The Last Boy Scout

39

Other than the sound of rain hitting the glass window, the shop was silent. Jihae sat in the corner with her phone on her lap and a cup of tea beside her. She didn't notice the worker coming to sit down beside her.

"Well, I'm going to close the shop soon, but feel free to stay as long as you like," the woman smiled.

Jihae looked up at her. "Thank you," she replied and continued to stare out the window.

Jihae's phone vibrated again. She knew it was Taehyung, but she didn't bother picking up. He was probably mad at her, and Jihae didn't feel like talking to him.

She checked her phone anyway; there were 32 unread text messages and 9 missed calls. Jihae felt bad.

~Jihae
~Where are you
~I'm sorry
~It's not your fault
~Please come back
~I'll take you home
~answer me
~Jihae
~Jagiya
~Hae-ssi
~Where are you
~Are you safe
~Please forgive me
~I'm not mad
~I'm worried
~please answer
~Jihae I know you're there
~Jihae
~I'll do anything
~Please answer me
~Things like this happen all the time
~I'm so worried
~why did you leave?
~are we breaking up?
~please don't go
~there's so much we have to do together
~answer me
~Jihae
~say something
~why aren't you picking up
~come back
~Jihae, look outside

Jihae glanced out the other window. There she saw Taehyung standing there, looking down worriedly at his phone. She looks away.

Moments later, the shop door opens and in walks Taehyung, his overcoat is soaking wet.

The shop owner walks over and asks him if he needs anything. He politely declined and walks over to the corner of the shop where Jihae was sitting.

Jihae doesn't move. She didn't think he would come looking for her.

Taehyung sits down beside her. He stares in her direction. Jihae can see him in the corner of her eye, but avoids eye contact. She lowers her head.

~Jihae let's go home

Jihae looks down.

-why did you come after me

~I can't just leave you here
~Im worried, why did you leave?

-I don't know

Taehyung looks up at her. "Hae-ssi..."

Jihae felt like crying all over again. She tried her best to hold it in. Whenever she cries in front of Taehyung she felt helpless. He was always there for her, and she felt bad because whenever she gets upset, she feels as though she makes Taehyung think it's his fault.

"Hae-ssi," he repeated gently, taking her hand. "Let's go home,"

---

(The Next Day)

I really hate not being able to cook well. I can barely fry an egg or make mediocre ramen noodles. I wish Jin hyung were still around. There is a slight chance that I can see him before I have to enlist, but who knows?

I start to feel dizzy. My head starts to throb because I've been playing games for five hours, but I didn't stop. I knew I would regret it.