0.6

The next day, Wonwoo had avoided Areum's texts. He didn't want to talk to her, or anyone else. He just wanted to be alone for a while.

He was sitting at a bench at the park, a cup of coffee in his hands as he typed something on his laptop. He was working on a research that he had to submit. Him and Areum had agreed to do it together, but since he was avoiding her, and he needed something to distract him, he chose to do it on his own.

An hour later, he let out a sigh as he picked up his phone, checking the notifications he'd received.

Areum: What a great best friend! You left me alone at the party! Areum: But Mingyu said you felt sick, are you okay? Areum: Why aren't you answering my texts?Areum: I'm coming over. Areum: I just came over and your parents told me you're not here. Where are you, Wonwoo? Areum: I'm starting to get worried...

Mingyu: Are you avoiding her? You need to answer her texts, she called me, freaking out!

He was about to type in a reply when his phone rang. It was Areum. He waited a few seconds before picking up.

"Hell—"

"Why the hell aren't you answering your phone!?" She yelled through the speaker, making him pull the phone away from his ear. "I'd been texting you all day! You ditched me, and then I find out you're sick, and then you stop answering my calls and texts! What the hell, Wonwoo!"

"I'm sorry, I guess..." he said softly. "I just felt a little bit tired, that's all."

"I'm your best friend, you're supposed to talk to me!" She yelled again.

"I'm sorry," he apologized again.

She was silent for a moment, before letting out a long breath. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the park," he answered.

"Come over, I'm waiting." She hung up before he could answer.

Letting out a breath, he stood up, packing his laptop and books and heading to his car. It was a five minutes drive from the park to Areum's house.

When he rang the doorbell, her mother answered, giving Wonwoo a quick hug before letting him in. He walked upstairs to Areum's room, and she was sitting right there, on her phone, her hair in a messy bun, and she looked so beautiful.

"Hi," he greeted softly.

Areum looked up, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and sadness. She stood up, slowly walking towards Wonwoo. And then suddenly, she pulled him into a hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. He was shocked at first, but his hand slowly slipped around her waist, hugging her back.

"I was so worried," she whispered. "I swear if you do this again..."

"I'm not doing this again."

His heart was beating so fast, and his stomach was doing backflips. He hated how she made him feel this way. She just hurt him, even if she didn't know she did, and he was right there, hugging her, promising not to worry her again, when he was heartbroken.

Soon, they were both sitting on her bed, munching on chips as she rambled on and on about last night's party.

"He introduced me to his group of friends," she said excitedly. "They're kinda fun, I guess. I don't know, I felt awkward around them, like I couldn't be myself. And they were just... eyeing me weirdly."

"They're not fun, they're creepy," Wonwoo stated.

"I guess." She shrugged. "Oh, right, there's something I need to tell you."

"Sure, you can tell me anything."

"But you can't tell the others," she said. "At least not yet."

"You're scaring me..." Wonwoo chuckled nervously.

"Hajoon asked me out!" She squealed. "We're going out tomorrow!"

That was all he needed to hear for his heart to shatter into a million pieces.