almost ; sowoo

you.

【 1 year later 】

jiwoo sat on her work desk on a particular sunny morning. she had gotten used to the life here, after leaving everything behind from her hometown. though it was hard in the beginning, she learnt to slowly let herself be the top priority; to care and love herself again. all those couldn't be done without the help of her now best buddy, taehyung. he had been with her through every step of her way, and he was someone jiwoo would eternally be grateful for.

the former leaned back on her seat, absentmindedly gazing out of the window. strong rays illuminated her whole room from the glorious sun outside. they were bright but never too much to blind jiwoo, something the girl enjoyed. she didn't know when she had began to admire sunrays; maybe it's because of how they remind her of a certain someone's smile; enough to light a room but never over the top. the kind of warmth that emits comfort.

"i really don't wanna be the one, but it seems i have to be THE one doing it right?" a voice popped from the door.
"hmmm, taehyung what do you mean?" jiwoo hummed in a singalong voice.
"i'm not supposed to be reminding you this because you would know it clearer than i do, it's somin's birthday!" taehyung approached jiwoo.
"and what am i gonna do about it?" jiwoo rolled her eyes.
"YES AND WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?" taehyung snapped, "continue hiding here without at least leaving a message for her? COME ON, she's worried SICK about you! at least send a birthday message, she's your longest friend."
"geez alright, you don't have to yell at me because of this," jiwoo scratched her neck awkwardly.
"well of course i have to! you're really stubborn and dumb sometimes" taehyung huffed, "i'll be back to check on you later."

jiwoo wanted to protest but seeing taehyung all serious, she knew she wasn't going to escape from this. she knew why — she had been ignoring somin's messages ever since she settled here. it broke her heart knowing how much the latter misses her, but that did not mean jiwoo had to respond to it. more than jiwoo liked to admit, she had no idea how to deal with it; thus she pushed the matter aside.

taehyung sighed. on a softer note, he whispered, "i know it's hard because you haven't spoken to her for a long time. but the longer you drag this, the harder it gets. take all the time you need, and it's okay to cry. i won't load you with work okay? i'll grab lunch for us and we'll call it a day. we can do anything you want later if you feel lousy, just know i'll be here," taehyung smiled," i know you can do this. your message doesn't have to be long, just sincere enough will do."

he gave jiwoo a soft pat on her shoulders and left.

jiwoo reached out for her phone. it teared her soul apart, to do what she deemed the best she could.

with a sincere heart, she typed a long message; with a hopeful heart that it'll somehow reach the latter. her vision clouded the more she typed; but nothing beats the immense amount of pain her heart wrenched. jiwoo didn't want to cry, especially on somin's birthday, but she let a single tear roll down her face.

it's for the best, she decided.

her fingers hovered over the "send" button. should i?

on second thoughts, she switched the receiver — to somin's old number.

ha, this way somin won't receive my message and i can show taehyung that i have sent a message to somin!

jiwoo could smirk all she wanted with her cunning plan,
but nothing in the world could hide the sinking, clenching of her heart
as she eyed the photo of somin and her on her desk.