"Hey, nerd," you called affectionately. Jeon Jeongguk looked up, grinning as he met your gaze.
"What's up, loser?" he asked, rolling over to make room for you on your bed. Jeongguk, at nineteen, had graduated highschool last year. You still had a year and a half left. His daily commute took 2 hours, and he'd often get home exhausted. The two of you now only ever spent time at each others' houses, and you found yourself missing him more than ever.
"How was college?" You asked, flopping next to him. "Any cute girls yet?" He grinned.
"Yeah, totally." He confessed. "There are loads... they're all so pretty, I dunno what to do." You felt a little surge of jealousy, but buried it deep. Jeongguk was allowed to have crushes and relationships. You weren't his fucking mom.
... Or his girlfriend.
"I bet you don't have the courage to go up to them, huh?" You still couldn't help but snort.
"Hey!" he said defensively. "I said hi to Park Jimin today!"
"... Jeongguk, Jimin is a guy. He lives in this neighborhood. I've met him." You deadpanned. "Is there something you need to tell me?" You fervently prayed that he wasn't gay. If he was, good on him, you'd support him, but you were selfish enough to want him to like you. And that meant at least an attraction to women, even if he wasn't straight.
"No! I mean, Park Jimin, like, the other Park Jimin. Wait, wait, let me find a picture..." He scrabbled for his phone. He got the pic up in no time.
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Your heart sank. She was really cute. And she was at least Jeongguk's age, if they went to the same college. He always did like Noonas better. But-
"Did you... save this to your camera roll?" I asked incredulously. His face flushed bright red.
"Oh my god, you totally did. Oh my god, Kookie, you creep," I was laughing. He whacked me on the arm, grabbing his phone back from you.
"She's cute, though, right?" He asked. I grinned through the little twinge in my heart.
"Yeah, she is. Hey, who's the guy next to her?" You tried to change the subject.
"Who, Jinyoung?" He asked. "Don't bother, he's too old for you."
"I'll be the judge of that, thanks," I sniffed faux-pompously. He laughed, but it was different from before. More brusque.
"Seriously, he's too old for you. Jinyoung's postgrad, he's 23," Jeongguk said.
"Give me his number," I demanded. "He's really cute." You wanted Jeongguk's face contort. You weren't sure what that expression was. Discomfort? It wasn't worry. You'd seen that on his face enough times to recognize it immediately. His fingers were clenched so tight around his phone that they were turning white.
