𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥

𝗑𝗑𝗂.

"No way, I'm not driving," Jiwon declared emphatically, her face contorted into a disgruntled expression as she crossed her arms defiantly over her chest. Four pairs of eyes turned towards her, confusion etched on their faces. Eric, with one eyebrow raised in disbelief, asked, "Are you sure?" Jiwon simply nodded, her resolve unwavering.

The others watched as she opened the door to the SUV and settled herself inside, exuding an air of finality. "You guys coming?" she called out before shutting the door with a soft thud that echoed in the stillness of the moment.

For a brief moment, Jeonghan and Joshua exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them filled with uncertainty, before they followed Eric and Jayoung, who were already comfortably settled in their seats. Eric took the driver's position, while Jayoung slid into the passenger seat. Just as Joshua prepared to join them, Jeonghan swiftly took the seat beside Jiwon, who was gazing out of the window, her expression distant and uninterested.

"You alright?" Jeonghan asked softly, concern lacing his voice. Jiwon momentarily broke her trance, meeting his gaze and giving a slight nod. Jeonghan responded with a thoughtful smile, but Joshua, observing from the back, raised an eyebrow at the interaction unfolding before him.

"Everyone settled?" Eric asked, breaking the silence. The group chorused their agreement, and with a gentle rumble, the engine came to life. For the first five minutes of the journey, Jiwon remained fixated on the landscape outside, lost in her thoughts.

Jayoung engaged in lively conversation with Jeonghan, while Joshua connected his phone to the car's Bluetooth speakers. They had opted for a six-hour drive to Bordeaux instead of taking a train, much to Jiwon's displeasure. Normally, road trips filled her with excitement, but today, she felt unusually subdued and cranky. It had taken considerable coaxing to get her out of bed and ready, and by the time they had finished their morning preparations, she had been on the verge of tears.

Earlier, while the others enjoyed their morning coffee, Joshua had cornered Jeonghan, his voice low as he questioned whether there had been a fight between him and Jiwon. "She told me she wasn't feeling well," Jeonghan had replied simply, his calmness igniting a flicker of irritation in Joshua. He had raised an eyebrow but chose not to press further.

Jeonghan was one of Joshua's closest friends, but since his arrival, Joshua found himself spending less time with Jiwon. It irked him to see how easily she laughed and smiled in Jeonghan's presence, as if they shared an unspoken bond that Joshua suspected ran deeper than mere friendship.

Now, Jeonghan was whispering something to Jiwon, who appeared small and fragile in her oversized black hoodie, the cap pulled low over her brow. She nodded thoughtfully at whatever he said, and then a smile broke across her face. Joshua's stomach twisted in jealousy, a feeling that had become all too familiar in Jeonghan's company. He was determined not to lose these precious moments with Jiwon, moments that had cost him dearly.

As Jeonghan resumed chatting with Eric and Jayoung, blissfully unaware of the tension simmering in the back, Joshua attempted to distract himself. He disconnected his phone from the speakers and asked Jayoung to take over, slipping on his Bluetooth earphones and selecting a calming playlist.

As the first notes played, Joshua was hit with a wave of nostalgia. His playlist, he realised, was filled with Jiwon's albums, more so than any other artist. A song from her second album, titled "White Nights," filled his ears, each line resonating with memories of their shared moments. He knew better than most that she had written those lyrics with him in mind, capturing the essence of their tragic love story.

He glanced over at Jiwon, who had now rested her head against Jeonghan's shoulder, her arms wrapped around his. A wave of longing washed over him, and he clenched his fists. He wished fervently to quell the silent battle raging between them—one he had never wanted but felt helpless to escape. He had come so close to resolving the conflict, only to have Jeonghan's presence intervene.

There were countless secrets, assumptions, and misunderstandings that only served to complicate matters for both Jiwon and Joshua. She had tried to hint at the underlying issue, but he struggled to grasp her meaning.

Joshua closed his eyes, resting his head against the seat as the scenery outside began to shift. They were approaching the outskirts of Paris, and a comfortable silence enveloped the car, punctuated only by the soft melodies emanating from the speakers. Eventually, he stopped the playlist and removed his earphones, feeling the ache in his heart deepen as he contemplated the past.

Turning his gaze back to Jiwon, he noticed her peeking from Jeonghan's shoulder, her expression innocent and unguarded. She looked vulnerable in that moment, and he continued to stare, his heart softening at the sight. "You okay?" she whispered, concern lacing her soft tone. Joshua was momentarily confused, but the chatter of Jayoung and Eric drowned her out, while Jeonghan pretended not to notice.

Then, in an unexpected gesture, Jiwon unwrapped one of her arms from Jeonghan and reached out towards Joshua. With a gentle touch, she dabbed at his cheeks with the sleeves of her sweater. It was then that he realised what she meant. "Why are you crying?" she asked softly, her eyes filled with genuine concern. Joshua blinked, another tear escaping down his cheek.

::

Hours later, the group decided to stop for burgers at a quaint café. Jayoung switched driving duties with Eric, who donned a sleeping mask, while Jeonghan moved to the passenger seat. As the car settled into a new rhythm, Joshua rested his head on Jiwon's shoulder, and to his surprise, she didn't protest. Instead, she tenderly caressed his hair, an act that made his heart swell.

Jeonghan, exhausted from their earlier, and rather energetic, karaoke battle with Eric, surrendered to sleep, leaving Jiwon to eat her burger quietly. She took a few photos, occasionally pointing out something interesting, but her overall demeanour remained subdued. Nonetheless, Joshua cherished every moment spent with her; they all meant the world to him.

Eventually, Jayoung announced, "We're here," as they pulled into the driveway of Eric's beachside manor. Joshua stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and nudged Eric awake. "Wake up," he whined, shaking his friend's shoulder. Jayoung switched off the engine, pocketed the keys, and stepped out with a bright smile, her arms stretching wide as she breathed in the salty sea air.

Jeonghan followed, looking slightly groggy but content. Jiwon and Joshua exited together, and since Eric had already arranged for their belongings to be brought in, they didn't have to worry about luggage.

However, as they approached the magnificent manor, Jiwon suddenly tensed, her body stiffening as her trembling hands instinctively reached for her belly. Joshua's heart raced as he noticed her scrunched face, contorted in pain. "Jiwon!" he exclaimed, alarm coursing through him. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, her eyes widened in shock, and her knees buckled beneath her.

In an instant, Joshua was at her side, catching her just before she hit the ground, his heart pounding as he held her close, desperate to understand what was happening.