Her Secret (VJoy)

[5]

"Oh gosh, just how much did you drink? You know that he's a minor right? You really get your way because you guys are rich." Joy complained pinching her nose and waved in the air because Taehyung's car reeks of alcohol. She opened all windows and was only able to breathe properly.

Taehyung ignored her rants but asked instead, " How long are you going to work so late at night?"

"Until College, why? "

Taehyung sighed. "Are you sure I'm your best friend?"

Joy chuckled. "Wae?"

"You have lots of bills to pay and studying to do but you don't share your burdens with me, I can give you money anytime but you don't ever ask me even once."

"First let me ask you this, whose money are you spending right now? hmm?" Joy asked.

That got Taehyung cut his tongue.

"You won't ever let me win against you." He sighed giving up.

"It's not like I'm starving, have no place to go, or a father who beats me up." It's hard yes, but she can get by, she can do it, it's human nature to survive. She just wants to live like other people do. She doesn't want complications. "Besides, even if you're my best friend, you are the last person I'm going to seek for help."

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows. "Promise me you'll keep in touch with me."

Joy laughed. "Bwo? What for? That's childish!"

"Promise me."

"You're such a kid."

"Joy." Taehyung said sternly not looking at her way.

"Fine, fine. I promise." Joy said with her hand on the air as if saying an oath.

Taehyung did not say anything then and Joy too. They first took Jungkook in his house then Joy next. She got out of the car before facing Taehyung.

"Be careful on driving, bye!" She waved at him then turned around walking away.

she was only a few steps away when she received a text from Taehyung, she turned back and saw his car still parked there.

Tae
Don't forget my flight.

Joy lifted a corner of her lips, typing a reply, she teased him.

What to do? I have work that day.

yah 😠

Joy can't help but stifle a smile.

Be there :)

good night

This time she turned around without looking back, walking away from him.

Two months left before he leaves, no matter how she thinks about it, she can't feel any loneliness. Her best friend will leave that's why she's been preparing for it, preparing her heart. He's just going to study abroad but it doesn't mean their friendship will be over. She eased her mind and heart that he'll come back because he always did. She became independent because she can't rely on him. She knows her place. They are worlds apart, that alone is clear to her.

Besides...

He already have a fiancé.

For two months, Joy focused on her studies, graduation is around the corner, and that's a month away. Taehyung visits her sometimes, for his studies and when he's free he'll treat her to lunch.

On her graduation day, it was Taehyung and his friends who were there, who clapped for her and took pictures with her, her mother is nowhere even when she told her it's her graduation day.

"Congratulations Sooyoung-a!" Wendy gave Joy a huge bouquet and gave her a warm hug. Taehyung and his other friends are at the back smiling at her. The other students were looking at them because they were too eye-catching.

In the same month, Taehyung also had his graduation but she was not able to watch because of her work but she did prepare a gift for him at the party with his friends which will be held on the 3rd day before his departure.

The guys decided to held the party in a rest house owned by Taehyung's family. It was not her first time there so Joy knows her way around but it's the first time that she went on a vacation with his friends since it was just the two of them most of the time.

Joy knows his friends but she's not that close with them except for Wendy.

Aside from Wendy-unnie, Jimin and Yoongi, there's a girl named Seulgi, Jimin's girlfriend. She's very pretty, she remembered Seulgi at the game because she stood out among the cheerleaders.

"Sooyoung, right? Let me help." Seulgi took the pile of plates on Joy's hand and left smiling.

Joy thought that she's a snob, turns out she's a nice person. She suits Jimin.

They had a bbq outside the lawn and when it became so late, they decided to continue inside the house by the living room.

"Let's play a game!" Seulgi shouted all of a sudden, she's tipsy.

Jimin catched Seulgi when she stood up and swayed on her feet.

"I'll just take her upstairs. Good night everyone."

The others decided to call it a night as well. Joy and Wendy share a room, Jimin and Seulgi is on the other bedroom while Yoongi and Taehyung shared the other.

Joy looked for Taehyung in his bedroom but it was only Yoongi who was there, he was sound asleep.

When she went down the stairs she saw a light coming from the kitchen, there she saw Taehyung sitting on the bar stool with his head hanging low. His back is the first thing that she sees.

She walked towards him silently and put her hand on his shoulder, patting him slightly.

"Hey, You ok?" she took a seat beside him.

Taehyung looked up, his eyes were dropping a bit due to alcohol or maybe because he's sleepy.

"Can't sleep?" Joy asked once again.

Taehyung nodded, taking a sip on the glass in his hand.

Joy became worried, she unconsciously patted his back.

"What's wrong?"

Taehyung shake his head drinking the remaining alchohol before turning at her, holding her hand that is patting his back.

"You... Why?"

Joy frowned, confused.

"Why are you always like this? You know I'm leaving and yet... You're not even lonely."

"It's not like you're not coming back anymore, why should I be lonely?"

Joy stopped herself from thinking too much, it's just the alcohol. He's not lonely just because he's going away. He always says that to her.

"We're... best friend right?" Taehyung said as if hurt. "Only best friend-"

"Stop." Joy closed her eyes.

"Joy you know that I-"

"I said stop it." Joy snapped at him. "Don't say anything-" she clenched her fist on her side.

"I love you."