✮ ꜰᴀɪʀʏ ᴛᴀʟᴇ ✮

05: ʜᴜʀᴛ & ᴄᴏɴꜰᴜꜱɪᴏɴ

ʜᴜʀᴛ - ɴᴇᴡ ᴊᴇᴀɴꜱ

*ੈ♡⸝⸝🪐༘⋆

GA-EUN

I stared at Ni-Ki's message: 

Can we meet at the cafe after school?

This is the most exciting yet terrifying thing ever. I've liked Ni-Ki ever since he moved to Korea. We have the same art class, so that's the only time we talk, considering we both sit together in the back. He always says hi and asks me how I am, and that's where the conversations end. But not today! We are going to get to know each other for once. Today's the day, I can feel it.

He walks in, looking amazing as always. He slips his sunglasses off and approaches my table. "Hey, thanks for meeting me on such short notice." He smiles and sits down across from me.

"Oh, it's no problem, I have a pottery class around here anyway." I cringe, realizing he didn't need to know that.

"Oh really? I take classes around here too! Do you go to the place next to the thrift store?" His eyes shine at the possibility that we might take classes at the same place.

"Yeah, I go there too." I try not to let too much enthusiasm show.

"At what time are your lessons?" He leans across the table, his interest in the conversation evident.

"I take the 5pm classes on Friday and the weekend." I can't help but twist the rings on my fingers. This whole conversation is what I've always wanted—not about pottery, but with Ni-Ki.

"That's cool, I take the 8pm ones on the same days actually." He smiles at me, and I'm just glad to be a reason for that smile on his face.

"Seems like we have something in common then. But uh, tell me, why'd you want to meet up?" His smile slowly fades a bit, his easy-going demeanor shifting into a more anxious one.

"Well... I have a huge favor to ask you, Ga-Eun. But you can totally say no, I get it." I try to smile reassuringly, trying not to make my own nerves apparent.

"Well, ask me and I'll see what I can do."

He swallows harshly before speaking again. "This is kind of awkward for me to admit but... I like your friend Ha-Yoon."

The smile on my face is wiped off clean. I look down, trying to compose myself as fast as possible. "Oh wow. Not what I thought you'd say."

Ni-Ki tilts his head, curious. "What did you think this was about?"

I shake my head quickly, "Oh, nothing, I'm just surprised. But why are you telling me this?"

Ni-Ki starts to mess around with his hands. "Well, you two are on the volleyball team, and I can tell you two are close. I was just wondering if there was any chance you'd help me get to know her?"

When he finishes rambling, I try to process all his words. I can't say yes. I can't help the guy I like get with my friend. That sounds like my own personal hell. "Look Ni-Ki... you're a great guy, I'm sure Ha-Yoon would see that if you approached her yourself instead of using me." When I see his face fall, I cringe at my word choice. "Not to say you're using me, all I'm saying is that you're amazing. There's no way she'd say no to you if you just asked her out."