{ EIGHTEEN }

Just like Kyungsoo, the same thoughts were running through Baekhyun’s mind: .

Joori had been in the middle of talking, something about how she’d walk back to the car with him, but the words flew right past him.
I’ve been caught. So how would he explain himself? He could lie – say it wasn’t a date, that they were merely just friends. But would Kyungsoo believe him?

Out of all the guys who had caught him – why did it have to be mature and serious Kyungsoo? If only it had been playful Jongin, or gullible Suho…

Kyungsoo hadn’t wanted to meddle. He had wanted to steer clear of Baekhyun and Joori and keep his conscious clear.

“Kyungsoo, I can explain…” Baekhyun began.

“No need,” he replied, voice steady unlike his frenzied mind. “I already know.”

“H-How?”

He held up Baekhyun’s bag and pointed.

Baekhyun gulped, guessing exactly what had happened.

“I didn’t mean to… it just fell out.”

Joori was sort of lost, but by context, she could more or less figure out what they were talking about. She bit her lip – she hadn’t even thought about Chanyeol and what he meant in terms of her having a relationship with Baekhyun…
It shouldn't happen. It wouldn’t be right.

But that didn't mean it couldn't.
 

She stared at the floor and the two male voices were drowned out by her thoughts.
And she thought about being with Baekhyun even when she knew how much Chanyeol meant to him… And how much she had meant to Chanyeol…
Hah, I am the world’s most heartless , she thought bitterly.

“…You like her, don’t you?” Kyungsoo asked, and Joori was perked back to attention. She hadn’t heard the previous part of the conversation, but she was fully interested in hearing the answer.

Baekhyun froze nervously, all too aware that she was listening… waiting.

“You don’t need to answer that.” Kyungsoo wasn’t the type to put his friend on the spot like that, so he sighed and waved his hand carelessly. He gave Baekhyun a supportive smile and patted him on the back. “Think carefully,” he advised, inaudible to Joori. “And most importantly, think of yourself for once.”
Chanyeol won’t hate you.

“I’ll see you back at home.” He bowed his head politely to Joori and walked into the grocery store, happy to get that ordeal over with.

Baekhyun sighed in relief. Although he had handled it well – in his honest opinion, anyway – his heart was beating fast. He turned to Joori, trying to smile, but it came out panicky and nervous. “Let’s go back to the car?” He asked tensely, cursing himself for parking the car so far aw