kissing booth | jaywon ✔️

ch. 19

"Are you implying we mix our ice cream?" Jay looked up, looking at Jungwon. "Or that we, get together?"

"I'm talking about us, Jay." He took a breath.

"We should date. You know, go on dates, hold hands, have picnics by the lake, lead the student council together..." Jungwon got a bit shy. "Or you know, nevermind it was stupid anyway-"

"No! Jungwon, it's- it's an amazing idea!" Jay said, also nervous.

"Just..."

"Just what Jay?" Jay put his head down, fiddling with his fingers once again.

"I don't think I'm ready to have that label yet." Jungwon tilted his head. "Well, I know it sounds wrong. But I've got some things to sort out in my life, and I like you a lot, I truly do, but if my dad finds out about us somehow, you're gonna have it bad."

"And I don't want anything to happen to you or us. I just, want you to be happy and safe." Jungwon's eyes were tearing up.

"I'll delay our happiness so we can be safe first, then we can be happy longer." Jay said, a soft, reassuring smile on his face.

Jungwon burst out in tears. Jay's words touched him, he realized how bad it was being in a relationship which a parent considered was "immoral" or that it was a "sin".

Jungwon couldn't do much about it. He wasn't mad at Jay, he truly wasn't. His speech made him cry uncontrollably, so he leaned in for a hug, wrapping his hands around.

Jay melted in his hands, resting his head on Jungwon's shoulder. He sighed. "I'm sorry."

Jungwon just patted him on the back softly, circling his thumb. They were both sad, on the verge of showing their emotions.

"Hey, I think it's time for you to hold the ending speech right? It's almost 8 pm..." Jay said, muffling his words in Jungwon's shoulder.

He nodded, slowly getting off of Jay. He spotted Heesung, who led him to the stage.

They gave him a blue microphone, practically pushing him out on stage. A song ended, everyone cheering.

He got up on the stage, walking to the middle of it. He was used to this, making speeches was his thing. But, he forgot to practice his script. He forgot he even had to do this whole speech.

"Hello everyone! Thank you all for coming today." He looked around, bowing as others cheered loudly for him.

"I just wanted to say a few words to thank you all, to acknowledge all our efforts and to learn something." He took a big breath.

"To all the staff who worked today; thank you so much. I know you're all tired, I know we've had a tough day, I know you've worked for days on end, and it shows. This festival looks amazing! Let's clap for them!" The people listening clapped and cheered loudly.

"I'm sure we've learned a lot today, I sure have. We have learned that time really does help, time makes wonders, time helps us strengthen things, helps us realize what we have is more than enough." He looked at Jay in the audience.

He smiled. "To be happy, we have to keep together. We have to trust each other, we have to care for each other. So let's all promise each other that, in the next year, we'll all do that, we'll get better and respect each other."

"So one last time, let's cheer for us, our community, and our school." Everyone cheered so loudly, some hugged this around them, feeling the love coming from their school mates.

Jungwon bowed, getting off stage. There, someone waited for him.

Better said, multiple of them waited for him.

Ni-ki, Sunoo, Sunghoon, Jake, Heesung. Even Jay. They were all there looking at him with fond eyes.