"where's jake?"

geonu just shrugged as an answer to sunoo's question.

it's monday again, and their first period (anachem) is at 7:30— which makes it one of the reasons why geonu hates this subject. he's always late on first period classes, while jake's the only one who comes on time and sometimes even earlier than that.

so when geonu stepped inside the classroom, he was expecting to see his best friend's face, and hearing his nagging. but he's not around today.

"i thought he was with you," jungwon pointed out.

he shook his head. "nope. maybe he studied all night and woke up late."

he sat next to daniel, who seemed preoccupied.

"you know what happened right?" daniel asked as he move closer to whisper to geonu. "about jake and sunghoon?"

he nodded. so daniel also knew. "heeseung told me about it. how did you know?"

"i drove him to his apartment that night. he's definitely not okay. you should go talk to him, i think he needs someone right now."

geonu sighed. he wants to, but it seems like jake doesn't want to open up to him. i'm sure he's hiding something to us.

+++++++++

《 hanbin hyung's cult 》

sunooshi:
jakeeyyy
wru?
class is gonna start in 5 mins

dongkyu:
maybe he's gonna be absent?

wonnie:
huh? why?

sunooshi:
noooo jake pls don't be absent
you're my seatmate and if you're not around it's gonna feel empty :<

geonuyah:
mf stop acting like he's gone forever

jakey:
yooo sorry guys i got stuck on a traffic
but i'm otw 😅😅

hanbinjjang:
jake is late??? omg this is a first

wonnie:
hanbin hyung being late in our gc? omg definitely not a first

hanbinjjang:
stfu i'm old and i have trouble adjusting to social medias

geonuyah:
why u acting like a boomer tho 😭

sunooshi:
ig that's the side effects of dating kei hyung lol

dongkyu:
wdym
he's dating kei hyung?

hanbinjjang:
no i'm not???

geonuyah:
are you asking us hyung?

sunooshi:
you're not dating him?

hanbinjjang:
to be clear, no i'm not dating kei.

wonnie:
okay, noted hyung
anyways
jake hurry up prof's gonna be here any minute now

jakey:
i'm near the room alr

sunooshi:
yayyyy
pls don't be late again jake it doesn't suit you 🤧

dongkyu:
don't follow geonu's footsteps pls he's not good for your health

geonuyah:
STFU

+++++++

"and this one, bring these files to the dean's office." sunghoon bit his lip to stop himself from sighing as his professor gives him another chore.

he held the papers on his arms and started walking towards the dean's office. he doesn't want to attend his classes today, but he didn't have a choice because heeseung was almost blackmailing him just to attend.

his head still feels light, and his brain keeps on flashing the scenes that happened between him and jake.

to be honest, this feeling isn't new to him. he also experienced this back when sunoo rejected him, but this time— it feels more painful, to the point where sunghoon just feels numb.

at this point i'll develop a high tolerance to being rejected.

"i'm sorry, i can't."

sunghoon groaned again as his mind keeps playing those exact words that jake told him. why is my brain doing this to me? should i just remove it?

he didn't even realized that he's already in front of the dean's office. he shook his head as he opened the door, trying to focus.

sunghoon was about to get inside but stopped when he saw jake. the guy stared back at him, but continued to do his work, ignoring sunghoon.

crap, this is why i wanted to stay inside my apartment today. he acted like he didn't see him and walked straight towards the dean's table, putting the files on top.

he almost froze when he felt jake stood beside him, getting the papers that was on the same table. sunghoon fought the urge to glance and stare at him.

he paused when he caught a glimpse of what was written on the paper.

request... to transfer?

"wait—" sunghoon looked back but jake was fast enough to run away, leaving him alone.

did i read that right? or am i just mistaken? 

+++++++++

jake grasped for air when he finally left the office. it was a torture, seeing sunghoon right in front of him. he wanted to talk to him just like before. it's only been days but he already missed him.

don't be dumb jake, you already hurt him. he probably hates you now.

he stared at the paper on his hand.

this feels like a dream, a really bad one.

"jake!" he quickly hides the paper inside his backpack. he smiled at geonu, waving back.

geonu clings unto his arm. "let's study in your apartment, heeseung's busy today."

he raised an eyebrow. "so what am i? second choice?"

his friend scoffs, "oh shut up." they started walking to the parking lot.

"you ready to tell me what's on your mind lately?" geonu speaks up. he was hesitant to ask about that, but he also wants jake to know that he's here to listen.

jake smiled and nodded. "sure, i'll tell you when we arrive at my apartment."

i'll tell you now, and i'm hoping that it would feel less painful.

+++++++++

"why does your apartment look so clean yet so empty? weird." geonu points out, getting inside jake's apartment.

he quickly laid on the couch, mumbling some more random questions that jake did not bother to answer.

"you probably just missed hanging out here." jake chuckled and gave him some snacks.

"nah, it really feels different. did you do some arrangement here?" geonu stood up, examining the room like an interior designer.

"i get it, the weird paintings on your walls are gone. also, where are those huge indoor plants that you have?"

jake shrugged. "i removed them. i wanted a bit of a change so..."

geonu nods in agreement and went back to sit on the couch. jake chose to sit on the bean bag at the side of the couch.

"jake, you know that i've known you for a long time right?" geonu looks straight on his eyes. "can you tell me what's bothering you? and why did you reject sunghoon?"

now, how should i answer this?

"if you say that you don't like him, that's bullshit. so don't try lying to my face."

jake looks away. "before i answer that, i'll show you something." he stoods up, walking towards his bedroom. geonu was confused but still followed him.

"i don't know why you're doing this but—" geonu stopped talking when he saw what's in front of him.

empty. it's empty.

"wait, did you change your bed?" geonu went inside his room. there's nothing inside, except for some bags and luggage. even jake's favorite study table is gone.

geonu chuckled nervously. "uh, are you changing your apartment?" he gasped. "or did someone stole your furnitures?"

jake laughs. "how i wish that's what happened."

"and what's with the luggage? are you traveling somewhere? a vacation?" geonu asked one after another. but on the back of his mind, he already has a guess on what's going on. i don't wanna say it.

no, that can't be true.

"geonu," jake's voice cracked. "i'm leaving."

geonu blinked twice. "to where? and when are you coming back?" it's not a big deal, he can just come back any time. right?

jake did not answer, but his eyes were already enough for geonu to understand. if he leaves, he's not coming back anymore.

++++++++++++

next chapter will explain what happened to jake (flashback) ^^

btw I've been wanting to ask y'all this but who's your favorite character in this series and why?