Love & War | heehoon

lock the door

The evening air was cool, a light breeze brushing through the open window of Heeseung's dorm room.

He sat cross legged on his bed, scrolling through his phone, the faint hum of chatter from the campus courtyard filling the background.

Jungwon, his roommate, was out again.

Probably with Sunoo and the rest of their group.

Heeseung didn’t mind the quiet, though it often left him more time to think about Jay.

Jay, with his sharp confidence, was effortlessly popular.

Every girl and guy on campus seemed to orbit around him, including Heeseung, though his own feelings were kept tightly sealed.

He glanced at the dorm building across from his, knowing Jay was there, probably alone with Jake, who he barely got along with.

It wasn’t just Jay, though.

Sunghoon, another campus heartthrob, was just as alluring in his own way, keeping everyone on edge with his charming but unattainable attitude.

Heeseung wasn’t blind to how both Jay and Sunghoon seemed to notice him more recently.

The glances from across the cafeteria, the small smiles in passing, it was subtle, but he felt it.

Still, his heart beat a little faster for Jay, even if he didn’t know how to say it.

Just as Heeseung started to get lost in his thoughts, the door creaked open, and Jungwon peeked in, breaking the stillness.

“Heeseung, you won’t believe this.”
He said with a grin.
“Sunghoon and Jay? They're at it again. I swear, those two can’t be in the same room without it turning into some kind of showdown.”

Heeseung’s eyes widened.
"Again? What happened?"

Jungwon flopped onto his bed, laughing.
"Oh, you know how it is with them..both of them acting like they own the place. But there was definitely some tension."

Heeseung's heart skipped a beat.

He couldn't help but wonder if any of that tension had to do with him.

Heeseung leaned forward, his curiosity piqued.
"Tension? What do you mean?"

Jungwon propped himself up on his elbow, smirking.
"You know exactly what I mean, Heeseung. Ever since you started hanging around them more, it's like they're both trying to outdo each other. It’s weirdly obvious."

Heeseung's face flushed.

He always assumed Sunghoon and Jay were just competitive by nature, always trying to one up each other for the sake of their reputations.

But could it really be because of him?

"No way."
Heeseung mumbled, shaking his head.
"They’re both so out of my league."

Jungwon rolled his eyes.
"Seriously? You're probably the only person who thinks that. Have you seen the way they look at you? I mean, sure, Sunghoon’s got his whole ‘I’m too cool for this’ vibe, and Jay’s more of the flirt, but trust me, it’s all aimed at you."

Heeseung fiddled with the hem of his hoodie, unsure of how to feel.

The idea of both Sunghoon and Jay being interested in him was as thrilling as it was terrifying.

And yet, despite Sunghoon’s undeniable charm, it was Jay who always made his heart race.

"What exactly did they do this time?" Heeseung asked, trying to sound casual, though his chest felt tight.