Eternal Sunshine ⤿ Na Jaemin

⤿ 4

just one more lie and then i fall
don't play pretend, you had it all
i'd kill for you, don't even start

⤿

"He's staring at you," Natalie giggled, nudging Dabi with a teasing look on her face.
"He is not," Dabi shot back, rolling her eyes with exaggerated annoyance. "You're delusional."

Still, her curiosity got the better of her.

Dabi couldn't resist sneaking a quick glance. There he was, undeniably staring at her.

He was cute-  strikingly different from the type of guys she usually went for. His arm was a canvas of tattoos, each design telling a story. Yet, his face held an unexpected innocence, a boyish charm that made her heart skip a beat.

"Well...what's his name?" she asked, keeping her tone casual as she nonchalantly bit into a fry, hoping to mask her interest. Her face flushed as a dollop of ketchup fell on her white shirt, hearing a faint chuckle from his direction.

Natalie shrugged, her smile widening. "Go ask yourself."
"Oh, fuck off," Dabi muttered, though a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.

The teasing, the banter- it was all just jokes. Yet, as she stole another glance at the tattooed stranger, she couldn't help but wonder if she should take her friend's advice for once.

Dabi took Hyeson's advice to heart, finally discarding the worn-out jeans from her high school days and treating herself to a fresh wardrobe.

She picked out a pair of jeans that hugged her figure just right, along with a selection of tops that added a bit of flair to her usually understated style.

The two friends were out shopping, preparing for a dinner later that evening with Akari and the two other bridesmaids.

Although they all knew each other through social media and shared friends, they'd never really spent time together- certainly not enough to imagine living under the same roof for two months.

As they sat down for a quick break, Dabi began to fidget with her straw, unwrapping it. "I was thinking," she started, her tone thoughtful, "that since we're here for two months, I should go back home for a few days after my interview."

Hyeson nodded, her expression approving as she sipped her drink. "Smart move. It'll be easier to sort things out with your family when you get accepted too."

"Well, we don't know if I'll actually get in yet."
"Trust. We know."

The interview was looming just a week away, and reality was beginning to sink in for Dabi. Her entire life could change depending on how well she performed.

If she got the job, she'd be moving to Seoul, leaving behind Jeonju, the city where she'd grown up. Her sister would be left alone, but on the bright side, she'd be closer to her brother.

But then there was James.

The thought of him lingered in the back of her mind, a gnawing worry she had been avoiding. What would happen to them if she moved?

Taking a sip of her smoothie, Dabi knew she couldn't keep putting it off. She had to make a decision soon, or their relationship might just slip through her fingers.

"All I can do is hope I even pass the background check," she sighed.

Hours of shopping and mingling later, Dabi found herself sprawled on her bed, scrolling through her social media with a bored sigh.