JB could feel his heart thump harder in anticipation of Youngjae's reaction. He had spent hours working on the English notebook he planned to give Youngjae for his birthday, complete with Korean translations and example sentences, plus words of encouragement at the bottom of every page as an added bonus. He had never worked harder in his life, not even for himself, but he did it for Youngjae, because he knew the younger needed help with English.

Because he loved Youngjae.

Other than the sweat shed from flipping through dictionaries and from painstakingly penning down the notes late at night, JB's hands were full of blisters - battle scars from his multiple failed attempts to bake a cake for this special day. When he finally opened the oven to an unburnt cake, he jumped in joy, like a kid discovering a new favourite toy. Holding his proud creation in a decorated paper box, his blisters almost felt non-existent.

JB took a deep breath as he opened the door with the key Youngjae had given him for their one-year anniversary, when they had decided they were close enough to have direct access to both their apartments. He was thrilled simply thinking about how Youngjae would react – smile widely, hug him, or even kiss him. Grinning, he turned the doorknob pushed the door open.

“Youngjae! Baby, look what I’ve got –”

JB froze and his jaw dropped upon seeing the scene before him. A guy and a girl were on the couch, limbs tangled and bodies against each other, panting as they pulled back from the intense kiss to look at the intruder.

The guy was Youngjae.

No.

JB stared at their flustered faces in disbelief.

My Youngjae. My Youngjae is… making out with someone. And that someone isn’t me.

"Hyung, what are you doing here?” Youngjae sat up frantically, his body flushing from embarrassment and shame. The girl immediately stood up and tugged at her dress, scurrying away as soon as she saw JB’s death glare.

What am I doing here? Since when do I need to ask for permission to come, Youngjae?

“Hyung, listen to me. I can explain…” the younger beseeched, voice strung with desperation. JB looked away; he couldn’t bear to look at Youngjae. The feeling of love for Youngjae was so intense that it felt like their relationship could last forever. He never doubted their love, but now, he was just a stranger.

I thought you said forever.

He was a stranger who came and lived in his heart, then left suddenly, ripping it off ruthlessly in a mere blink of an eye.

“Hyung! This is a mistake, I swear…” Youngjae pleaded, grabbing JB’s arm agitatedly. “I didn’t mean to –”

“Don’t keep her waiting, Choi Youngjae.” JB’s voice was cold and hard. Shrugging off his boyfriend’s arm violently, he stormed out of the apartment, sprinting off down the road.

JB ran and ran. How long or how far? He did not know. He ran until his legs turned numb without senses, falling into a robotic order, propelling him towards the direction of his house.

He recalled the times when Youngjae and him strolled along this street, hand in hand and all smiles. Dizzy with happiness, hearts beating with excitement; just like now, except they mutated into symptoms of his lack of air, for he was running so fast he did not remember to breathe.

He remembered how the gentle wind caressed his hair and caused it to fall over his forehead, and how Youngjae lovingly swept his fringe to the side, his touch soft and soothing. He felt serene.

Now, the cold wind bit at his cheeks and stung his eyes.

As soon as JB arrived at his apartment, he barged in and collapsed onto the floor in a helpless heap. He was shaking and all at once, his tears fell. He felt so weak and defenseless; he wished he could just drown in his own tears.

JB needed someone to accompany him badly; he did not like the empty feeling he was having. Still trembling, he took out his phone and dialed the number of the person he depended on the most other that Youngjae, who abandoned him so heartlessly.

“JB?”

“Jinyoung… Could you… could you please come over?” JB could hardly speak while he choked on his tears.

“JB? Are you alright? Are you… crying?” There was obvious shock at the other end of the line.

JB didn’t reply. Hearing his best friend’s concerned voice, his heart clenched and he broke into loud sobs unintentionally.

“Hey, calm down okay? I’ll be right there! Wait for me and don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

~~~~~

“JB? Are you there?”

Jinyoung’s heart dropped when he heard a thud, followed by a buzzing sound.

He must have dropped his phone. What happened to him? Why is he crying like that?

He was beyond worried. The silver-haired boy was always the tough one, joking about life challenges and even mocking Jinyoung when he cried during that romantic tragedy they watched two years back. He had never cried, at least not in front of Jinyoung. Hearing the big boy sob so vigorously hence scared him out of his wits.

Jinyoung dialed Mark’s number, biting his lip as he waited for him to pick up.

“Hello? Jinyoung? Are you lost?”

Jinyoung took a deep breath before admitting apologetically. “Hey, uh Mark… I don’t think I can make it already…”

“Why? What happened?”

Jinyoung could perceive the disappointment in Mark’s voice, but he had no time to explain the situation to him, especially since he was unsure of what happened to JB, which he knew he had to find out as soon as possible.

 “It’s JB. I have to go to him right now. I’ll explain to you another day.”

Silence.

“Mark? Are you there?”

Why isn’t he speaking?

“Mark?”

 “Yes, I understand. It’s fine.” The usual deep voice sounded a few pitches higher, but Jinyoung took no notice of it.  

“Phew, okay. Thanks Mark! I’ll treat you the next time to make it up to you! Text you later!”

With that, he rushed to his best friend’s apartment, momentarily forgetting about the red head he left alone in the café.

~~~~~

When the raven-haired boy noticed the boy crumbled on the floor, he fell to his knees beside him and hugged him tight. Jinyoung could feel JB shivering; he was shaking like a leaf. When pulling away from their embrace, he came face to face with bloodshot eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

“JB…” He didn’t know what to say. He only looked at JB questioningly to ask what happened to him.

“Youngjae… He… he was with another girl and they were…” JB was about to start wailing in grief when Jinyoung shushed him, rubbing his back tenderly.

The romantic tragedy they watched together proved to be genuine. It was another example that showed Jinyoung why relationships were not reliable.

You may have been sure that you were in the same wavelength and that you understood each other. Meanwhile, you have been walking on parallel and eventually divergent tracks the entire time. The feeling of betrayal takes months, or even years to heal.

Jinyoung furrowed his eyebrows as he reminded himself again never to get into a relationship. He did not want to risk hurting himself.

~~~~~

Mark entered his mansion with a gloomy face, his shoulders slumped and head sagged to his chest as he dropped himself onto the couch, letting out a huge sigh. He was disappointed that Jinyoung could not meet him, and he was depressed that the reason was JB.

“Arghhhhhhhhh!” He screamed into the cushion beside him, frightening the old man arranging the photo frames on the mantelpiece.

“Need to talk, Mark?” Mr Park proceeded to sit beside the sulking Mark.

“No.”

“Come on, you were so much happier just a week ago! Now, you’re all depressed and well, reclusive again. What happened?” Mr Park probed further. Knowing Mark, if he had not tried to talk sense into whatever he was worrying about, the boy would probably abuse himself by skipping meals and locking himself in the room, ending up in the grave with his cello.

Mark sighed. Mr Park’s words reminded him of how pleasant he felt a mere week ago, and how it all changed completely this week. Giving in, he spilled his emotions to the attentive old man, who listened intently and occasionally responded with a thoughtful “hmm”.

“So everything is about JB! I’m not important at all…” Mark blurted, ending his rant with his cheeks turning pink, embarrassed by his outpour of emotions he hardly shared with anyone.

Mr Park pursed his lips for a while, deep in thought, before his mouth shaped into an ‘O’, indicating his enlightenment of the issue.

Our boy Mark has grown up. He’s in love with that friend, Jinyoung, just that he hasn’t realised his true feelings for him.

Unsure of how Mark would react if he confessed his prediction, Mr Park decided on another approach. Patting the red head’s shoulder encouragingly, he suggested, “You should talk to him about how you feel when he neglects you.”

Mark’s eyes widened in horror, and he shook his head firmly. If there was one thing he was afraid of doing, it was to have heart-to-heart talks with another, for he would feel exposed and not safe.

“Trust me, Mark. It’s better than keeping your thoughts in the dark, then everything will remain the same, or get worse. Talk to him.”

Glancing at the assuring man skeptically, he nodded hesitantly, deciding that talking to Jinyoung would not be that bad.

However, when Mark called Jinyoung, an annoying beeping sound responded no matter how many times he tried.

Jinyoung is not picking up his phone.

Fervently working his fingers on the screen, he dialed again, to no avail.

Jinyoung never misses my calls.

Anxiety overwhelmed him as his thoughts trailed off to the countless terrible things that could have happened to Jinyoung. Darting his eyes around the room, the boy searched for something – anything – for an answer. He caught a glimpse of the wall clock: 10.15pm.

Whatever business JB had, it should be long over. Jinyoung should be at home.

Without a second thought, Mark grabbed the hoodie Jinyoung lent him and darted out of his house.

~~~~~

*knock knock knock*

Mark fidgeted, tapping his foot continuously, as he waited for Jinyoung to answer the door. Instead, a tall, skinny middle-aged man appeared at the doorstep. It was Jinyoung’s father.

“You are looking for?” His voice was so similar to Jinyoung’s that Mark’s stomach clenched with sudden emotion.

“Uh, hello Ahjussi. I’m looking for Jinyoung. I’m Mark, his friend.”

Seemingly surprised, Jinyoung’s dad motioned for Mark to wait as he turned behind the door to shout to who Mark presumed to be Jinyoung’s mother.  “Jin’s friend called Mark is looking for him. Where is that boy anyway?”

A sweet but slightly raspy voice answered. “Jinyoung is sleeping over at Jaebum’s house tonight, dear!”

The man turned back to face Mark and smiled apologetically. “You heard her. Why don’t you call him instead? It’s late, you should be heading home, young man.”

Mark nodded absentmindedly and stared as the door closed in his face.

Jaebum? JB. Jinyoung is sleeping over at JB’s house.

Upon realisation, Mark felt as though the door physically dealt a blow across his face when it closed. Jinyoung's scent still lingered on the hoodie Mark was wearing, but Mark knew better than anyone that he was far away. His heart sunk.

♥♥♥

Hello readers! It's been a while and I'm sorry if I've made you wait for long. My concert and exam is finally over yay! ^~^ To celebrate and to make up for my absence, here's a slightly-longer-than-usual chapter. Thanks for the continuous support and remember to subscribe, comment and upvote if you haven't done so! It'll mean the world to me. :)