Friend Zoned || jj.project || DISCONTINUED

Chapter Five: Just Friends

I'm not giving up!

I just won't!

Yesterday was a total bust, but that doesn't mean today will be!

I will find out what that son of a gun Jaebum is up to if it's the last thing I do!

After I got up this morning, I sent Jaebum a text. I figured he should at least get a heads up to be able to brace himself for the amount of interrogation he will receive from me. 

UR_MUM:
hyung i'm coming over i don't care what u say

Jaebun:
cool 😀

UR_MUM:
cool?! how r u so ok with this 🤨

UR_MUM:
u went all loco on me yesterday 😒

Jaebun:
bc u were being an asshole 😄

Jaebun:
not that i was surprised tbh 😒

UR_MUM:
wow thnx 4 being a gud friend 😒

Jaebun:
np 😄
Seen

I shut off my phone and stuffed a banana muffin in my mouth as I headed out the door. As I made my way to Jaebum's house, I planned out the questions I would ask him. Mainly, just 'what the fuck is wrong with you,' but I'd need some others to  back it up. Sorry, Im Jaebum, you won't get away so easily this time!

I knocked on the door as I approached his house.

"Hello, my good friend," Jaebum said cheekily.

"Likewise, hyung," I replied, stepping inside uninvited.

I flopped down onto the couch as Jaebum did the same.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Jaebum asked, folding his hands in his lap.

I arched an eyebrow. "How did you know I wanted to talk to you about something?"

He rolled his eyes. "Please, Jinyoung. You don't even take a single breath without a good reason."

I frowned for a moment, but then replaced it with a poker face. "So, tell me. What's been going on?"

"What ever do you mean?" Jaebum questioned.

"You said you'd tell me," I reminded him of his previous statements. "You said you'd tell me about all those thoughts floating around in your big head."

A smirk played at Jaebum's lips as he spoke, "I said I'd tell you once you got your shit together. Sorry, in case you haven't noticed, but you're still an asshole."

I rolled my eyes. "Please. You're acting weird and I want to know why. What happened to my friend who always had my back and kept me out of jail? Why is he suddenly so secretive and distant?"

Jaebum pursed his lips and sighed. He motioned for me to follow him.

He walked to his bedroom with me following behind. Jaebum shut the door behind him and sat on the bed.

"Look, Jinyoung," he began as I sat beside him. "I'd really like to tell you, but..."

"But what?" I asked.

"You'll get mad at me."

"Look, if you don't tell me, I'll definitely be mad at you. If you do, I might not."

Jaebum sat up straight and took a deep breath. On the outside, I was calm and collected, patiently waiting for his answer. On the inside, I was bursting with excitement, eager to finally know what was going on.

"I like you, Jinyoung."

I froze as my eyes went wide, unable to meet Jaebum's eyes.

"What did you say?" I quietly asked.

He cleared his throat and repeated, "I like you Jinyoung." Jaebum paused and then put a hand on my shoulder as I looked up at him. "But that doesn't mean I want our friendship to change. I like us as old pals, you fooling around and me making sure you're all good. I don't want anything more. That's why I didn't want to tell you."

I cleared my throat as I collected my thoughts. "Okay."

"Hm?"

"Okay. We can continue being friends like we were before."

Jaebum smiled. "I'm glad."

I sat up straight as I brushed off my pants as if I spilled something on them. "But, there are some things that I want to make clear."

Jaebum nodded. "Sure, shoot."

"Scrapbook it; we're just friends," I stated.

"Of course," he replied.

"Nothing more, nothing less," I said, standing up.

"Got it," he said, doing the same.

"I'm friend-zoning you right here, okay?"

"Shut up, I'm not a goldfish."

I smiled. "Just making sure. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow at school, okay, hyung?"

Jaebum returned the smile. "Cool."

I started walking out the door, but then I stopped and turned around, just as Jaebum almost shut the door.

"Hey, hyung?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks for telling me."

"Thanks for asking."

〰️〰️〰️

Yeah, I know, I'm such a bad writer. I feel like the chapter should've been more descriptive, but I think it's okay. Hope you all enjoyed it.

jj_project_