the charity ball had been something jungwoo had been looking forward to for a while, a night he could just let loose & have a blast. though that night did NOT end how the janitor thought it would have. he figured he’d be taking someone back to his place, completely forgetting he was even at the ball in the first place with them. but god, was he wrong. so incredibly so that he almost can’t believe the events that happened were real. him and arden had gotten into an argument, though this one was different than their usual ones — the atmosphere was so different, colder than usual. as was the slap that she placed across his cheek, skin stinging almost immediately afterwards. sure, he’d been pushing the conversation, digging into her fake relationship & probably said a few things he should have. but the sting? it was something he never expected, something that physically & emotionally shocked him to the point he didn’t even RESPOND to it — turning on his heels in the opposite direction of arden’s figure, quickly finding his way back to the open bar only in an attempt to drown out what had just transpired. it’s the reason he hasn’t seen her in almost a week — the reason he’s chosen not to. countless text messages left on read, even more phone calls left to go to voicemail. he doesn’t want to talk, doesn’t want to have the conversation because he knows that if he does, he’ll he’d have to admit to having his feelings HURT by the action. not because he didn’t deserve it ( he’s sure he somewhat did. ) but because it came from her.
six days started to feel like ten, twenty — an entire month, though. it’s TERRIFYING for jungwoo to admit, but he does miss having the consistency that she provided even if it wasn’t really all that consistent due to their lives & the things she had going on in her own. it’s obvious that it’s effected him, though, slight bags under his eyes — hair looks like it hasn’t been brushed or combed in those SIX days.. old t-shirt & ripped pair of sweats becoming jun’s safe haven of sorts as he locked himself within the confines of his home. the knock on the door causes him to jolt in his seat, eyes darting from the tv to the door as he pulls himself of the plush cushions. truth be told, he thought it was the food he’d ordered a little while ago — not giving it a second of consideration as to the fact that maybe it wasn’t as he threw the door open. it’s then that he feels like the air gets KNOCKED out of his lungs, gaze dropping to her smaller frame with a slight sigh. "hey.“ he replies, brows knitting together for a moment as he decides what to do — ultimately pulling the door open further so that she could enter instead of closing it once more.
it felt like more than a simple mistake on her part , it felt malignant , it felt like an anger that she hadn’t felt with anyone in years – all acted upon in the span of barely thirty - seconds . she asked herself for days if it was truly worth trying to contact him , the question passing through a mind muddled with inebriation & a desperation she couldn’t even begin to explain . but no matter how many times arden seemed to have the same thought , she always found herself being the one repeating the same apology to a voicemail for an automated voice to repeat the same message back every time : voicemail box is full . & considering how much newly found time she had on her hands , it gave her plenty of opportunities to replay the guilt she felt the moment her palm felt the sting of his cheek . more so the moments following with his immediate , wordless departure & her impending breakdown in the privacy of one of the side - rooms – one of which sent her home early , offering no explanation on her sudden going . to her , swollen eyes & the barely bleeding crescents of nails pressed to palms were enough .
a part of her was hoping he wouldn’t open the door , wouldn’t invite her in . it would give her the confirmation she needed to move on & attempt to forget whatever emotions she felt growing towards him . but it had never been that easy , & it never would be . she watches him for a moment , eyeing his appearance ; her guilt only grew as she did . there’s a hesitance in her step as she moves forward , crossing the doorframe to a home she felt less comfortable in at the moment . her gaze instantly falls to her feet, fingers toying with the buttons lining her coat . fuck , everything she wanted to say for days seemed to disappear in a matter of seconds , & whatever composure she tried to maintain dissipated with every step she took . ' god , i’m so sorry . ' she almost blurts out , body turning to face him , gaze following suit . the moment the words fell through lips , she was practically unable to stop whatever came next , everything she had been holding onto now composed into various drawls & pleas . ' if you hate me – i get it … i get it . but if you want nothing to do with me ? you need to say it to my face . not by ignoring my texts , my calls , whatever . right now … say it . ' with every statement , her voice grew more strained , throat tightening almost instinctively . she wants nothing more than for him to tell her the exact opposite , but she won’t push , won’t beg no matter how much she feels the need to . ' i’m sorry . . . but i’ll understand . '















