When I Grow Up (Seventeen Jeonghan x CLC Seunghee)

Forty Four: When The Trouble Begins

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"Nayeon!! Do you see him? He looks cute right?" a ten-year-old Seunghee eagerly tells her during P.E. class. She's sitting with her at a corner in the school gym.

Seunghee is pointing at the boy playing basketball, their classmate. Nayeon, also ten years old, pouts at her and sulks. Seunghee faces her worried.

"Why, what's wrong Nayeon?"

"It's not fair. I liked him first. I just didn't tell you."

Seunghee smiles at her friend and hugs her. "What are you saying? It's not like he's exclusive for me? We can like him together."

She lets go saying, "Really?" her face lightening up at her response.

"Yeah, why not?" she smiles genuinely at her.

She hugs her tightly and tells her, "Thank you Seunghee!"

Seunghee is all smiles at her, her closest friend for four years.

Nayeon opens her eyes and lifts her hand over her forehead. She has just woken up from the nostalgic dream that happened in fourth grade. The first time she and Seunghee had a crush on the same boy. It wasn't Jeonghan. However, it feels the same. Right now, she's ashamed and guilty of betraying her closest friend. But she doesn't want to turn back. In fact, she doesn't know how to anymore. Her longing for him is greater than her friendship with her. It's completely messed up, she knows. When they, Seunghee and Jeonghan, love each other. But if she doesn't give it her all, she might end up regretting even more. Even if they all have to go all through this mess because of her, it will leave her no regrets in the future.

She covers her eyes with the back of her hand and murmurs, "I'm sorry Seunghee..."

She'll be on her final move soon. It'll be the end of their friendship whether she succeeds or not. But it's the best path for her. For the serenity of her brittle heart.

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It's only a few minutes after their instrument class and Seunghee, Jeonghan, Jisoo and Seungcheol are chilling out in the room for a while.

"Are you done with your preparations?" Seunghee asks the three.

Jisoo replies, "My group mates are taking it easy. Maybe they'll rush it up after midterms."

"I don't care. If they don't wanna play, I'll do it myself. We'll do it right Jisoo?" Seungcheol assures.

"Yeah, it's probably better than group work," Jisoo answers.

"Can I just be in your group? I don't really like our concept. It's pretty lame," Jeonghan complains to Seunghee.

"Tell that to your group leader, not to me," Seunghee tells him.

"Ah, I'll just take a walk guys. You coming Jisoo?" Seungcheol asks.

"Yah, sure," Jisoo replies.

The two guys stand up and pace out of the room, leaving the lovers alone at their seats.

Jeonghan scans his notes and hums something. It sounds new, Seunghee presumes it's the song he's writing with Nayeon and puts a hard expression on her face.

"Is that the song?" she inquires.

"Yeah. It only lacks the bridge part. But it's gonna be all good after a few days," he answers.

"Are you meeting Nayeon in the library again today?"

"Hm..." he nods at her.

She looks down on her phone and types something with a hint of evident annoyance showing up. Jeonghan have been noticing that she hasn't been meeting with Nayeon this past week. And her expression or tone when talking about her seems a bit aloof. Unlike her previous perky feel every time she shares things about her, she's turned a bit apathetic now.