Withered - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Other months have passed since I'm together with Jeongyeon oppa. He's really a good guy there's nothing would make me not to like him, it just I kinda feel guilty for some reason. Also, weird things are last month I couldn't reach Chaengie for three days, he didn't answer my call nor reply to my message. But then come back like nothing happened. He smiles and treats me the same way he usually did. Teasing me and always with his lame jokes. He said he lost his phone that's why. I know he's lying and I know he won't want to talk about it, so I let it slide. Everything is fine as for now.
Tomorrow is my birthday, and my parents want to hold a massive party since I also won first place at Ballet & Contemporary Dance but I successfully convinced them that I don't need or even want a huge party. A family gathering or just 'us' is more like me. My parents end up choosing family gathering and lots of my cousin and aunt that I've never seen will come, even Papa Cherry also will be here. Well, that's better than an open massive party.
I invite Jeongyeon to come and he's so excited and nervous, that's what he said and I could literally see it on his face. I've told everyone about Jeongyeon and they said they were happy for me, although my mom did ask about Chaengie which I only shrugged on confusion at her statement "So, Chae really just a friend" she said but I don't know why it sounds like a question.
[Umm Mina, what should I buy? ]
"Oppa, you don't have to buy anything. Just come I'll be waiting"
[No, that's rude if I come with an empty hand.]
"They don't really care, don't worry. Hurry I miss you already."
[Oh......... Oh?...... ]
"What?"
[Umm. Are you sick?]
"No, I'm not. Why?"
[Ahh, haha nothing. I miss you too. And Umm I need to get ready..bye I love you]
"Bye"
I end the call then put my phone on my desk. I still can't say it. I thought as I'm standing in front of a mirror staring at myself. But in no time, I will.
I wear a long silver pearl drop with a dark blue dress. It's in shiny blue shade made of thick synthetic material with thin straps around the neck. The dress reaches down the knees and has floral prints all around and also with a pair of high heels.
Everyone is already gathered in the living room. And it is so loud with all the chit chat everywhere, I could hear though being in my room. I open my bedroom door just to be greeted by Chaengie who's wearing a plain shirt with Levi's jeans and brown leather shoes .
"Ready, birthday girl" He says with a playful smirk.
"Be a gentleman, help me get down the stairs, I'm wearing high heels"
He laughs before locking his arms with me, thanks to him, I get down without making fun of myself like last time. What happened? Well, I tripped when I was 13 and being teased for a whole week by a talking cub.
"He's late, right," Chaengie says giving me a glass of water since I don't drink.
"I'll call--"
"M-Mina? "
I turn around when my name being called. There he is, smiling while waving his hand, he wears cream vest, black shirt and stripes bow tie, jeans on and black leather shoes. I walk towards him, pinch his nose for come a bit late. He gives me a bouquet of roses. Geez, I said don't have to bring anything. What a stubborn kid.
I sigh in defeat when he keeps inhale and exhale with a big lump of air. No mentioning that he doesn't even do his hair or wear his bow tie properly. What a kid. I open my pouch and luckily found a comb out of all the makeup in there. I lean forward, fixing his hair into a neat and organized at least made it better than before. I scold him for not even know how to care himself as I tuck the wings of the collar behind the bow tie.
"Come, I'll introduce you my friend" I said dragging him to meet Chaengie.
They introduce themselves to each other and talk about some things that I don't get, by now, looking at them, they kinda the same as I pretend to laugh at their lame jokes. Chaengie excuse himself to the washroom while again I drag Jeongyeon oppa to meet my family.
My family seems to like him, and I can say he really good at pleasing my parents. His lame jokes become a joke because it is not really a funny joke. I'm happy for him.
Before we call it a day, Jeongyeon oppa and my dad have a little talk outside in the veranda. I hope dad doesn't give him a hard time. He returns with a stone face, he looks so tense and bothered. Before I could ask him about it, Chaengie flicks my forehead while putting his arms around jeongyeon oppa.
"I'll borrow him" He says at me, smiling before turning to face jeongyeon oppa "Let's have a little game in the town.  Are you in?"
They disappear before I even say a word. Please don't influence him too much. I thought. Not that Chaengie is a bad example but who knows what are they doing, Chaengie likes to go high speed in a long highway, though I already beat him hard because of it.
_____________________________________
Mina guessed right. Chaeyoung uses Dahyun's car and goes for maximum speed in a highway. But to his surprise, a lot of people would usually beg for life if they were in Jeongyeon's place but instead he seems to enjoy it. Screaming his lungs out while raising both his hand feeling the wind.
They stop at a beach. Chaeyoung start to question Jeongyeon about his relationship with Mina. And whether he is serious.
"Mina, she hates thunder, makes sure you always there to console her. She likes to eat snack, make sure you don't let her eat it too much. She's a homebody, so bring her out sometime. She's introverted, so always speak up for her and try to understand her. She also li----"
"--I..I will get to know her better. And you look like you're going somewhere"  Jeongyeon cut in.
"I will. Don't tell her though. She's going to be mad. My dad offers me to come with him back to America to focus on my study. And I agreed. So, take care of her while I'm gone."
With that, they little talk ended as both of them falls back with silence engulf them.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The next day, Jeongyeon bring Mina on a date since it's Sunday. Jeongyeon has been contemplating to tell Mina about Chaeyoung but he chooses not to meddle in.
"As I said, Chaengie is a good guy right," Mina says happily while eating ice cream.
"He is" Jeongyeon reply before dragging Mina to buy groceries since they are going to have dinner in Jeongyeon house.
"You know, Chaengie really hate beans." The girl exclaims while giggling a bit, staring at the pack of beans in hand. Jeongyeon who noticed the small smile on Mina's face, just keep quite.
After having what they need, they walk to Jeongyeon house and cook together, mostly Jeongyeon since he's a better chef than Mina. For the guy, it is not a good date. He misses something. Mina's presence. Something doesn't feel right.
They sit across each other and again Mina complaint on how similar Jeongyeon is with Chaeyoung, how both of them shared the same interest, somehow sound the same in particular words or how they dressed the same way.
"Mina, can you stop that" Jeongyeon put his utensil, gazing at her.
"Eh?" Mina tilts her head.
"Chaengie here, Chaengie there. Can you stop talking about him? You're with me the entire day but somehow I don't feel you beside me. Like your heart or mind is not with me. I----I thought he just a friend" Jeongyeon spit out.
"Oppa--I"
"Maybe, both of us need time" Jeongyeon says before he leaves the table, standing up and swing his feet toward his bedroom but stop and says "You can go home by yourself right. Text me when you're home." Leaving Mina alone trying to explain herself but couldn't. She leaves after knocking Jeongyeon bedroom door and apologize.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Chaeyoung already packed his stuff and will leave with his dad tomorrow. He already told his brothers and they are a bit concerned but finally, they let him. Tzuyu thought of his brother choosing the third choice, which is to leave. Chaeyoung doesn't say a word to the Myoui because he doesn't want to ruin the mood when everyone right now is happy after the party yesterday, but he let Sana knows.
Today, he goes for a walk in the town just to enjoy his last day before he leaves the country. He walks to the park and recall all the memories he had with Mina, also meet Nana and have some little talk before Nana smack his head for being so stupid, but still hug him tight afterwards. He spends the day just walking without any direction until he bumps with the least person he wants to see, Mark. But that guy immediately apologies for what he had done and Chaeyoung forgive him since he looks sincere.
To wrap everything, they decide to drink in a club, Mark basically drags Chaeyoung although he doesn't want because he easily gets drunk, besides he has a flight tomorrow evening. Chaeyoung sigh and ends up in a club, promise to himself that he'll leave only after one sip.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
On her way to her house, Mina feels uneasy leaving Jeongyeon alone. She knows what she did is wrong, so she turns her way and walks back to Jeongyeon house to apologize and hoping the guy already cool down. He knocks the main door couple of time only stop when her phone buzz. She answers it, clueless at why Chaeyoung calls her.
[Umm, hello is this Mina?]
Her brow creased to the unfamiliar voice "Umm, Yes, I am, who is this?"
[I'm a bartender in Yale Club and looks like your friend is too drunk, I call you as he keeps murmuring your name]
"Ahh, I'm sorry, I'll get him. Could you send me the address?"
Mina has to give up on apologizing to Jeongyeon and decides she will see him tomorrow. Mina quickly takes a bus and follow the address she received. Upon arriving, it's a huge luxurious club and there's a lot of people dancing or even making out. She found Chaeyoung sitting in the corner with his head in hands. '*He never goes to a club, I don't even know he drink now* Mina thought before catching Chaeyoung from falling.
"Chaengie! Wake up!" She shouts multiple times to get the Cub back to his senses but all her shouting is to no avail. She tries to call Dahyun and Tzuyu but neither of them answers her. With that, she leaves with no choice but to support Chaeyoung to walk until they reach outside the club.
Mina take a taxi to bring the drunk cub home, while on the ride, Chaeyoung keeps calling her name whereas every time he does Mina will answer but nothing come out as a reply. She let out a heavy sigh when they arrive because again she has to carry the giant cub, luckily, she's not wearing a skirt but jeans. Never knows what anticipate her through the night.
Mina supports Chaeyoung with her arms around his waist while his hands around her shoulder. She lost her energy from carrying the younger, the best thing she could do is to support him to walk to himself.
After arriving at Chaeyoung's bedroom, she flops the guy on the bed while she falls on her butt breathing hard. Why is he so heavy. Mina talks to herself. She takes a few minutes to rest before placing Chaeyoung in a correct position and not lying on his stomach. She helps him to open his shoes then his sock before she tucks him neatly under the blanket.
"Good night tiger," She says while tapping Chaeyoung's forehead with her index finger, smiling when the cub groans a bit. She turns around and about to walk away but stop when Chaeyoung grabs her hand.
"Don't leave"
Mina faces him and surprises when he utters a word. She thought he is drunk enough to even speak. Mina sits on her knees and leans closer to him worriedly asking if he's okay. Chaeyoung does not reply but keeps his mouth shut for a minute before he says, "I don't want to be your friend anymore".
Clueless Mina, still not understand or catch any of his words as she thought Chaeyoung is mumbling something unexplainable. She's about to leave when she convinced that they cub are already falling asleep. But Chaeyoung suddenly open his eyes and cups her cheeks, he leans in a little closer, their foreheads touching. Mina's eyes widen as she tries to pull away but again being grab by the younger.
"This is bad"
The only word that leaves Chaeyoung's mouth before he pulls her and their lips came into contact with each other.