Childish | Jungkook

Chapter 28

"Nain!"

Jaebum waved at me when I entered the cafe and I smiled, walking over to where he was seated. Coffee aroma hung in the air and the place was rather empty save for a couple sitting at the corner beside the window.

"Hey." I plopped down opposite him. "What's up? How was work today?"

He was wearing a black bomber jacket over his gray sweatshirt and his chocolate colored hair was pushed back quite messily. His looks would swoon any girl instantly.

"It was fine." His lips curved upwards and he handed me the menu. "Today was less busier than usual. And you?"

My mind went to the incident in my classroom with Jungkook and I blinked repeatedly, trying to snap out of it. "Yeah, today went smooth."

I scanned over the menu and decided to order a cappuccino while Jaebum ordered a latte.

"I actually wanted to have a talk with you as well," I stated after taking a sip from my coffee. "I'll tell you after you say what you wanted to say."

His expression turned serious and he pursed his lips, clearing his throat before his eyes looked into mine.

"It's been years since we got to know each other, Nain..."

I nodded, my heart picking up its pace at his tone.

"During that time, I like to think that we both have been happy. And... I've been wanting to be closer to you."

"I know," I quickly blurted. "Any girl would be happy to be with you, Jaebum."

He gave me a pained smile. "You're doing that again."

I blinked. "Doing what?"

"Acting distant with me again."

Distant?

"I-"

"But I get somehow relieved when you do that," he whispered with a chuckle. "I get relieved when you don't push me to do anything... because I would have trouble doing that..."

I grew even more confused. "What do you mean?"

"Because... I can't give you my heart completely when I have someone else in it."

My eyes widened and my lips parted in shock.

"Y-You what?"

He looked away in shame, biting his lips. "I know I'm such an asshole for doing this... but I thought that maybe if I dated you, I would stop having these feelings for someone who would never return my feelings."

My hands clenched the material of my pants. "You... tried to use me?"

He shut his eyes tightly. "I'm sorry... I really thought that it would change everything... Believe me when I say that I actually started having feelings for you, Nain. But... no matter how much I try to avoid her, I just can't get rid of these feelings..."

I shouldn't be feeling hurt... I did almost the same thing to him...

We were both deceiving each other...

And yet...

...My heart stung a little.

"I do like you, Nain, but I can't continue lying to you..." His head hung low as he whispered words of apologies to me. "I don't deserve you..."

He shouldn't be the only one apologizing.

"I'm sorry, too, Jaebum. I'm the same as you... I've had feelings for someone else yet didn't come clean to you instead of leading you on."

He lifted his head up with wide eyes and his mouth opened before closing again, unable to say anything.

I forced a gentle smile, shrugging. "We both are bad guys here... I guess the pain of heartbreak brought us together to seek consolation in each other."

He stayed silent for a while before breathing out a laugh.

"I guess so... You really were my refuge, but it's unfair to date you when I love someone else..."

My gaze turned softer. "You're a good person, Jaebum... and will be a good boyfriend..."

"Thank you. And you'll be an amazing girlfriend," he chuckled. "Anyone would be lucky to have you... So who's the lucky guy?"

My cheeks flushed a little. "It's Jungkook."

His eyes perked and he exclaimed in realization. "Your childhood friend? Holy- I knew there was something between you two. He was acting weird when I was with you two not long ago."

I nodded, feeling relieved that he was receiving all this so well. "And you? Is she someone I know?"

I had a feeling that I knew her but I might be wrong.

His expression shifted to a flustered one and he whispered, "Actually, yes... It's Joy."

My breath hitched before I gasped in shock. "Joy?!"

He nodded, affirming it.

"But she..."

"I know," he sighed, rotating his cup of coffee. "That's why I wanted to erase my feelings, to protect myself from hurting... But it didn't go as planned... because I still love her..."

I looked down at my coffee. "Like me..."

He lifted his gaze up at me.

"I wanted to avoid falling for Jungkook again because I thought that he would never reciprocate my feelings, but now... I realize that I have to stay true to my feelings."

Jaebum's hand suddenly held mine and I looked up to see him smiling warmly, his eyes crinkling into crescent shapes.

"I'll be rooting for you, Nain. You deserve to have your love reciprocated."

I returned his smile, holding his hand with my other one. "And I'll be rooting for you. Joy should open her eyes and stop searching for that perfect guy. He's been right beside her all along."

He looked away, feeling shy. "Gosh, Nain. So cringy."

I giggled, feeling satisfied to see him flustered.

"You can't escape my cringeworthy words."

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A/N: Even if people might think there's no need to tell the other what they're feeling when they're in a 'some' relationship, these two felt the need to do so.

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