Help Me Out? (Seongjoong)

~24~

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I rest my wrists in Hongjoong's shoulders, looking down at him, a smirk playing on his face.

"I need you to focus on this harder then you've focused on anything. If we lose. It's your fault."
He nods, a small laugh leaving his lips.
"Are you two making out, or can we play?"
Jihoon asks, pulling us back into the main area of the common room.

"Yeah. Let's play."
I smile, doing my best to keep my competitiveness to a minimum.

Something about the card game 'bullshit' put a rage inside of me that I couldn't explain. Something about the game being centered around lying just pissed me off. I was so bad at it, it wasn't funny.

So here's to hoping Hongjoong's a good liar.

"Bullshit."
Jihoon quickly calls on Hongjoong's paly.

Wrong.

So far so good.

I feel myself smile

"I have never seen him this competitive."
Hongjoong says amused.
"I've not had anything to compete for around you."
I reply.

I had been nervous to come to a game night alone, and I figured me and Chanhee weren't in that level just yet, so I assumed Hongjoong would be happy to join me, and just as excepted, here he was. My anxiety quickly disappeared thanks to him.

As the small game goes on, the realization hits that Hongjoong was fucking good at this. Not just lying, but telling when people are lying, but surprisingly, so was Wonwoo. And he only got better. Paying close attention to how we reacted when we lied as to telling the truth.

Soon enough, we were beat. Wonwoo being the first to run out of cards.
"We'll get you next time."
I say.
"Like hell you will."
Jihoon says through a soft chuckle.

Hongjoong and I head over to what he called the quote "shit table". Which was just a low quality snack table, where everyone brought something.

"Why is this occuring?"
I ask pointing out the balls of unbaked cookie dough.
"Don't know, but I love whoever brought it."
Hongjoong replies, popping one of the balls into his mouth.
"That was disgusting."
I say reaching for the 7-11 chip bag.

"You suck at lying."
Hongjoong says.
"Is that not good?"

"Not for playing bullshit, no."
Can't deny that.
"Lying is an art form, man."
I say.
"You're ridiculous."
Hongjoong laughs.

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out only to find a whole chain of messages from my mom.

"On a walk with your dad"
"Was thinking about coming down tomorrow, yeah?"
"Maybe lunch?"
"How's Hongjoong? How are the clothes?"
"Busy?"
"Seonghwa"
"Okay... I'll take that as a yes."

"Everything okay?"
Hongjoong asks.
"It's just, my mom..."
My voice trails off in frustration.
"What?
Hongjoong prompts. Seeing the clear frustration on my face.
"I just... I want independence. I'm an adult. She was my only friend for a long time, but I need some distance for once in my life."

Hongjoong scrunches his nose at my words.
"I think she just wants to be part of your life,"
He says.
"Y'know, I wish I had a parent like that. One that actually... Cares."
The comment made my heart hurt. I wanted to be sympathetic, but didn't want him to run away like the other night.
"I'm sorry."
I take a deep breath.
"I just need a bit more space."
Hongjoong nods.

"This is working though. I'm different. I'm not the same person from when I first came here."
Hongjoong huffs a laugh.
"A more confident version. Still Seonghwa."
Hongjoong says sweetly. Normally the sweetness was faked, this one, this one felt real.

"Wanna play again?"
Jihoon asks from across the room.

We step over the circle of people playing cards on the floor, Wonwoo handing out the separate decks of cards.

My phone buzzes again.
"One sec,"
It's still my mom. A call this time.

I turn the phone to face Hongjoong.
"Just pick up."
He cringes knowing I didn't want to. My shoulders slump.
"I'll be right back."
I say stepping out of the room into the hallway. I swipe up on the green 'answer' button.

"Hello my dear~ what are you up to?"
I glance behind me, realizing she can probably hear the others behind the double doors.
"Not much. What's up, mom?"
I say, trying my damnedest not to sound as annoyed as I was.
"Just, wanting to catch up. It's been awhile."

"Three days, mom."
I reply.
"I know. But I just-"
She starts.
"Ma, I gotta go. I'm kinda busy."

"Oh, okay. Well, have fun. Call me whenever you're free... I guess."

"Fine."
I reply shortly hanging up.

Hongjoong hands me my deck of card as I step back into the room, placing myself back into the floor next to him.

I try to forget about my mom as we play. But the lingering thought just won't shake. I know eventually I'll have to talk to her. I just didn't want to. All I want to do is ignore it.

A/N
How tf is it DECEMBER.