Chapter 24- Leave Me Alone

Wonwoo’s shift went on as usual, having not much customers because it was a weekday. He could have snuck a few messages during his shift, but he chose not to. He didn’t want to seem disrespectful towards his job. Time passed really quickly and the café was now closing. The employees had their usual dinner, talking about their lives and whatnot. On the other hand, Wonwoo was just busy texting.

From: Kim Mingyu

I’ll choose to be the better friend. So fine I’ll pay for any broken plates. -3.54pm

Hey, do you work every day or is there some kind of schedule? -3.55pm

You didn’t forget about the promised dates did you? -3.55pm

I’m actually kinda excited to spend some alone time with you. ;) -3.55pm

I mean as friends. Don’t take it the wrong way. -3.55pm

Reply me after your work okay? -5pm

To: Kim Mingyu

Whelps, no broken plates. So I guess your wallet is safe for now. -11.05pm

Yeah we actually have a schedule. We just tell Jeonghan hyung the dates we’re free to work on 2 weeks in advance. And he would just arrange the schedule before sending it to us. -11.05pm

FYI. I didn’t forget the promise. I just thought…you would bring it up yourself just like you did now. -11.05pm

From: Kim Mingyu

Wahhhh. You guys end work this late every day?! -11.06pm

No wonder you look like you have to drag your out of bed every day. -11.06pm

No offense. You still look hot but your eyebags. -11.06pm

To: Kim Mingyu

Thanks so much? I can’t even tell if that’s a compliment or insult. -11.07pm

So much for being friends with you. -11.07pm

From: Kim Mingyu

It’s a compliment! I said you looked hot bro! -11.07pm

Anyways! When will you have your days off? I really wanna hang out… (｡•́︿•̀｡) -11.08pm

“Won-ah! You can leave first! Joshua and I would lock up. See you guys tomorrow!” Jeonghan said, waving to Wonwoo and Jun. The two were about to walk to the bustop, when Wonwoo stopped in his steps.

“Wanna get some bubbletea before heading home?” Wonwoo asked, looking at Jun.

“Yeah sure. Let’s go. Are you gonna get some for Jihoon? As an apology gift?” Jun asked. Well it wasn’t exactly a question when he knew the exact answer.

“Hehe. Smarty Jun huh. I see that you hanging out with me has benefited your tiny little brain.” Wonwoo said, tapping on Jun’s head. Jun glared at Wonwoo with his huge eyes, making the younger smile sheepishly before power walking to the bubbletea shop. The two got their orders and they sat at the bustop, chatting while waiting for their buses.

“So…I guess you and Mingyu are really back to being good friends huh?” Jun asked, gently nudging Wonwoo’s shoulder with his own. Wonwoo gave a knowing smile, swinging his legs back and forth.

“I’m glad. You two were like made for each other. I didn’t even know how you guys survived without each other these past years. Anyways. Jihoon has always been an insecure person. So I guess you just have to keep assuring him that he would never be replaced…” Jun said, looking up at the sky.

“Yeah…I guess I have to. What about you? Aren’t you scared that I would replace you with Mingyu?” Wonwoo asked, looking up at the sky too. He pretended to touch the stars with his finger, before connecting them together.

“I know you wouldn’t. I trust you. Plus I ain’t the one who needs the company. It’s the sloth who does.” Jun teased.

“Yeah. You’re right…I’m the pathetic one who needs company. No one would really care if I was here or not right…” Wonwoo replied, his legs coming to a complete hault.

“Huh? Won…I was just kidding.” Jun asked, turning to face Wonwoo. The sudden change in atmosphere was not exactly something Jun expected.

“Nah. It’s fine. I just don’t understand why all of you have to be this nice to me? I don’t deserve all this. I’m so pathetic that even my mother abandoned me years ago. Hah. Pathetic Wonwoo. No wonder Jihoon keeps getting mad at me.” Wonwoo said.

“Won-ah. Wait. What are you talking about? You can’t just leave like that?!” Jun called out as Wonwoo got up to board his bus that just arrived. Jun was left dumbfounded. What caused this sudden change in mood? Damn it…Wonwoo-ah. Are you stupid emo hormones back again? Jun couldn’t figure out what just happened. He texted Soonyoung, not knowing how else to deal with Wonwoo.

Wonwoo sat on the bus in silence. He didn’t know what just overcame him. He just exploded like that. What triggered all those emotions? He had no idea. But it wasn’t the first time he broke out in this emo situation anyways. It used to be worse.

To: Kim Mingyu

I think…I’m free from Friday to Sunday for this week. -11.45pm

Are you sure you wanna hang out with a pathetic loser like me? -11.45pm

Wonwoo held his phone in his hand, expecting Mingyu to reply. But there was none. He let out a laugh. I knew it. Why would people want to hang out with a person like me? Especially Mingyu. He has all the looks and he is darn good at socializing around. If he wants to, probably everyone would be his friend. I wonder how long did Jun hold this in before he finally spoke his heart? I knew he would eventually but there was no way I could have been mentally prepared for it. This was getting bad. If Mingyu was a person who never thinks much, Wonwoo would be the exact opposite. Wonwoo would always overthink and be afraid of doing anything in any situation. He was always so indecisive and he would always let his thoughts destroy him inside bit by bit even though his heart tells him not to.

To: Kim Mingyu

You know what…just let them spread the pictures for all I care. -12.01am

I’ll still do the 3 favours I promised. But after that, I think you shouldn’t hang out with a person like me anymore. -12.01am

You deserve better. -12.01am

Joshua had made it loud and clear in the afternoon for Wonwoo not to push Mingyu away. But the boy was just too engrossed in his own emo feelings at the moment. He just kept thinking that Jihoon and Jun had enough of him. After all, he did torture them for years with his attitude. He knew that one day they would just get tired and explode. But he just didn’t expect it to occur now.

As Wonwoo alighted from the bus, it started raining. Really hard. Even the gods are crying. Because I’m too pathetic. Wonwoo opened his schoolbag, only to realize that he didn’t bring his umbrella. Great. Just great. Nothing seems to be going my way. Exactly the way it should be. Wonwoo strolled under the rain, taking the raindrops as beatings he deserved for being a jerk. Streaks of lightning brightened the sky, thunder filling the quietness of the night. The bustop was about 5 minutes away from his house, but at the speed he was walking, it took twice the duration. By the time he got to the doorstep, he was drenched. No wait. That was an underst