pacman [DAY6 JAE]

-three-

"and you never pick up unless you've got nothing to do"

"we're going to see my dad tomorrow. you can wear either one."
was she kidding him? how was that helping him?
jae looked up at the tuxedos she was holding. he wanted to scoff out of disbelief but he just nodded instead.
he mustered the courage and took a peek at his mirror hoping to see what'll make him smile.
it was still the pale-faced man. yikes, he was still terrified by his reflection.

"so why did you need me?" she asked after placing the outfits on the bed.
i felt like i was dying. i was scared. i was losing my mind. jae wanted to give one of those reasons but it would've lowered his chances with her even more.
"i missed you." he lied and pulled her to sit between his legs as he hugged her from the back.
she could care less. giggling at her phone screen occasionally, as if jae wasn't there.
"oh shoot i gotta go." she abruptly stood up.
"why? what's wrong?"
"it's finally in store."
"what is?"
"the shoes i've been wanting. i told you before! do you even listen when i talk?"
"i do." jae could barely sound out the words. he couldn't believe he was competing for her attention with material objects.
but he wasn't any different from her.
he was willing to go any lengths to acquire all the material possessions and wealth she could offer him. even if it was at the detriment of his sanity and entire being.

"i'll see you later... well whenever i'm free." she said and left without even a proper goodbye.
at least she came when he called. jae comforted himself by dwelling on that fact.
he got distracted by looking at the olive colored veins on his hand. they were popping out so much, it looked too unusual to ignore.
well, whatever.
he sighed and stood up to put the clothes away. then he held it up to his body to see how it'll look.
but there he was. the beautiful one.
"you're never here when i need you." jae spoke first for the first time and sat in front of the mirror.
"i can't show up when she's here."
"why not?"
"you don't allow me to."
"i wanted you here, of course i would've let you." jae argued.
"no, you push me out every time you give in to her and continue to live in all the lies."
"what are you?"