#bbangmil

“I swear to god, Hoon, I have no clue what you’re saying!” He yelled at him, making a furious Younghoon lose his patience, slamming a hard hand across Hyunjae’s face as he winced in pain. Holding his cheek, the guy was instantly provoked, a rush of fury filling him before striking his strong fist on Younghoon’s jaw as he fell on the floor, busting his lower lip. He gasped, noticing the blood from his wound imprint the white wooden floor. He coughed, tossing himself on the opposite side with his back to the ground as Hyunjae abruptly charges at him.

“The pictures! You leaked them, didn't you?” Younghoon managed to squeak out as he gripped the brunet male’s collar and knocked another blow, this time in his torso as he let out an agonizing yell, throwing his body beside him. Hyunjae shut his eyes, catching his breath as he groaned, the pain electrocuting his abdomen. His mind began to ponder on what the guy next to him just said.

“What… pictures?” He let out, his stomach giving in to the throbbing ache.

Younghoon breathed heavily, his black hair now damp, sticking to the sides of his face as he turned to look at him. 

“The pictures of the papers I sent you…” He paused to gulp some air, “the ones for… the exam on Tuesday.”

Hyunjae’s mouth fell open as his brain recalled last night. 

It was a well known opinion, more like fact, that the two were extremely pea-brained when it came to geography. And to the professors it seemed a good idea to hold a geography and history exam on Tuesday.

Which was why Younghoon decided to threaten his good-boy image and sneak into the department head’s room and take a peek into their upcoming assessment, all while sending the snapshots of the paper to his best friend. Hyunjae whipped his head in Younghoon’s direction as he grew anxious.

“Wha- no, Hoon, I’d never do anything like that!” His voice slightly trembled as he pushed himself up on his elbow, his wet brown strands intruding his eyelids.

The sounds of uneven breathing filled the room as impenetrable silence followed. Younghoon’s face scrunched in agony as he propped himself up, facing the bruised male. 

“You really didn’t?” Younghoon asked him, his voice calmer than before. Hyunjae shook his head without any hesitation, implying that he, in fact, didn’t do it. 

“I needed that paper as much as you did, Hoon. Besides you’re my best friend, I’d never do anything to put you in trouble.”

A wave of remorse washed over Younghoon as he heard the confession. The teacher had caught him and deducted 20 points off his academic record due to potential breach of staff privacy and cheating, and that angered him, given that he worked his butt off this semester. 

“They’re deducting my points, Jae.” 

“So what?” Hyunjae retaliated, shoving the chestnut strands away from his eyes, “Tell him you aren’t the only one involved in this.”

Younghoon’s eyebrows wrinkled at this suggestion. 

“What the heck do you mean?”

“I mean, tell him I told you to do this.” Hyunjae looked at him with pleading eyes. Despite the intense scars on his face which would put anyone under the impression that he went to war, his face was enough to persuade Younghoon. 

“Wait, but, what about it? I mean, it’s not like it’s going to save me, yeah?” 

“Yes…” Hyunjae began, his eyes infused with thought as he paused for a moment, then continued. “But we will both get points deducted.”

Bewilderment made its way into Younghoon yet again as he raised his brow, scrutinizing his friend. “Seriously?”

“At least we’re both getting in trouble together!” A hint of cheerfulness sparked within Hyunjae’s voice, his eyes gleaming with joy as he shot the guy a sheepish smile. Younghoon rolled his eyes, his lips breaking into an embarrassed grin as he playfully slapped the latter’s arm. 

“God, Jae, you and your ideas!” He remarked as they got up to their feet with their arms swung around each other, the loud voices echoing as they exited the science lab, grateful for the unbreakable friendship they shared.

Younghoon’s eyes blinked him back to reality as the roaring sound of thunder gushed in his ears. His smile faded as he gulped, a cold current running down his spine. Gloomy droplets of rain fell mercilessly just like the tears on his face as dark clouds loomed over him. His gaze shifted to the front, where a gray tombstone rested, with Hyunjae’s name on it. Flowers and pictures surrounded the stone, all overshadowed by the somber atmosphere.

Realization hit Younghoon, paralyzing his movement. He bit his lip as tears swelled up in his eyes, fogging his vision. After their disastrous brawl, the two were suspended and Hyunjae was involved in a fatal car collision, which killed him. Today was his funeral, and Younghoon couldn’t even sort things out with his best friend before he took his last breath. All he could hear now were tumultuous heart beats in his chest as the rain lashed down heavily.

If only he’d have trusted Hyunjae and not blatantly accused him. If only he would've forgave him.

Then maybe Hyunjae wouldn’t have driven rashly and crashed his car. Maybe he would be standing next to him this very minute.

If only things would’ve ended the way it did in his imagination.