“I’m sorry Ljoe. Let’s talk later. Bye.”

Ljoe falls on his feet with Chunji’s words. He tries to walk away but he just can’t. Ljoe is somebody to him after all. The one that has always been in his heart.

Chunji’s POV

I can’t keep off my eyes over him. I know he would not even mind to beg in this state. And, that’s why I think I can’t even bear to let him alone.

“I’m confius Ljoe… I…”

And I stop there.

“I know. I can feel it the moment I saw you’re avoiding my stare. “

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t. I will feel like I have lost all the hope if you start apologize, Chunji.”

“She’s… She’s a girl.”

“I know Chunji… But you can’t lie to your own heart too.”

“And, I don’t even know what to do now. I don’t even know what to feel… It’s feel like I am not me any-”

“I need my time alone Chunji. I need time to think.”

He looks up to me with his eyes. I can see he was holding up his tears.

“You want to go, right? Then go. If they ask about me, tell me I had something to do. Please.”

I still can’t answer him. I can’t do what I want to do. Believe me, if I’m allowed to do things that I want, I would love to hug him and tell him that everything is going to be fine. To make up with him and send him back to England with an ease heart. But I can’t. I can’t even bear to look at him properly. I don’t even know what is in my heart anymore.

From their room, Amber, Jiyeon and Ren were watching at the two.

“I told you that there is something strange about them, Amber.”

“I’m sure Chunji has his own reason too. Just like when I have mine.”

***

“Here’s a packet of sweets for you, Jiyeon.”

Chunji smile lightly to her.

“Where is cute guy?”

Ren and Amber just stare at him from the bed.

“He tells me that he want to go find your lollipop. I think he is going to be late.”

“Oh okay… I’ll wait patiently for him.”

“Are you hungry Chunji?”

Chunji turn toward Amber who was looking at him.

“No. Not yet.”

“We have some ramen if you want…”

“I think I’ll be fine. Hey Ren. Let’s go to our room. I bet this girls want to have their personal time too.”

“Hmm… Okay. Whatever.”

                                                                                                ***                      

“Hey Ren?”

Chunji try to light up the mood a bit. It has been an awkward silent since they first come to the room.

“Huh? What?”

“Thanks for bringing my suitcase here.”

“Sure.”

Another awkward silent start killing them.

“Chunji?”

“Oh what?”

“Can I ask you something? You can choose not to answer it though.”

“Go on… I’m fine with your questions Ren.”

“I’m just wondering… Who is Ljoe to you?”

Chunji change his expression with the question.

“Erm… Why did you ask?”

“Like I’ve said before… I’m just wondering…”

“He’s a… Bestfriend of mine. We’re so close before and something happened that change our relationship. Ljoe is a nice guy. I know him about… Hmm… Like 5 years?”

“5 years? That is long!”

“Yeah. I know… And he never failed to make me smile since.”

“Your relationship… It sounds more complicated than it seems.”

“That was people around us thought too.”

“Thought what?”

“I don’t know. I have never heard of them. But I can see the way they are looking at us.”

“Gossips huh?”

“Kind of.”

***

A knock was heard on the door and Chunji rush to open it. He was quite surprised when he saw Amber was waiting.

“Hey?”

“Oh Chunji. Is Ljoe inside?”

“Nope. He still doesn’t come back from the walk. Come in.”

“Where’s Minki?” Amber said as she comes to the room.

“I thought he said he want to go find some food with Jiyeon?”

“Ah… That explains why she is not in the room.”

“How come you didn’t realise that?”

“I was sleeping. Okay?”

Chunji smiles as he saw Amber was taken aback from his word.

“Oh. Before I forget… I come to give you this. Is it yours?”

Chunji grab the phone from Amber’s hand.

“It has your picture so I think it was yours.”

(This is the picture. hehe)

“No. It was Ljoe’s. He loves to confuse people in our school by doing prank like this.”

“Oh… He’s quite a prankster, huh?”

“You know that well too, right?”

“Well, he’s a bit weird…”

“Not a bit. He’s a total weirdo.”

“Haha… Hey! It’s not nice to say something over your friend.”

“It’s okay… He won’t mad at me for sure.” Chunji smiles back.

“So… We are supposed to spend time together, have a lunch today but I guess there will just be us three since Ren and Jiyeon has leaved first.”

“We’ll wait for Ljoe then. You’re okay with that?”

“I’ll try convince my tummy then.”

“Haha… Oh. My mo packed something for us last night. Wanna have some?”

“Sure. Anything is fine with me. What do you have?”

***

“Ouch!”

Ljoe caress his shoulder as he just bump into someone just now.

“Watch your way, L for loser.”

“I know this voice. Ren!” He said as he turns.

“Why did you sound like you just found a treasure box?”

“Haha… I’m just glad I guess. Hello there, Jiyeon.”

“Hi. Cute guy. Do you bring my lollipop?”

“Your… What?”

“Lollipop. Chunji told me you’re going to find me some.”

“Chunji huh? Well… I couldn’t find it. Sorry…”

“It’s okay.”

“You’re sad? You know what Jiyeon, you shouldn’t eat too much sweets… It’s going to build up cavity and rot your teeth.”

“I know but it keeps me less stress.”

“You like sweets too, Ren?”

“Naah. I hate sugars.”

“Why you guys hang out? You’re total opposite.”

“She keeps me centred.”                                                

“And, I’m fine for settling for him.”

“Oh you do? Thanks Jiyeon!”

“You guys are strange.”

“We’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Anyway, I shall make my way first. Goodbye.”

***

“Wow Chunji… That is sure something you had with you!”

“What?” Chunji said while smiling.

“How come you eat so much?”

“Talk about yourself. You eat about double amount of I have.”

“I am not.”

“Yes you are.”

“Hey!”

“What?”

“Okay… But you eat a lot too for someone like you.”

“I’m not that skinny okay? You sure don’t want to see my six-pack.”

“Oh yeah? Show me.”

“What should I? Do you know how people will be drooling with this?”

“And since when did you learn to talk like this?”

“Crack.”

They turn to the door.

“Oh Ljoe. Come in.”

“Amber comes to give your phone.”

“Oh… Thanks Amber.”

“It’s ok. Where have you been?”

“Around… What are you guys doing?”

“We’re just having a feast! Chunji’s mom is sure a cook! I have never taste a kimbap that is so delicious.”

“Kimbap?”

“The rice with seaweed roll that I always bring to school before. I left some for you.”

“Oh… It’s okay. I’ll eat later.”

“Oh. Jiyeon and Ren went-“

“I met them in my way here, Amber. I think they just want to spend their time alone.”

“Couple… Tch.”

“Chunji?”

“Hmm?”

“I want to sleep for a while. If you guys have your own scheduled, just go ahead. I’ll catch up later.”

“It’s okay Ljoe. Have a rest. We won’t be having anything until tonight.”

“Yes, Ljoe. You look tired. I think it’s better if you just rest.”

“Thanks Amber.”

***

Amber went back to her room seeing Ljoe was sleeping soundly.

“I know you’re not sleeping Ljoe.” Chunji said after a while, looking at Ljoe on his bed. Ljoe get up and look back at him.

“Come eat this. You’re going to starve soon.”

“I told you I’m not hungry.”

“I know. But it’s not good to suffer your body like that. Now come and have a mouth.”

“I hate you.”

“… I know.”

“And I can’t help but to hate her too.”

“She has nothing to do with all of these, Ljoe…”

“But, I’m not going to act like I did. So, you could relax. I won’t do anything harm to her.”

“I know you won’t. Ljoe that I know-“

“Ljoe that you know has never been in this situation before. Nobody has succeeded in taking you from me. And, all of sudden… Now, that Ljoe has a rival. Do you still think that Ljoe is going to act the way he was before?”

“Ljoe please… I have my own issue here too! I don’t even know what to do too! It was hard for me too. Why can’t you just understand that simple thing??”

“Because you said you don’t know what to do, I have all figured out what you really want to do. And, it was not me. So if you said it’s going to be hard for you, it was harder for me. That is one thing you have to realise, Chunji. I am the one who is facing with someone who are going to make another choice than he is. Do you understand about it now? I’m not trying to make it confuse for you Chunji, because I know the answer already. I was just… Trying to holding on something that is barely mine. What do you think you would do if you were me? Nothing. That is what I’m going to do. Because nothing would make it sense anymore.

“Ljoe… I…”

“Wait. I don’t need explanation like you need mine. But I don’t think my explanation would be enough to get you back to England. But I will still trying. And, by trying, I mean I’m literally going to try. Now, can I eat? I’m starting to feel hungry all of a sudden with all this conversation.”

Ljoe say while approaching the plate. Chunji look at him with a sigh. I don’t like the way it has become. I got a feeling something bad going to happen soon.