#wcla

“We broke up.” You chewed on your bottom lip, trying to keep the tears at bay as you sat back down on the couch, wrapping the blanket tightly around you.

Jiyong sighed as his eyes surveyed the room. You couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed as he looked around the dark room. He moved to turn on a light before sitting down next to you, a protective arm wrapping around you, pulling you closer. He had never liked your ex.

“He’s an idiot.”

Your head moved to rest on his shoulder and you sniffled, a small nod of agreement following. “I’m sorry.”

He kissed the top or your head and you closed your eyes as more tears fell from your eyes. Jiyong hated seeing you like this. You were his entire world and seeing you in so much pain caused him pain too. The two of you sat there in silence for a long while, the only sound to be heard was your occasional sniffle as you tried your best to compose yourself.

You moved slightly, wiping the tears from your cheeks, catching a glimpse of your best friend's outfit.

“Shit!” You sat up fully, the blanket falling off your shoulders. “The gala, I completely forgot.”

You reached for your phone, turning it on, your heart sank as you saw the time. When did it get so late? He shook his head, grabbing the phone from your hands and movig it to the coffee table.

“It’s fine, the guys were there so I wasn’t completely alone.”

His reassurance still made you feel awful, and you threw your head back on the couch, a groan escaping your lips. You weren’t this person, a flaky friend who cried in the dark. You vowed to yourself that you would make it up to him. Lifting your head to look at your friend, you gave him a small smile.

“I still feel bad.”

Jiyong chuckled, pulling you back into his arms.

“I would’ve skipped the gala, you know. You could’ve called me. But there is absolutely no reason for you to feel bad.”

Your heart raced at the close contact and you quickly chased those thoughts away. You were sad, any close contact despite who it was was going to garner that reaction. That was all. You didn’t like Jiyong. And even if you did, he definitely didn’t like you back.

It was nice being comforted this way. It made you feel silly for not calling him the second it happened.

“Thanks for being here.” You leaned up giving him a friendly kiss on the cheek, finally starting to feel slightly better.

The world wasn’t going to end, you’d be okay eventually. He tensed when your lips met his skin and you pulled back quickly, your brows furrowed in confusion.

“You ok?” You’d kissed him on the cheek a million times over the years, but he’d never froze like that before.

He stared at you, visibly uncomfortable, as if he was at war with his own thoughts.

“No.” He shook his head, his arm falling from your back. You instantly felt cold again and you wrapped your arms around your legs, as if holding yourself together would actually keep the world from falling apart. Why wasn’t he ok? What had you done?

“I have to tell you something.” Well, that was never good.

“Ok?” You rested your chin on your knee, giving him your full attention.

“I think I might be in love with you. I know the timing is shit and all, you know, considering you’ve been sitting here all night crying over some asshole who never deserved you. But I need you to know that I love you. I think I’ve always loved you.” Your eyes widened at his confession.

You’d been expecting him to say he was repulsed by you, not that he was in love with you. You opened your mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“I don’t know what to say…” you trailed off.

You’d never really thought of him as more than just your best friend. Not until a few minutes ago when you realized you liked the comfort of his touch a little too much. But that was just the sadness talking, right? You glanced over at him, his eyes met yours, pleading with you to say something. Anything.

“Jiyong. I- I can’t right now.”

He closed his eyes, hiding the million emotions swirling in his mind at your rejection.

“Why not?”

You almost didn’t hear the question, he whispered it so quietly and your heart broke for him. You hadn’t seen him so defeated since he’d made his grand comeback and you hated to be the cause of his pain.

“I just can’t. You’re my best friend, I just got dumped. I’m in no condition to know what I’m feeling right now. I just need some time.”

He was off the couch before the words had even finished falling out of your mouth. Rejection had never come easy from Jiyong, stemming from years of having to proof himself. He never thought you’d ever reject him.

“I have to go.” He made his way to the door in three long strides and before you could even process what had happened he was gone.

Fuck.

Desperate for a do over, you grabbed your phone, calling him.

“Ji, please.” You begged, willing yourself not to cry as you heard him pick up the call.

“I need time too, ok?” His voice was broken up by the wind.

“Time for what?” It was stupid to ask, you knew that.

“To get over you.” The phone clicked and Jiyong was gone.

How had everything gone to shit so quickly? You needed to fix this, you just weren’t sure how.