jacket - lee suhyeok

𝖎𝖝. confession

chapter nine
confession

I awake to hear Daesu's singing voice and see myself in a circle with everyone else around me. A small bonfire in the middle of us, illuminating our faces and slightly keeping us warm. I see myself laid out on my side, my legs stretched out while my head is on Suhyeok's lap.

I look down and see a jacket on my form and a slight pressure where my injury is. I look to see my arm being held up by some fabric and a piece of wood supporting from under. I smile, grateful for the make-shift arm sling around my neck and arm. Everyone begins to join in on the singing and I let out a deep breath in relaxation.
We're finally away from all the zombies again. However, despite my relief, a gloom feeling still lingers over us. "Why did the helicopter leave without us?" I ask myself. They surely must've seen us.

"What a nice song." Hyoryeong mumbles softly, putting her head down and playing with her fingernails. "You said earlier that it sucked." Daesu mentions, looking up at her. "I can change my mind." Hyoryeong speaks up, glancing at Daesu before they both start to giggle.

"So... when did you start smoking?" Onjo asks Namra. I whip my head towards them, seeing them having a own conversation of their own. She smokes? I didn't see that coming. I never liked cigarettes but Namra made everything she did seem so cool. I guess smoking isn't that bad then if Namra does it.

"Since the eighth grade," she replies lowly. Damn, she started young. "I had no friends and no way to relieve stress," she adds. "You always put up a wall." Onjo says to Namra. "You always had your music on and you never said a word to anyone," Onjo claims.

"I just... didn't have any friends." Namra says, not knowing how to explain herself. "To be honest, I didn't like you at first." Hyoryeong says randomly, joining in om the conversation. I look at Hyoryeong with my eyebrows furrowed. Why would she say that?

"I thought you didn't talk to us because you thought we were beneath you," Hyoryeong explains. "Honestly, same. To be frank, there were times when I wished you weren't around." Joonyeong speaks up this time. I'm starting to feel bad for Namra, why does everyone feel the need to make it known that they didn't like her? I didn't know that's how everyone felt about her.

"Aren't you two close? You're the top two students in our school." Jimin asks Joonyeong from next to him. "Yeah... that's why I hated her." Joonyeong responds to Jimin's question matter-of-factly. "No matter how hard I tried. I was always second to her," Joonyeong continues. "But it's okay now. Doesn't matter anymore," he shrugs his shoulders, bringing his knees closer to his chest.

"Second place is good too," Daesu states, pouting slightly. "We can't even come in 20th in our class. Right?" He says, looking over to Suhyeok and I. We nod slowly, giving him a sad smile. Suhyeok reaches over and gives him a first bump. Everyone knew our grades weren't the best. Our strengths just lied elsewhere. I think.

"Hey. Don't compare yourself to Joonyeong." Hyoryeong says, slapping Daesu lightly on the elbow. "I was just joking.... Y'know— Why— Why do you always jump down my throat when I say something?" Daesu asks, looking straight at Hyoryeong now. Hyoryeong stays silent and Daesu expression shifts into one of concern.

"Wait... Do you... like me?" Daesu asks with furrowed eyebrows. I let out a chuckled breath before covering my mouth with my free hand. "Screw you, no way," Hyoryeong says, slapping him harder on the arm. She glances over at Jimim after his question, and Jimim slightly smiles. I look at her suspiciously before averting my gaze back at Daesu.

"I'll put it out there so you don't get hurt. I like someone else. So... please... don't like me." Daesu continues, fishing for something that isn't there. "I don't like you!" Hyoryeong says, hitting him once more. "I'm not interested... like at all!" She states again, hitting him one last time. Daesu rubs his arm with a pout.