Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

32

The familiar voice was enough to turn my blood to ice, rooting me to the spot. Two years back, I would've given away anything for this. Now, all I felt was the strange dislike of a stranger's touch. I was quick to pry his fingers off, desperate to put some distance.

Jake still looked the same as ever, standing in a fitted blue suit. His eyes were scrunched up as a wide smile adorned his lips. The realization struck me, my best friend, the boy I loved my whole life was miraculously standing in front of me in the most unlikely place still smiling and looking at me with mischief as if he had never abandoned me.

I move. Away from him, to go hold Yeonjun's hand to ground myself. Yeonjun's face remains inscrutable. Hueningkai saves the day.

"Who are you? " He asks, eyebrow raised. Jake is taken aback, but still answers.

"I'm Jake, Ahrin's.... best friend. "

My skin prickles in annoyance at his words. Hueningkai and Yeonjun are quick to react to that name. It's nothing too over, just subtle clues— raise of the eyebrow, clenched jaw, deathgrip on my hand. Jake just stepped in a ring of enraged vipers set to attack, without even knowing. Bora looks a little clueless, but she seems sceptical of him. Her eyebrows furrowed, trying to put two and two together. I had never told her about Jake, though in hindsight it was probably for the best
She had the tendency to act first, think later.

"Hi and I'm Hueningkai, her current best friend. You know, the one who's present every time for her. "

Jake looks shocked and hurt.

"Uh.. okay... Rinnie can I speak to you for a moment? "

"Just say it here, Jake. Why are you here? When did you even get back? "

"The bride is my college friend. I returned a week ago from the States. I just didn't get the time to come meet you,... I'm sorry for that! But look it's such a coincidence! "

Seeing Jake all flustered, reminded me of my Jake, the high school one. The one who helped me with homework and took me out for tteokbokki. For a moment, it felt that he never changed, that I might still have my best friend.

"Rinnie, you look beautiful tonight. Will you save the first dance for me? "

But he is not him anymore. I couldn't forget that ever.

"No, I have promised my dances to Yeonjun, my boyfriend."

Something shifts in Jake's countenance as he turns to Yeonjun. The two share intense look. I feel uncomfortable standing here so I tugged Yeonjun's hand, indicating to leave. Our last conversation still rings in my head as Jake accused me of forgetting them after getting new shiny friends, that Yeonjun would leave me behind.

"Are you seriously doing this, Ahrin?! You can throw away years of friendship for him?! Who even is he— Does he even know you like I do, Rinnie?! "

Jake's voice is loud, frantic and angry. It echoes through the venue attracting unnecessary attention. Surprised looks and intrigued stares linger, making me cow in shame at how he was ruining what was supposed to be a beautiful day. His treacherous accusations feels like nails on chalkboard.

"Will you stop with this..? People are staring.. " I say warning him of audience. He only scoffs, before continuing his tirade.
I feel my blood boiling, hearing him berate me unnecessary in a public space. Briefly I wondered, how did he get the audacity to do this, was I the enabler of such behaviour. Then I shove him hard to shut him up. I drag him down by the ear and hiss a warning.

"I don't understand how you think you have the right to cause such a scene in a public space, especially in a goddamned wedding of our mutual friends, but shut your trap up! If you want to continue acting like an entitled spoilt brat , you do that after all this us over. NOT RIGHT NOW! "

With that, I leave him behind walking away with Yeonjun catching up to put his hand in mine. He bends down to whisper in my ear.

"That was somehow the hottest thing ever! God you look divine when you're pissed at somebody! "

Hueningkai and Bora catch up too, looking mad and throwing lethal glares back.

"What is this all about? Who was that asshat?! "

"Calm down, we'll debrief later! "

Hueningkai flags down a waiter carrying flutes of champagne and helps us each with a glass.

"Jun, are you okay? I'm so sorry on his behalf—"

"Woah, woah wait- why are you sorry? You were amazing! And honestly, I don't care what he says..."

By then, it was time fir the first dance. Suyeong and his wife glided across the empty dance floor, swaying to a melody bathed in the soft golden glow of the spotlight.

Then other couples joined. Yeonjun held out his palm towards me and I eagerly placed my hand in his and walked to the dance floor. The music was still soft, romantic. I placed my head on his shoulder as he twirled us around. The soft velvet coat under the fingers and his familiar cologne took me back to New Year's Eve party. How we danced on that moonlit corridor then kissed. It was the best night of my life. The first time in forever when I felt wanted, desired and loved, that the ache of feeling unloved in my soul disappeared. And here we are now.

"What are you thinking of? "

I gaze in his pretty eyes looking down on me with tenderness.

"Just... How we danced together for the first time at the New Year's Eve party. "

"Ah... The best day of my life. "

The music had slowly come to an end. We retreated from the floor. Suyeong and his wife were now making rounds, greeting guests. He finally came to us, introductions followed. He checked up on us, how we were doing.

The night continued on — I put the pair of glaring eyes in the back burner and focused on having fun, eating, drinking and dancing the night away.

However, some things do need to be resolved.