The Bad boy's Mistake | kmg

29.

I knew he was familiar but I never expected him to be a childhood memory of mine. He was the kid that cried so easily over trivial things and I remember always cheering him up. He looks so different now! What a small world.

"My brother got to you first, didn't he?"

I was dumb struck.

"What are you trying to imply by telling me all this?" I ask.

I think that came out rude but I didn't want to assume anything— I knew I had to ask. With everything he said so far and his gestures, all I can conclude is that he harbor feelings for me which I pray he doesn't.

     "What do you mean?"

     I couldn't take it anymore because I didn't know what words I needed to say to describe what I meant so I didn't drag it further. I just asked him directly.

     "What I meant was, do you like me?"

* * *

     In front of the campfire holding a stick of mallows, Mingyu spaces out as the rest of the school enjoys the music of the band and the food.

"Hey? You look bothered." Wonwoo sits down near his friend with a worried expression.

"It's just, confusing." Mingyu mumbled.

The loud music from the band was heard even from a far but Wonwoo didn't need to hear anything from Mingyu to understand what he was feeling. He was worried, scared and confused— it definitely wasn't a pleasant mix.

"I love her, so much." Mingyu continued. "She makes my heart skip a beat and damn— she has me so smitten over her."

"I can't argue with that," Wonwoo replied with a smirk but was soon after replaced with a serious expression when Mingyu continued.

"But why do I have this feeling that she can easily leave me? That no matter how much I hold onto her, I always feel like she's slipping away."

Silence— it was the only thing that they heard despite the loud sounds from the speakers. Wonwoo who is Nari's cousin, remained silent because he too felt that probability.

"Ever since my brother came, I had this feeling that we were only meant to meet each other but not to end up being together.." Mingyu paused as he realizes the thought. "..and that sucks."

     He laughs dryly trying to shake off the pain he harbors in his chest and the only thing Wonwoo could do was pat him in his back hoping it could ease the feeling.

"We maybe related but I don't know her that much to reassure you with anything." Wonwoo stated.

     "All I can tell you is that everything that happens will eventually pass. It occurs for a reason and I doubt it's a reason that petty."

Mingyu stared as his marshmallows melt due the heat from the campfire— wishing that it was that easy for feelings to melt away.

     "My thoughts are consuming me. That's all." Mingyu tries to shake off the negativity and Wonwoo sighs.

     "You should just talk to her," He suggested. Mingyu's lips twitched upon hearing that. Scared to hear the truth, he feels like backing away.

     "I know what she'd say." Mingyu replies.

     "But do you know how she feels?"

     Mingyu halted. He was taken aback with what Wonwoo asked. He looked at his friend, seeking help but Wonwoo only smiled a little.

     "You know what to do, Gyu. She's probably in the classroom."

* * *

My mind is empty as I walk aimlessly down the corridor. I'm supposedly on my way down to join the party but I don't think I'm in the right state of mind to do so.

"Do you like me?"

He chuckles and flashes a soft smile. I wish he would deny because I honestly think that this would mess everything up even more. I don't know where I got the courage to ask him that but it just came out.

With a heart like mine who hates hurting and seeing people suffer, I would choose to be hurt by myself and that means I'll have to leave Mingyu if it meant not hurting Jungkook at all.

"I do,"

Two words that broke my heart.

Everything came about. The memories of Mingyu's suffering after his father cheated, him spending his day alone to cope with the circumstances. It all came pouring back.

     It feels like the universe hates us so much to put us in a situation like this. Does Mingyu have to go through the same pain of being left by the person he loved most? Does he always have to be chosen second?

"Y-you're making everything so hard.." I stated.

     I tried to hide the trembling in my voice but I failed. Tears are trying to fall off my cheeks but I fight back the urge. The frustration that I can't blame anyone but myself is starting to come out.

I love Mingyu but why does it have to he so hard to achieve a happy ending?

"I'm sorry, Nari. I waited for a very long time just so that I could find you. If you hate me, I'll show you reasons not to. Choose me Nari— I promise to cherish you."

I couldn't keep my head up as his words flow right through my ears.

     Choose you?

     It was Jungkook who was in front of me. Jungkook who waited for me. Who searched for me. While I wasn't aware that he was, he still did. However, why does my heart long for someone else?

     I was staring back at him, wishing that this all just a dream. Once Mingyu finds out about this, I'm sure it'll hurt him. It'll hurt him twice as much.

"I-I need to go..."

     I knew I needed to leave. I knew I needed to go somewhere. Somewhere not here, somewhere not with him. I needed to be somewhere.

     "Wait," Jungkook held my hand, refusing to let me go. "I'm sorry if this is too much to take. I'm not asking you to answer right now."

     Deep in my heart, I knew what my answer was. Fear and anxiety ate me up and hid my real emotions away from me. I built my walls too high because I was scared of what I was feeling. It was different. I was scared of what these emotions could do to me. I knew love was a double edged sword— it could make me happy but it could always break me.

     I guess, you'll just have to find someone worth hurting for and I already did.

     "I need to find him.."

     My eyes were pleading and my voice was trembling. Jungkook heard what I said and pain shot through his face. He knew but it hurt him to hear it from me.

     I tried leaving again but he pulled me close to him and hugged me. Nuzzled his face close enough in my ears to say,

     "I love you."