Past and Present
Melting IceJiyeon paced back and forth, eventually finding herself standing at the same spot. A tug-of-war was going on in her mind. She felt as if she was going crazy. Kicking the dirt on the ground, Jiyeon let out a loud sigh. She had finally made up her mind. She was not going to the school garden to meet him. She chose to be a retreat warrior, refusing to put on a ‘fight’. It was tiring on her. Just when she was about to turn about and leave, she was met with a familiar figure.
It appeared that he had been standing there, observing her for quite a while.
“You always stand within 5km of radius when you’re unsure whether to turn up.” He pointed out.
“He remembers.” She thought to herself.
“So what made you hesitate, Jiyeon?” he questioned, stepping closer.
She held her breath before choking out a dry laughter.
“Tell me, how you have been?” he asked, staring into her eyes.
“If this is what you’re going to say, I am leavi-”
“How have you been without me, Park Jiyeon?”
“I don’t know what you’re taking about, JB-ssi.”
“I missed you.”
There was a longest pause at his words. No words were voiced even though she opened . She didn’t know why. Or maybe, she knew but she simply refused to admit. She stared at the boy before her with an incomprehensible expression on. He looks better than before, she admits.
Flashback
July 2009
“You’re debuting?! Oh my gosh! Finally!! I’m so happy for you, Jiyeon-ah!” Jaebum yelled ecstatically.
In less than a second, Jiyeon found herself in a pair of strong arms. How she wish she could stay in his embrace forever. At that moment, Jaebum was genuinely excited but he didn’t know why she looked so forlorn. He grabbed her arms and shook her, laughing away. Suddenly, she peeled his hands off her arm. The action confused him to no end. Jiyeon was supposed to hug him back and tell her she made it. She was supposed to suggest a celebration together, but she did none of those. She simply stared at him.
“Jiyeon-ah, what’s wrong?” he asked concernedly.
“Jaebum, let’s break up.” She said in an icy voice.
She said them so easily that it hurts.
“W-Why?” he held back those tears which were threatening to fall.
“It’s a term in the contract.” She said with tears streaming down her face.
“W-We can keep an underground relationship. I will not tell anyone. I can stay at your house and wait for you to come back during practice or holidays. I can do all of that for you, for us. So please, Jiyeon, don’t say that anymore. Will you?” he begged.
“It cannot work out. My manager already knows we are together and he wants you gone from my side. Or else I cannot debut along with the other members. He said you will be a hindrance to my career.”
“And you think so too?” he asked, silently hoping for the answer to be ‘No’.
She nodded her head between tears.
It was the first time in his life whereby Jaebum felt hurt, disappointment and emptiness all at one go.
He thought he loved her enough to let her go. He thought he could forget her. He thought as long as she was successful, he would be happy. But he was wrong.
Every single day, he felt as if his heart had billion of needles sticking out.
“I need you…” He mumbled to no one.
Sometimes, humans make choices not because they want to give up on the other. It’s simply because we can’t have the good on both ends. A choice means there is always an opportunity cost. And a choice can never be completely right, even if you think so.
January 2012
She ran down the stairs and spotted him sitting there. His head was hung low as she heard him sob. Settling herself beside him, Jiyeon placed her hands on his shoulders.
“I’ve heard about your father…” Jiyeon cried.
JB continued weeping as he hung his head low. Thoughts were running through his mind and those tears refuse to stop.
“W-We should break up.” He said.
Her eyes widened as she slowly retracted her hands.
“I’ve promised my father. I have promised him to stand on stage and be the number one. Y-You will only be my distraction.” He said.
Tears flowed down her cheeks effortlessly as she just stared at him.
“CUT!” The director shouted.
Jiyeon wiped off her tears and stood up. She bowed to the director with a smile before excusing herself to the dressing room. JB followed her after watching the scene. He made his way to her dressing room and as expected, he found her alone.
“The scene was familiar, isn’t it?” he sat on the table and began.
Jiyeon looked around to ensure no one was around.
“Not at all. If you would excuse me, would you please leave?” She requested coldly.
“Do you know what I was thinking of when I cried?” he asked.
She ignored him as she played with her phone. Then, JB jumped off the table and grabbed her wrist. She was forced to face him. The look in his eyes was scary and unfamiliar.
“I thought of how you dumped me for your noble career.” He spat.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She said sternly.
“…I thought of the times when I wished you were with me. At the same time, I thought of how I should do well in this drama.”
“Not for you, Park Jiyeon. But for myself, Im Jaebum. I am going to debut soon and I will be successful. More successful than you, Jiyeon-ah.” He smirked.
The door flung open, showing a make-up artist whom clearly appeared startled.
“Jiyeon-ssi, your face has something.” He said and used her hand to ‘remove’ it.
“There, it’s all done.” He said before retracting his hand with a plastered smile.
Jiyeon didn’t smile as she stared at him, the boy she had hurt.
It appeared that there will always be a time one wishes to rewind back to- to stay or to change.
*End of flashback*
“I missed you. Did you miss me?” he asked with a flirtatious smile and one hand in his pocket.
“No. Not even once.” She steeled her heart and replied.
"Really?" he confirmed with a smile.
“I’m leaving.” She informed and began walking away.
“I saw it. The kiss you and Myungsoo shared, I saw it.” JB said as his fists slowly curled into a ball.
And she stopped walking.
“I made her stay…” He thought to himself.
“Wh-What did you just say?” she spun around and questioned.
Author's Note:
Hey guys! :D New quick update for you guys because I feel loved after reading your wonderful comments. <3
I have a piece of good news to share. ^^ I've sorted out the plot from start to end after drafting out a relationship map. XD
Let's hope you'll enjoy this story as more things unfold. :)
Have a good day/ night ahead!
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