It All Started With A Creepy Mail ⚊ Yang Jungwon [#4]

✗ forty six ✗

⚊ chapter forty six

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, I found myself staring at my phone screen, rereading Jungwon's message.

"Lian, don't worry too much. I trust you, and I know you'll handle it well. Chenle's still one of my closest friends, and I've been waiting for the right time to talk to him too. Take your time, and just be honest."

It wasn't just his words—it was the reassurance behind them, the quiet confidence that I could make this right. Jungwon was so understanding, more than I ever expected from a first boyfriend. But his support didn't make the knot in my stomach loosen.

If anything, it made me more aware of what I had to do and how much was at stake.

Chenle wasn't just some passing friend. He was one of my constants, one of the few people who truly understood me, even before Jungwon came into the picture. The idea of losing him felt unbearable.

After school, I finally found him in the spot I suspected—the low stone wall behind the gym. He was sitting there, swinging his legs lightly, his backpack dumped haphazardly beside him. His head was bent, and his usual lively expression was replaced with something quieter, more introspective.

"Chenle," I called softly as I approached.

He looked up, startled, but immediately plastered on a grin. It was too bright, too practiced, like he'd been wearing it all day. "Jillian! Hey, what brings you here? Don't you have a date with your perfect boyfriend?"

I flinched at the teasing edge in his voice but refused to back down. "No. I needed to talk to you."

His smile faltered for the briefest second before he shrugged casually. "Sure. What's up?"

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. But I couldn't back out now. "Chenle, why have you been avoiding us? Avoiding me?"

His grin wavered before he let out a short laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Avoiding you? I'm not avoiding anyone, Jillian. I've just been... busy, you know? Classes, life, the usual stuff."

"Don't do that," I said firmly, stepping closer. "Don't pretend everything's fine when it's not. I miss you, Chenle. We miss you."

For a moment, his shoulders slumped, and something raw flashed across his face. But it disappeared just as quickly, replaced with that same strained smile. "I'm happy for you and Jungwon. Really, I am. But... it's hard. Being around you guys, seeing you together—it's just hard, okay?"

His honesty hit me like a punch, leaving me breathless.

"Chenle..." My voice cracked, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I never wanted this to happen."

"It's not your fault," he said softly, finally meeting my eyes. There was so much emotion in his gaze—pain, regret, and something close to resignation. "You didn't do anything wrong. You're not responsible for how I feel. But seeing you with him, knowing I don't get to be the one who makes you smile like that... it's too much right now."

I couldn't stop the tears that slipped down my cheeks. "You're one of my best friends, Chenle. I don't want to lose you."

"You're not losing me," he said quickly, though his voice wavered. "I just... I need space. Time to figure things out. It's not forever, I promise. But right now, being close to you and Jungwon—it's too much."

I nodded, my heart breaking as I forced myself to understand.

"Okay," I whispered, my voice trembling. "But I need you to know something, Chenle. You deserve the world. You deserve someone who'll see that smile of yours and have their whole world turned upside down because of it."