Genre: romance, angst Requester: SeiuolodrajaF Textual reference: Rascall Flatts - What Hurts The Most (MV)

 

People were chatting amongst themselves loudly, cheering when the birthday girl arrived, all silky long hair and flushed cheeks. Beside her stood her boyfriend of only a few months, Shin Jiho. He smiled brightly at her and kissed her hair lovingly, earning a few coos from her family and friends. Chloe smoothed out her lilac dress, clearing . She squinted in front of the stage lights and tapped the microphone, preparing to speak. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the one person who didn’t come. The one person who was missing. Part of her was glad. He was the one who ditched her on the day that was supposed to be the beginning of the rest of their lives. Jiho squeezed her hand comfortingly, thinking she was nervous. She always hated the limelight.   “Hojoonie!” Chloe called out, jumping onto the sofa next to her boyfriend of three years, Hojoon. Hojoon laughed at her silliness, cuddling her tightly, as if she might suddenly leap up and leave him. “I’m so glad that we can be together on my birthday.” She grinned. Hojoon faked surprise. “Wait, it’s your birthday?!” he gasped dramatically, making Chloe slap his chest playfully. The two snuggled on the sofa, talking about whatever they thought of to say. It was always like that; no walls, no secrets, they could just say whatever they wanted. They were perfectly comfortable. Hojoon watched on as Chloe rambled on about something funny that happened with her friends. But he wasn’t really listening. Instead he was completely enchanted by his girlfriend. Hojoon’s lips curved upwards into a soft smile. Chloe looked up at him, her expression turning serious. “Oppa, do you ever think about the future? What do you see?” Hojoon looked away, thinking. “What do you see?” he answered, snuggling his face into the crook of her neck. Chloe pulled away. She looked at him without a smile on her face. “I’m serious.” She folded her arms over her chest. Hojoon took a breath before replying. “You,” he whispered. “I see you.” he looked at her lovingly. Chloe smiled warmly and tangled her fingers in his. “You know what? Let’s get married.” She coughed. “Mwo?!” Hojoon caressed her hand with his thumb, staring at her ring finger. “I want you to be my future. Think about it. Who else will ever love you this much? No one. You’re the centre of the universe. MY universe. I’ll only ever see you when I look into the future.” Chloe leapt into his arms, throwing her arms around him. “I’ll marry you, Hojoon oppa. I will.”   “So… I’m another year older, eh? One less year until I retire at least!” Chloe joked, taking Jiho’s hand. The shuffling of footsteps broke the calm silence. The crowd parted to reveal the one person she had hoped not to see. Strangely, she felt a pleasant sting in her heart. “Why are you here, Hojoon?” Her voice betrayed her heart. In her heart she felt a mix of emotions. Part of her wanted to hug him, and the other part wanted to yell at him. Everyone’s eyes turned to the flustered blonde. “I don’t know, Chloe, you’re the one who invited me here. Why don’t you tell me?” Hojoon’s eyes narrowed. Jiho stepped forward, staring at the blonde man as if it was a showdown. Chloe looked away from Hojoon and gripped Jiho’s hand tightly. “Let’s just get on with the party.” Jiho shrugged her off, shooting daggers at Hoj