Stray Kids Comfort Collection

10. Han: Stood Up

Not again. I shifted in my seat for what felt like the hundredth time, my eyes anxiously traveling toward the entrance of the restaurant in search of the face that I was expecting to walk toward me but hadn't arrived yet. I sighed, tapping my fingernail on the tabletop right next to my phone. My eyes drifted down to my phone, boring a hole into the screen awaiting a text or call or something to let me know why he hadn't shown up yet.

I could feel the tears rising to the surface in frustration as I saw the time on the display. I grabbed the phone and brought it up to my mouth to whisper the command, "Message Ji-San." The assistant replied, asking what I wanted to say.

"I've been seated at the restaurant for thirty minutes. Where are you?"

With another sigh, I set the phone down after quickly hitting the prompt to send it. I stared back up toward the entrance with a dying hope. If I was really being stood up again, that text would go unanswered.

But my phone buzzed on the table.

I picked it up and read the message: I didn't realize we had plans for tonight.

My eyes widened in instant horror as I read--rather than my date's name--my ex's name on the screen.

I typed back quickly. "Jisung, that message was not meant for you. Sorry." Why hadn't I deleted his number yet? It'd been several months since I ended things between us.

It took no time for his reply to show up. Which restaurant? I'm on my way.

"What? Shit! No!" I gasped under my breath as my heart leapt into my throat while I read his words. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Then my phone buzzed again. The message said: You don't deserve to be stood up.

I glared down at my screen, unsure of how to take what he said. I sat it back down on the table with a huff. I could hear Han's voice clear as day in my head, but that didn't mean he meant it the way I imagined it. I chewed on my lip nervously as I warred over turning my phone off versus actually letting him show up so I could save face. Before I knew it, my fingers were typing out the name of the restaurant and hitting the 'send' icon.

"Oh god. What have I gotten myself into?" I mumbled.

The server who had passed by not too long before stopped beside me once again and nodded toward the empty place setting across from me. "Will the rest of your party be joining you soon? Are you ready to order?"

As if he heard them, my phone screen lit up on the table. I'll be there in 5 minutes tops. Traffic. You know my drink order. Go ahead and order an appetizer too.

A blanket of relief draped itself across my shoulders. I brought my attention back to the server and smiled softly. "He'll be here in a few minutes. I'll take a house draft ale, a glass of malbec, and the appetizer duo from tonight's special." If Han was going to convince me to have dinner with him, then he would be paying for it.

"I'll bring that right out." The server nodded and retreated from the table.

I took a deep breath and settled into my seat, less poised and anxious than before. However, I was apprehensive about seeing Han Jisung for the first time since we'd broken up. He was respectful and gave me the space and disconnection that I had requested when I'd told him I couldn't be with him anymore. I had seen the confusion and hurt behind his controlled exterior when the words had left my mouth that night, and a part of me still regretted how I didn't give him the open door to run after me and ask me to stay... if he even wanted me to. I couldn't explain to him that I wasn't completely done, but I just couldn't stay where we'd plateaud anymore.