Say It Back || SoonHoon (#wattys2019)

thirty-nine

호시
"O-Oh. Hey Wonwoo!" I say as I try my best to put on the warmest smile I can possibly muster up right now.

For some reason, it takes up all my strength just to flash it on my face.
It's hard to give him the nothing-is-wrong-smile that I occasionally display for you.

"I didn't know you were here," I continue, "What's up?"

My eyes flicker over to the beautiful girl standing beside him.
An invisible fist punches me in the stomach as I realize why she is the one occupying that space and not me.

She's gorgeous, feminine, and not a boy.

"Oh... umm," Wonwoo starts hesitantly, "Just... on a date. This is my... girlfriend, Daehee. Daehee, this is my friend Soonyoung."

My entire body runs cold at the mention of that one word; I suddenly feel weak.

Girlfriend. Girlfriend. Girlfriend.
I can hear it echoing with every accelerating beat of my heart.

Girlfriend. Girlfriend. Girlfriend.
I want to run away, yet I feel frozen in place.

I gulp silently and keep my smile on, although I'm afraid it's beginning to falter.
The corners of my lips are begging to fall down.

I can't allow that.
I can't show him my pain.

"Oh. T-That's nice," are the only words I permit to slip past my lips.

I dare sweep my eyes over the girl once more. She gives me a small bow, accompanied with a mumbled hello.
I only return a nod, the most civil response I can give.

우지
"Who is this?"

The bastard's eyes turn to me.
I resist to roll my own pair.

I look at you, expecting an answer to come out of your mouth.
Something like, "Oh, this is Jihoon. My friend."

A simple, direct answer.

But then, I notice something.
Your bottom lip is trembling.
Your eyes are somewhat glistening.
And I am the only one who sees that.

"T-Thi-"

You start to speak but I cut you off.

"I'm his boyfriend."