My Nerf Neighbour

🔫26🔫

Jake's POV

Was I....going to pretend I didn't see Heeseung?

No.

But was I completely being paranoid and careful now in case I ever bumped into him and prayed every morning before I left my apartment to go to work?

Yes, of course.

Today was no expectation as I practically sneaked my way into the office, plastering my back against the wall while I checked my left and right.
Then I swooped in through the glass doors, sighing in relief and straightening my shirt. I'm proud to be the ninja I am.

"Why do you keep doing that?" Mark joined me in the elevator with two coffees. He passed one to me as the doors closed, and I gripped on to my bag tighter.

"Because he's here! I mean, I don't want to ignore him, but it's kinda hard for me to just go up and be like, 'oh hi! Now what are you doing here mister?'" I put my free hand while saying the lines in a mocking fake voice.

Mark stared down at me. "And why can't you just do that?"

I blinked back at him. "Are you an idiot? I just said it would be hard for me! And how do you possibly go up to your ex crush like that?"

Mark blinked this time. "You don't do that?"

"I-" I rolled my eyes at him, "of course. You do that."

We reached my office level and Mark took his spot near the entrance. "Jake, mate, if you like him so much, just tell him."

I took off the coat I had with a sigh. "I don't like him, Mark. I...I love him. More than anything."

My assistant stared dumbly at me for a few seconds before gasping, offended. "Love him? What about me, goodness!"

I threw a paper clip at him and laughed. "Shut it, you have a special one: Tough Love." I ducked as he flung his phone.

Why am I the CEO and why was he my assistant? Good point. We're just a bunch of 23 year old crackheads anyway.
Eventually, we start work, which wasn't really any office job. See, my grandfather owned a toy company that's blooming business in Australia. It's even made a branch in the city!

Everyday is a busy day, and let's just say the amount of goofing around is pretty intense too.

So when lunch comes, we're exhausted.

"Hey, asshat. Can you get coffee?" I yelled from my swiveling chair, my head leaned back into the leather cushion while I practically slouched in my seat.

"No, dimwit! I already got mine, with my money," Mark pointed out smugly, wriggling his eyebrows.

"Fuck off!" I grabbed my coat as Mark's cackle echoed in the hallways to my office. Taking the lift to the first floor, the cool breeze came to me as I stepped out of the building.

I hugged my coat, and quickly went to the nearest cafe. After about five minutes, I had gotten my cooling cup of iced cappuccino.
I took a sip, swallowed, and sighed. That would do.
I have the coffee in my hand and my phone in the other, scrolling through it of annoying messages from my friends back in Korea and Mark. I'm chuckling to myself, when I sensed a figure looming over me just right outside my company building.

I halted, stared at a pair of shoes below me, and slowly inclined my head back. I had totally forgotten about him. Oh, if I hadn't been so over on some stupid coffee-

My breath hitched, as my gaze met stunning doe eyes. The were literally glistening in the sunlight, wide-eyed and straight up mesmerizing.

I knew he was there, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it. I subconsciously slid my phone into my pocket, used my free hand and pinched myself.

Ouch.

So he was real. I'm not dreaming. I better start breathing if I was going to live.

We stared at each other, people streaming in and out of the company around us. I let myself fall into those eyes, wondering what he was thinking right now.
A gust of wind blew, ruffling my hair and his, making a soft noise.

But that was all it took to break the silence.

"Jake." Heeseung whispered, his voice gentle. I've never heard him so...timid. This wasn't Heeseung I knew.

The fanboy in me took a step forward, but my senses told me to stop. My body warmed up all over even with the iced coffee in my hand. How did he find me?

Heeseung slipped into the chance and inched forward as well. "Jake, I know this seems a bit crazy..."

I blinked multiple times, not budging from my spot. "W-w-what are y-you doing here?"
Which was a stupid question really, this was a public sidewalk in Brisbane.

A flash of hurt shone in Heeseung's large eyes, and I'm almost struck by panic. I didn't want to see him sad, please.

"I...I came. I came here to see you."

I couldn't believe me ears. Why? Why in the world is he so so sweet and just the best in the world?

Please. I can't fall any further.

I tore my gaze away from him. "Heeseung, you can't be here. We'll...we'll talk some where okay? Just not-"

"But why? Just say it Jake, are you with someone? Is something bothering you?" Heeseung rambled, but his voice was still soft, fragile.

And that's when Mark came running towards me, worry etched onto his face while searching the area. His eyes met mine, but before I could signal to him I was fine, he came right up to me.

No, no, NO!

"Shit, Jake. Don't scare me like that, how could you just disappear for more than 15 minutes-are you okay?" He tilted his head to me in confusion before facing Heeseung.

I wanted to scream, kick Mark, kick myself, because the dreaded look on Heeseung's face shattered my heart into million pieces. Our eyes connected once more, mine desperate while his hurt.

"Hee-"

"I understand, Jake-ah," he mumbled, cutting me off, "you don't have to hide from me."
He glanced at Mark and gave a small nod, while my stupid friend just stood there, jaw hanging and dumbstruck.

"No, Hee, it's not like that-" I took a step forward but Heeseung recoiled back.

I froze. No, please, don't.

"I'll see you around, Jake." He smiled, stuffing his hands into his pockets and turning his heel. With one last gush of wind, he was walking off, leaving me broken in the middle of the sidewalk.
_______

"I said, I'm sorry!" Mark argued, dodging a flying toy design.

"I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at myself!" I screamed, pacing back and forth, before kicking my own foot.

"Hey, hey," Mark shushed, approaching me as I sunk into my chair, my face buried in my hands. He hugged my shoulder while rubbing small circles into it. "Life isn't always a straight path you know? There's bound to be stuff like this. And as for love...it's not easy to achieve."

I peeked at him from behind my fingers. "Since when did you become such a great adviser?"

Mark rolled his eyes and I giggled. "Oh shush. What's important here is that you win him back. And you better start soon, because god knows when he's going back."

I stared at my friend gratefully. "Thanks buddy."

"No problem. Now let's go home. It's getting late," Mark stood up and stretched, while I cleaned up the office. We ended the day by discussing my plans on how to get Heeseung back at a nearby cafe.

I needed to do this. I had to.

If that was what was going to keep my heart intact.
______
a/n: and so they've met! rocky start yea-BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE