The Best Friend Pact || Jungwon || 18+

17. Cafes and Goodbyes

I don't speak to Jungown when I finally come out. He ends up showering and coming to bed, where I turn away from him. I thought about insisting he sleep on the sofa or the floor, but that would involve talking to him.

It surprised me when he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him.

"I'm sorry." He whispered in the dark. "I was a jerk and let my emotions get the better of me. You are right. I should have assessed the situation better and not embarrassed you like that. I never meant to insult you."

"Jungwon..."

"I'll do better, Nari. I'll do better at keeping the boundaries of the pact." He kissed the back of my neck. "Just please don't be mad at me anymore."

I turn over to face him. Even in the dark I can see his worried expression and my heart melts a little. How was I supposed to stay mad at that face?

I didn't say anything to him as I snuggled into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, inhaling deeply.

"Have you thought about what you want your wish to be?"

"What?" I asked.

"I lost our bet." He rubbed my back. "You get a wish, remember?"

"It can be anything?"

"Anything."

"I'll get back to you." I said. Truth is, there isn't anything I want right now.

The next day an awful storm rolls in, crushing our plans at the beach. We decided to go to an internet cafe nearby and play games.

"I hope you guys don't mind," Jake said as he placed his hoodie on a computer chair beside him. "I invited Sunbin and Jiwoo."

"Who?" Jungwon asked as he pulled out my computer chair for me.

"The girl I met last night." Jake replied, waving to someone by the door. I turn to see the adorable girl from last night and her tall friend.

"Seriously?" I heard Jungwon mutter under his breath and I shot him a warning stare.

They joined us. Sunbin took the seat beside Jake and Jiwoo took the empty seat by me.

"Do you play video games often?" I asked.

"I don't." He shook his head. "She does."

He wasn't kidding either. He was extremely bad at every game we played. She, however, kicked ass. Her and Jake decided to go have dinner by themselves afterward.

"I hope she is back by morning." Jiwoo said as we stood outside the cafe, under the rain roof, after it closed. The sun is setting now and it has gotten chilly. "We have an early flight."

"Jake will make sure she makes it." I assured him.

"It was nice meeting you here, Nari." He smiled, pulling out his phone. "We aren't that far from each other. Can I get your number?"

I looked at his phone for a minute. There should be nothing wrong with me giving him my number. Why am I hesitating?

Then I realize if I were to start dating someone, what I have with Jungwon would stop. We would still be friends, like before, but everything we have added in our pact would be gone. And what is more confusing, it isn't even about sex. I wouldn't be able to touch him or kiss him anymore.

I glanced over where Jungwon was talking with the others about the game. He was laughing and smiling, sending a sharp pain through my heart. Going back to not kissing him and hugging him during the night wasn't an option. I don't want to think about what that means right now, but I know it isn't something I am willing to give up.

"I'm sorry." I said, pushing his phone back toward him. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"I got ditched twice in ten minutes. This is not a good night for me." He laughed and shook his head. "It's fine. Have a safe trip home, Nari."

"You too." I said and leaned in, hugging him. "It was really good to meet the both of you."

"Nari," Jungwon said and I turned to see him directly behind me, a stern look on his face. He can't be serious right now. "We should get going." He takes my wrist and pulls me away from Jiwoo.

"Goodbye, Nari. Jungwon." Jiwoo waved before running through the rain. I fold my arms, narrowing my eyes at Jungwon.

"What? I wasn't rude."

"You were a little."

"I don't like the way he looks at you. I can't help it." He shrugged. "It's my job as your best friend."

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes.

"Let's go get dinner." He reached for my waist, but I stepped away. "Don't be mad."

"I am not mad." I said. "What do you want for dinner?"

"If I said you, could we go back to the room?"

"Jungwon!" I laughed, but my heart fluttered. I glanced back to see if any of our friends were still there, but they had disappeared. "No. Actual food."

We ended up eating at a convenience store near the cafe, not wanting to get rained on too much. We eat and talk and laugh about our trip. In a way it feels like it did before things got complicated in our friendship. Hanging out and eating, not touching or kissing.

Jungwon purchased an umbrella and we walked back to our hotel.

"I love the rain." He said, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me closer to him under the umbrella.

"I know you do."

"It makes everything look magical."

"You said that about the snow."

"Both can be true." He argued, rubbing up and down my arm as we got to the hotel. "Let's get you upstairs and out of those wet clothes."

"Won!"

"I didn't mean like that." He laughed, stepping into the empty elevator. As the doors close, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Though now that you mention it..."

"We need to get up early. We are leaving, remember?" I said as the doors opened to our floor. He took my hand as we headed to our room.

"That's fine." He said. "We can watch a movie and order room service dessert. Do you think they have strawberries with chocolate?"

I laughed as he opened our door and pulled me in. The pain in my heart is back as I watch him smile after picking up the menu, showing me they did have the chocolate covered strawberries. I felt myself falling then. The question is, how do I catch myself?