NU'EST Imagines - 2017

History Repeating - Baekho (Part II)

     That night, you came home making as little sound as possible, not to arise your sister's curiosity. And the morning after, she laughed at you because she believed you had really gone hard on the drinks. Your face had been red from all your crying, but passed as a very hangover face from too much alcohol. Funny how some circumstances worked in your favor sometimes, and some others... didn't at all.

     For days, you tried to forget your date with Baekho, but the vivid memory of your lips together was adamant not to leave your brain. Your sister knew there was something bothering you. It was easy to see that deep thoughts were hidden behind your smiles, but she didn't know how to address it. And you were thankful, because you didn't want to lie to her, and you also absolutely didn't want her to know the truth. You had to stick with your decision, and nothing should influence that. A broken heart now, was better than an agonizing one over the course of months over a difficult relationship destined to fail.

     Sometimes Baekho texted you, basic words that didn't hold deep meanings, just to test the waters. And sometimes you would reply, sometimes not. Your heart ached because he had become a stable figure in your life, someone with whom you had a lot in common. A potential deep friendship that you had to lose. He had to be the furthest away from you, or things already hard would be even more difficult.

     One day, during one of your sister's attempts to make you feel better by going shopping in one of Seoul's popular district, you came across her ex-boyfriend. Junho and your sister had remained friends after mending their relationship. Your sister understood how he felt and they decided to keep hanging out together without labels and see where things can go from there. Very smart of them. You couldn't help admiring their mental strengths. However, this did not change your mind. You knew that dating someone from a culture completely different, in a country you would probably end up leaving was not a good idea. And Baekho, on top of that, was an idol, someone who wasn't supposed to have a private romantic life, and someone who had a very tight schedule and code of conduct. He was right, you weren't your sister, and he wasn't his brother. But that couldn't work nonetheless.

     Why did you have to force yourself to believe it, though?

    They chatted for a bit, and you tried to stay behind, but Baekho's brother had noticed you. And there had to be a moment when he would talk to you too. You strongly hoped that he didn't know about you and his brother, but it would be impossible. He knew you were the one who told Dongho about the poor situation he brought you in a couple of weeks ago. So, finally, he laid eyes on you. "Hello, (_____). How are you doing?" He asked innocently, like nothing had happened.

     "Hey, Junho." You simply replied, ignoring the second question as if it were just a simple greeting. Your sister had a smile smile, as if expecting something out of this conversation. She might believe you were feeling bad because there was harsh feelings between him and you. And Junho was looking at you with eyes expecting to say more, knowing-eyes. And clearly, it was hard enough to pretend nothing was wrong, you had no desire to fight here to keep the truth away from your sister. "You know what? If we're going to discuss here for a while, or if you're going to stick around," Meaning Junho. "I might as well get us some drinks." You started. You weren't too far from a juice place. You were not particulary thirsty but anything was good to run away from your problems. 

     "Yes, good idea!" Your sister jumped in, maybe oblivious. "But it's my treat! I'm the reason we're gathered here, so please take a seat and I'll get the drinks." You were about to protest but Junho already thanked her with a nod from his head and your sister concluded with a "I'm the only one who knows what the both of your favorite drinks are!" And left.

     Junho had insisting eyes and put a hand on your back to gently push you towards one of the outside tables. "(_your sister's name) doesn't know what happened?" He asked, surprise clear in his voice. As if Baekho had told him everything and that was normal.