“Why,” his eyes narrowed, glaring, forming tiny black little slits, “do you want to know that?”

I couldn’t answer that question.

Jaebum had agreed cheerfully enough upon my request for a one final date – though, I’m sure this wasn’t the sort of date the either of us had in mind – and had willingly picked out the location of our meet up himself. I was nearly sure that everything would end cheerfully. I guess I was wrong.

I in a breath, looking down at my mug of tea with a whimper. Knowing how upset he would be at me, I couldn’t dare look up at him and into his eyes. Maybe this had been a stupid idea after all.

“What makes you think that I know what happened anyways?” His arms were crossed tightly against his chest, posture straightened stiff. It was obvious I’d made him mad – I seemed to be a pro at that.

A part of me wanted to give up then and there; I could shake off the subject and I could enjoy that one last final date with Jaebum without worrying about the ugly side of my friendship. Who cared what Junhong said? It wasn’t as if any of this really particularly mattered.

Again, I remained mute to Jaebum’s inquiries, chewing violently at the inside of my cheeks, faintly tasting the blood as I tore skin.

For a minute, we remained in that distinct – awkward – silence, him staring at me, while I couldn’t find myself able to match eyes. “Did something happen to Daehyun?” When Jaebum spoke up once more, his voice had gone soft, worry hinting at the wavering tone of his voice.

“No,” I mumbled after a moment’s word of consideration, “nothing’s wrong … but …”

But I wanted to know.

Jaebum’s brows crunched together, “I shouldn’t tell you.”

I suppose he was right. Daehyun’s life wasn’t mine to pry. “Sorry.” It was me that was at fault for asking Jaebum for help. Friend or not, Jaebum didn’t have to tell me. It wasn’t in my right to know; or maybe, I had just mistaken everything in the first place. Maybe I was just the fool. “I won’t call you again.”

I stood up to leave, shoving back my seat in a hurry for the exit, when Jaebum stopped me, his hand firmly gripped around my wrist. “But,” he began, not meeting my eyes, “but, I suppose you have a right to know.” Sighing, and releasing his hold on my hand, he leaned back into his seat, a worried scowl wrinkling his face. “If anyone asks though, you didn’t hear it from me.”

And I could live with that.