0.7

Yesterday was the day Wonwoo got his heartbroken. Today, he had to act like everything was fine. He did his usual routine. He took a shower, got dressed, had breakfast with his parents, picked up Areum and headed to school.

The drive was awkward. Areum was singing and dancing to random songs, while Wonwoo just sat there, driving in silence. He would give her a small nod every time she looked at him. Nothing else.

When they reached school, he immediately ran to the group, standing between Mingyu and Jun, so he wouldn't be able to stand next to Areum. He didn't want to touch her. He didn't want to talk to her. He just wanted to heal. But he couldn't avoid her, and he couldn't show her how heartbroken he was.

But Mingyu and Seungkwan could see right through him. Mingyu knew how upset Wonwoo was because of the kiss, but he still hadn't found out about Hajoon asking Areum out. Seungkwan knew nothing, but when Areum called him crying, worried about Wonwoo not answering her, he knew something was up.

"Areum!" Hajoon passed by them, waving at Areum.

"Oh, hi!" Areum left the group without saying a word.

They watched as she walked away with Hajoon, their eyes slightly widening with shock, while Wonwoo tried to ignore the sound of his heart breaking.

"Umm, can someone... explain?" Vernon asked.

"We have ten minutes before class," Mingyu stated. "Let's go sit somewhere."

The group went to their usual spot under the tree.

"So..." Jun began.

"Just tell us what's happening!" Seungkwan yelled.

Wonwoo sighed, before explaining everything to them. How he was in love with her ever since they were kids, how Mingyu just found out about it, how he saw her kissing Hajoon at the party, which was why she ditched them right now.

"Wow..." Vernon breathed.

"You've been keeping this from us, all these years!" Seungkwan screamed, smacking Wonwoo's forehead, and then Mingyu's.

"It wasn't my secret to tell!" Mingyu groaned.

"I just... I didn't want to make our friendship awkward," Wonwoo said quietly. "But I guess it doesn't matter anymore."

"It does matter!" Jun exclaimed. "She just ditched us! And for who? Hajoon? Ew."

"Tell me about it!" Seungkwan laughed. "How can't she see that he's an idiot? A player? He's not the right person to go out with!"

"How could she not be in love with you," Vernon continued. "I mean, you're an amazing man. You're caring, you're funny, you've always been by her side."

"I wish I wasn't in love with her," Wonwoo said, trying to stop his tears from falling. "I hate feeling this way. Every time I see her with him, smiling at him, just talking about him... I feel like I'm drowning... I'm suffocating. I hate how... no matter how much it hurts me, I can't stop loving her, even when part of me knows I'm already losing..."

The group went silent. They stared at Wonwoo with sadness in their eyes. They wanted to do anything to make him happy, but they knew this wasn't easy for him. Hell, it shouldn't be easy, he'd been in love with her for almost 11 years.

"Shit..." Vernon whispered.

"I'm so sorry, Wonwoo..." Jun said softly, patting his shoulder.

"Let's just forget about it." Wonwoo let out a cough, quickly rubbing the tears that fell as he looked up to his friends. "How about we have lunch at my place today?" He forced a smile.

"Ah, yes, I miss your mom's cooking!" Mingyu smiled.

Seungkwan nodded, not saying another word. He was afraid, if he said anything, he would cry.

The group agreed to meeting up at Wonwoo's place after school before standing up, heading to their first class of the day.

Without Areum by their side.