1+1=3? {Meanie}

eight

-Five years ago-

Wonwoo spent the majority of his university life in the library. It wasn't like he enjoyed studying that much, and while he did enjoy reading enough, he mainly went there to sleep. It was the quietest place on campus, and during his first year there, he found a hidden corner next to a window. If he got there at the right time, the sun would shine warmly on him, blanketing him as he napped. It was also the place where he met his boyfriend, Jisoo, often. Hong Jisoo was a handsome guy with a killer smile. He always had perfectly styled black hair and a sharp jawline. His facial features, such as his mouth and eyes gave him a softer and prettier look. He was popular among girls and guys alike, but that didn't seem to matter to him. He was painfully shy and was rarely comfortable with others, much like Wonwoo.

They had met by chance before university classes had even started. Jisoo had been reading at a cafe near the campus and Wonwoo had left the university after making some last-minute minor adjustments to his schedule. When he stopped to get a coffee, he saw Jisoo reading a book he loved. Wonwoo took a chance and approached him. They talked for nearly an hour about the book, their favorite characters, other books they loved, and soon, about other things. Wonwoo had found Jisoo easy to talk to and Jisoo seemed to easily open up to him. They instantly connected and by the time classes officially started, they were dating. A year had passed in an almost bliss and they had fallen into a comfortable routine and pace with one another. They balanced their classes and study times with meeting one another. They always met in the afternoon at the library, at the corner table Wonwoo liked to nap at. That day had been like any other.

"Wonwoo," Jisoo's rich voice woke the other from his peaceful nap.

Wonwoo blinked his eyes and saw Jisoo staring down at him. He smiled almost instantly. Any time he saw Jisoo, it was like he was seeing him for the first time. He still had butterflies in his stomach and he was still intimidated but in awe by his handsome face. He often wondered how he got lucky to have Jisoo.

"You're here." He stated as he stretched.

Jisoo didn't say anything for the longest time. "You're always sleeping when I get here."

Wonwoo playfully pouted, not sensing any malice in his boyfriend's statement.

"I always have to wait for you. It's just so quiet and warm in here. The sun shines just right. I can't help it. It's inevitable."

He then pulled out the chair next to him. "Well, even though you're late, we can still get some studying done. Oh, and after, we can go to the new restaurant that just opened a few blocks away." He suggested.

Jisoo didn't sit. Instead, he stood idly in front of Wonwoo, expression unreadable.

"I don't think so."

Wonwoo's playful frown turned into a real one. "Why not? Do you have something else planned?'

"No."

Jisoo looked around as if he was sure someone was listening. Wonwoo tried looking too, concerned by his boyfriend's behavior.

"Look, I think we need to talk," Jisoo said after he finished scanning the library.

Wonwoo tried to remain optimistic. He reminded himself that Jisoo was a serious person. His face was usually set to an unreadable expression. Wonwoo and called it his resting serious face. He tried to place his hand on top of Jisoo's hand that was resting on the table, but the other immediately snatched away as if Wonwoo was fire or had a catching disease. Wonwoo was hurt by it but tried not to let it show. After all, Jisoo wasn't big on affection.

"Is everything okay?" He tried instead.

"I don't think we should see each other anymore." Jisoo deadpanned.

Wonwoo's ears began to ring. The only thing he could hear and feel was his pounding heartbeat in his stiff body. He couldn't think straight, or at all. Why would Jisoo say such a thing? He swore they were happy. Just that morning they had kissed before parting ways for the day. He hadn't seemed unhappy then. What went wrong? He swallowed hard, trying to find his voice.

"Why?" He managed to croak out.

Jisoo's expression remained stoic, cold even. It was a look Wonwoo had seen before, but only toward strangers, never to him. It was like being stabbed in the gut by a sword made of fire.

"I don't love you."

That was it. There wasn't an 'anymore' attached to it. It was just that he had never actually loved Wonwoo. The fire sword plunged itself deeper as Wonwoo tried to catch his breath. Surely this had to be a joke, a cruel practical prank. They often played little jokes on one another, albeit nothing this harsh, but it would still be a joke. They could laugh and go back to their happy and peaceful life, but Jisoo's cold expression remained. In a desperate attempt, he lurched forward and grabbed onto the other's arm.

"Jisoo, please don't do this." He pleaded.

He knew he looked pathetic, but he couldn't believe what was happening. He couldn't let it happen. Jisoo harshly shoved him off, almost causing Wonwoo to fall out of his chair. He tried to not look so shocked. Jisoo had never been aggressive. He was always sweet and gentle. Wonwoo looked into the other's eyes which had grown a shade darker. He saw a stranger staring back at him.

"Don't fucking touch me." Jisoo sneered. "I don't want to catch anything from you. Get it through your head, I don't love you and I never will. I'm not like you."

Jisoo's loud voice in an otherwise quiet place attracted a group of onlookers, but he didn't seem to care. He gave Wonwoo one last harsh push that knocked him out of his chair this time before storming out of the library. Wonwoo shakingly got up and noticed the crowd around him. Some of them even had their phones out to record him. He tried to hide his face as he packed his stuff and left the library. That was the last time he ever saw Hong Jisoo and the last time Jeon Wonwoo ever believed in love.