Broken Guitar Strings

Chapter 24

(ALLIE'S POV)

Ugh. There's no way to make it up to Lay. It would be so much better if Chanyeol just did it. That would be very heartwarming, but obviously he doesn't want to show any sort of kind gesture to him. The damn competitiveness of it all.

I've decided to just take a step back and hang out with my girlfriends. Friends over guys all the way; I would never choose a guy and turn down a friend for it. Since it's a Friday, IU and I wanted to go hang at the community park, but it's getting really cold out. Ugh, as much as I love Christmas spirit up here in Chicago, I'll always miss spending the holidays in Monterey. IU came over to my house and we baked cookies, messed with the piano, set up the Christmas tree, decorated it with lights and ornaments, and had an amazing time overall. After dilly-dallying throughout the day, we finally went upstairs and settled down to talk. She asked me what my feelings were about Chanyeol. Of course, I had knew this would come up, but I still didn't have an answer. I told her that I think he's a great guy, but it's just that Lay is a much better fit for someone like me. "Then why don't you go for Lay? I am 90% sure that he likes you back."

"I know he likes me back. He presented me with a rose in the sweetest way." I blush. "But...everyone wants me to be with Park Chanyeol."

"I don't want you to be with Park Chanyeol. If you want to be with Lay, I'll support that. And other people will too, especially Savannah."

"It's just...parents." I fiddle with a little piece of loose string on the edge of my sleeve. I know IU won't be able to understand the whole heirs and family connections things, but I know that she is sympathetic and very supportive.

"Oh, I see. Do they not approve of Lay?" Wait....

"Huh, I'm not really sure. All I know is that they approve of Chanyeol by TWO HUNDRED PERCENT. We're set up for an engagement."

IU starts humming Akdong Musician's "200%," and we both crack up. I love her so much.

Then my phone buzzes. I stand up and walk over to my table. Text from Park Chanyeol. "Uh," I say nervously. "I just got a text from Chanyeol."

"Well you have no reason not to just open it, so go ahead and read it. You don't have to read it out loud if you don't want to."

Chanyeol: So on Sunday...we have a photoshoot

For what?

Me: For what?

"He says we have a photoshoot for the engagement on Sunday."

She looks cautious, as if she thought that what she wanted to say would upset me. "Well, are you going to go?"

"I don't know. I think I have to go."

My thumbs move swiftly across the keyboard, and type:

Me: and I'm assuming they've already arranged it?

Chanyeol: Yup.

Chanyeol: Allie, I'm really sorry. You don't know how sorry I am.

Gulp.

IU notices that I'm quiet, but instead of asking me what he said, she just pulls out her phone instead. That's what I love about her; she caters to other people's feelings and she knows when they need space.

Me: I..that's okay

Me: I just want you to do one thing for me. One thing

(A/N: 6/9/15 hey guys! I'm going to uploading a lot more frequently now. I have finished planning my new story and will begin working on some cover art and the first chapter. I hope you'll like it! Also it's kinda weird seeing that the heirs are getting around to Christmas time...when it's actually summer. Haha<3)