story extra; park jisung

十二

"What did you say?"

"I said, she's a dumb bitc—"

"Say that again, and we'll see what happens afterwards."

"She's got you soft now. Can't even hit me back, pus—"

"Lee Jeno!"

Jeno looked back at her, eyes immediately softening. His head tilted back towards his classmate, hand clenched around his collar as he aggressively released him from his hold.

"I'm letting you go. You're a waste of my time. I hope you learn from your ways, dude."

Jeno walked back to Taesa and the rest of his friends as they were in shock. Jeno was never the type to walk away from a fight—especially because he found enjoyment in them.

"Jeno, are you okay?" Taesa said, eyes softening similar to Jeno.

"Of course. I'm always okay, as long as I'm with you," Jeno eye-smiled.

The rest of the group cringed before Taesa spoke up, "Hey, Jisung, are you okay?"

Jisung's eyes were droopy, the stress getting to his appearance. His hair covered his small but attractive eyes and his lips pulled towards a small smile before he let out a small "mhm" from his mouth.

Everyone figured it was because of the scene Taesa and Jeno just made.

"Jisung, can I talk to you?" Jeno said, breaking the painful tension in the room.

"If it's about what you think it is, then no, it isn't."

"We can still talk," Jeno said, understanding the vague context Jisung was talking about.

Everyone left the room with Taesa taking one small glace at them in curiousity. Jeno gave her a smile back, signalling her not to worry. She finally left the room, leaving both Jeno and Jisung alone in the room, door open.

"I know you like her," Jeno said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah. But uh, can we not talk about that? I know she's happier with you."

"You two are best friends, right?"

Jisung flinched a little when he heard those words. The moment from last night seemed to be stuck in his mind: the loss of his best friend he promised to be with until death.

He shuffled uncomfortably before saying "yeah" with a slight slur.

"Well, we've been friends forever and I know that you wouldn't do anything to her," Jeno started. "And I hate how we have this dumb tension between us, like we've literally known each other since you were in elementary, and all of a sudden this girl comes and we're strangers. Let's just be like before, okay?"

"Okay."

"Okay, cause I've been wanting to say that for a whileee but I've been so nervous to," Jeno said, then making eye contact with Jisung. "So, what happened?"

"I don't know."

"Let me guess. Mira?"

Jisung's eyes enlarged at his apparently obvious answer. "How'd you know? Did she tell you too? Are you two close too?"

"No, idiot. Because of the argument a couple of days ago."

"Ohhh."

"Fill me in."

Jisung looked up to Jeno, telling him everything that happened last night in complete detail and relief—including the parts about Taesa.

"I don't blame her," Jeno finally said with some thought.

"I know, hyung. But that's why I feel even worse. Because everything she said was right, and I don't know what to do. She's given me so many chances and I've apologized so much that I don't think she'll accept anything anymore. Like, what's wrong with me? I'm so dumb."

"Talk to her about it. I'm sure she'll understand."

"But it's not even just that—it's the fact that it hurts whenever I see you and Taesa together but I can't do anything about it. Because she makes me happy and you make her happy. It doesn't make it better that I'm telling this to her boyfriend either. I'm such a pain."

"You know, as her boyfriend, I hate you with my guts. But as your hyung, I really think you should be taking a break. Talk to Mira maybe. She knew how to make you feel better."

"Yeah but I can't. She's gone. She doesn't wanna talk to me. She has Chenle."

"Chenle's like that with everyone, dude. Be more confident in yourself. You guys were best friends since birth. I'm sure she'll understand."

"But—"

"You know Ji, you should start taking people's advice instead of just listening to them. Communication is important."

"Fineee."

And so, I stood there, cleaning the hallways afterschool, now waiting for Ji's apology as I accidentally eavesdropped into their conversation.