Never | Lee Haechan

Reflection and redemption

The scent of freshly made breakfast bloomed in the air. The warm sunlight leaking through the white curtains to illuminate the living area as Jiae sat on the dining table with a cup of tea. Her hand tediously used the fork to play with the toast that had almost gone cold from her fidgeting with it.

Many different thoughts were on her mind. Her results were out yesterday and she knew she couldn't expect much. But the C on the report card scratched an nerve in her brain. She would be okay with a B even but a C? It gave her flashbacks from the last two years of highschool when she had her slight academic fallout. And that, was one of the worst mental states in her life. Yes, even worse than her current one.

Her thoughts were broken down with a brown haired boy slipping into the seat adjacent to her, doing all sorts of antics to get her attention. First dropping the glass of water by mistake, then making an unnecessary amount of noise with the cutlery — finally opting to pull on her low hair bun which successfully made the girl look up at her elder brother with a pissed frown.

"What do you want?" She hissed out at the boy that now rested both his elbows on the table, one hand lazily holding up his chin up, "What's up with the depressing ass face?"

Jiae rolled her eyes and went back to poking her toast, "I don't know. Everything,"

Jungwoo raised a brow at her words as he sipped on his coffee, trying to figure out what exactly was driving her up the wall. He had a fair idea of what it could be, knowing very well how academically competitive his younger sister was. But he knew she was someone who liked her space with stuff like that. And thus when she didn't strike up the conversation herself, he didn't pry further.

After a few seconds silence, he spoke again, "So.....how long have you and Haechan actually been together?" He carefully asked and was relieved to find she didn't seem to throw hands at the question like she was snapping at most things.

"A few months now," she murmured quietly and Jungwoo just nodded before adding, "How do y'all talk now though? Didn't his father check his phone or something?"

Jiae took a bite of her toast again, glimpsing at his brother, "Oh- he got a new separate phone for that," she casually remarked, completely missing how her brother halted his actions.

The brown haired boy blinked at his sister for a few second, "Damn....that whipped?" He said making Jiae pause to process his words before she laughed.

Soon, Jungwoo furrowed his brows, realising something, "Wait wait, you both have been together for just...a few months?"

The raven head briefly glanced at her brother with a chuckle, "Well, what did you think?"

He shrugged, still wearing an incredulous frown, "I don't know....you too seem...pretty close-? Not everyone trusts someone to have a child together in just a few months,"

Yeah they don't. We're just unhinged.

Jiae momentarily paused at his words, her mind lingering on how casually this conversation was being brought up. Even a few months ago, she'd never think she'd be here. How could they blame them for being surprised? Even she was....

"What if I don't wanna keep it?" She asked impassively.

"I wouldn't blame you. It's understandable,"

"And....what if I do?"

He pretended to think before looking back at her with a chuckle, "I guess I'll have to sit our parents down, get on my knees and take a few hits from both our dads,"

Finally, she laughed. The thought of how overdramtic and comically hysterical that would be was enough to make her chuckle. Haechan grinned along, glad he succeeded in lifting her spirits.