unrequited | nct dream

chapter one

Ara's POV

I never fully understood what the term "unrequited love" meant, I could never fathom why anybody would fall in love with someone who refused to love them back, but that was until I started liking him. It was hard not to like someone like him, he had it all, he was caring, considerate, focused, and had the best eye smile I had ever seen. I saw him every day, talked to him, joked around with him, told him my deepest darkest concerns, he knew everything about me as did any best friend. And that's where the problem lied, Jeno was my best friend, how could he like me back?

I was trying my hardest to be sly, but everything felt bitter when your body was consumed by envy and jealousy. No matter which conversation I engaged in, my eyes would somehow find them, and my mind would follow soon after. Despite the thunderous music, my thoughts would be heard the loudest. It had gotten to the point where I couldn't even enjoy my drink without thinking about them.

"It's a sick party, huh?" I turned my body to face a certain pink haired boy, my lips turning up to form a smile.

"Yeah it is, I can't believe Ten let Mark invite us all," I said as I took a sip of my cola.

Jaemin leaned his body against the counter and let out a scoff.

"I still don't know how he knows so many college kids, next thing we'll know, Mark is secretly in a gang."

"Oh please, he would never," I answered looking around.

"Yeah, you're right, he's the definition of goody two shoes," Jaemin says grabbing my cup to have a drink.

Normally, I would complain and tell him to get his own, but my attention was elsewhere. My eyes were helplessly staring at them. Why did they have to be so cute? Jeno and Areum were just talking, yet I wanted to confront the two of them with every bit of jealousy that coursed through my veins. But I couldn't. Areum had every right to be with Jeno, and Jeno to Areum; they were the perfect match. Besides, my happiness would cost Jeno just as it would cost Areum, which would just overwhelm me with guilt.

"They're cute, right?" Jaemin suddenly asked nudging my knee.

I don't know why, but it took me way too long to process his question, as I was too shocked to answer. I only managed to clear my throat and force a smile onto my lips.

"Yeah, the cutest, I'm really glad that Jeno found someone," I finally replied, hoping that my answer was somewhat convincing, but Jaemin only laughed.

"What? Why are you laughing, it wasn't a joke." I squinted at him as I stood up from the stool and shoved his shoulder. My heart was thumping way too fast and I was afraid that Jaemin would be able to hear it. Had he figured out the secret that I had managed to keep to myself for weeks?

"C'mon Ara, don't lie to me," Jaemin said between laughs.

I scoffed in response trying to play it cool.

"What do you mean 'don't lie to me' Jaemin? I'm being completely honest here."

"We both know you want to put Areum in a box and ship her to Europe. You hate them together because you have feelings for Jeno. Newsflash Ara, you're a horrible liar." Jaemin rolled his eyes.

My eyes went wide and if my heart already wasn't beating fast enough, it was competing in a race now. How did Jaemin even figure out that I liked Jeno? I thought I was doing a pretty good job at hiding it, but I guess not. Had I been staring too much? Did the others know too? Or was it just Jaemin?

"How-how did you-" I stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"You're so obvious Ara, I spend almost every second of every day with you. You stare at them whenever you get the chance and I see the way you look and smile at Jeno. You're so freakin obvious Ara, I don't know how the others haven't figured it out yet." Jaemin slams the empty plastic cup on the counter which makes me flinch.