0.5

Wonwoo, Areum and the rest of the group spent the rest of their week studying and submitting assignments that were never-ending. It was now the weekend, and they were getting ready to go to Hajoon's party.

Wonwoo got dressed in simple jeans and a black tshirt. He stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection as he let out a long breath. He tried to push away the knot in his stomach, but the feeling was just too hard to ignore.

His phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. He looked at it and realized it was a message from Areum.

Areum: I'm ready! Let's gooo!

Wonwoo sighed and quickly typed back.

Wonwoo: On my way. See you soon.

He grabbed a jacket and walked out the door, heading to his car. When he arrived at Areum's house, she was already waiting outside. Her dark hair was flowing loosely over her shoulders, she was wearing a short pink dress that made her look even more stunning than usual. His breath hitched as he saw her.

"Hi!" She greeted him with a bright smile.

"Hey," he answered, a little too distracted by how beautiful she looked. "You look gorgeous."

"Really?" She smiled, leaning closer and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you! You don't look bad yourself." She giggled.

Wonwoo started driving, trying to hide his red cheeks. Areum's phone buzzed, and he couldn't help but glance at the phone screen.

Hajoon: I can't wait to see you, beautiful ;)

His stomach churned. He'd received many signs that they shouldn't go to the party, but for some reason, he was the one driving them to the party. The drive to their destination was short, Wonwoo spent the last ten minutes gripping the stirring wheel tightly, while Areum was dancing along to some song she played on AUX.

When they finally arrived, Areum jumped out of the car and practically ran towards the entrance, dragging Wonwoo behind her. Inside the house, the music was loud, and they were immediately hit with the smell of alcohol. People were scattered around, either dancing their hearts out or making out.

"Look! Over there!" She yelled to Wonwoo, pointing out their group of friends.

Mingyu, Seungkwan, Jun and Vernon waved back, grinning.

"You guys are always late!" Seungkwan exclaimed as he pulled them into a quick hug.

The group began drinking, except for Areum and Wonwoo. They didn't like alcohol, so they just danced around and chatted with a few people they knew from class. Soon, Areum left, walking over to Hajoon. Wonwoo couldn't help but watch as she talked to him, and soon, they were both laughing.

Wonwoo's chest twisted painfully. He wanted to be the one to make her laugh. It was stupid, he knew that. He shouldn't be jealous. But he couldn't just stop it.

Soon, Hajoon and Areum were dancing, his hands on her waist, gripping her tightly, as their bodies pressed together. Wonwoo's stomach twisted and his heart shattered into a million pieces.

"Hey, are you okay?" Mingyu asked, leaning closer to Wonwoo so he could hear him.

Wonwoo pointed at Areum and Hajoon, and when Mingyu saw them, his smile dropped.

"I don't trust him," Wonwoo said, his throat tightening.

Wonwoo spent his time with Mingyu, and when he got distracted for just a second, he realized Areum and Hajoon weren't there anymore.

"Where'd they go?" He asked.

"I'm not sure..." Mingyu's eyebrows furrowed. "They were right there just now..."

Mingyu and Wonwoo stood up, searching the house. They ran upstairs, which lead them to a long hallway. The moment they reached upstairs, Wonwoo stopped.

He found her.

He found Areum.

She was kissing Hajoon.

It was like the world around him slowed to a halt. His heart dropped into his stomach, and a tightness spread through his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He knew that Areum wasn't his, that she had every right to be with whoever she wanted. But seeing her lips pressed against Hajoon's, smiling as if she belonged in his arms, it shattered something inside of him.

Anger and jealousy twisted inside him, but it was mingled with something else, something that almost felt worse—sadness.

He knew that Hajoon was a player. He didn't like Areum, he was just using her. Wonwoo tried to warn Areum many times, but she never listened to him.

He felt light pressure on his shoulder, and as he turned around, he saw Mingyu, giving him a look that looked like... sadness.

"I'm sorry," Mingyu whispered to him.

"I'm leaving," Wonwoo said firmly. "Please take her home, make sure she's safe, okay?"

Mingyu nodded, and Wonwoo immediately disappeared.