Next Stop, Brooklyn (A Joji x Reader Fanfic)

ch 9

Today was his birthday, he decided to throw a small get-together with his friends from high school. Before starting the night, we headed out to get him a birthday cake and a few extra beverages for the party.
"Twenty-one!" I said teasing Rei, bumping my shoulder onto him. His hand held a box of chocolate cake and my hand on the other. As we reached the car, he opened the door for me. For a split moment I was alone inside it, my mind rushed through different thoughts.

The years felt fast after Joji left four years ago, every day since, Rei was there to comfort me, to slowly build me up when I was on the ground. But even if he was there with me and I was there with him, not a day passed by without Joji entering my mind.

I shook my head out of the thoughts and shrugged as he entered the car. "You ready, y/n?" He said buckling up. I nodded and wore my seatbelt as well. He turned the stereo on and drove our way back home.

As soft music played in the background, I looked out of the window, a young boy and girl racing on their bikes early in the night as they passed through the temple Joji and I went before he left. My face dropped at the view, although it was peaceful and calm, the memories it beheld almost made me purge.

"Hey," Rei said putting his hand onto my leg, "You good?" I nodded, and the quiet trip back continued.

When we arrived, I took my coat and sneakers off before entering the living room, "So when are they coming?"

"Uhm, they said they'd come at 9 " Rei placed the case of beer and the box of cake on the table, "in 30 minutes, maybe?"

"I can do that, you go get ready," I said taking the bottles from his hands and putting them into the fridge.

"Are you sure?" He asks, I turn around to face him, I nodded and smiled. He came closer and I felt his arms wrap around my waist, "I'm so lucky" He kissed my forehead, "my beautiful little helper"

He went out of the kitchen and I continued prepping for the night. I was searching through the cupboard and snatching bags of chips when I heard a buzz vibrate the table, I look around and saw Rei's phone.

"RAYBABOON, we're outside"

I exhaled and placed the bags on the table and immediately rushed to get the door. "Rei, they're here" I yelled out. I slid the door aside to open and a group of men greeted me with raising arms. "HEY!" they exclaimed, I smiled and ushered them to come in.

Rei came out with black chinos and an oversized white tee tucked in, he greeted them as they went for a hug. "Happy Birthday, boy!"

The boys crashed onto the couch and began catching up with one another. "I'll get the drinks?" I asked and they nodded. "Yes, please"
I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a cold batch of beer, I grabbed the opener and, clasped the bags of crisps in between my arm and side.

"Here you go, boys" I placed the bottles and snacks onto the table. I trudge over to the light switch and dimmed it to set the ambiance. "That's good, thank you, babe," Rei said, his remark caused them to yelp in romantic excitement

"I want to be called babe too," said Hideaki "I'll call you babe," Will went in going in for a kiss.

As they turn red from the unending laughter, Dade asked "didn't you used to date Joji?" suddenly, their heads look over to me.

"N-no, we're just, just, you know like, really close" I lied. I pushed my hair back to my ear and kept my head down.

"Well, speaking of Joji," he pulled his phone out of his pocket and put the screen up to his face, "he said he'll be late tonight."

late tonight?

I felt suddenly cold and shaking knowing that Joji was already back home, was he? it was just probably a joke. Nonetheless, my body felt frozen with feet glued firmly to the ground.

I looked over to Rei who was just as baffled as I am, "He's back home? I wasn't able to invite him over" he chuckled nervously.

"You bald shit head," Will said playfully pushing Dade, "It was supposed to be a surprise"

And at that moment, the world came to a halt. Tonight, I will be seeing him, finally. I could feel cold sweat rushing down my forehead. God, I'm so nervous. "When did he come back? Did he finish school already? We haven't—" shit, that was too much.
I could feel Rei's eyes darting right onto me, I couldn't move or even look back. He stood up from the couch he was sitting on, "Boys, help yourselves, beer on the fridge, more snack on the table" he said pointing over to the kitchen. He trudged towards me, "Can we talk?" Rei and I made our way outside of the house, I had my arms crossed over with one another. "What's wrong?" I asked in a defensive tone.

"Why are you acting like this?" He asked.

"Acting like what?"

"Like this!" His opened palms pointed at me, "Is it because he's coming over?"

"No, Rei! What? You're so paranoid! I didn't say anything"

"Come on, Y/N" His eyes were now glossing up, he pushed his hair back and took his glasses off. "Your face says it all. You wouldn't act so fucking shocked if you've moved on."

"I-it's not that, Rei I--" I stood closer to him and held his hands but to my attempt, he pushed away. "Rei..."

"I knew this would happen, that when he comes back, you'll come running back to him." His voice cracked, it was soft and vulnerable. "Am I just a rebound to you?" I couldn't find the right words to say, I was standing still. "You're quiet because I'm right" he chuckled and tears started flowing down on his face. "Please just go."

"Rei..."

"Please" He fell on his knees, his soft whimpers continued to fill the silence of the night. "Don't hurt me like this," I bent down and put my arms around him.

And then I heard it, the footsteps clacking softly on the ground, slowly, coming nearer and nearer.