Attachment (One-shot)

Coming Up Strong

"Duuude!!"  Kush nudged his elbow at the dazed Kwon Jiyong. He has been lightly poking Jiyong's arm to try and monopolize at least some attention but desolately fails at it. Kush just heaved a sigh for the nth time and turned his devotion to the feast on the table before his eyes.

"Look at him, he looks like a rag doll" Seungri whispered to Daesung who was sitting beside him. They have been backstabbing Jiyong for minutes now and if this was some usual day, Jiyong have long ended their existence by sending them death glares. But it isn't happening now.

Agreeing with Seungri, Daesung nodded, his dark brown bangs bouncing on his forehead. But it wasn't only the two who noticed that it looked like Jiyong was a living zombie, everyone around did.

They were rounded in a table, waiting for the others to arrive. They have agreed that this night should be spent on catching up with each other. They have invited all their friends. And Jiyong is well aware that Dara will be there.

It has been four weeks since they separated but to him it seemed like it was just yesterday.  Though he was trying so hard to keep and conceal it, his pain shows. He vaguely dismisses questions regarding his state, how he is and how they're doing.  

Jiyong and Dara both haven't told their friends about their breakup and Jiyong does not want to be the first one to give in, he still can't grasp his aura around it and it still hurts so much. During his free time, when he's not busy with work, he sleeps. He rarely eats; something that didn't escape the eyes of his friends.

Kwon Jiyong is always all over food. But now, he isn't which only means that there really is something off. They misunderstood it as a heavy fight between him and his girlfriend, oblivious to the fact that this time; they were really done – for good.

"Oh, huh?" Jiyong, after what seemed like years, finally came back to Earth.

Dismissing the now revived Jiyong. Seunghyun nodded to the door, noticing the arrival of the new guests. "They're here" Seunghyun announced.

As Dara walked in with Bom, her eyes immediately darted to her ex-boyfriend. He lost weight and all the vibrancy he used to have was now sapped from him. She gave him a worried look and kept her gaze on him as they paced towards their table.

Jiyong, however, upon noticing her, mustered up the courage to act fine. He shrugged her gazes and looked at her, his eyes devoid of any emotion. He was almost glaring and Dara virtually whimpered at his boldness.

"H-Hey" she greeted everyone nervously, afraid that they will notice Jiyong eyeing her dangerously.

"Good Evening guys! How are you all?" Bom took the spotlight. She was the only person who knows about their breakup and the only person, nonetheless, who noticed the tension between the couple.

Dara sighed, glad that Bom understood. She closed her eyes and gasped when the only chair available is next to Jiyong. Apparently, they left it for her on purpose.

'Of course', she thought.  They still didn't know.

The whole night was spent talking and chatting about anything under the sun. As promised, they caught up on each other. Dara was animatedly talking and laughing with her friends, evidently realizing she was missing out a lot.