"JONGHYUN?!"
"HYE RUNG?!"

"So you did meet him?" Yoona asked.
I nodded slowly, my eyes widening.
Jonghyun just glared at me, his fists clenched.

Despite the awkward tension, Mrs. Kim smiled, "Oh, look at you! Already friends!"
"Um, excuse me mother." Yoona reached for my wrist and pulled me into her room, leaving an angry Jonghyun behind.

"Wha-"
"Look," She said sternly. "I tried to warn you yesterday.... Jonghyun has a bit of an.... Ego."
"You got that right." I muttered.
"That's why I was so worried about you meeting him," She continued. "But you've got to understand, he's not always like that. It's just that our father is tough on him.... He has to take over the K.L. company when he's older."
"So?"
"So - he has a lot on his hands. Jonghyun's smart," I reflected back on the time he was solving all of the chemical equations. "and he's really caring. But his ego and narrow-mindedness is what's holding him back."
"Oh..." I really didn't know WHY any of this was worth explaining.
"I just want you to understand him," Yoona sighed. "He's a good kid, and I don't want you to go around hating him..."
I uncomfortably nodded. Hating him seemed really easy at the moment.
"I'll try to put myself in his shoes." I said honestly. I knew it would be a challenge.
"I hope so," She smiled softly. "I'm already in love, you know that?...I love a man seven years older than me."
Seven years??
"I know it sounds like a lot, but our parents believe that age is just a number. Love is the substance that matters......But Jonghyun doesn't believe any of that. He locked himself away. He doesn't know how to get back...."
I saw the hurt in her eyes, and I ran my hand up and down her arm in comfort, "It's okay, unnie..." I said quietly.
"Just... Just please don't hate him.

I'll try, Yoona.
I'll try.

That night I decided to visit Taemin, just as I promised.
I lightly rapped on the door with my knuckles, and the door creaked open.

"TAEMIN!" I squealed, jumping onto him. He lightly chuckled and put me down, "Hey...."
"I'm so sorry about Jonghyun!"
"Naw, it's okay..."
"No, REALLY... What did your grandparents say?"
"They aren't home right now, actually..."
"So you aren't going to tell them?"
"No, I will."
That's what I loved about him. He was honest.
"I'm scared for you, Taemin." I hugged his waist, and he put his nose in my hair.
"Yeah." He agreed. 

"You know.... You know I'm living with him?"
"With who?"
"Jonghyun."
He pulled away from my embrace, leaving me empty inside.
"What the hell?!" He frowned.
"I know right...."
"That's..That's outrageous!"
"But give him a break, Taeminnie..."
"No freaking way! After what did he to you?! He basically read: 'Please I Want You Very Pretty Girl. I Want You Very Much'." I chuckled as I lightly shoved him, "There's more to him. His sister said so."
"Yeah, like his taste of clothes." Taemin muttered bitterly.
I gave him a soft smile, "We'll see about that......Anyways... I just wanted to visit and see if you're okay."
"I felt much better when you came." My heart lifted a bit.
"I'm glad."

And we bid goodbye.

I quietly entered through the door, and felt my stomach grumble as I closed it.
"Yikes..." I mumbled, walking towards the kitchen.
All the lights were off, but I saw a faint refrigerator light.

That's funny, I thought. Did someone forget to close the fridge?

I silently entered the kitchen, and saw a figure taking out a carton of milk. As he turned around, I realized who it was.
"Jonghyun..." I said quietly. He looked straight at me, his gaze melting my insides.
"Where were you?" He spat harshly.
"I was visiting Taemin...."
"The kid I trashed?" He smirked.
I frowned, "Don't be like that."
He tried to avoid my gaze as he took a seat at the dining table.

"Were you...Were you waiting for me?" I asked softly, feeling a wave of sympathy wash over.
"No." He grumbled, fumbling with the carton.
I smiled to myself, feeling touched by his concern.

It wasn't until I the kitchen lights I saw a cut on his hand.
I instantly felt fear take over me, "Wh-What happened?"
"When your boyfriend shoved me over," He growled. "My hand got cut."
Oh... The broken glass....
"He's not my boyfriend." I said seriously, reaching for his wound.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Just give me your hand. You're hurt."
"No duh."
"Give it."
He rolled his eyes but gave in, stretching his arm.
I took him to the bathroom and found the First Aid Kit.
He grunted as I put his hand under cold running water, applying alcohol and bandaging it.
"There..." I said quietly.
He shifted uncomfortably at our positions; and only then did I realize I was leaning on his body, focusing on his hand.
"Sorry.." I mumbled, stumbling away from him.
"Yeah.. Thanks." This time there was no sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Just sincerity.

Only then did I feel like Yoona was right all along.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I'm not the type of author who likes to rush things... But since this is a Four/Five-Chapter, I sort of have to ^^
Apologies, Jesonghamnidah, I'm so sorry!!

근대 사랑해요!!!! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ <3

Love you all a whole lot :)
trusted

P.S. Sorry for the late update. I was studying for exams! Lame, huh? But it's winter vacation now!! I'll be going through a lot of your one-shots :) Cheers! ^^