Friend Zoned || jj.project || DISCONTINUED

Chapter Nine: It's Time For Confrontation

It feels easier to breathe now that I don't always have an enemy breathing down my neck. It feels even better now that we've made up and have let the past go.

But what doesn't feel great is the fact that my best friend and I aren't exactly friends at the moment. And what's even worse is the fact that I...

I...

I think I love him.

But unfortunately, he doesn't feel the same way.

Nonetheless, I still want to regain our friendship, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Or at least attempt to do.

Luckily, Jackson is friends with Jaebum at the moment, so I have an advantage.

I won't let Jaebum slip through my fingers that easily. It's time for confrontation.

I formed a plan and discussed it with Jackson.

"Wow," Jackson said, after I explained everything to him. "You really thought all this through. Sort of. I mean, the plan is cheap, but not bad."

I sighed, looking down at my shoes. "Well, he is my best friend. Or was."

Jackson gave me a warm smile. "Is that all? Just a friend?"

My gaze met his. "What are you implying?"

Jackson smirked playfully. "I think you are well aware."

I shook my head. "It's nothing like that. Anyway, don't we have work to do?"

"Right."

We walked to school together. When we approached it, Jackson met up with Jaebum who was there waiting for him.

"Took you long enough," Jaebum hyung said to Jackson.

Jackson shoved his hands in his pockets. "Sorry, just a little busy.."

"Whatever. Let's just get to class."

Lunch time...

Here it was. The time for my plan to commence had arrived.

Jackson was responsible for the first part, which was what he began doing. The plan was nothing fancy, pretty stupid if you ask me, but it was all I could come up with at the time.

"Let's go sit over there," Jackson said to Jaebum, pointing to an empty table in the cafeteria. Jaebum shrugged and followed him.

After Jackson and Jaebum got their lunches, Jackson cleared his throat.

"Um, excuse me, but I have to use the restroom," Jackson said to Jaebum.

Jaebum looked at him awkwardly. "Okay? Not like you need my permission..."

Jackson fled to the bathroom while Jaebum hyung looked down at his lunch in boredom.

I hopped out from where I was hiding and sat across from him.

Jaebum's eyes locked onto mine, immediately glaring once he recognized me. He stood up to leave, but I grabbed his forearm before he was able to.

"Please," I pleaded. "Just hear me out."

Jaebum clenched his teeth, but then complied. "Alright. Make it quick."

"Look, Jaebum hyung," I started. "The reason I was acting like a jerk the other day was because..."

Jaebum arched an eyebrow. "Because what?"

"Because of you."

"What do you mean?"

"I was trying to 'protect' you. I thought Jackson was trying to get some sort of revenge on me and that he was doing it through you. But then I found out the truth and realized what was really happening. I made it up to him and now we're friends. But now...we're not friends. And I want to fix that."

Jaebum inhaled sharply. "Why? Why is it so important that we're friends?"

I sighed and looked around the room to make sure no one was watching. Luckily, everyone was caught up in their own thing, though I lowered my voice just in case. "Because you're not just a friend, hyung. You're so much more than that. You're amazing and you've always been there for me, even when I hadn't done the same for you. What I'm trying to say is, that even though I said otherwise earlier..." I paused and swallowed hard. Jaebum looked at me with a placid expression, curious as to what I would respond next.

I was about to admit it. I was about to confess everything.

But my feelings got in the way. It was all too much for my heart to take. I hate myself for having done this, but..

I chickened out.

"Nothing," I muttered. "Never mind. I just want us to be friends again and I'm sorry for all that I've done."

Jaebum kept the same, deadpanned look on his face as I awaited his response. What was he going to say? Was he going to accept my apology?

"Okay," he uttered in a barely audible tone.

"W-what?" I mentally cursed at myself for stuttering.

"I accept your apology and your friendship, Jinyoung."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. It felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I made a somewhat spontaneous move and gave Jaebum a big hug.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"What for?" he whispered back, chuckling slightly.

"For forgiving me and being my-"

I cut myself off, not wanting to say that word, even though I had uttered it many times before already.

"Hm?" he asked.

"For being my f-friend."

Ugh, why are you so stupid?!

〰️〰️〰️

Sorry for not updating for a while! I had a lot on my plate, but now I'll try to update more frequently. To make up for lost time, here's a double update! Hope you guys enjoyed!

And thank you all for 200 reads! 💜

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