♫ : to. x - taeyeon

It was around one in the morning when your phone rang, the sound breaking the quiet of your apartment. You glanced at your phone, blinking in confusion as Jake's number flashed across the screen.

"Hello?" You answer, confused. 

Why would he call me at this time?

"Hi," A voice spoke nervously on the other end. "Um, I'm a friend of Jake's. Sorry to call so late but he's, uh, really drunk right now. You're the only contact of his we found that's in Korea, and... well, we really didn't know who else to call."

You gripped the phone tighter. "Where are you guys?"

"We're at the bar on Hongdae Street. He's not in great shape, kept talking about, uh, someone he might have feelings for... It's bothering him a lot."

Your stomach twists. Feelings for someone? A thought nags at you - if you'd just made a move earlier, maybe it wouldn't have come to this. Maybe Jake wouldn't have landed his eyes on someone else.

But earlier, when? You'd only known each other as adults for, what, barely a week?

"I'll be right there," you muttered, already grabbing your keys and jacket as you hung up. The thought of Jake drunk and upset... You just can't leave him like that. Although you're probably not the one he was hoping to see.

It didn't take long before you found Jake slumped in a bar booth, eyes half-lidded. His friend, looking a little more sober but equally defeated, gave you a sheepish nod as you approached.

"Sorry, I didn't know who else to call," He scratched the back of his neck. "He had a lot to drink because I just went through a breakup, and, well, he ended up drinking way more than me."

You glanced at Jake, your chest tightening at the sight of him like this. So vulnerable. His hair is a mess, his lips slightly parted as he mumbles something. 

Feelings for someone. You don't dare ask his friend any more questions. Instead, you gently nudge Jake.

"Jake," you called softly, leaning closer. "Let's get you home."

It took a while, but you managed to get him into the passenger seat of your car. His head rested against the headrest, eyes fluttering closed. You let out a small sigh, fastening his seatbelt before sliding into the driver's seat.

Just as you started the car, Jake muttered something under his breath. You looked over, only to see his eyes shut tight as he seemed to drift in and out of sleep.

You stared at him, the ache in your chest growing heavier. You've always known how good-looking Jake is, but there's something so different about seeing him like this.

His lips parting slightly as he breathed deeply. His long lashes resting against his skin. You take in every detail, unable to stop your mind from spiraling. The question kept coming back - if you had made a move earlier, would things have been different? 

But there wasn't an earlier, you kept reminding yourself. You just have to let it be. Let him be.

By the time you reach your apartment, you've mentally exhausted yourself by overthinking.

You helped Jake inside. To you, he's heavy, and it took all your strength to drag him to your bedroom, laying him down on your bed. Jake groaned as you started to peel off his expensive Prada jacket.

His eyes fluttered open halfway, glazed, but he clearly wasn't fully conscious, and he mumbled something that sounded like a name. It wasn't yours.

You swallowed hard, trying to shove down the emotions rising in your chest. It's fine. It's not like you thought he liked you, right?

As you struggled with his jacket, Jake's hand suddenly wrapped around your wrist. You froze, your breath caught in your throat as he pulled you closer. Too close. You land almost on top of him, his arms circling you loosely.

"Jake?" you whispered, trying to pull away, but he was stronger than you expected in his half-asleep state. His hold slightly tightened, keeping you there, pressed against his chest.

For a moment, you hesitated. A small part of you selfishly wanted to stay like this. To feel his warmth and pretend, just for a second, that this was where you belong.

But the reality stings - he was thinking of someone else, someone who isn't you. And yet, you stayed frozen, unsure of what to do.

Then, suddenly, Jake's head dipped down, his breath ghosting over your skin.

His lips pressed softly against your forehead, a light touch that made your heart race. Before you could react, he tilted his head down even more, brushing his lips against yours in the lightest of kisses.

Your brain went blank, freezing in place as the world around you seemed to stop. The kiss was brief, barely lasting a few seconds, but it was enough to completely knock you off balance.

He's not awake. He doesn't know who he's kissing. That thought ran through your mind on repeat, making your heart ache even more.

You pulled away, stumbling to your feet as you escaped his grip, your mind a chaotic mess of emotions. Jake fell back onto the bed, his breathing slow and even, seemingly completely unaware of what just happened.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you fled to the couch, trying to calm yourself down. But your lips still tingled from where his lips brushed against yours, your mind replaying the moment over and over again. And the worst part is knowing those kisses weren't meant for you.

-

The room was dark, the noise of the city outside barely reaching his ears as he laid on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. His head throbbed from the alcohol, but his mind was clear enough to replay what happened just now.

Jake's lips curved into a small, tired smile as his fingers brushed against his lips, the memory of your warmth still lingering and the scent of your shampoo clung to the pillow beneath his head.

He knew exactly who he kissed.