The Atlas Of Love

- eighteen -

"No."

"But mom, dad, I'm old enough to do things on my own! I can travel alone. It's really no big deal!" I objected.

"Jae-in, you heard your father. You're not travelling alone and that's final. Find someone to go with if you really want to." Mom said sternly and I knew I had no chance to change their minds.

Screw this.

I sighed out loud and walked back up to my room. I really really really wanted to go Paris. I had so much to do there. The bucket list that Kara and I had made, it was now my responsibility to strike them all off.

And just when I thought the dream of travelling to Paris had been delayed to next year, one of the wildest ideas popped up in my head.

I quietly got out of my room.

"Xander! Xander!" I whisper-yelled, banging on his window.

"Yo J." He greeted me with a really unamused smile, sliding his window open.

"I get that you miss me but can you not do that everytime you need to see me? It scares the shit out of me." He closed the window behind him, jumping out.

I would've rolled my eyes or punched him on any normal day but I had to make sure to not piss him off, so I offered him a tight-lipped smile.

"Xander!" I exclaimed with the best smile I could offer.

"What do you want?"

"I just wanted to know how, you were doing? Are you okay? You're not sick are you?" I placed my palm on his forehead, checking his temperature.

"All good." I put my thumbs up, indicating that he was fit and fine.

"What do you want Jane Park?" He asked again, this time narrowing his eyes.

"Do you have your ticket ready?" I asked ecstatically.

"What ticket?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Ticket to Paris!"

"Why would I have a ticket to Paris? And besides, you said you could travel alone didn't you?" He smirked, teasing me.

"You know I was only joking right?" I faked a laughter.

Inside, I was only praying that he would say yes and just come with me.

"I'm just playing with you. I booked a ticket of the same flight the night Kara told me about it." He admitted, smiling.

I sighed in relief. It was as if something had been weighing my shoulders ever since Kara's news and now it was all gone. Just like that. Poof.

"Xander." I called out, getting a little emotional.

"N-no. Not again Jane. Don't cry over something like this." He pulled me close to his chest, allowing me to wipe my tears and pretend as if nothing ever happened.

Why was I even crying right now?

Did travelling to Paris really mean that much to me? I surprise myself sometimes.

"No, I'm not crying. These are just tears of joy." I lied, still leaning my head on his chest.

"Whatever you say." He let out a deep chuckle, patting my back.

"Hey, have you heard from Dean lately?" He asked, changing the topic.

I felt a little uncomfortable, pulling away from the hug. I shook my head.

"Haven't talked to the dude in a week now." He said, looking a little worried.

I was worried too, but I had pushed the thoughts of Dean to the back of my mind because I felt a sting in my heart everytime I thought of how quickly it was falling apart.

We were almost back to being strangers. He didn't call and I didn't either. I didn't text, and he didn't either.

It was as if we were playing this game of ego. We were both letting it take over us.

But it somehow just didn't bother me the way it was supposed to. I was fine with the way things were. Time will decide. When he comes back, we'll see how things go down.

"I thought maybe you guys had something going on." He said cautiously.

I knew I shouldn't have, but I denied it saying that he was just being delusional.

Dean and I were worried that when things go wrong someday, maybe we'd lose our friendship and that's exactly what was happening right now.

I couldn't care less about my progress of liking him in another way, but I just didn't want to lose him as a friend.

And maybe that's what happened to me and Xander too. We had a friendship which was more valuable than our relationship.

"Go inside and pack now Xander. It's going to be a long week." I smiled, ruffling his hair.

"Aye, aye captain." He chortled.

I also went back inside and started packing after telling my mom and dad that they didn't have to worry since Xander was coming along.

When Jae heard this though, he said that he wanted to tag along and that Xander and I had excluded him from our group. But there was no group to begin with!

My parents laughed at how immature Jae still was and planned to send him off to my grandparents in Korea for some self-discovery.

I internally rejoiced because taking Xander alone to Paris was not going to be such a great idea and Jae would only add up to my problems.

I slept in peace that night, thinking of all the things I was going to do when I get to Paris.

×××

Omg guys! They're going to Paris together!
Which ex do you think Jane will end up with?
Will Dean fly straight to Paris to make things right again or will Xander grab this opportunity to make Jane his again?
So excited for whatever's gonna happen in Paris!
Xoxo,
-m.