Min-Jae:

I was definitely not going to be one of those depressed guys after getting rejected by my best friend. Yeah, that probably sounded better in my head. 

After a long time Hae-Ri, Jessica and I had planned to meet at one of the cafés near our university. Weirdly, it felt like everything had changed between Hae-Ri and I; all those years of friendship felt like they were for nothing. Just because of my stupid confession, which was totally uncalled for, by the way.

Suddenly, my phone rang. 

"Nae, Jess. We're still on, right?" I asked nervously. I had to make it up to Hae-Ri, and I had to regain her trust. Also, I had to do it quick, before it was too late. (Yes)

"Eoh, nae. I just felt like we needed to talk. We haven't talked much lately, have we?" she admitted. (Oh, yes)

"I guess thats true, but it's not necessarily my fault is it? I've been busy...but its not like you've got time either," I mentioned. 

"Min-Jae Yah. Hae-Ri told me about-" Jessica started, but I decided that I didn't want to hear it, as I knew what she was going to say next.

"She did? Well I expected that, to be honest. Can we not talk about it though? I wanna get over it. I wanna get over her," I said cutting her off rather rudely.

"Oh, of course! I get it. Are you okay though? I'm worried about you!" she said, to my surprise.

"Oh come on gogjonghajima! You should be worrying about your oh-so-hot senior boyfriend right now, not me," I said smiling, as I was happy for her. (Don't worry)

"Yah! You knew about that?! Waah, Jinja! I did not expect that in the least. Like at all," her voice boomed through the tiny speakers of my phone, and I winced in surprise, breaking into a short laugh. (Hey! Wow, seriously!)

"Mm, I knew about it, and I was also involved in helping Ho-Jin to ask you out for the ball, remember?" I chuckled, reached for the nearest pen on my table. I needed something to fidget with.

"Oh, right! Wow, yes, it does click into place now that I think about it," she said, and I noticed the grin in her voice.

-awkward silence- 

"...you must hate him, don't you?" Jessica asks, and I sense the strain in her voice...she was forcing herself for me to open up to her, she must've truly cared.

"...who?" I ask, even though it was pretty obvious.

"Jeon Hae-Jun," she continued, not giving up at all.

"I must say...of course. Who wouldn't, after getting replaced by him? But I do respect her opinion. She's the one who gets to choose, obviously. More than him or me, it's about her. Isn't it?" I said, my voice breaking.

"Min-Jae, please don't tell me that you think you're not worthy of her?" Jess silently spoke, making the tiny vibrations tickle my ear.

I didn't reply. There was no point. She wouldn't understand.

"Min-Jae-Yah! That's messed up! Don't do that to yourself, you deserve someone who wants you, someone who thinks of you as more than a friend. I know it's hard, but you've gotta put her behind!" Jessica said and once again, I winced. This time, because I new it was the truth, yet I couldn't bring myself to believe it.

Jessica:

6 o' clock. 45 minutes remaining, alright, I could finish my tasks by then. Number one, change my bedsheets; number two, change my pillowcases; number three, water my table-plant; and lastly, get dressed.

I grabbed my lilac-coloured hairbrush and quickly swept my locks into a messy side-braid. Through the mirror of my dressing-table, I noticed Hae-Ri sitting at the edge of her bed, fiddling with her phone. It looked like she was trying to make up her mind about something, but was having trouble in doing so.

"Hae-Ri Ya..." I said, my voice trailing off.

"Eoh?" she looked up, flinching. She must've been deep in thought. (Yeah?)

"Is something wrong? Don't say, 'no', because I know that the answer is a, 'yes'. Just tell me if you don't wanna talk about it, hmm?" I said calmly.

"Well...I have a missed call from appa, but I don't know if I should call him back or not. What would I even say?" Hae-Ri revealed, to my surprise. Usually, she wasn't very open about these things, even with me.

"So what are you planning on doing, picking a side?" I questioned. 

"...I don't wanna do that," Hae-Ri admitted.

I walked over and sat down next to her, gently clutching her shoulders - the cloth of her top felt itchy - and turning her to face towards me. I determinedly looked into her dark brown eyes, wanting to tell her that I would support her irrespective of her decision. 

"Look...it's not like they don't love you or Ho-Jin anymore, right?" I pointed out.

She nodded, not making eye-contact.

"And I'm sure that they aren't expecting anything from either of you? In terms of acting like nothing has changed, I mean," I said, clearing my statement to make it more understandable. 

"Aniyo! They know that we're adults and can't be fooled anymore!" Hae-Ri burst out, angrily. (No!)

My eyes widened with surprise for a second, and unintentionally I cleared my throat.

"Mweo?" Hae-Ri asked, raising an eyebrow. (What?)

"Nothing, never mind. What I'm trying to say is that...do what you feel like doing. Don't overthink it, it's going to take time to adjust, and nobody is judging you, arasseo? It's not like you owe anybody anything," I said, regaining my composure. (Okay?)

Abruptly, Hae-Ri broke into a smile and hugged me, "You should be a therapist, you know."

I hugged her back, cherishing the moment, "I think I'm much happier, just being your best friend."

"Komawo...for being my best friend," Hae-Ri said. (Thanks)

...

I walked out of the bathroom, wearing my newly bought tank-top and cargos for the first time. I had also walked into Hae-Ri's conversation with one of her parents for the second time.

"Kheundae wae, abboji?" Hae-Ri's voice shuddered, her grip -on the phone- loosening. (Even so, why, dad?)

"Hae-Ri yah, it was a mistake, I was drunk. Mianhe," her father replied, through the phone. (Sorry)

"HAJIMA! HAJIMALIGO! YOU'RE LYING!! STOP LYING TO ME! I'M DONE, CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND? I'M NOT A KID ANYMORE!" Hae-Ri burst out, suddenly screaming. (Stop! Stop it!)

"Hae-Ri yah! Just listen to-"

"ANIMNIDA! JOESONGHAYO, HAJIMAN, I'M NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO YOU! I'M UPSET AND DISSAPOINTED!" Hae-Ri yelled into the phone. (No! I'm Sorry, but)

At that point, I knew that if I didn't interrupt then Hae-Ri would get hysterical. Oops, too late.

"Hae-Ri yah, shhh, calm down hun!" I comforted, gently smoothening out her long, glossy hair.

I realised that she had disconnected the call, yet she wasn't back to her normal state.

"HE'S CRAZY! HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO US, AND THEN LIE ABOUT IT? WHY?! MY POOR EOMMA!" Hae-Ri hollered, and swung open her drawer - the one that was usually locked. 

I noticed several objects that shouldn't have been there. A knife. A lighter. A pack of cigarettes.

Hae-Ri picked up the lighter, and flickered it on. I was too shocked, and for a moment, I froze.

"YAH!!" I screamed, snatching the lighter from her hand and throwing it into the garbage bin, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Hae-Ri suddenly came back to her senses, and tears started rolling down her eyes. I was overcome with emotion. A rush of shock and guilt slithered through me.

"Y-you, smoke? You burn yourself? Why..? Why would you do that to yourself?!" I said, my own eyes brimming at the sight of my best friend going through so much pain.

"J-jess! I don't! I was tempted t-to...last y-year. I tried it once b-but the realisation hurt too m-much... I promise I don't do it anymore!" Hae-Ri said in-between sobs.

I wrapped my arms around her, and I didn't ever want to let go. I wanted to help her, and I was filled with sorrow to see that she had been going through so much.

"P-promise me, you'll t-tell me if you're going through s-something next time! At t-this point, I don't care if you d-dont wanna tell m-me, I won't leave you a-alone!" I said, burying my head in her shoulder.

"M-mianhae! ...I p-promise," Hae-Ri sobbed harder.

...

"Sorry we're late!" I said to Min-Jae, checking my watch; 7:03 pm.

"That's alright, I was a bit late too, anyway," he said, shifting his glance to Hae-Ri, "You look pale, gwenchana?" (Are you alright?)

"Mmm, gwenchana.", Hae-Ri said, faking a smile. (I'm fine)

She stood up, 

and then it happened.

She collapsed, 

on the pavement. 

She fainted, and wouldn't wake up.