopped down at the desk next him. The teenager flashed a sly smile, winking a bit towards his best friend.

BamBam snickered brushing a lock of dyed blond hair from his eyes as the class slowly started filling up. Girls were all around, giggling as they eyed the group of four boys. Jeongguk winked towards one of the girls who giggled and looked away.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it," Jeongguk replied, focusing back on Yugyeom who hoisted himself on the desk. His uniform was cleanly pressed, dark hair swept back with his hand and his grin infectious. It was no wonder he was popular.

"I heard that Seuogsu was going to be there," Mingyu pointed out, looking up at his phone with a wicked grin adorning his features. Whistles erupted as all eyes turned to Jeongguk, who shrugged. "You gonna hit that, Guk?"

"Not my style," Jeongguk remarked, shaking his head. "She is a nice girl, but I am not really into her that much. Besides, I rather be dating someone first."

BamBam snickered, locking him in a headlock and ruffled his head. He groaned and shoved him off, sending the other boy a look and a click of his tongue as he glared at him. Yugyeom cooed, pinching his cheek.

"Cutie. We all know you like her, come on. You blush around her!"

But I don't swing that.... Jeongguk thought to himself but then looked away with a shrug. When class actually started, Jeongguk was relieved. He hated when they talked about relationships and fucking.

He rather wait and do it with someone he cared about, not because he was drinking or had an urge. It just didn't make sense. Even at parties he generally kept himself in control and that night was no different as he came barreling down the stairs, dressed in black clothes and a red sweater as he brushed past his brother.

Junghyun blinked as he hit shoulder. "Whoa, where you headed at this hour?" he asked, noticing the stylish clothes and earrings that dangled from his pierced ears. Jeongguk flushed, pulling on his shoe.

"Party with BamBam and the others," he exhaled in one whoosh before grinning. "You gonna come, hyung? It's going to be so much fun!"

"Nah. I got homework," he answered and chuckled at the pout that touched the soft features of his little brother. He pinched his cheeks, causing him to whine. "Just don't be out too late and don't come home drunk. Dad is still a cop."

"Yeah, yeah," Jeongguk said, waving an arm over his shoulder as he went into the living room to see his mother folding laundry on the couch. Her soft raven hair falling in tendrils around her delicate features that were similar to her second son.

She looked up, smiling when she noticed him. "Oh hey. You going out?"

"Yeah. Staying with BamBam! Love you mom!" he called, grabbing his bag and hurrying out of the house as his mother's call followed him. He ran down the steps of his two story suburban home and ran down the block to hop into the beat up car of his friend's car.

They all greeted him excitedly as they drove to the party. It was the same as it always was- loud music, the stench of alcohol and stale cigarette smoke bouncing around the crowded house with too many bodies.

Jeongguk liked it- the lively aura that surrounded it even if he never really drank enough to get wasted unlike his friends. But that night, when he was sipping at his drink that was clutched in his hand, he felt too fuzzy. Too light.

His world was spinning, and his breathing too heavy. His heart pounded in his chest as he pushed through the crowded halls. Fear was coursing through his veins as he tried to keep himself steady but a hand slithered up his arm.