Tangled hearts

The silence between Jake and Heeseung was heavier than ever. The moment their friends left, the air felt charged, thick with unspoken words. Jake shifted on his feet, unsure where to start. His heart pounded in his chest, not because he was nervous about Heeseung being here, but because he didn’t know how to handle this—how to talk about what had happened at the club.

Heeseung, standing a few steps away, stuffed his hands into his pockets. His eyes flickered with hesitation, as if he was waiting for Jake to speak first. When Jake remained silent, Heeseung finally sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“Are you avoiding me?” Heeseung asked, voice quiet but firm.

Jake’s fingers curled into the fabric of his sweatpants. He had known this question was coming, yet he still wasn’t prepared for it.

“No,” Jake muttered, though even he wasn’t sure if that was the truth.

Heeseung gave a small, humorless chuckle. “You are bad at lying, Jake. You know that.”

Jake exhaled sharply, looking down. “It’s not like that, Heeseung. I just… I don’t know how to deal with this.”

“This?” Heeseung repeated, his voice tinged with pain and frustation. “You mean me confessing?”

Jake swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

Heeseung let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “So you are avoiding me.”

Jake looked up sharply. “I don’t want to hurt you, Heeseung.”

That made Heeseung pause. His usual confident demeanor wavered, replaced by something vulnerable. His eyes searched Jake’s, trying to find something—anything—that would tell him what Jake was really feeling.

“You don’t have to feel the same way,” Heeseung said, his voice softer now. “I just… I needed you to know.”

Jake pressed his lips together, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. “I don’t want to lose you as a friend. You’re important to me, Heeseung.”

Heeseung’s jaw tightened. “And you’re important to me too, Jake. But I can’t just switch off my feelings.”

Jake sighed, rubbing his temples. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.” Heeseung’s voice was barely above a whisper now. “Just… don’t push me away.”

Jake finally looked at him, really looked at him. Heeseung’s eyes held something raw, something Jake wasn’t sure how to respond to. He didn’t want to lose this friendship, but he also didn’t want to lead Heeseung on.

After a long pause, Jake nodded. “I won’t. And I am sorry, I didn't realize I was avoiding you.”

It wasn’t a promise of love. It wasn’t even reassurance. But it was something.

And for now, it was enough.

---

Meanwhile…

Sunghoon sat on his bed, phone in hand, staring at Jake’s last message from the night before.

Sorry but I really had to do this.

That was all Jake had said after breaking off the deal.

Sunghoon knew Jake really need his time to think it thoroughly on his own but it felt uneasy. Like something is piercing. He was confused because he should be relieved to be  finally free from his parents and Jake. But that's not the case here. He felt like something is missing, a big piece.

The worst part was… it stung.

Sunghoon never cared about relationships. He never cared about romance. He never cared about any of this.

Then why did it bother him so much?

Why did it hurt when it shouldn't?

Why is it affecting him so much?

Sunghoon ran a frustrated hand through his hair and flopped backwards onto the bed. He started recalling all the moments with Jake. Whenever he is near him, he felt different. Out of nowhere he thought something.

Did I fell for him for real?

Sunghoon jolted upwards. "What? No way." He murmered to himself. Do I like him? Really? I'll just find out.

Thinking that he grabbed his phone and messaged Jake.

---