Blown Off (1/1)

“Thank you for dinner. I’m really glad we were able to go out. It was really nice, Minseok-ah.” You say with a smile, looking up at your boyfriend. You’re riding the bus together after going out on a long overdue date. He pulls you a bit closer as the bus makes a turn, and you hold onto his jacket to keep balance.“Well, we’ve been on opposite schedules. Work has been interfering a lot recently. I’m sorry for that…” You shake your head briefly before resting it against his shoulder.“I understand. You have a comeback to worry about. And when you are free, you’re either exhausted or it’s rather late. And with me having to get up early to work at the daycare…” You sigh. “I’m just happy we were finally able to go out.” Minseok hums in agreement.Suddenly, your phone starts going off. You pull it out of your pocket and stare at the screen. You didn’t recognize the number, but something told you to answer it.“Hello?” You ask hesitantly into the receiver.“_____? It’s David.” Said a very familiar male voice. Your eyes widen and a smile comes to your face. David. David was an old friend. You two had been very close before you moved to Korea. Your relationship hadn’t been romantic, but there was chemistry there. The relationship you had had with him was odd because some days he was your best friend and other days he was aloof and seemed like he didn’t care. It was ultimately his sudden coldness that had prompted you to look for a future in another country. You loved David, because he was so much like you, but when he dropped out of your life, it had really hurt.“David… Hi! How are you?” You switch to English, making Minseok look at you with a raised brow.“Hey! I’m good. I’m actually in town for business. Who would have thunk I’d end up in Seoul, just like you? I’d love to catch up. I’m actually standing outside of your apartment right now. I wish I would have know you’d be out…” You break into a smile, excitement starting to take it’s toll on you. That was just like David. To just show up without letting you know. You give a small laugh.“David, why didn’t you text me or something sooner? I’m on my way back right now. I was out with my boyfriend and we’re on the bus. We’ll be there in like 10 minutes”“Ah! Okay, cool. Sounds good.” He replies and hangs up.“Who was that?” Minseok asks with a smile. He can seen the grin on your face and he definitely looks curious.“A friend from home is in town. David. We used to be really close.” Minseok’s smile falters slightly.“An old boyfriend?” You laugh and shake your head.“It was never like that. We’re just really similar. Same sense of humor, same personality. He’s like a male me… but weirder.” Now Minseok laughs at this.“Weirder than you? That’s something!” You lightly smack his arm, laughing more.“Yah! What’s that supposed to mean?”“It means, this guy… sounds interesting. If he’s like you.” He says pulling you close. You hug him back, feeling really happy at that moment.When the bus stops at your stop, you practically drag Minseok from the bus back to your apartment. It was a chilly day, so you couldn’t expect David to stand outside of your apartment. You pull your phone out and call David back.“Where are you?” You ask breathlessly.“Ah, it got cold. I went to the coffee shop down the block.”“Alright. I’ll be there in a few to get you.” You hang up quickly and unlock the door to your apartment. You pull Minseok in. “I have to get him. He’s down the street. I’ll be right back, can you feed my cats? Thank you!” You kiss him on the cheek and head back out the door before he has a chance to respond.You walk briskly down the block to the coffee shop and practically burst in, ready to give David the biggest hug of your life. You missed him and it was great that he was in town. You look around, but you don’t see him. Your eyes glance over every table, every face. You know you’d recognize David in an instant. There’s no way you wouldn’t. Your heart is pounding painfully as you approach the counter and ask the cashier if he had been there. She smiles and hands you a cup.You stare at the hot, liquid filled cup and notice a piece of paper in the sleeve. You pull the paper out and see David’s handwriting sprawled across it. You read it, holding your breath.Sorry ______. It was awkward and I didn’t feel like waiting around any more. I have things to do. I’ll try hitting you up some other time. I hope you like your caramel white mocha. I remember it being your favorite.You stare at the drink in disgust and had it back to the cashier, telling her you don’t want it. You hadn’t drank one of those since the last time you and David had hung out, well over two years ago. You look at the note and storm out of the coffee shop. You’re mad. You’re hurt. Some things never change and you are just so angry at everything.When you get back home, you slam the front door, startling Minseok and the cats. Your cats scatter throughout your apartment, leaving Minseok alone on the couch, wide eyed and surprised.“What happened?” He asked, getting to his feet and crossing over to you. You look down and avoid his gaze. If you look at him, you know you’ll start crying.“He left. He said he was tired of waiting. And he said he’d try and meet up with me another time.” Minseok puts a hand on your back, rubbing gently.“Well that seems rather rude. Have you called him?” You shake your head.“There’s no point. He won’t answer.” You shrug off Minseok’s hand and walk to the kitchen. You grab a mug and open your tea cabinet. You needed to calm down. Minseok follows you and stands in the doorway.“Are you okay? You seem really upset… I mean it’s understandable to be upset because he was rude… But if I didn’t know better, there was more than just friendship between you wasn’t there?” You whip your head around to look at Minseok in shock. You put the mug down and shake your head.“You just don’t get it.” You barely whisper, storming out of the kitchen and to your bedroom where you slam the door.Once the door shuts, you crumble. You collapse on your bed and sob into your comforter. You’re mad at David for being such a dick. You’re mad at him for where things ended two years ago. But you’re more mad at yourself. You’re mad at how much you still care. How you still want to see him even though he basically said he wasn’t willing to wait for you. He showed you just where you stood with him and it hurt. It was heart breaking.Several minutes pass and one of your cats comes out of hiding and makes himself comfortable at your hip. You’re no longer sobbing, but tears still come. Your nose is thoroughly stuffed up and your eyes are heavy and tired.You look up when you feel a sinking in the bed next to you. Minseok sits on the bed, holding two mugs. He offers one out to you. With a sniffle, you sit up and take the mug, finding that he brewed your favorite tea. You take a hesitant sip and find he also sweetened it exactly to your liking. He gives a gentle smile.“Why don’t you tell me how it actually is, ____? Why are you so upset?” You stare at Minseok’s kind face for a minute before dissolving into tears again. You start to explain that you and David had been really close friends until an old boyfriend decided he didn’t like how close you were with David. David had promised things wouldn’t change, but they did. David stopped responding messages and phone calls and soon you found him completely out of your life, even after you broke up with your ex.You explain that you heard from mutual friends that he complained about the situation and complained about you. You explain that you’re angry with David, but more angry for yourself for being such an idiot. That, because you wanted David back in your life, you had been willing to let everything that had happened between you two, slide. And once again, you had become a fool.“I just wish I could be as mean and cruel to him as he is to me. But I can’t. I just know he’ll come around again and I’ll just smile and be happy to see him. I’m such an idiot! he clearly doesn’t need me like I need him.” Minseok listened carefully this whole time without saying anything. But now he took your tea away and placed both mugs on the bedside table. He pulled you to his chest and gave you a crushing hug.“You don’t need him. You think you do because you’re feeling lonely. But you’ll make more friends here. But besides that, he’s lucky that you’re such a kind person.” He kisses the top of your head. “You’re a good person, ______-ah. You’re sweet and kindhearted. And sure, people take advantage of that, and it hurts… but you wouldn’t be you if you weren’t as sweet and caring as you are.”His words made you feel a bit better, but you still couldn’t stop crying.“It just hurts to know where I stand with him. He was one of my best friends.” Minseok strokes your hair and sighs.“I can only imagine how much it hurts. But… Just remember, you have me. And I love you very much.” You pull away and look at him, wiping your tears.“I’m so very glad I have you, Minseok-ah.” You whisper out, your nose incredibly stuffy. “I love you too.” Minseok smiles and dabs your cheeks with a tissue.“Don’t waste any more tears or time on him. Okay?” You smile a bit, reaching over and hugging him again. He pulls you into his lap and rests his chin on the top of your head.“I won’t any more because you’re I realize, you’re all I really need. Thank you for being here for me.” He chuckles softly.“Of course I’m all you need. Who else do you trust to feed your cats?” You look up at him and can only laugh.