2.09

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

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"hey jake! food's gonna be here in 15 mins. why'd you run out for?" sunghoon said nonchalantly.
jake took his phone from the table. "sunghoon, this is heeseung. he's also korean and he lives in the same neighborhood as my parents."
sunghoon looked behind jake where heeseung was standing a bit awkwardly and clearly tense. either way, heeseung smiled with his lips and it made sunghoon feel a bit welcome.
"heeseung, this is sunghoon. he also came in the exchange program but a year earlier than me, so he showed me around and helped me." 
"that's me! nice to finally meet you heeseung!" sunghoon cheered extending his hand to shake heeseung's.
the older accepted sunghoon's outstretched hand and shook it, "nice to meet you, too."
"well, we just came to grab my phone. i'll be right back hoon," jake declared a bit flustered.
"wait but heeseung isn't gonna eat with us? i thought that's why you brought him here," sunghoon asked.
"oh, i—" jake stuttered but heeseung was quick to step up.
"i actually just ate so, it's alright. i shouldn't interfere in your meal. we'll be quick so the food doesn't get cold," heeseung assured.
sunghoon mumbled an okay and jake followed heeseung zoned out. it was obvious jake hadn't even thought about inviting heeseung to eat with them, which led heeseung to believe jake didn't want to in the first place.
and given yesterday's conversation, it wasn't that strange either. so heeseung kept his composure as much as he could, he didn't want to crumble right in front of jake. he wouldn't allow himself.
"hey, heeseung... did you really eat? because if not you can totally join us! that place has great tomahawk and it isn't that expensive. i'll treat you," jake insisted.
but heeseung really just wanted to get back to his lonely hotel room and bury himself under the blankets.
"i did eat, the food's delicious here."
jake wasn't convinced, which started irritating heeseung a bit. what about him was so untrustworthy that the one person who used to know him best couldn't believe a word he said?
"i should give you my number so you can get back inside quickly. sunghoon must be waiting for you," heeseung stated.
jake hesitated, sighed and then took out his phone and gave it to heeseung. in under 30 seconds heeseung's phone started ringing.
"be sure to save it, i'll save yours too," heeseung said.
jake noticed the sadness heeseung carried now, with every word he spoke to jake and every glance he gave him. and then jake realized heeseung had been like that for way before he came to brisbane...
"i'll get going then, have a nice meal the two of you," heeseung stepped backwards.
jake was frozen in place like there was nothing else he could do. he just stared at heeseung with an expression the latter couldn't come close to deciphering.
"jake. go inside, your food must already be served."
heeseung smiled sweetly at him. jake snapped out of his thoughts with that and smiled back before he could do anything else. the older took this as a sign of goodbye and walked away, slower this time, except jake didn't run after him. and heeseung didn't turn back.

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how we feeling bubs? 
are you ready for it? 
-nova<3