𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐉𝐀𝐘 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐆 | 𝐍𝐂𝐓 𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐍

여덟 • eight • somin x taeyong

somin/eunice's pov

location : connecticut, usa

year : 2006

age : 10

re : a week before departure

I stared at the stars in my room and smiled, counting them one by one.

Just then, my mum barged into my room in a hurry while pulling my curtains. Causing the star shaped patterns to disappear from my ceiling. "Honey, have you heard? Jaehyun is leaving."

"Jay is leaving?" I sprung up from my bed and ran out of my room in my pajamas, almost tripping over something on the ground.

Running towards the living, I was greeted by my dad, Mr and Mrs Jung and Jay. All of them sitting on the couch, a solemn expression on their faces.

Walking towards Jay, I glared at him "What did mommy meant that you're leaving?"

"Min, I can explain-"

Uncle sighed and bent down to match with my height "Jaehyun, he didn't tell you anything?"

"N-No..." I stuttered

Auntie sighed and gave Jay a smack on his head, causing him to whimper out in pain 

"Somin-ah, we're leaving Connecticut for good. I am relocated back to South Korea to work. So I have to bring everyone with me."

I stared at my best friend as tears brimmed my eyes, he jumped form the couch and stood in front of me and grabbed my hands "S-Somin, I...I'm sorry for not telling you. But I have a week left here! We can-"

"No, we can't. Why did you lie to me Jay? Didn't we agree that we cannot keep anything from each other?"

A tear rolled down my cheeks "You promised me that we can see the stars when we grow up. How are you going to-" My voice cracked as I looked at the taller boy, his eyes filled with tears  "-Jung Jaehyun, I hate you."

I pulled his hand off mine and ran upstairs, everyone called after me as I slammed my bedroom door behind me. My tears flowed from my eyes as I looked at the stars on the floor.

Stars would never be the same again without Jaehyun.

♡|♡|♡

somin/eunice's pov

location : seoul, south korea, in her apartment

year : 2020

age : 24

The voice of the late SHINee main vocalist floated around my apartment as 'I'm sorry' from his first complication album played through the osund systems in my house.

Wiping the tears away, I smiled.

It's another night of wallowing in regret for me. At 03:26AM, soft music played as I sank onto my couch.

The day when Jay left, I didn't send him off. All I felt on that day was anger, dissapointment and sadness.

I only thought of myself. Yeah...that's why even after 14 years, my heart is filled with regret.

Mom told me that Jay cried buckets, he almost missed his flight because he thought I would be there to see him off.

He believed that I would be there, but I didn't turn up.

That day still haunts me. The thought that Jay left for South Korea with regrets, he brought his regrets back home.

The fact that all he could associate me with was hurt. 

A reason to why dear jay jung even existed in the first place was because it contained all of our happiest memories together.

If he read it, he would only be reminded of the adventures we had as children.

To be honest, writing this book is also a closure for me. To really hope that Jay is doing well.

That day at the cafe proved me right. We saw each other, Jay became a handsome singer. He even left his autograph for me.

It's likely that he pretended not to know me because he doesn't want to forgive me. The same person that made him leave in regret.

But it's fine. Seeing him being this successful made me happy. I'm contented that he is living his best life now.

To be honest, I didn't even think that he should spare me a glance. 

My train of thoughts were interrupted by the shriek of my doorbell.

Looking at the monitor, a very distraught Taeyong was standing outside, waiting for me to open the door.

Snatching open the door, I stared at the 26 year old, puzzled "Yong? What are you doing outside at 03:30AM in the morning?"

Without warning, without any notice, he pulled me into his embrace and hugged me tightly.

"Taeyong! What's wrong?" I whispered-shouted as I pulled him into my house gently while closing my door.

He looked at me with swollen red eyes and whispered "Please don't hate me."

"Hate you? Taeyong, are you-"

"I'm so sorry for being selfish." 

I looked at the older "Selfish? Taeyong, are you drunk?"

The air in my apartment became thick as he handed me a polaroid 

"W-What is-?"

Looking at the picture, it was inked with Jay's handwriting. JAY & SOMIN 

"I hid the truth from the both of you, but I told Jaehyun about it already..."

Looking at my best friend I shook my head "No...why are you crying Yong? It's alright."

"Somin, I like you. I really really like you." He whispered as his voice cracked "I know this would not change anything between us, but I'm confessing as it's my love for you that made me hid the truth from the both of you. I like you so much that I did not want anyone to have what I have with you."

He eloped into small sobs as I tried to make sense of everything. Looking at the sobbing mess in front of me, I pulled him into a hug.

"Taeyong, no matter how selfish you were, I will never hate you because of this." I whispered

He held me tightly his heartbeat slowed down.

Pulling away, he looked down "I-I gave my copy of the book to Jaehyun and told him to read it. You told me that the book contains beautiful memories both of you shared as children, so expect him at the booksign tomorrow. I did what I can to-"

I stopped him by pressing my lips onto his cheek "Thank you, Taeyong. You're really the best."

"Thank you for not hating me." He smiled and pulled me into his embrace once again.

I hugged him tightly "Never."

- to be continued🌻

ABYDOSCHAN