Trapped in his Maestoso || 엑소 백현

chapter 8

"Aunt said you can start working at her coffee shop later at 8pm. Shift is until 11, so bring your pepper spray."

You glanced at your best friend, who was too busy eating her breakfast. You nodded silently as you took a sip of your coffee.

"I'll send you the directions to the shop since I can't walk you there today. I have practice until 9, won't be eating dinner here as well. Be sure to eat yours before you go to work." Jiwon continued reminding you like a mother who'll be going away for a while. "Go home as soon as the shop closes. No other trips than home."

"Okay, I understand." You mumbled, putting down your cup on the table. You stared at your empty plate before opening your mouth again. "I made you upset, didn't I?"

Jiwon's movements halted at your words. Her eyes still casted downwards as yours went up to her. You pursed your lips as you formed a proper apology in your mind.

"I'm sorry for being so insensitive." You said, looking away as you were reminded of how you must have sounded desperate before. Wanting to go back to those people. Wanting to create peace within the chaos those people bring. 

It was a far-fetched dream.

"I'm sorry for not listening to you." You mumbled as your fingers rubbed your cold cup of coffee. "I'm stupid for even trying to treat a hopeless case. I just thought that if I heed their wants, I could seize the fire between us all—"

"But you said it yourself, it's hopeless." Jiwon spoke with such pain in her voice, you just wanted to cry again. "Ever since Yong Sun died, it turned all hopeless, Saejin. She's the one at fault, but she died, so she isn't! Of course, who would believe that she's the real bitch?" 

With the mention of her, you felt everything turning black.

"Let's not talk about this, Jiwon-ah." You shook your head as you stood up with your plate and cup. Jiwon humorlessly chuckled as she stood up without a word, moving back to her room with a slam. You sighed as you placed down the plate on the sink.

Lee Yong Sun, your grade school best friend until college.

"Why did you have to do that?" You whispered as your eyes welled. You swallowed the lump forming in your throat before starting to wash the dishes. 

You wonder if forgiveness is something you could easily give to the ones who are already gone. Will it be easier?

—

"Are you alone? Did you come with someone?" Hyoseop asked as he sat on the couch at the end of the hallway. You awkwardly sat on the other side, hands intertwined tightly in perturbation. You looked around the area, but it seems like your eyes were magnets attracted to the person on your left.

"Uh. I'm with my friends, they're downstairs though. I was just—" You knew telling him the truth, that you wanted to talk to him and you ended up stalking him up here, would end up you being embarrassed and him thinking you are one of his fangirls—which you are, not the crazy ones though. So nope, out of the list. A half-truth then. "—trying to escape from the noise, and rest from all the craziness down there." You chuckled nervously as you looked down at your lap.

"I know right?" His response was a pleasant surprise to you. You looked up with light in your eyes as he chuckled against his cup. "I never get used to these nonsense parties. What is there to celebrate anyway? It's not even football season yet, nor is it New Year. They go too much trouble just to make out and eat buffet."