Annoying // Na Jaemin

26

Jaemin drove Soyeon home, the two of them smiling widely. The night had gone really well. They ate with Mark's parents and Jaemin's parents while they talked about whatever, Soyeon got to confront Mark's parents about studying abroad and they gave her tips about it while Jaemin wasn't in the room, and overall the couple got to spend time together.

"I texted Soonyoung," Soyeon said when they pulled into her driveway. Jaemin put the car in park and looked at her, sighing.

"Babe..."

"Don't be mad," Soyeon told him. "I just told him that whatever beef he has with you he needs to keep it to himself, because it's not fair that he's held a grudge this long, and it's not fair that he's taking it out on me."

Jaemin sighed again. "Did he answer?" he asked.

Soyeon nodded and handed him her phone, the screen already open to the text messages.

Soyeon
Hey Soonyoung, it's Soyeon. I have your number from when we did that project in bio together last year, and I figured I'd use it to text you. I just wanted to say that I'm super disappointed that you're using me as a way to get back at Jaemin. You can argue with me all you want and say that you like me but I know you don't and I'd rather you just keep your feelings to yourself. It's completely unfair to treat me this way and get in the middle of MY relationship just because you're mad at Jaemin. It's been years, Soonyoung, maybe you should move on. Find someone who fills that gap for you. Or reach out. I'm sure the boys would love to get to know the person you are now. Either way, please just stop getting in the middle of my relationship. Thanks.

Soonyoung
I debated on how to reply to this for a while. But you're right, and I'm sorry. I was a douche for no reason and I shouldn't have brought you into this. You're a really great girl and I thought you should be with someone better than Jaemin, but I can tell that you're really happy with him. I wish you the best, and I hope we can be cool.

Jaemin looked up from the screen at Soyeon and smiled endearingly. "You just have to be perfect, don't you?" he asked, reaching up to place a hand on the side of her head.

"I just want to live, Jaemin," she replied. "I shut everybody out for so long and I'm finally happy with you and I want to stay happy. Of course you annoy the crap out of me but you're my boyfriend and I love you."

She let out a smile and Jaemin chuckled, nodding. "I'll take it. And you're like the only girl ever, so you deserve all the happiness in the world."

Soyeon laughed and opened her door. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said. He nodded and watched her walk away, admiring her beauty. Her front door opened and Sora raced out to hug her, making Soyeon smile. Jaemin watched from the car, and waved at Sora when she looked over, getting a wave and a smile in return.

Jaemin licked his lips and pulled out of the driveway, dialing his phone on the car's screen. He called Jeno, getting an answer on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Wanna hang out?"

Jeno smiled on the other end of the call, happy that Jaemin was finally ready to spend some time with his friends instead of just Soyeon all the time.

"Yeah, come pick me up?"

"Got it. Be there in ten."

Jaemin hung up the phone and headed over to Jeno's house, where he was waiting outside, shooting some basketballs in his driveway while he waited.

"Hey," Jeno greeted Jaemin, getting in the car. Jaemin looked over at him and smiled, pinching his cheek.

"Look at my handsome Jeno," he said with a smirk. Jeno rolled his eyes and swatted Jaemin's hand away. "You wanna go see a movie?" Jaemin asked.

Jeno shrugged with a nod. "Yeah that works. Can we get something to eat first though? I'm starving."

Jaemin nodded. "Of course my sweet boy."

Jeno rolled his eyes again. "Stop talking to me like that."

Jaemin pulled out of Jeno's driveway, putting his hand on Jeno's head. "Whyyyy? I missed youuuu," he whined. Jeno laughed.

"It's your fault we haven't seen each other. You've been too busy with Soyeon," Jeno told him. Jaemin sighed.

"I know, but so much has been going on I've been worried that if she didn't see me something would go wrong and she'd break up with me."

Jeno swallowed and looked over at Jaemin. "You really have to fill me in. All of my information has been coming from Jiyeon."

Jaemin nodded and took a breath, beginning to tell Jeno about the extent of Soonyoung, Sora, his awful dream, and anything else on his mind. Jeno ate a burger while Jaemin talked, and then sat back and listened.

By the time Jaemin finished they had already gotten back in the car, and Jaemin was pressing his forehead against the steering wheel. "I didn't realize how much this was bothering me," Jaemin muttered. Jeno reached over and patted his back.

"It's okay. You're good now. You solved all your problems. You guys are in a good place. You're graduating soon so you can talk about your future which is always exciting—," Jeno was cut off by the sound of Jaemin gasping.

"SHE'S LEAVING!" he shouted. Jeno's eyes went wide.

"Soyeon? Leaving to where?"

Jaemin bumped his head against the steering wheel twice more. "An English speaking country. She wants to study abroad."

Jeno went silent, biting his lip as he looked out the window.

"I feel like my life revolves around her now," Jaemin explained. "I don't think I could go that long without her."

Jeno pursed his lips. "You ever thought about going with her?" he asked. Jaemin looked over at him.

"Going with her?"

"Yeah, she could study and you could—I don't know maybe join a dance company or something. You've always loved to dance and you're really good at it. That way you both have something to do so you're not suffocating her but you also don't have to worry about her being gone for so long."

Jaemin bit his lip and stared out the window, slowly nodding. "I could talk to her about that."

Jeno nodded and patted Jaemin on the back. "Stop stressing so much. You used to be so laid back, not a care in the world. Chill out, would you?"

Jaemin took a breath and nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Okay. I'm good. I'm Na Jaemin, the sexiest guy you know, and Jeon Soyeon's boyfriend," he said the last part of the sentence with a different tone, his face lighting up as the words left his mouth.

Jeno laughed and pushed his shoulder. "Come on loser, let's go see a movie."