once friends, now more

Chapter 11

Third person pov (school) :

"I think I like Jungeun." Jiyoon said, moving her chopsticks around her food, staring into blank space.

Jeemin raised an eyebrow, smirking. "No shit sherlock, then would friends hate each other?"

"No... I mean I think I like her romantically." Jiyoon elaborated, still hovering her chopsticks above her food.

All three girls started choking on their food at once, coughing endlessly.

Jiyoon gave them a puzzled look. "What? Is it really that shocking?"

While Jeemin and Koko struggled to process what Jiyoon just said, Mai managed to ask, "Really? So do you intend to tell her how you feel?"

Jiyoon sighed. "There's no point telling her, I know she doesn't like me."

"Or maybe you're just being a coward?" Koko teased.

"Who's being a coward? Watch me, I'll tell her when I get the chance." Jiyoon shot back, her competitive side kicking in.

Jiyoon's POV:

"Dang it, I should've been careful with what I said. Now I'll really look like a coward if I don't tell Jungeun how I feel." I thought, lying on my bed in defeat.

WHEN should I tell her? HOW should I tell her? The questions kept running through my mind, seeming never-ending.

Alright, let's keep it simple. Tomorrow evening, I'll ask her to go on another walk with me and just tell her. That's it.

But just as I was about to distract myself by scrolling on Instagram, a notification popped up: "Jiyoon ah, shall we go on another walk later? I just finished my assignments and wanted to relax my mind😁."

Great. What coincidence.

As much as I wanted to avoid her until tomorrow, I couldn't bear saying no.

Eventually, I replied, "Sure! I'll see you at 8 pm :)" and now, here I was, in another dilemma.

So do I tell her tonight or tomorrow?

UGH, Jiyoon, what's wrong with you? Why are you stressing over this?

OKAY you know what? I will just go with the flow and see where it takes me. 

Third-person POV:

"Wow... walking in this park never fails to help me destress." Jungeun said, embracing the cool breeze and the serenity of the place.

Jiyoon awkwardly smiled. "Y-yea, right?" Her mind was buzzing with thoughts.

"There's a bench over there, how about we sit and chat for a while?" Seizing her chance, Jiyoon gently pulled Jungeun to the bench beside a lamppost.

As they sat down, Jungeun turned to Jiyoon. "So, how's your progress with all the assignments so far?"

"Haven't done much haha" Jiyoon replied, fidgeting nervously with her fingers.

Then, before Jungeun could say anything else, Jiyoon placed her hand on Jungeun's. "Hey I have something to tell you."

Surprised by Jiyoon's sudden eagerness, Jungeun nodded, a bright smile lighting up her face. "Oh, sure go ahead!"

Jiyoon took a deep breath, trying to brace herself. Before she knew it, she was spilling everything like a machine gun. "Okay I like you. I really, really like you. Not just as a friend but as someone I have feelings for. I kept questioning myself, wondering if it was just admiration or if my feelings were genuine. But I think about you every day, every hour, every minute. I've accepted that I do have feelings for you, and I can't keep it to myself anymore. I know you probably don't feel the same, but I hope we can still be best friends."

Jiyoon waited for Jungeun's response, but she didn't say a word or show any reaction at all.

Trying to break the awkward silence, Jiyoon forced a nervous laugh. "Jungeun ah? You can just say you don't like me if that's the case. I'm prepared for your rejection. But... could you at least give me a response?"

Jiyoon looked away for a few seconds, feeling frustrated by Jungeun's silence.

"Jungeun come on-" Right as Jiyoon turned back, she felt a gentle kiss on her cheek.