Looking at the paper in your hand, you sigh, wondering why you even accepted playing a stupid game like that. You didn't want to be the boring one in the group. The girls were excited for it, begging you to participate too, otherwise they wouldn't have the courage for it. The game wasn't hard to understand. Each one of you had a paper with the name of the boys and the girls who were playing. Then, you all should rate from 0 to 10 the chance of going out with that person, and in the end, the one with the highest total rate would win.
You aren't a fan of these types of games, also because you weren't expecting a high rate anyways, but seeing that your best friend Johnny would play too, why being the only one out? Now, staring at the names on the paper, you kind of regret your decision. Differently from your friends, you didn't come to the party because you were interested on someone. In reality, the one to drag you around all the time was Johnny. At least with him you could have some fun and feel comfortable and safe in these events.
Glancing at Johnny, you see him laughing with his friends while writing on the paper. Surely, he is very excited with the game. His crush was playing too. Jisoo. The one girl he couldn't shut up about for two weeks already. Not without a reason though. She is beautiful. Long black hair, skinny, clear skin, plump lips, sharp round eyes, pinky cheeks. A whole model who you couldn't even hate because she is so sweet as a person.
''You know what? Whatever'' You thought, randomly rating the boys, without thinking too much about it, until you get to Johnny. Your hand hesitates, not exactly knowing which rate you should give.
-Alright, guys. Time is up! - A girl says, and you quickly write the last rate, gulping nervously. - Let's start to read the rates! - She says as everybody reaches out their papers to give her. - Alright... - She says, choosing a random paper. - First one is Alicia. She rated Johnny an 8! Uhm... not bad! But Xiaojun got a 9!
As the girl started to talk, your eyes widened in shock. You didn't know that's how the game works.
-Hey... is she gonna read our rates out loud? - You ask your friend beside you, and she shrugs.
-Yeah, that's how the game works. How else are we gonna know who is interested on us, duh? - Your friend says, paying attention to the names being called.
''Well, it can't be that bad, right?'' You think playing nervously with your fingers. If the situation itself wasn't bad enough, your paper was one of the last to be called, and also Johnny's, making each name another heart skipping, until it finally got to his.
-It's Johnny's turn! - The girl says, and you quickly look up. His rates started average, but you knew it would change soon. - For Jisoo... he gave a 9, wow! - You bite the inside of your lip. Of course he would give her a high rate, right? You knew that. Yet, seeing his shy gaze towards her while she glances at him was like a stab in your jealous heart. - For Y/n... Oh. Wow. I wasn't expecting this one. - The girl says, and you look at her again. Heart pounding inside your chest. What is it that she looks so impressed? - A zero.
You couldn't hold back your chin from falling with the shock. Glancing at Johnny again, he is already looking at you to then playfully show his tongue. It was a joke. A joke from your best friend. Again, what were you even expecting? Maybe in your sweet dreams he would give you at least a 6, but who do you want to fool? In his eyes you were just a friend. A forever zero.
A weak smile was everything you pulled out to try to fake your sadness, and quickly you gaze deviated from his to look down, and Johnny's grin faded away. That was not the reaction he thought you would have. He was waiting for you to show back your tongue at him, or the usual eye roll you always do when he makes a silly joke, however, that sad smile was more than clear to him that you were not okay.
-Okay, let's move on to the last paper. From Y/n! - Great. Now to top it all off, your rates. You wished Johnny's name was not there, or that the girl would suddenly forget to read it. But she didn't. - And for Johnny... a 9.5. That's high!
Your gaze wasn't turned to Johnny to see the shock in his face. You simply didn't manage to look at him in the eyes. It was a mix of embarrassment of having got a zero, shyness for giving him such high note and fear of losing the only best friend you had.
The group stood up from the couches, and Jisoo went immediately towards Johnny. You stand up too, practically running away from the circle, groaning in anger of yourself. ''Whatever. Now he knows Jisoo likes him, so they are gonna be together. He will keep being my best friend, and everything will stay the same.'' You say to yourself, trying to calm down, even if those same words just hurt more, but suddenly, you are pulled back by your arm.
-Y/n, hey! Are you okay? - Johnny asks, turning you around. His breathing was accelerated, and his gaze investigated you minutely.
-Yeah. I'm okay. I just needed some time alone. - You say, giving the worst excuse ever, pulling your arm back, but he maintains the grip, holding it tighter.
-It doesn't look like you're okay. Listen, the rate I gave you, it was a joke. You know that, right? - He says, going straight to the point, and you chuckle, nodding your head.
-I know. I only gave you a 9.5 because I was afraid you wouldn't get a high rate, but guess what? Jisoo gave you a 9, so clearly, she wants you as much as you want her, so... - The words come out of your mouth in automatic as you feel your eyes getting watery. - You shouldn't waste the opportunity. Go with Jisoo. Don't let her waiting.
-Wait, wait. Y/n... Why are you crying...? - Johnny says in a low tone, getting closer to you.
His eyes are so concerned, as if he had just committed the worst of the crimes, as if he could feel how hurt you were. You shake your head, not wanting to talk, but in the moment his hands cup your face, tears flow from your eyes, wetting his skin.
-Forget it. It's just a stupid game anyway. - You say, looking up at his eyes.
-No, it's not. I'm sorry for my joke. I'm really sorry. - He says, wiping the drops of tear off your cheeks again. - You know you're not a zero for me, right? - You sigh, chuckling ironically.
-Maybe a 0.5? - You joke, again showing to him that weak smile while moving his hands away from your face. - Don't worry about it. I know that a game like that wouldn't make sense between us. - You say, and Johnny narrows his eyes, checking out your face.
-What about your rate? Am I really a 9.5 for you? - Your stomach rolled with his question. His eyes were sharp while a smirk grew on his lips. You gulp, getting speechless. - Why not a 10 though? What happened to the other 0.5? I wonder what I could do to get them back.
You didn't know if you suddenly got crazy, or if the drop on the tone of his voice meant he was flirting with you. Your cheeks flush in a red color, your heart pulsing as if you had run a marathon.
-You would become too cocky with a 10. - You joke, and he chuckles. - Now go. Don't waste your time with the zero. Your nine is waiting for you. - You say, and he rolls his eyes.
-So jealous. - He says and gets his face closer, putting his lips next to your ear. - Why would I want a 9 when there's a 10 right in front of me? - Your eyes widen as your skin shivers entirely. You bite your lips as a grin appears.
Your hand rests on his neck, and he hears a laugh coming from your mouth. Pulling away, his hands drop to your waist, bringing your close in a way you hadn't ever been before. Your arms climb to his shoulder in a tight hug, diving your face in his neck. His smell filled your nose as your tiptoes almost doesn't touch the ground.
In your heart, he was always a 10.
