The Guy Next Door | JJK Short Story [COMPLETED]

t w e l v e

ONE MONTH LATER

- How are the preparations for the wedding? – asked Eunji as we ate our take-out dinner, sitting on the floor of my living room.

- They are done, unless Haneul changes her mind about something and freaks out. Again. – I said, rolling my eyes at how stressed out my sister seemed to be as her big day loomed on the horizon.

- What did she change this time? – asked my friend, chewing.

- She spent months putting together the best menu for the party. And yesterday, mom called me saying she was crying and mumbling that it was all wrong and everyone was going to hate it.

- Oh-oh.

- Yeah. She even said she was going to cancel everything. – I explained as Eunji's eyes widened. – But thankfully, my brother-in-law calmed her down and she went back to normal. Well, as much as it is possible for her anyway.

- It's the nerves. All brides have them, apparently. – explained her, as she set her empty bowl aside. – My cousin made a scandal on her wedding day because she couldn't find her earrings.

- The ones she would wear on the ceremony?

- No, just some random ones she decided to find. It makes no sense. – she said, chuckling to herself. – That's why I don't want to think about marriage any time soon. God forbid I go crazy like that.

We laughed together, comparing how opposites we were. I wanted the crazy one day. The nervousness, the stress, the joy. I wanted to pick a white dress and choose the flowers. I wanted the buffet, the photographer and the ceremony.

I wanted it all.

But I didn't see that happening any time soon for me.

- Are you taking someone? – asked Eunji.

- No. I'm the bride's sister, I'll probably not even sit down for five whole minutes the whole night. But what about you? Mom said you confirmed a plus-one.

- Yeah, just so they would stop asking me about it. I'll just tell them he's a doctor and had an emergency, so he couldn't go.

- It's amazing how you can sweep my family under your shoes better than I can. – I stated, shaking my head in disbelief.

- Learn from the master, child. – she joked, making us laugh again. – Have you talked to ... – she asked, pointing at my front door. Which meant she was actually pointing at the door across the hall.

- Jungkook? You can say his name, you know. And to answer your question, yeah. I'm managing his mail, remember?

- And you guys are okay? – she inquired, arching a brow.

- I guess. We're friends.

- That sucks. – she said, frowning.

- Life isn't fair, so of course it sucks. – I agreed.

- But isn't it difficult for you? Because of your feelings and all?

- It is. But truly, ignoring him wouldn't be better. I just have to come to terms with the fact that friendship is the only thing in our future.

- How well is that going?

- When I make some progress I'll tell you. – I concluded, shrugging and giving her a small smile.

I had talked to Jungkook almost every day after coming back home. He always video called me on his lunch time, as I ate dinner. He always texted, just saying something completely random or sending me a picture he took and thought I would like.

In a way, it was as if nothing had happened. As if we hadn't had an argument before he left, or that me flying to London only to find him with a woman was normal. Nothing about us was normal.

We were lovers first, then friends with benefits. When I thought we could be more, he stepped out and barely held the friend role. Now apparently, we were friends again. It hurt to know he was fucking around, not even shaken by what happened between us, when it had taken me aback so much.

But that was life, and as I told Eunji, life wasn't fair.

- When are you going? – I asked her, referring to her trip to her parents' house.

- Tomorrow morning. I'll just say hi and spend a couple of days there.

- Will you be back in time for the wedding?

- Yeah. I'll be back on Thursday night. Can you pick me at the airport?

- Sure. Just ring me. – I said, helping her with the dirty bowls as she threw the empty containers in the garbage. – Shouldn't you go? You still have to finish packing.

- Ugh, don't remind me. – she groaned, making a face as she stood. – I'm only going because I already promised.

- Right. – I chuckled, giving her a hug. – See you Thursday, then.

- See you.

As Eunji left, I thought about life. My sister was marrying her school sweetheart next Saturday. She was so happy it was actually annoying. Even with all her mood-swings, I knew everything would be perfect. Her soon-to-be husband would make her happy, we all knew it.

And I wondered if I would ever find anyone like that for me. Someone brave enough to try. Patient enough to not give up. Someone to truly love me for who I was.

Never mind that the only face I saw in my mind, was the one completely opposite to all those things. The one I wouldn't have. The one who was in London and probably not alone.

Yeah, Eunji was right. Life sucked.

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