Just Like Now

Small Hearts

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Namjoo didn't understand him. Why couldn't she understand him? They used to understand each other so well. He just wanted to protect her.

Sehun knew she'd get married someday, but it didn't feel right right now. Namjoo with men...Namjoo dating...it wasn't right. Not now. She wasn't ready. She just wasn't.

Conflicted, Sehun stepped out of his room. There was only one thing he needed to do in order to protect her. He shot a glance at her room before heading downstairs with phone to his ear. Half an hour later he was at a secluded spot by the river leaning against the hood of his vehicle. Chul pulled up minutes later, his bright headlights blinding Sehun.

"Yo!" Chul called out tossing a bottle of juice at Sehun. He as apparently in a jolly mood. It only made Sehun grayer. Leaning against Sehun's car beside him the friend grinned, "Was that your girl earlier? I heard you have a girlfriend now. How come you didn't say anything to me? I thought we were buds?"

Sehun wasn't in the mood for his antics. He also wished Chul wasn't touching his car. Anything pertaining that man pissed him off. It was driving him nuts. He could still hear obnoxious Taihee cackling into his ear.

"Hey, not snitching or anything, but I was out here having a few drinks with some friends. Thought I might pick up some girls at the club, but as I was passing the motel, guess who I saw? Your friend! Your friend! That really cute girl you brought to the café that one time. Namjoo, oh yes. Namjoo, the cute one. Oh dang! At a motel!"

Motel.

Motel.

Motel.

The one dirt word chased itself inside his head. It was nauseating, irritating, hateful.

Suddenly angry, Sehun looked at Chul with a glare. "Stay away from Namjoo."

The lighthearted expression on Chul's face transitioned into slight confusion. The friend still managed to cunningly smile. It just got on Sehun's nerves even more.

"You think it's a joke?" Sehun's voice contorted into fury.

Chul frowned bewildered. "Hey...what's wrong?"

Short of patience, Sehun snatched Chul's arm with warning, "If you touch her again...no, if you even go one feet near her, I'm going to end you." Shooting the puzzled Chul a sneer Sehun stepped back into his car, reversed, and sped off with his tires hissing.

Scrolling the window down as he started down the road Sehun rubbed his forehead. This strange dark cloud that had settled over him made it even harder to breathe. The friendship he shared with Namjoo had once felt like it would last forever. Now it felt as if its lifespan was shortening by the day. He was going to lose her and everything they'd shared growing up together, a lifetime's worth of memories and laughter. He was so very bitter.

Namjoo was in the kitchen drinking a glass of water when he walked in through the door. A splurge of awkwardness hit the air when they looked at each other. Hints of displeasure underlay her flat eyes as she looked away. Realizing that struck his nerves. Why in the world was she displeased with him? He'd done all he could for her! Hadn't he always thought of her? What was there for her to be angry about? Because he wanted to protect her from Chul?

Heaving a deep, angry sigh he asked, "What?"

Turning her back to him she settled her cup into the sink. Ignoring him was she?

"I'm talking to you," he deepened his tone.

"Me?" she pretentiously asked with hand placed against herself. "Oh, I didn't know. Why would you speak to me, someone whose about to become a stranger, right?"