Chanyeol's POV

I let out a sigh as I ended the conversation over text with Sehun. Why was he being like this all over again? When will he understand? Apparently, I've been too absorbed in my own world that I didn't realize I was supposed to be leading the way but Jiho ended up being the one leading me. I sped myself up to walk along next to her and I could see from the corner of my eye that she was absorbed herself. Her dark brown eyes were staring into the thin air in front of her and she was dragging her feet as though she had never been so exhausted in her life. She was obviously stuck in her own world since she never noticed me staring so intently at her.

As we neared the pizza place, I placed a hand on her shoulder, making her jump slightly. I flashed her a smile, and she ree back weakly. We turned the corner to where the pizza place was and I gestured for her to enter. "Ladies first," I said as I opened the door.

We didn't take long to order what we wanted: a large peperoni pizza and two chocolate milkshakes. As we set the menu down, I put my hands together and contemplated whether I should ask her about Sehun or not. Honestly, I had seen Park Jiho before- in pictures. I already knew Sehun for about six years now. How would I not notice the picture he always set on his bedside table each time I came to visit and play? Although he never said anything much, aside from the fact that it was his childhood friend and that he feels a certain type of guilt, he did tell me to remember her beautiful name: Park Jiho. That was his exact words. I still remember the sweet and loving tone in his voice as he said it. 'Beautiful name'.

Over the years, he did confide in me sometimes, but he always made sure not to reveal too much. I don't know why he didn't want to say much, but I guessed that maybe it was some sort of self-defence mechanism. Although I never complained, I was indeed curious. Maybe now was my chance to find out.

"So... what happened back there in the carpark," I said, trying not to sound nervous. At the sound of my voice, Jiho jerked her head up to look at me. I tried not to melt looking into her eyes. Why did I feel like this? "What's the whole deal between you and Sehun? I mean, he's my best friend and you're probably my only friend in class so I'm kinda curious."

I noticed her giving me a strange look, as though she was confused. I raised an eyebrow at her. Did I say something wrong?

"I'm... your only friend in class?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

Oh .

"Well, yeah, sort of," I said, this time softer. I didn't want to talk about it, but I hated lying. And I at it anyway. What's the harm with just telling her the truth? I was going to have to tell her someday, somehow, if this friendship were to go anywhere. Or who knows? Maybe someone else in the school would get to telling her before I could and tell her to stay away from me. "But that's a story for another time." I hurriedly said as I saw that she was opening , probably to ask some more questions. I was selfish this way, but I didn't want to talk about my problems now and I only wanted to get answers. "So, what's the deal between you two?" I asked again.

Our milkshakes had been served and she took a sip out of it before she started saying anything. She proceeded to tell me things like how close she was with Sehun when they were younger, how they spent all their days together and how they were practically inseparable. I couldn't help but feel a little jealousy there. Even when he was young he could get girls like her. How does that guy do it? "But then one day, my family made a sudden decision to migrate elsewhere, and they didn't want to leave me here without them, not even with Sehun's parents, so I was forced to go with them." I could sense that she felt sadder as the story progressed. "Anyway, long story short, I came back when I was 13 and I had been searching from him ever since. I guess I got my wish today but..." she trailed off and swallowed.

It wasn't as in-depth as I would've liked it to be, but I guess it was enough for now. I didn't want her to end up bawling her eyes out the first time we're hanging out together. I glanced at her hand. It was rested on top of the table, right in the middle of us. I hesitated, but I ended up putting her hand in mine. She seemed surprised, but she didn't pull back. I looked up and her eyes met with mine.

"You know what my dentist once told me?" I asked her. She gave me an amused look, as though I was crazy, but she shook her head in reply anyway. "He once told me that letting go is like pulling a tooth. When it's pulled out, you're relieved, but how many times does your tongue run itself over the sport where the tooth once was? Probably a hundred times a day. Just because it was not hurting you doesn't mean you did not notice it. It leaves a gap and sometimes you see yourself missing it terribly. It's going to take a while, but it's going to take time. Should you have kept the tooth? No. Because it was causing you so much pain. So just move on, and let go."

Jiho's expression dropped and she pulled away from me. I could see that she was deeply hesitant. I knew that expression. I understood it. I've had this conversation once before, although not quite the same. "Listen," I said, leaning back to give the waitress space to put the pizza. I continued once she was out of earshot. "I'm not telling you to completely give up and let go of him. But, I know him. You're going to really have to leave the past behind where it belongs. If you don't, trust me, you two are not going anywhere."

After that, we ate our pizza in silence. There was just an occasional 'is it nice', or 'could you pass the cheese'. Aside from that, we didn't say anything else. I was trying to read her expressions the whole time, but somehow, I had no idea what she could be thinking. I was usually good at reading people, but with her, apparently not.

Jiho's POV

"Goodnight, see you," I replied as I waved goodbye to Chanyeol. He had sent me home when he heard that I lived nearby. As I shut the door, I couldn't help but think of the conversation we had back in the pizza place. What had he meant by his words? I was the queen of paranoia, so I had a lot going through my mind. I wanted to ask questions- lots of it. But I only knew Chanyeol for a day, and it would be weird if I just kept asking him about his friend. It might as well have been making friends with him just to get to Sehun.

Exhausted from the hectic day, I dumped my bag on the sofa in the living room and flopped down on it myself. It was only 8, so it was still kind of early. I usually slept at midnight. So, I the TV and tried to understand the drama that was playing. Needless to say, it had no use. No, the drama I understood- but Oh Sehun was what I didn't. Why had he suddenly turned so cold? It was the first time ever since I've known him that he was that rude to me. Did I offend him in someway? That would be impossible. I barely interacted with him.

Although I was more concentrated on Sehun, I couldn't help but think of Chanyeol too. What did he actually mean by I 'was probably his only friend'? I could see he wasn't comfortable with sharing it just now, so I just let the subject go. I figured that I'd ask him again soon, since we'd probably spend a lot of time together in school. He was my only friend too. Well, Sehun may be, but right now I don't know who I am to him.

Admittedly, I can't forget the walk home. I had to admit, Chanyeol could be a real gentleman. He knew exactly what to do. Usually, the people around me would always keep bugging me about what was wrong. But he knew not to push it. He knew when was enough. And he also knew how to make people laugh. His bubbly personality was kind of infectious. I intended to keep my cold image on the way home, though, so I had to suppress my laughter for many times. I think he knew that I was laughing internally though, since he'd smirk at me whenever I glanced at him. He looked good when he smiled too, teeth and all. His playful grin looked even better on him.

Oh god, what are you even thinking of, Jiho? Don't think of Chanyeol, it's just a friendship. Think of Sehun. Just think of him. Think of how.... and then I started to think of the possibility that I may never be getting my childhood friend back and that pretty much ruined my whole mood. Giving up on myself for the night, I got up and forced myself to the bathroom for a shower, hoping it would make me forget about my problems, even if only temporarily.