summary: your matchmaking reputation is tested when your crush, mingyu, asks for help finding a date. reluctantly, you agree, setting up a scenario where you'll see him with someone else. at the party, feeling heartbroken, you confide in your best friend, vernon.
-
as you smoothly matched people, your reputation as a talented cupid increased. you were popular, known as the matchmaker at your campus.
a day took an unexpected turn when a request landed on your desk, and your heart skipped a beat — it was from mingyu, your own secret crush.
mingyu asked you to set him up with a girl. caught between the professional duty of a matchmaker(as you would call yourself) and the ache in your own heart, you reluctantly agreed — even if it meant you being left heartbroken.
in the hushed library, vernon called your name multiple times, the librarian casting disapproving glances. you looked up at him, seeing vernon approach and sit beside you, a concerned expression on his face, "what's wrong?" he asks quietly.
you don't respond. looking at the book in front of you blankly. you really wished to bang your head on the desk in front of you.
"don't do that,"
"...did i say that out loud?"
vernon was your best friend. even if you didn't say that out loud, he could've definitely guessed. "don't hurt that forehead of yours and tell me what happened,"
you sighed, the weight of the evening pressing on you. "it's mingyu," you finally confessed, your voice barely above a whisper, "he asked me to set him up with this girl, and i...i agreed, even though..."
vernon's gaze softened, understanding the unspoken pain in your words. "even though it hurts?" he finished for you, his hand gently squeezing your shoulder. a part of him feeling bad for you. but most of him was glad. well. because.
"he's always been oblivious," you admitted, a mix of frustration and sadness in your voice. "and now, i have to watch him with someone else, all in the name of being a matchmaker, and..."
"and?"
you sigh again "i invited both of them to jackson's party,"
"the one this friday?"
you nod, a sad expression still on your face. "i thought it would be the right thing to do, you know? professional and all. but now, i have to face watching mingyu with somebody other than me,"
him and you don't say anything for a moment — vernon not knowing how to comfort you, and you choosing to be quiet instead of ranting more about mingyu.
vernon clears his throat before speaking again "hey,"
"hm?"
"jackson invite me to his party,"
"me too," you say, dropping your head on the desk, "i don't wanna go,"
"why not?"
"why should i? to see my crush getting with someone that's not me?"
"right..."
"so yes, im going,"
vernon chuckles at you and you turn your head to look at him.
"you're really gonna go?" vernon questions.
"really, yes, i will go. i'll stay with you. so distract me from them,"
-
it felt like no time when friday night arrived, the thumping music and lively chatter enveloping.
"vernon..."
"yeah?"
vernon tracked your gaze, spotting mingyu with his date by the bar, engaged in laughter and conversation. catching your eye, mingyu offered a thumbs up to you, which you mirror with a sad smile. "hey, y/n," you avert your gaze from them, looking at vernon.
"vernon, i think i need some alchohol in my system,"
"no, you don't. look, there's guys over there playing truth or dare, let's join them," vernon suggested, trying to shift your focus from mingyu and the situation at hand, but failed as you chose truth and they asked you who your crush is.
you left the game, and walked up to the bar, sitting on the stool, asking for some alcohol. "y/n, no," vernon followed.
"truth or dare can be brutal, especially when the truth hits close to home,"
"alcohol won't solve anything,"
"ma'am, here is-"
"vernon, i just need a moment-," you say, taking the glass of drink from the guy in front of you.
"you can't drink, y/n," vernon snatches the glass from your hand.
"vernon, what-" you couldnt say the next words. you couldn't even process for a few seconds. its when you realize — his lips where on yours.
he pulls away, it hits you — your best friend just kissed you.
vernon looks at you, his eyes searching for a reaction. your mind races as you process what just happened. the noise of the party fades into the background, and all you can feel is the lingering warmth of his unexpected kiss.
"vernon, what...?" you manage to stammer, a mix of surprise and confusion in your voice.
he meets your gaze, his expression a blend of uncertainty and sincerity. "i couldn't stand seeing you like this, y/n. i couldn't let you drown your feelings in alcohol, i care about you too much,"
"i...i didn't expect this," you admit, your heart still racing.
"me neither," vernon replies, running a hand through his hair.
the clamor of the party gradually seeps back into your consciousness, yet the world feels subtly altered. mingyu and his date remain at the bar, but your attention has undergone a transformative shift.
