You're My Escape[S.Coups FF]✅ - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Ara was curled up on her bed, watching a K-drama, when a knock came on her door. Without looking away from the screen, she called out, "Come in."
Jeonghan entered her room and flopped down on the bed beside her, closing his eyes with a tired sigh. They stayed in companionable silence for a minute until Ara broke it, sensing something was off.
"Oppa? Is something bothering you?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.
Jeonghan opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, exhaling deeply. After a moment, he turned his head slightly toward her and asked, "Ara, do you like someone?"
Ara's eyes widened, and she felt a flush of nervousness creep up her neck. "Why do you ask this suddenly?" she responded, trying to keep her voice steady.
Jeonghan shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "Nothing, I was just curious."
Ara quickly hid her feelings behind a practiced smile. "No, oppa, I don't."
Jeonghan studied her for a moment before sighing again. "Ara, I know at this age people get feelings for someone, but I don't want you to date anyone right now. I want you to focus on your studies, okay?"
Jeonghan studied her for a moment before sighing again. "Ara, I know at this age people get feelings for someone, but I don't want you to date anyone right now. I want you to focus on your studies, okay?"
Ara frowned, turning to face him. "Oppa, why are you being so overprotective? I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle my own feelings." Jeonghan sat up, looking at her seriously. "I know you're not a kid, Ara. But you're my little sister, and I worry about you. I just want what's best for you."
Ara sighed, sitting up beside him. "I get that, Don't you trust me."Jeonghan ruffled her hair affectionately.
"I do trust you. It's the other boys intentions I don't trust." Ara rolled her eyes, laughing. "You sound like a cliché overprotective brother from my K-dramas." Jeonghan chuckled. "Maybe I am. But those brothers usually have a point, don't they?"
Ara nudged him playfully. "Yeah, yeah. But seriously, oppa, you need to chill a bit. I promise, if I ever think of dating someone i won't date without your permission ."Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Ara nodded, her heart heavy with the secret she was keeping. "Okay, oppa."
Just then, Jeonghan's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and saw it was a call from Joshua. He stood up, ruffling Ara's hair affectionately. "Good night, Ara."
"Good night, oppa," she replied, watching him leave her room.
As the door closed behind him, Ara let out a sigh, her mind swirling with thoughts of Seungcheol. She knew her brother meant well, but hiding her feelings was becoming harder each day. leaning back against her pillows. Her thoughts wandered to all the moments she had shared with him—the lingering glances, the gentle smiles, the way her heart fluttered whenever he was near.
"Why does it have to be so complicated?" she whispered to herself, feeling a familiar ache in her chest.
Ara's mind raced with questions and doubts. Till when do I have to hide my feelings? What if he never sees me the way I see him? The uncertainty gnawed at her, filling her with a sense of helplessness. She had always been good at hiding her emotions, at pretending everything was fine, but with Seungcheol, it was different. Her feelings for him were growing stronger every day, and the weight of her secret was becoming too much to bear.
A tear slipped down her cheek as she thought about the possibility that Seungcheol might never love her back. What if he only saw her as Jeonghan's little sister, someone to protect and look out for, but never someone to love? The thought was almost too painful to consider.
Ara sat on her bed, tears slipping down her cheeks as she recalled the moments that led to her falling for Seungcheol. It all started with a series of small, seemingly insignificant events that gradually intertwined her heart with his.
Flashbacks
She remembered the first time Seungcheol visited her home. He and Jeonghan had just become friends, and Jeonghan had invited him over. Ara had As she walked past the hallway, her hands full of books, she slipped and the books fell. She bend down to pick it up, Seungcheol did the same, scooping it up with a gentle smile.
"Here you go," he had said, his voice kind and warm.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Ara felt her heart skip a beat. "Thank you," she had murmured, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. It was a small gesture, but it left a lasting impression on her.
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The next memory that surfaced was of Seungcheol playing basketball. She had been watching Jeonghan's practice, and Seungcheol was there, effortlessly dribbling the ball, his movements fluid and confident. His smile was radiant, lighting up his face whenever he made a good shot or passed the ball to a teammate. Ara found herself smiling along with him, her heart fluttering at the sight.
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Then came Jeonghan's birthday party. The house was bustling with friends and laughter, and Ara had found a quiet moment in the backyard, needing a break from the noise. Seungcheol had found her there, his presence calming and comforting. They had talked and laughed, his easygoing nature putting her at ease. When he had taken her hand to lead her back inside, saying, "Come on, it's not a party without you," she felt butterflies in her stomach. She thought it was just a crush, a simple infatuation with someone kind and charming.
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But then she remembered the day she knew it was more than just a crush. It was during a particularly tough time for her. She had been overwhelmed with schoolwork, stressed and exhausted. One evening, Jeonghan had invited mingyu jungkook and Seungcheol over to spend some time and scoups had taken it upon himself to make her smile. He had brought over her favorite snacks, played her favorite songs,her favourite flowers and even attempted to dance ridiculously just to see her laugh.
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Seeing him go out of his way to make her happy, to lift her spirits when she was feeling down, made something click inside her. It wasn't just his kindness or his smile; it was the way he genuinely cared for her, the way he made her feel seen and valued. That night, as she lay in bed, she realized that her feelings for Seungcheol had grown into something deeper. It wasn't a simple crush; it was love.
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Flashback ended
Back in her room, Ara hugged her knees, the memories bringing both a smile and fresh tears. She wiped her eyes, the ache in her chest deepening. "Why did it have to be you, why do you have to be my brothers bestfriend?" she whispered to the empty room. "Why did you have to be so perfect?"
The weight of her unspoken feelings pressed down on her, and she wondered how long she could keep pretending. How long she could keep loving him from afar, hiding her heart behind a mask of indifference. She closed her eyes, letting the memory of those moments comfort her, even as they filled her with a longing she could not voice.
The fear of rejection loomed large, making her hesitant to ever confess her feelings. What if telling him ruined everything? What if it made things awkward between them and strained his friendship with Jeonghan? She didn't want to be the reason for any rift or discomfort.
On the other side
Seungcheol was playing video games on his computer, trying to unwind after a long day. The sounds of the game filled his room, but his mind kept wandering back to earlier events. He couldn't shake the image of Minghao dancing with Ara, their laughter and smiles filling the dance room. The feeling of jealousy gnawed at him, making it hard to focus on the game.
He remembered how Ara had looked, her face lighting up with joy as she danced with Minghao. The way she laughed freely and seemed so at ease with him. Seungcheol couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. He had known Ara for years, ever since he became friends with Jeonghan, but lately, his feelings for her had grown into something deeper, something he was too scared to tell her thinking what if she doesn't feel the same.
He paused the game, leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling. "Why do I feel like this?" he muttered to himself. He didn't want to be the jealous type, but the thought of Ara being happy with someone else, especially someone as charming and flirty as Minghao, made his heart ache.
His mind drifted back to all the moments they had shared. He remembered the countless times they had shared laughs, conversations, and those small, tender moments that had made him fall for her more and more.
Seungcheol sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. He was terrified of losing her, of never having the chance to tell her how he really felt. The fear of rejection, of ruining their friendship and his relationship with Jeonghan, kept him from speaking up.
As he sat there, he realized he couldn't keep these feelings bottled up forever. Watching Ara with Minghao today had been a wake-up call. He needed to find a way to express his feelings, to let her know how much she meant to him. But how?
The game forgotten, Seungcheol stood up and paced his room. He thought about Ara's laugh, her smile, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy. He couldn't bear the thought of never telling her how he felt, of always wondering what could have been.
"I have to do something," he said to himself, determination filling his voice. He couldn't let fear hold him back any longer. He needed to find the courage to tell Ara the truth, even if it meant risking everything.
With a deep breath, He would find the right moment, the right words, and he would let her know how much he loved her. Because even if it scared him, the thought of losing her without ever having tried was far worse.