𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 [JoongDunk]

ᴄʜ-8 ꜱᴇʟꜰ-ʀᴇꜰʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ

The florist shop's doorbell chimed as Joong stepped out, his mind filled with the echoes of Dunk's rejection. The disappointment lingered, and Joong decided to reach out to his ever-reliable friend, Pond.

Pulling out his phone, Joong dialed Pond's number. After a few rings, Pond answered with his usual casual tone.

Pond: "Joong, what's up? Miss me already?"

Joong, his voice betraying a hint of disappointment, sighed.

Joong: "Pond, we need to talk. Can you meet me at our usual spot?"

Pond, sensing the seriousness in Joong's tone, agreed.

Pond: "Sure thing, Joong. I'll be there in a bit."

As Joong hung up, he couldn't shake off the lingering sense of confusion and hurt. The once vibrant possibility of something more with Dunk now seemed to fade into the background, overshadowed by the unexpected turn of events.

At their usual hangout, Joong waited for Pond, the weight of unspoken words heavy in the air. 

Pond arrived at their usual spot, noticing the somber expression on Joong's face. He took a seat, ready to lend an ear to whatever was troubling his friend.

Pond: "Alright, Joong. spill it. What's going on?"

Joong, his usual charm replaced by a vulnerable honesty, recounted the events at the florist shop—the unexpected rejection, Dunk's cryptic reasons, and the lingering disappointment.

Pond listened intently, his brow furrowing with concern.

Pond: "That's rough, Joong. I didn't see that coming. What are you going to do?"

Joong, sighing, ran a hand through his hair.

Joong: "I don't even know, Pond. I thought we had something, but Dunk's got his own baggage, and he won't share it with me. I feel lost."

Pond, offering a reassuring pat on Joong's shoulder, pondered the situation.

Pond: "Give it time, Joong. Maybe Dunk needs space to sort through his own stuff. In the meantime, focus on yourself."

The weight of Dunk's rejection lingered, and a nagging thought crept into Joong's mind. He couldn't help but question the nature of his feelings for Dunk.

Joong, furrowing his brows, mused aloud.

Joong: "Pond, I've been thinking. Do I really like Dunk, or is it just guilt? Guilt for avoiding him and not handling things better."

Pond, considering Joong's introspection, offered a thoughtful response.

Pond: "It's a valid question, Joong. Maybe it's a bit of both. You're human, after all. But you won't know unless you give it some time and let things settle."

Joong, contemplating Pond's words, nodded.

Joong: "Yeah, maybe I need to figure out my own feelings before diving into anything. This whole situation is more complicated than I expected."

Pond: "Damn, I've never seen you so disappointed after a rejection."

As Joong delved into the shadows of self-reflection, he realized that understanding his own emotions was a crucial step before attempting to navigate the complexities of his connection with Dunk. Little did he know, this introspective journey might uncover truths about himself that went beyond the surface-level dynamics of his evolving relationships.