double update for today :)

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Chapter 14

"W-We're... weㅡ"

"Yeah, they're close." Mark finishes.

Haejin looked at her brother, "Minhyung-oppa, shut up." She then looked at Taeyong, "I-I... I can'tㅡ"

"They're dating." Mark said.

The dream members laughed, excluding Jaemin. He was flustered. 'Why did Taeyong-hyung had to say that? I'm so embarrassed.' Inside his mind, he's already burrying himself.

"Mark, you're making things worse, shut up!!!" Haejin said. The members laughed.

"Mark, you're not being asked. Kindly shut up." Johnny said.

Mark bit his lip so that he won't smile. Just admit it, my dear sister.

Jaemin looked around. Jisung and Chenle were giggling beside Taeil.

Yuta and Winwin were chuckling.

The dream members looked like they know something. Why is Haechan looking at me like that? Why is Renjun smirking at me? Why is Jeno smiling?! Dream?!

"Jaemin-ah, are you hiding something from us?" Taeyong asked.

"Hyungs.. guys.. what are you saying?! Okay first of all.." Jaemin looked at Haejin who was also looking at him. He gulped. "First of all, we are cl-close..."

Haejin was looking at him. Her heart fluttered. 'We're close? Jinjja?' She thought.

"We... we're close. W-we met each other at a coffee shop. W-we kinda bumped into each other..." Jaemin explains.

"Mhm... would you also explain the reason of your stutters?" Jaehyun said, smirking. "Pull yourself together, we can't understand you."

Haejin sighed, standing up. "This is no use.. what's the point."

She was about to exit the room but Jisung blocked her way. "Jisung I'm going back to practice."

Jisung chuckled, "What practice are you talking about?"

"Just...."

"Listen to me, I'm older than you."

"What are you saying? We're the same age."

"Oh really? Because as far as I can remember, I'm three months older than you."

Jisung wins the argument. Haejin had no choice but to turn back and sit beside Mark.

"Look, I don't want things to be complicated. I also don't want you guys, Jaemin and Haejin, to be awkward. I... We just want to clarify some things." Taeyong starts.

"There are rumors here that you two are seeing each other. Is that true?"

What the hell? "No." Both answered at the same time.

"Are you close?"

"Yes" / "I don't know"

Jaemin and Haejin looked st each other.

If close meant holding hands when the others are not looking, and carrying her, then yes, we're close.

"Yes, Taeyong-oppa..." Haejin sighed.

There was silence.

For the first time, the atmosphere was heavy. The members, even Haejin, didn't like it.

"W-why... why are we questioning Haejin again?" Mark tries to break the silence but no to avail. Taeyong sighed, "We just wanted to clear things up."

"Haejin-ah, I hope you don't mind..."

Haejin looked at Taeyong. She's nervous as hell. She's more nervous now than her audition.

"Haejin, Jaemin..."

Both looked at Taeyong.

"Ne, oppa?" / "Hyung?"

"Do you like each other?"

Haejin coughed. Jaemin's eyes widened.

The dream members were giggling. Johnny fell on the floor. Jaehyun's iced tea was knocked over by Johnny. "Johnny-hyung!"
Johnny offered a peace sign. Jaehyun rolled his eyes.

Haejin looked down. Should I tell them?

"No." Jaemin answered.

Haejin's heart sank. She was about to cry. But she didn't.

"I don't like... Jaemin-oppa..." Haejin managed to say.

The atmosphere frew heavier.

She excused herself to go to the washroom.

Once inside, she locked the door and cried.

"Jinjja pabo-yah, Haejin-ah... (you're really stupid, Haejin) Fix yourself..."

She looked at the mirror and washed her face. She never imagined that it would be this painful.

I thought he likes me? Why would he hold my hand? Why would he carry me even if he just got his back treated? Why was he sweet... I thought..

"Haejin-ah?"

Although outside, Mark and Jisung can clearly hear her sobs.

(listen to NCT U's 'Timeless' so that you can feel the mood :D)

Haejin opened the door. She immediately hugged Mark. He hugged his sister back.

Jisung also went inside and closed the door.

"O-oppa, I never... I-I... I never imagined th-that it w-would be like th-this... I-I... I never imagined that... i-it... it would be this painful... O-oppa... it hurts.."

Mark hugged his sister who was sobbing. For the longets time, shs knew that Haejin likes Jaemin. But he never knew that it will turn out like this.

As for Jisung, he already knows that Haejin likes Jaemin. They may fight everyday, but he's still Haejin's bestfriend. Haejin is also her dongsaeng...

"B-both of you... you know the t-truth, right..."

Mark and Jisung nodded.

"I-I... I just said that because... I d-didn't want us to be a-awkward... It... It really hurts.." Haeji  said.

Jisung sighed, "Haejin-ah, it will be okay... I promise you that.. We're here for you okay?"

Haejin hugged Jisung, "Thank you Jisung-ah..."

Jisung wiped Haejin's tears, "Don'r cry anymore.. Uljima (don't cry)"

Haejin forced a smile.

****

"Where did Mark and Jisung go?" Taeyong asked.

"I don't know.." Jaehyun answered.

Jaemin stood up and left the room.

"I feel something odd..." Haechan said.

"You do? I do too." Taeyong said.

"I feel like Haejin likes Jaemin." Chenle said.

"Speaking of Haejin, where did she go?" Ten asked.

They just noticed that four people went missing. Jaemin, Haejin, Mark, and Jisung.

"Jaemin went out."

"Mark and Jisung also went out."

"Doyoung-hyung is also missing." Jeno said.

As if on cue, the door opened and Doyoung entered.

"I passed by the washroom. I heard voices. Haejin, Jisung, and Mark." Doyoung said.

"And?"

"Haejin was crying."

****

"Do you want to go somewhere?" Mark asked.

The three, Jisung, Mark and Haejin, were walking outside the building. Haejin was wearing a mask and specs. So that her eyes won't be noticed.

"I... I want to go home..." Haejin answered.

"Jisung-ah, can you accompany her first? Taeyong-hyung has been calling me nonstop." Mark said.

"Okay, hyung."

The maknaes were alone.

"Hey, let's seat there first..." Jisung said. Haejin followed her.

"Don't cry now.. I know that you're badly hurt." Jisung said, patting Haejin's back.

"I'm not crying." She said.

"You are."

"I said I'm not!"

"Oh, you're laughing now?"

"Guess I am?" Haejin chuckled. "Thank you Jisung-ah."

"What are bestfriends for?"

______
:'(((