Chapter 88 - That Year When Part of Me Died 2

…

"I'll be right back, this popcorn is taking too long."

Na Ra looked confused with his change of mood, but then nodded, as her friend and Dae Won really were taking too long in the kitchen.

Jun Hyeon left promising to come back soon, and when he got close to the kitchen he decided to arrive quietly… There was a chance, for he was hoping, that Ji Hyeon and Dae Won were in a romantic moment, and he didn't want to disturb them. Nor burn his eyes seeing his sister... well, he just didn't want to witness anything remotely s.e.x.u.a.l about his noona.

So, step by step, he approached the kitchen door.

"… That's not it," he heard his sister's voice, a little annoyed, saying, "I've said it in every possible way, but maybe I have to be very clear: I. DON'T. WANT. I don't care. If you can't just be a friend, then be nothing."

Before anything else was said or done, Jun Hyeon entered the kitchen, thinking that just an untimely arrival would save the disaster from becoming even worse.

"Is everything all right here?" he asked cautiously, sincerely empathizing with Dae Won's pain because his sister had been so cruel and harsh.

Dae Won was holding a bucket of popcorn very tightly, and Jun Hyeon could see that his whole body was shaking. Lips squeezed tightly, pale face… He'd never seen his friend so upset. He glanced at his sister, who was behind the table, holding the thermos. She was also pale and contrite, but focused on the reactions of Jun's friend. She was the one who answered,

"Yes, Jun, that's fine."

Dae Won couldn't stand it and put the popcorn bucket with exaggerated care on the table, and left. Jun turned to look at his sister with a questioning look, but they heard Dae Won stumble over something, and they both turned to the door.

Jun considered going to see if his friend needed help, but maybe he just needed some time alone and cold water on his face.

"Is that really all right? Ji?" he approached his noona, who was staring at the popcorn buckets. She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and he saw that she was shaking too, though less than Dae Won. He put his hand on Ji Hyeon's shoulder, "Did he do anything weird?"

"No, it's just…" Seemingly unable to explain, she buried her face in his brother's shoulder, "Jun, I just wish it hadn't happened. He's cute and nice and all, but… I just wish he hadn't confessed. Dak-sal, what an embarrassing situation…!"

Jun Hyeon thought yes, it was rather embarrassing, but they would have to deal with it. Intriguingly, he was relieved, but rather mortified, since Dae Won was one of his best friends.

"Okay, okay. He's a nice guy. He will be cool with it soon, I'm sure. He was upset, of course, who would want to be in his situation?" at the same time he said this, selfishly Jun Hyeon tried to gauge how Dae Won's rejection by Ji Hyeon would spoil his own plans for the night.

"I totally understand. Also... I shouldn't have said things so harshly… I kinda… I kinda feel pressed up and..."

"You were very cruel, Ji. A bad bitch."

"I'm a bad bitch."

"Uhn, whatever you say," he pushed her away to look her twin sister in the eye, "So the bad bitch doesn't need a hug. I'll hug the victim, instead."

She smiled, "I'll apologize to him. He didn't deserve it, I just got nervous about how the things went, and… well…"

"Okay. Go talk to him and I'll take these popcorns. Let's see what's going to happen."

"Oh… well, you won't leave me alone with him, will you? I mean, for you to be with Na Ra…"

"But how naughty! Calm down, as much as I want, Na Ra will sleep in your room! And it looks like we'll have changes of plans. And .. I'm sorry, I think this was my fault."

"Of course it was," she replied, apparently returning to her natural mood.

Ji Hyeon went looking for Dae Won, and he returned to the TV room to give the bad news to Na Ra. As soon as he told her, Na Ra left him to go talk to Ji Hyeon, and he could only be alone with popcorn, thinking that the girls were all the same. Dae Won joined him later, sitting beside him in silence. Jun Hyeon risked, after a while,

"All right, hyung?"

"…" Dae Won was slow to answer, and then turned with a sad smile, "Well, at least I confessed. It's out of my chest."

"I don't know what got into her. To my knowledge she's not even interested in any guy, I really thought she liked you…"

Dae Won shrugged, "Ji Hyeon went to talk to me. Things about going to America to study dance with you, and not making sense to have a boyfriend in her senior year here…"

"But is that okay?" he couldn't argue about what was going on in Ji Hyeon's mind with Dae Won, it was all very confusing and he sincerely just wished he had not created this situation. Although Dae Won said it was all right, the girls took a lot to return, and when they did, they sat together, and far from the guys. Even though Jun Hyeon tried to lighten the mood during the movie, everyone was embarrassed and silent.

Towards the end of the movie, Dae Won got up, bowing to the younger ones, to their surprise,

"Jun Hyeon, Ji Hyeon, Na Ra, I'm sorry for ruining your weekend. I take responsibility and I'm really sorry. I think it's best to go home and not be the awkward element that causes all this discomfort. Can I use the phone to order a taxi?"

Despite the protests of Jun Hyeon, joined by Na Ra, nothing they could argue dissuaded Dae Won from leaving. Ji Hyeon didn't speak at all, but looked distressed and discomfited. But no taxi numbers answered their calls, even though it wasn't even 9:00 pm.

After all this commotion, even Jun Hyeon knew he shouldn't insist on Dae Won staying until the other day, but his father had taken the car with which they all came. But he knew that he had an old service pickup in the garage, used by the caretaker who kept the house in their absence. He would lend the car to Dae Won to return to the capital. The two boys went to the garage, but even before handing the keys to his friend, Jun Hyeon checked and the fuel tank was almost empty.

"Hyung, you better spend the night here, man. My dad is coming tomorrow, so we're all back home with the old folks."

Please no, Jun Hyeon," said the older boy, and Kim could see in his expressions that he was making his best to keep his cool, "If you can only give me a ride to a taxi or bus stop, I'll find a way. Your sister is embarrassed with me around, I created such a sticky situation to her..., and I don't feel well right now either."

Figuring Dae Won's sensitive, artistic personality wanted relief and some time alone after such vexatious experience, it only made Jun Hyeon agree that it was the best thing to do. And if he just took Dae Won to the intercity bus stop, Dae Won would be home in about 3 hours, with enough gas for Jun Hyeon return to the cottage. That wouldn't take long, either.

He then returned to the house to warn the girls that he was coming back in half an hour, and found them with the typical expression they were confiding. Frankly, how about those two! But Jun Hyeon figured they could only be talking about him and Dae Won.

He told them what he would do, and went to get another jacket to lend to Dae Won. When he returned to the living room, Ji Hyeon said,

"Na Ra is going with you."

He was surprised, even more so when he looked at Na Ra, and saw her pretty jade-skin face all red and fl.u.s.tered. His heart pounded hard as she said,

"So I'll keep you company on the way back…"

Jun Hyeon thought of nothing else. He would finally be alone with Na Ra on the way back.

They said goodbye to Ji, promising to be back in half an hour and knowing they were blatantly lying.