Meant to be. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Synopsis: Me and Jaehyun have been best friends my whole life, how long will we last as friends? Feeling like no other start to appear... what is this? What is happening to us?
Pairing: bestfriend myung jaehyun x protagonist
Tags: friendship into ..., angst, slight comfort (?)
Warnings: really tame fight scene
word count: counting, but 3k for now
I’m walking through the halls, looking at every face that passes by me. Why does it feel so strange? Everyone is chatting silently, almost whispering, but I can't quite catch what they’re saying. I go towards my locker, waiting for the day to be over, even though it just started.
-Did you hear about the news? - a familiar voice comes up from behind me, making me flinch at the sudden sound.
-Yo! You scared me. - I say, holding my chest and catching my breath.
-Sorry… didn’t mean to - says the familiar voice.
I finally turn around to face him. My friend Jaehyn is grinning, looking at me like he wants me to ask him something.
-What? - I finally say, making his unspoken wishes come true.
-So… - he says, with a cheeky smile - did you hear about the news? - he repeats the question with an excited tone, leaning against the locker as I close it and hear what he has to say.
-What… news? - I say, extremely confused. I wasn’t the type to be interested in school drama and gossip, but Jaehyun always tortured me with it, telling me all about who hooked up with who and what happened where… I just listened so he wouldn’t annoy me the rest of the day if i said i actually didn’t wanna hear any of it
-Well, - he continues, oblivious to the fact that I’m not actively listening - Eric told me that Taesan told him that Jake told him that he saw Miss Heyward and Mr. Jackson making out in the science lab. - he pauses and makes a dramatic surprised face, waiting for my reaction.
-Oh, really?.... - I say, more worried about getting to class on time - Is that really what everyone is talking about? It’s like this every week… a new fake rumor comes out and everybody raves about it until it dies down, waiting for the next one to milk dry.
Jaehyun looks at me with a dead expression, like he is bored out of his mind by my lecture and is disappointed that I don’t care about this worthless story that is probably fake.
-Why are you always so negative? - he says with genuine curiosity in his eyes, unable to understand I wouldn’t be screaming over a «he said, she said» story.
-I’m not «negative»… - I claim, emphasizing the adjective - I’m just. realistic, not like you. - I briefly turn around to face him, giving him an innocent smile like I didn't just call him gullible.
-Oh, so you think I’m stupid enough to believe it? - he says, a puzzled expression on his face like I had just thrown the most aggressive and offensive insult in human history.
-You…. don’t? - I ask, amazed by the possibility of him not believing the rumor.
Jaehyun goes quiet and stretches his lips to reveal an awkward expression, revealing that he might just believe it a little tiny bit.
-Anyways… - he says, starting to walk towards class and I follow behind - Eric is having a party tonight, and since it’s friday i thought you could come.. What do you say? Huh? Huuuh? - he exclaims as he playfully nudges my arm with a dumb smile. I chuckle and move his arm away, making him act like he almost trips.
-I… I’ll have to think about it. - I say deep in thought. The truth is that the last thing I wanted to do was go to his jock friend’s party, with other jocks and overall his dumb friends.
-Bummer. - he sighs, unimpressed by my response. - Well, tell me when you decide! - he says, peeking his head out of the classroom before going back in and closing the door. «He’s such a dork», I think to myself.
After school, I go to my locker and return all the books from the day. «It’s already 5 pm, I should get going», I say to myself as I look down at my watch. Suddenly, someone covers my eyes from behind. «Guess who», the voice says.
-Ew, you’re sweaty. - I scoff at the feel of Jaehyun’s warm hands on my face, grabbing them and pushing them away, turning around.
-You didn't guess who. - he says in a serious tone, pouting.
When I finally look at him properly, I notice he is wearing his basketball uniform.
-Just got back from practice, I see. You didn’t have to smother your grimy hand on me.
With an eye roll and a scoff, Jaehyun looks at me up and down.
-Oh smother my hands, huh? - he questions with a mischievous tone in his voice, almost grinning.
-What…? - I ask, extremely confused.
Without saying anything, Jaehyun suddenly throws himself onto me and starts tickling me. A loud screech comes out of my mouth, followed by laughs. I plead and scream for him to stop, starting to hyperventilate.
-Jaehyun! Seriously! Stop it! - I say in between giggles and gasps, starting to feel out of breath.
He finally stops, uncontrollably laughing to himself and falling on the floor dramatically at the sight of my exhausted face. He rolls on the ground incapable of breathing properly, holding his stomach.
-Oh god… You should’ve seen your face!! - he screams, his voice echoing in the now empty halls due to the late hour.
-Yeah, yeah. Real funny, buddy. - I say, crossing my arms and looking at him as he gets up, his face red and a little sweat from practice still lingering on his neck.
-Ok… Phew! Sorry!... - he says, stabilizing his breath. - So, have you decided yet about the party? - he asks, leaning against the locker and breathing more slowly.
-You know what? Sure. I literally have nothing else better to do right now. - And that is true. I had finished my assignments early and I had no tests the week after, so I had nothing to lose.
Jaehyun looks at me with a flabbergasted expression, in disbelief of the fact that I accepted his offer.
-Wait, really? This is literally the first time I’ve ever heard you say yes to a hangout with my friends. - he says, with a cheeky smile, still in shock at my words.
-Yes, really. - I say, rolling my eyes at his surprise. I close my locker and start walking towards the school exit, not before turning around and yelling at Jaehyun - But you have to come pick me up! - I turn around and keep walking, still pondering if the decision I have just made is actually rational.
And before I know it, I'm standing before my very limited closet, contemplating on what to wear. The thing is, Jaehyun’s friends aren’t really that bad, they’re actually funny sometimes and they try to include me, but i naturally feel left out since we’re from opposite worlds; i mean, i really don’t like talking about sports or who can fart the loudest, and they're not really interested in the plot of the most recent horror book i’m reading or the biological implications of smoking weed (which they do very often even if i ask them not to).
After finally deciding on the cute denim skirt my mom gave me and my comfy purple sweater, i head downstairs to get my shoes on and wait for Jaehyun’s car honk.
My mom was surprised and a little scared when i told her my plans for the night, but a little more relieved when i mentioned my best friend being there. She trusted him, his mom and my mom have been friends forever and so have their kids, so she wasn’t particularly worried.
-Have fun! And don’t drink anything weird! And be home at a… reasonable hour! - my mom yells as i walk out the door after hearing Jaehyun obnoxiously honking his Honda Civic’s horn.
-Bye mom! Love you! - i say, shutting the door. I really didn’t have a curfew, since i really didn’t go out. It was a weird occurrence for me to be out of the house for something other than going to school, the library, to the mall with my mom on weekends or alone to the park to read (and, very occasionally, go out with Jaehyun when he was being particularly pushy). I was kind of isolated. Don’t get me wrong, i do have friends, but not the kind of friends Jaehyun has, at least.
-There you are! I’ve been here for hooours! - He moans in fake annoyance, hitting his head on the steering wheel.
-Don’t make me regret this already. - i say sternly, sitting on the passenger seat as i shut the car door.
-Oh, come on! You love my friends - he says, that dumb smile he’s always wearing on his face flashing before my eyes as he turns to look at me while he starts the car.
I playfully shove his face away while blowing a raspberry, completely unamused by his charms.
-It’s not your friends that i’m worried about… - i say,chuckling at his expression after my shove, looking through the window as the street lights light up my face with the movement of the car.
-What is it then? - he says, stealing a quick glance my way with genuine concern.
-You know… you know how i get with- how i get with lots of people.
The ride goes quiet for a split second.
Five years ago. Freshmen’s Welcoming Party. Jaehyun invites me to the dance, rejecting all the other girls that had been pleading to go with him, just because i didn’t have a date myself. I was nervous, but i didn’t know what was about to happen. As soon as we enter the gym, the lights flicker above me, the music makes me dizzy and the people, the amounts of people in one room make my head spin. At the time, i didn’t know what was happening. I just remember crying in the bathroom floor with the music blasting outside, jaehyun sitting next to me with a scared look on his face as i hyperventilate viciously and tears are streaming down my cheeks.
-You’re not gonna get a panic attack, don’t worry. - a voice breaks my stream of memory, taking me back to the present. - And if you do, i’ll be there to help. Besides, you can go home whenever you want, just come to me and i’ll take you.
He looks at me with an understanding expression, just like the one from five years ago when i finally stopped crying when he did silly faces to cheer me up. He’s always been so good to me, the one that understands me even if he doesn’t understand himself.
-Thank you. - i say in almost a whisper, looking up from the fidgeting of my fingers around the hem of my sweater.
After a few minutes, we finally arrive, parking in front of a large house where music can be heard from and colorful lights come out in streaks through the tall windows.
I should be nervous, but Jaehyun's little reassurement speeches always made me feel a little stronger.
-Come on, let’s go! - he says excitedly, running to my door like an energetic puppy to open my door with an exaggerated bow. - M’lady.
-Ew! Don’t do that! - i say giggling at his dumb pose.
He looks up at me as i walk, closing the door behind him.
We both walk slowly to the entrance, trying our best not to trip on one of the miniature statues placed all over the ground or avoiding the possibility of stepping on the immense variety of flowers. Yeah, it was that kind of fancy house.
Before Jaehyun can knock on the door, which would’ve done nothing anyway since the music was so loud, a friendly but cleary drunk face greets us with a smile.
-Hey guys, i was waiting for you, everyone else here is so boring - the handsome boy says. Eric Sohn had brown, shiny hair and tan skin. He was tall and charismatic, so he basically had every girl in school drooling over him.
-Eric, bro! What’s up? - Jaehyun says loudly, dapping up the boy.
Eric retreats the greeting, playfully hitting Jaehyun’s back with his hand in between «dudes» and «bros». He then steps back, looking at me.
-I see he convinced you this time, huh? - he says with a mischievous look toward Jaehyun, which he retrieves with an eye roll.
-He was really insistent this time, and I had nothing else to do, so… - I can see Jae’s offended expression out of the corner of my eye, making me chuckle.
-Well, I'm glad you made it - Eric says, turning around, letting us into the house by walking in himself.
The house is jam packed, and not only by the guys of the basketball team or the football team like i had expected, but quite literally everyone from school. A familiar feeling starts to creep up on my stomach, but it is easily stopped by an arm around my shoulder.
-Ready to have fun? - Jaehyun says, his voice lower than everyone else in the house like it was meant to be only heard by me.
-Yeah. - i say with determination, mirroring his tone.
The rest of the night is surprisingly fun. I get along with some new girls, play beer pong with the football team and watch as Jae tries to shove the 30th cheese ball in his mouth while everyone watches and cheers. He had always been like that - a dork who would do anything to make the other laugh, to make you smile, to make me smile.
-It’s getting kinda late - i sigh, looking at my phone and turning to Jaehyun, who’s chilling on a fancy, long, brown couch as his friends talk casually.
-You feelin’ ok? Wanna go home? - he asks deliberately, his eyes focused.
-I don’t wanna drag you out of here, but, i am kinda tired… - i say guiltily, drawing circles on my thigh.
Without responding, Jaehyun puts his half empty red party cup down on the table in front of us, turning to me as he does.
-We’ll do whatever you want - he says with determination.
-Thanks… let’s- let’s go home. - i stutter, a little embarrassed by my sudden tiredness.
After a few goodbyes and lots of quick side hugs, me and Jae walk to the door, reminiscing about the party and giggling about the funny events.
Suddenly, someone stops our path.
-Leaving so soon? - Eric exclaims, his eyes red as carnations.
-Uh yeah. She- i mean, we’re feeling a little tired.- he says, his guard a little higher than usual. Jae had told me about a few instances where Eric had got aggressive after smoking, but i never thought i would be able to experience it in real life. Besides, he was just asking a simple question, right?
-Ohh, come on, man! We were having so much fun! - the drunk and baked boy exclaims, holding his cup up messily as a few droplets of alcohol fall from it to the ground.
-We’re leaving Eric. See you tomorrow. - Jaehyun says, walking past him and lightly hitting shoulders. Through all of this, a little shock and even a hint of fear wave over me. I truly thought that Eric and Jae were good friends, but i never thought that the stories he would tell me were so… common.
-Dude, y-you’re pathetic. - Eric says, right before we step out of the house. At this point, people around us are starting to stare. Before Jae can retaliate, he continues - You can have any girl at the school and you stick with that?? Have you even fucked her yet? - he says, pointing at me as he speaks. Almost inaudible gasps and chuckles fill the entry hall as the words escape his liquor-damped lips, a mere silence following.
My eyebrows furrow at his little speech. I’m confused, shocked, appalled… wordless. I take an instinctive look at Jaehyun, who’s facing the door but looks down at the floor. After what feels like an eternity, he turns around, walking slowly towards Eric. A smug expression slowly builds on Eric’s face, waiting for Jae to get to him. Without saying a word, Jaehyun’s knuckles turn white with rage, making his normally kept composure disappear in a second, and in the blink of an eye, his closed fist swings in the air as fast as lightning, colliding with Eric’s face in a cold, firm impact.
Eric stumbles back, trying to balance himself as his friends catch him from behind.
-What the hell?! - he screams in rage, starting to swing his own fist.
In a rapid and clashing movement, Jaehyun grabs the boy’s fist mid-air and looks at him, a cold expression reflected in his eyes.
-Don’t speak about her like that again. - he says coldly before twisting Eric’s fist, making him fall to the ground.
He turns to me and grabs my arm. «Let’s go», he mumbles under his breath, pulling me with the strength of the altercation still lingering in his grip.
We get in the car silently, the rest of the ride is filled with a deafening void, the only sound present being the car wheels gliding against the wet road. After a few minutes, i speak up, noticing Jaehyun’s unusual serious gaze as he looks into the road.
-What was that all about? - the silence breaks with my voice, making him lightly flinch. He clears his throat, scratching his head.
-Sorry you had to see that… Eric is insane. I don’t even know why he acts like that - he chuckles, trying to alleviate the tension.
-Why was he saying those things? - i ask, looking for a genuine answer that i feared i was not gonna get.
-Uh, wha- What do you mean? - he stutters, something odd for him. He’s acting like he doesn’t know exactly what i’m talking about.
-Why did he say those things about… about me and you?
He goes quiet, seemingly looking for an answer himself. But something told me he had it, he just didn’t wanna reveal it yet.
-Myung Jaehyun, you can’t lie to me.
-I’m telling you, i don’t know! Maybe he likes you, or something.
I know, we both know he’s lying. I’m not exactly the kind of girl Eric really goes for, and he’s had a public crush on Yuna for years. Even if he did like me, i’m nothing like her; she’s tall, blond, pretty and bubbly. I’m just…. kind of the exact opposite.
But i don’t say anything. Instead, the previous silence creeps back into the car for the rest of the ride, broken by the car screeching as he hits the breaks and we arrive to my front door.
Jaehyun looks down at his feet, almost waiting for the words to come out of his mouth before i step out of the vehicle.
-Sorry you had to see that. He’s such a jerk… - he says, fidgeting with the wrinkles of his cargo jeans.
-I know he is… But why did you act like that? Why would you punch him? Isn’t your whole thing that violence is never the answer?? - i say confused, finally coming to my senses as i fully process what has happened.
He keeps quiet, listening to my mother-like scolding.
-You’re right. I… I’m sorry, okay? I just snapped… You should get inside, anyway, your mom must be waiting for you.
-Yeah… - i say, slightly disappointed that he brushed off the topic but starting to feel the tiredness kick in once i notice the hour: it’s almost 1 AM. - Bye.
-Bye… - he says, watching carefully as i get out of the car and give him an awkward smile before shutting the door.
by: jeonjungkookrealaccount (please don't claim as your own! T-T)
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from the author (aka me lol):
hii! this is my first ever post AND story so please take that into consideration! T-T i'm new to writing so i will GLADLY take tips from more experienced authors/writers out there!! please tell me anything you wanna see and anything you like/dislike so far!! i would extremely appreciate it :)) please share if you enjoyed <3
