Jiyong had just finished showering after his run and conversation with Hanna. Though a part of him felt relieved that he had finally come clean with Hanna, the rest of him felt so broken. He thought a warm shower would have been able to soothe his broken soul a little, but it didn’t. What was to come was to come.

All Jiyong could do was sit in his bedroom alone, staring into blank space. He knew what he had to do, but yet his body did not want to comply. Reluctantly, his physical body picked up his phone and scrolled down to a conversation. Chaerin. He then typed in a new message to Chaerin

Jiyong: Chaerin, we need to talk.

Chaerin: What is it.

Jiyong: Let’s break up.

Chaerin: Are you sure?

Jiyong: Yes I am. Isn’t this what you want anyway.

Chaerin: I’m sorry it has to end this way but yes this is what I want.

Jiyong sighed deeply when he saw Chaerin’s last reply. He tried convincing himself, “Yes, this is what she wants. I’ve given what she wants to her. It’s all over now.”

Jiyong: Okay. It’s official. We’ve broken up.

Hanna: …

Hanna: Okay.

Jiyong: Gosh I feel so tired.

Hanna: Just. Just go try sleep it off.

Jiyong: Okay, I’ll be taking a nap then.

Even though Jiyong said he would be taking a nap, he could not fall asleep immediately as soon as his back hit his bed. His mind was far too preoccupied. Memories of the Iron Triangle, or rather memories with Chaerin kept flashing by in his mind. He had already started missing her. Just when he thought everything in his life was going to get better, everything took a downturn. Indeed, it never rains but pours.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Ever since the fateful day of March 3^rd, Jiyong had constantly texted Chaerin almost everyday, asking to at least remain friends even though they broke up. However, Chaerin did not reply his messages at all except for once, telling him to stop and that it was impossible. Jiyong started losing control of himself every day. Even in class, the Jiyong who was more placid was now easily irritated. He had often thought to himself:

“The colour of my heart is black.

It was burnt to black just like that.

I break glass whenever I feel like

And I look at my bloody hands and think, why am I like this, why?”

Other than Youngbae, Hanna was the only one who knew everything that happened. Hence, Jiyong was constantly confiding in Hanna over the past few days. He had felt bad about it, and told Hanna about this too, and that he felt that it was wrong to do this to Hanna. He had told Hanna that maybe it would be better if he stayed away from her so that she would not need to repeatedly go through this same ordeal over and over again each time he confides in her. But all he earned from Hanna was one reply:

Hanna: Jiyong, I know you mean well but look at the last time you guys decided for me and look at where it ended. This time I’m making my own decisions and no one makes them for me. No one. Don’t you dare stay away on purpose or do anything foolish.

Jiyong: I knew you would say that, which is why I kind of gave up the thought already. But I still feel really sorry towards you. I’m really sorry Hanna, please forgive me.

Hanna: Just forget about my feelings. This time, I just want to be there for you and Chaerin at the same time. I’m here to be your pillar of support. Don’t hesitate to talk to me anytime, you got me?

Jiyong: Okay… Thank you, Hanna. I really don’t know where I would be without you.

For the subsequent nights, Jiyong suffered from insomnia, and it was starting to physically wear him out. He became even more short-tempered than he already was, and many people in school started staying away from him as his temper was so obviously shown, that no one dared to step on his toes. Every night, he would ring up Hanna after taking his insomnia pills and Hanna would coax him to sleep by talking to him endlessly till he fell asleep then would she put down the phone to sleep herself. It became a routine for them for the next week or so.