ꜱᴄᴀɴᴅᴀʟᴏᴜꜱ - ʜᴇᴇᴊᴀᴋᴇᴋɪ

✦ ᴛʜɪʀᴛʏ-ꜰɪᴠᴇ ✦

Niki - May 7th, 2026

This growing rage simmering within me only made my body burn more as we drove back to the hotel. I didn't even bother trying to mask my hurt, especially since I couldn't fully explain it myself.

One second Jake was there, and he was gone as soon as I dared to glance away. That's how my whole life has felt with relationships. With Heeseung, and especially with my first partner.

Felix was his name, and he was perfect in almost every way. His only imperfection is what killed him.

I watched over him so carefully, until I had my first concert at a little bar. I came home late that evening to him dead on my kitchen floor, needle in hand. I'll never forget that sight, nor that indescribable feeling in my chest.

It's hurt to leave anyone's side ever since. So seeing Jake gone like that, especially at a concert...

It was just deja vu.

All of the bubbly conversations around me in the limo were ignored. I didn't care to join in.

I could only think about how calm and nonchalant Jake was when he returned. If only he knew the impact he had on me. I could barely hold myself together these days.

When Jungwon scooted out of the limo, I realized we had arrived at the hotel. I was the last to exit, shutting the car door before I lumbered behind the others.

Thankfully, they didn't bother asking why I was upset. The group quickly separated into pairs, leaving me and Jake alone as we headed for our own room.

The tension between us was thick and weighty, almost unbearable. But neither of us dared to break the silence.

After the longest elevator ride ever, we made it to our room. Jake was quick to settle onto the sofa quietly, not daring to spare me a glance as I started to walk past him.

"What's wrong, Niki?"

I knew it was only so long before my peace was broken. "Nothing."

"Really?" Jake raised his brows as he finally turned towards me. "Tell me the truth. I'm not an idiot."

"It doesn't matter, Jake."

I could hear him swallow after my response; I could tell I upset him as his demeanor shifted into something more hesitant. "Why won't you tell me?"

The mousey tone of his voice sent a wave of guilt over me. "It's a long story."

Jake didn't look away, but he instead leaned towards me. "You don't trust me, do you?"

"...I-it's not about trust," I answered sharply, finally meeting his gaze. At last, I sat down beside him, knowing that there was no way out of this conversation. Our arms brushed from our closeness, making my breath hitch, but it simply had to be ignored.