Song: Favourite Ex by Maisie Peters

 

Jeonghwa

 

“Cheers!”

This had truly been one of the most exhausting comebacks that we’ve ever had – starting from the preparations up to the promotions. A lot has happened this past year and we have a lot to be thankful for. Because the album was a success, Solji unnie decided to invite everyone for a drink to celebrate.

Of course, Hyelin unnie didn’t hold back. She’s probably had the most soju among all of us tonight. I can already tell she’s nearly drunk because her speech is starting to slur a bit and Hani unnie just kept on agreeing with whatever she’s saying because no one can understand her at all anymore. Solji unnie doesn’t look like she’s drinking, but she’s on her 4^th glass of somaek already.

And then there’s LE…unnie. I try not to look at her unless completely necessary even though we’re sitting across one another. Honestly, I feel like my neck is just about to snap anytime soon because for the past couple of hours I can only look at either left or right.

A roar of laughter echoed from the next table, the one where our managers are with the other staffs who helped us this past year. They, too, seemed quite relieved that everything went well during this comeback, and I’m pretty sure they are enjoying their drinks since Solji promised to pay for everything tonight.

“What the hell!” Hani, being the scaredy cat that she is, almost jumped out of her seat in shock. A couple of staffs looked at her, giggled, and apologized for scaring her. “Yah! Youzu unnie! Don’t pretend like you’re sorry!” She snickered at them and laughed.

At this point, Hyelin is almost on the verge of falling asleep and is fighting to keep at least one eye open. Hani leaned in closer to LE and looked around, as if about to say something that shouldn’t be heard by others, “So, are things all good with Youzu unnie?”

I can tell LE was taken aback since her eyes widened and I can feel her look at me briefly before semi-glaring at Hani. “What about her?”

“Aish. It’s not like that kiss didn’t mean anything.”

Wait a minute…that WHAT?!

I cannot say for sure if LE answered Hani or not. Everything seemed to black out. Next thing I know, I’m lining up 3 shots of soju and a glass of somaek and Hyelin is cheering me on.

When did she wake up?

I don’t know what came over me, but I downed all my drinks in one go. I felt the heat rush through my insides, and I wasn’t certain if it’s because of the alcohol or because of something else. I almost feel like clutching my chest because suddenly it felt so damn painful to breathe.

“Yah. Look at her. She’s all grown up now.” Hyelin was slow-clapping, seemingly proud of my new-found drinking ability. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that ‘compliment’, but all I know is that Hani and the others are still talking about Youzu and my first instinct is to just shut them up because, for some reason, hearing Youzu’s name is pissing me off.

“…but what if she wants to, I dunno, ask you on a date or something? Will you say y…”

Crap.

The next thing I knew, I was leaning a little too close from Hani. Pretty close. Too close, actually.

I probably wanted to shut Hani up so bad I ended up kissing her. It’s either that or I’m subliminally trying to prove something.

How do I get out of this mess?

“Was it like that? LE unnie and Youzu unnie?” Hani was quite shocked from what happened. She tilted her head out of confusion and answered, “Yeah. Something like that, I guess.”

Even Hyelin and Solji were staring at me, eyes wide and speechless.

“Yah, Jjongie. What was that?” Solji asked, awkwardly laughing and quite obviously flustered because of this whole situation.

“Wha…What? It’s no big deal. I was just curious about what happened, so I just re-enacted.” I acted aloof, trying to brush off the panic on my face.

“See? I told you! She’s grown up. Our maknae is getting more daring already! This calls for more celebration! Imooo~” Hyelin called for two more bottles of soju.

“And one more serving of jokbal, imo~” Hani called out.

Phew. I’m safe.

I guess I was paying too much attention in getting myself out of this whole kissing fiasco that I didn’t notice LE getting ready to leave.

“Oh, Hyojin-ah. You’re going?” Solji unnie asked, genuinely shocked since LE’s usually the last one to leave.

“Mhm. I kinda have to leave. Anyways, enjoy the rest of the night, girls. Next time, it’ll be my treat.” She smiled at Solji.

Just when she was about to stand up, she looked at me, smirked, and subtly shook her head.

I know that look. Just when I was about to say something, she left. She just…left.

At that moment, I can’t think of anything else other than I have to get to her. I couldn’t just let LE leave like that, so I ran out.

 

LE

 

I couldn’t believe what I’m seeing.  Even Hani has a panicked look on her face.

What does she think she’s doing?!

“Was it like that? LE unnie and Youzu unnie?”

I froze. I don’t understand what the hell is happening.

“What? It’s no big deal. I was just curious about what happened, so I just re-enacted.”

Okay. That’s it. No big deal, huh?

I know she’s trying to push my buttons, trying to get something out of me. I can’t let her get to me. I’ve struggled to get this far, and I can’t just go back to zero now.

I have to be rational about this. I am somewhat thankful that all I had were mocktails since I can just drive off and not wait for the company car to pick us up. I just need to leave right now because as much as I know what I should do, I don’t really understand what I feel about this situation, so I have to scoot before something else happens.

“Oh, Hyojin-ah. You’re going?” Solji unnie asked. I’m pretty sure she can read the situation correctly despite all the somaek she had. She’s observant like that.

“Mhm. I kinda have to leave. Anyways, enjoy the rest of the night, girls. Next time, it’ll be my treat.” I tried my hardest to cover up my emotions. I know Hani and Hyelin wouldn’t think too much about it, but Solji unnie wouldn’t just let this go. She will surely confront me about all this as soon as she gets the chance. However, I can’t afford to think about that right now. Let that be another day’s worry.

I left as fast as I could. On my way out I saw Youzu looking quite surprised that I’m leaving early. I really don’t want to deal with her right now, as well, so I just continued walking.

I motioned for the valet attendant to get my car and waited, thankful for the evening breeze that calmly swept through.

“Why did you leave?”

Somehow I expected this, Jeonghwa running after me.

“I needed to go home.” It took me all the self-control that I have not to look at her. I can’t. Not right now. Not now that we’re having this conversation.

“Why?”

“Do I have to tell you why?”

“Yes. I mean, no. But I want to know why.” Even without looking at her, I can tell how flustered she is. Even without looking, I can tell how she’s probably staring at me with those puppy eyes.

“What do you care?”

“Because!”

“Because? Heh.” I can’t help but smirk. I’ve had enough of this crap.

“Why did you leave, LE?”

“Because I want to.”

“Nothing else?” I can hear how frustrated Jeonghwa is starting to become. She’s desperate for an answer that I dare not say. I must not say.

“Are you expecting a different answer?” This time I failed to hold myself back. I looked at her and saw hurt in her eyes. This was exactly how she looked at me 287 days and 3 hours ago, but who’s counting, right?

“… Why did you kiss her?”

“Who? Youzu?”

“Y…Yes.”

“Please don’t tell me that’s the reason why you kissed Heeyeon out of the goddamn blue.”

“…”

I would be lying if I’d say that I wasn’t, to say the least, disappointed with Jeonghwa. Among everyone except my mom, she’s the one who knows me best. She knows how much I hate being played with.

“Damn it, Jjong.”

I couldn’t be more thankful when my car was pulled over by the valet attendant. If he arrived a minute later, I could have said or done something that I would totally regret.

I took one last look at Jeonghwa, tears are starting to cloud her big brown eyes.  I was borderline contemplating whether to comfort her or not when I saw someone standing just outside the bar’s doorway.

Youzu.

Jeonghwa looked at me and turned around as she saw me looking somewhere else.

“I…”

I can tell she’s still trying her hardest not to let the tears fall. I sincerely hope she’d keep it in. She had to. Nobody should see her cry over me…over this.