A Distraction // Bangchan

Chapter Forty-Three

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room as Lauren slowly stirred. Her head throbbed, and the familiar heaviness of a hangover settled over her. She blinked a few times, trying to get her bearings, and it was only when she turned her head that she realized where she was—Chan's bed.

She sat up slowly, the sheets slipping off her as she looked around the room, her mind fuzzy from the events of the night before. The room was quiet, and the space beside her was empty. Chan wasn't there. Her heart sank slightly, a wave of confusion and embarrassment washing over her as she tried to piece together everything that had happened.

The memories from the night before came back in flashes—being separated from her friends at the party, the guy who had tried to push her into something she didn't want, and then, the moment of panic when she'd called Chan. She remembered his voice, calm but urgent, telling her he was coming to get her. And then... begging him to stay.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she recalled how vulnerable she had been, how desperate she had sounded when she asked him not to leave. She had been too drunk, too shaken to think clearly, and now, in the stark light of morning, everything felt more real. More complicated.

She glanced at the nightstand and saw a glass of water and two painkillers sitting there. Next to them was a note, written in Chan's familiar handwriting.

I had to head out early for practice. Drink this and rest up. – C

Lauren's heart fluttered at the sight of the note, a small wave of relief washing over her. He hadn't left without thinking of her; he had made sure she'd be okay when she woke up. But still, the emptiness of the bed beside her felt heavy, like a reminder that despite how close they had been the night before, they were still caught in the same complicated web.

She picked up the glass of water and took a slow sip, her mind racing as she tried to process how she felt. Last night, Chan had been there for her when she needed him most. He had taken care of her, held her when she was scared, and stayed even when she had asked him not to leave. But now that the alcohol was gone, the rawness of her emotions was even more overwhelming.

She lay back down, staring at the ceiling as she replayed everything in her head. A part of her wanted to pretend it hadn't happened, to shove it all down and continue trying to move on. After all, she had been on a date with Daniel just days ago, and Chan had been the one to pull away first. But another part of her—the part that had always been drawn to Chan, that missed him deeply—couldn't ignore the feelings that were still there, lingering beneath the surface.

Lauren closed her eyes, letting out a slow breath. She couldn't help but wonder what Chan was thinking, if last night had affected him the same way it had affected her. They had shared so much together, and even though their relationship had ended, there was still something undeniable between them—something that neither of them seemed able to fully let go of.

But what could they do about it? The reality of their situation hadn't changed. Chan was still an idol, still bound by the pressures of his career, his label, and the expectations of his fans. And Lauren... she wasn't sure if she could keep putting herself in a position where she would inevitably get hurt again.

She sighed, sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her head still throbbed as she stood up. She knew she probably needed to talk to Chan, but the thought was draining. She wasn't sure how much more pain and rejection she could take and she cursed herself for calling him, bringing her back into the feeling of his closeness.

She glanced around Chan's room one last time, feeling the familiar comfort that came from being close to him, even though he wasn't there. But she knew it was time to go.