Best friend | Lizrei

Chapter 7 - Please let go

Liz

"Rei?"

"Huh?"

"Did you hear what I said?" She seemed to have dozed off after I started speaking.

Rei blinked a few times, unable to give me answer. "I said I'm going back to Jeju-do tomorrow"

"Oh.. uh.. Why?.." so she wasn't listening.

"I'm going back so I can get the things I need because I'm coming to school. I already spoke with my parents and they agreed" I explained. I was in disbelief when I realised she wasn't listening. Rei isn't the type to doze of when others are talking, she's usually very attentive.

"Do you need help? I'll go with you"

"No need, I asked Yujin-unnie to help me"

No I didn't. But I'm sure she'll help.

*

Liz:
Yujin-unnie I need your help

Yujin:
Why? What's wrong?
Do you want to meet up somewhere?

Liz:
Café in 10?

Yujin:
Okay see you

*

"Wait so you told Rei that I was going with you to Jeju-do... why?"

I gulped and avoided eye contacts, not wanting to give her an answer. "Just 'cause... it's stupid honestly..."

"Liz come one. I always told you that you can talk to be about anything, so don't hide it. Why didn't you let Rei go with you instead? I know you're closest with her-"

"I just wanna get away from her... I need to figure things out"

I haven't labeled myself. Do I like women? Apparently so but do I also like men? I don't know I haven't had feelings for one in a long time.

Bringing her along would make me more confused. I need time away from her to sort out my feelings and if I'm being completely honest, I don't even know if I still like her.

"You're questioning aren't you? You like her, that's why you left. I noticed something was off with the both of you way before you even left. How you became more distant every other week or so"

Damn. Was I really that obvious? "Yes I'm questioning. I don't know how label myself or if I want to label myself. I did like her but now I'm not so sure. I didn't want to tell anyone because I was afraid of judgement"

She let out a exaggerated sigh. "So what exactly happened between you two?"

❁

A knock on the wooden door made me flinch and look at her. After hours of packing my stuff, I was not ready to be drained by what ever Rei had to say to me.

Call it mean but it's true. As my best friend, I love her death. But as a potential lover, she drains the life out of me. Sometimes just looking at her makes my tired. It only started a few days ago but it feels like it's been going on for years.

"Why are you packing all you things? You're coming back anyways" She leaned on the door frame as I zipped my suitcase.

I pulled it up to stand on its wheels and placed it near a wall. "After I come back, I'll be staying at Yujin-unnie's house"

Rei stood up properly after hearing my statement. "Rei don't argue with me. You're apartment is meant for one person, not two. It's best if I stay somewhere else where there's enough space for me. I don't wanna take up the already limited space in this place"

"But I like having you around. You're not taking up space, you're actually filling the up the emptiness in this apartment" And still she argues back after I told her not to.

I bit my lip in frustration. Why won't this girl just listen to me?! "Rei stop. I get that you like having me around but I need space for myself, to think and figure out things. I'm grateful that you let me stay here but Yujin-unnie has a spare room I can stay it"

Rolling the suitcase out of the room, I left it near the door and went back to get my backpack, Rei following me around like some kid.

She stood in front of me, blocking me way. It was only a few seconds before she wrapped her arms around my wait and buried her head in the crook of my neck. Stop making me feel this way. One minute I hate you and the next it's like I'm falling for you all over again.

"Rei... please let go"

"No"

"Rei... please.."

I heard her sniffing as her tears soaked both my neck and my shirt. This time I'm that one that hurt her.

"Please stay... I-I can't lose you again, I don't want to lose you again"

"I'll only be gone for a few days. After that I'll come visit"

"But I don't you to just visit"

"Please let go. It's best for the both of us"

She didn't reply.

"Please... let go"

And she did.

𑁍