Unkind Fate: Jaebum

Chapter 21: Birthday

I don't know if it's luck or fate, but coming here is actually not a plan. And I can't believe that after almost a year of training, I will ba able to rank up to the third level of being a trainee.

"Is this even real, Jiwon?" I asked her after the result of the evaluation was announced.

"It seems like a dream, Hara. But this is real!" her eyes sparkling with joy.

On today's evaluation, five, including me, Jiwon and Chaeyeong (our former groupmate), were awarded as the best performers which completed the sixteen level 3 female trainees.

I just heard that we're going to move out and live in a dormitory together with the other level 3 trainees. But what excites me the most is that our dorm is next to got7's.

It was JB's birthday when the five of us moved out on the said dormitory.

"If Lisa was still here, she's definitely the first one to welcome us in their dorm", Jiwon said, a bit sad. And I frown in agreement.

We passed by Got7's dorm and it seems very quiet. I can't believe JB won't be able to celebrate his birthday because of their schedules.

We came at the dorm, feeling unwelcome. The girls are doing their own thing. Some just smile, some didn't even bother to say hello.

"You can now occupy the third room at the right corner", the manager said, pointing the said room.

"Nayeon will later tell you the house rules. If you have any questions, you can just ask her or you can call me on the telephone."

We all nodded politely and by then, he closed the door and left.

A deep loud sigh filled the room as we sat on the lower bunk of the double deck.

"I'm happy that we're all here but somehow, I wanted to go back on our old room. I feel like I don't belong here", Jiwon sighed.

"I feel the same. The way they looked at us, it felt so uncomfortable", Chaeyeong said.

"Maybe because we are new. Let's give them some few days to adjust, as well as ourselves", I said, trying not to add any worries.

Living here felt like we're in a military training. It felt like our moves are being watched and calculated. There are also some things that are prohibited like using smart phones, going out late at night and some other stuffs.

I wonder how JB survived with this kind of life.

It was 8 o'clock in the evening when I tried to go out but Nayeon interrogated me before I was able to go.

"You have to go back by 10 pm. That's our curfew", she said.

I nodded, trying to be polite as possible.

I went to a cake store nearby and bought JB a cake. I wanted to celebrate this day with him but it seems impossible now.

"Oh, Hara-ssi, what are you doing here?" I was shookt so see Jinyoung here. My eyes wandered trying to find JB around.

"JB's not here with me", he said, probably finding out I was looking for him.

"Ah", I said, a bit shy. "I'm buying a cake", I said, although it was obvious.

"For JB?" he asked and I nodded. "Would you like to go with me?" my eyes widened with what I heard. "I mean, we're about to surprise JB in the middle of the shoot. Maybe, you wanted to come?"

I looked at my watch and see that I have barely less than two hours. I don't think wishing JB a happy birthday wouldn't take that long.

"What's your relationship with JB?" Jinyoung asked, as we walked on the streets. It was so sudden and I'm not prepared for it.

"F-friend", I said, a bit hesitant. To be honest, I don't actually know how will I label myself.

Jinyoung smiled in disbelief "Everyone knows you're more than that."

I stopped walking and looked at him.

He laughed.

"You think you we didn't know anything?"

I felt like my cheeks are burning red. I hold it with my hand and felt the heat that comes through it.

"You don't have to feel embarassed about it. We are actually happy about it. JB lived in despair for a year When you came, JB came back to the old JB that we used to know."

"JB just did the same to me", I admitted, thinking how JB was able to bring back the old me.

"But aren't you afraid?" he suddenly asked.
"Of what?"
"Dating JB. It will be very difficult."
"I actually never thought of it to be honest."

I don't know why dating JB never come acrossed my mind. All I wanted is for us to stay with each other's side. Even if we don't always see each other, I just wanted him to know that I'm always here whenever he needed me. And I'm happy that he's doing his best to reciprocate the love and care that I'm giving him. I think, that's enough for me. I wouldn't mind if I'll stay unlabeled or how long this relationship stays ambiguous as it is.

We came to the set and see JB was being blind folded. The staffs were not around. Got7 were the only people in the room gathered around JB. They were surprised to see me but they are trying to keep it down.

"Hey, what are you doing?", JB said. "I know it's my birthday. You don't have to surprise me with a birthday cake. "

They turned off the light and lit the candles on the cake. Jinyoung was holding the cake and I was hiding behind his back.

They began singing happy birthday.

JB removed his blindfold and although he already expected it, I can see the happiness from his eyes.

"Happy Birthday, JB!" everyone shouted.  Mark turned on the light and came out behind Jinyoung's back.

He stood still, smiling brightly back at me and said, "Thank you for giving me the best gift."

Author's note:

Belated Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoyed your holidays!

Just wanted to inform you that after re-reading my story, I've seen some plot holes and inconsistencies on this story. So I made a little revisions on some of the chapters. Chapters with check marks are revised already and I'll probably revise the other chapters too. But the changes I made is very minimal and it won't affect the story as a whole. Reading it back is optional but I'll appreciate if you do hehe.

Thank you for reading up to this point. I'm planning to end this story soon and probably start a new one 😅