Second Chances

Wrong choice

"The patbingsoo was so good! I'm already craving for more!" Yoona exclaimed.

"Me too, it was so yummy~" Taeyeon agreed, as the group carried snacks, drinks, tables and chairs to make themselves comfortable at the rooftop in preparation for the fireworks later on. Leeteuk did not join them after dinner as he still was not done with his assignment.

"Hey there's no one here! It's a good thing that no one noticed this spot, except the great me~" Taecyeon sang his own praises.

When it was almost time for the fireworks, the five of them went over to the railings to have a closer look. "Hey why isn't it coming yet? It's at 8pm right?" Junho asked.

"Wait for it, it'll come. Trust me!" Taecyeon said confidently.

"The wind feels good though, it's one of the coolest breezes I've felt since the start of summer!" Taeyeon said, closing her eyes with a content smile on her face.

'Everything feels right now... fireworks, the atmosphere, everything. If I don't confess now, I'm such a coward!' Wooyoung thought as he mustered his courage.

"Taeng."

"Hmm?"

Before Wooyoung could even say anything, the sound of fireworks filled the air, successfully stealing Taeyeon's attention away from him. The five of them searched for the fireworks they expected to see but there were none in sight.

"That's weird, we can hear them but we can't see them at all..." Yoona said, looking around in confusion.

"Yeah! Wait... Aren't the fireworks behind these buildings?" Junho asked.

Sure enough, flickers of colourful lights were seen behind the big buildings that were blocking their sight. Taecyeon started laughing sheepishly.

"Yah, what's so great about this place? We can't see anything at all!" Yoona started scolding Taecyeon.

"Ok Taecyeon, you punk!" Junho said, before putting Taecyeon in a headlock. Yoona also started tickling him and soon enough, Taecyeon ended up on the floor with tears rolling down his cheeks because tickles are one of his weak spots.

Taeyeon just laughed at the three of them and their antics. "We have another choice! I can just bring the fireworks here!"

"Huh? How?" Taecyeon asked after finally recovering from Yoona and Junho's attacks.

"We found some in Leeteuk's dorm earlier when we were cleaning! I'm sure he won't mind. Don't you think that not able to see any fireworks this year is too depressing?" Taeyeon smiled and turned towards the exit.

'Wait.... I can't let Leeteuk and Taeyeon be alone!' Wooyoung thought.

"Taeng! I'll go with you."

"Nah it's okay, don't bother! I'll be right back!"

"No, I want to come with you."

Taeyeon gave Wooyoung a weird look but nodded anyway. As they were about to start walking to the exit, someone's message tone sounded loudly and both of them stopped to see whose phone it was. It turned out to be Yoona's.

From: Siwon

I'm watching the fireworks alone today. It's so lonely because I had your company for the past two years. Can you come over and watch it with me?

The look on Yoona's face changed after reading the message, and Taeyeon immediately knew that something was wrong.

"Yoona-ah... is everything fine?"

"Umm... is it okay if I leave for a while?" Yoona spoke hesitantly.

"Where are you going? Will you be back soon?" Taecyeon asked worriedly.

"By any chance, is it... from your ex-boyfriend?" Taeyeon asked. Yoona bit her lip and nodded slowly.

"He said he's watching the fireworks alone this year and he asked me to join him..."

Taecyeon immediately felt his heart aching, and took a deep breath.

"I think he's just making up excuses. He just doesn't want to be lonely and he wants to make use of you. Selfish bastard." Junho cursed.

"Don't you think I know that? " Yoona felt as if she's fighting a war with herself; she did not know which decision would be right.

"Go ahead," Taecyeon finally spoke, "you still have feelings for him right?"

Yoona looked at Taecyeon in surprise.

"If he doesn't make up with you, I'll go fight him. I don't care that he's a black belt." Taecyeon continued. "So go ahead, you have our support."

With these words said, Yoona finally made up her mind.

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"Here!" Taeyeon passed Yoona a bag of food to bring with her.

"Don't worry. No matter what, we're with you." Taeyeon gave Yoona a reassuring smile. Yoona smiled back gratefully before running off to the exit.

As soon as Yoona left, the previous happy atmosphere was obviously gone. The others could feel that Taecyeon was really upset this time, and it was rare seeing the jovial Taecyeon being upset for long. Taecyeon went to the tables and settled down, pulling out several beer cans and opening them. He finished a can in less than ten seconds, obviously trying to escape from reality.

"Taecyeon, stop! You're drinking too quickly. Just spit it out and it'd be better." Junho said as he tried to stop Taecyeon from drinking.

Taeyeon, sensing the atmosphere, decided to leave for a while. "Hey, I'll go get the fireworks, okay?"

After which, she quickly ran towards the exit before Wooyoung could stop her. Seeing Taecyeon so upset, he did not know where to go: to go after Taeyeon or stay with the upset Taecyeon. After a while, Wooyoung made up his mind and decided to confront Taecyeon about it.

"Taecyeon!"

"Hmm?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Run after Yoona and stop her now!"

"Ha. How can I stop her? On what grounds?"

"I'm telling you, if you don't stop her, you will regret it."

"Nah, I won't regret anything," Taecyeon sighed. "Yoona is someone I won't be able to reach out to, even if I try my very best."

"But you aren't even trying now! What's wrong with you? You weren't afraid to tell her about your feelings for such a long time, why are you hesitating now?"Wooyoung said. "Just do it bro, like you always do." After he was done with the words he wanted to say, Wooyoung ran off to go after Taeyeon.