Author's Pov:

Haeun's heart beat faster as Joshua approached her. Her mind was still conflicted. Mr. Hong's words were still ringing in her mind so was his gaze.

"I need to go", Haeun whispered moving behind but her mother stopped her. "Where are you going. You know nothing about here. Don't roam here and there", her mother whispered.

Haeun awkwardly smiled, "Eomma,  please", she whispered back earning a smack from her mother. "Ow, not infront of everyone".

"Good evening", Joshua smiled his eyes on Haeun. She smiled back. "Oh! Joshua, I didn't see you", her mother said. Joshua looked down, "Yeah, I was in my room. The parties are sometimes boring". After talking with her mother, Joshua finally asked, "Is it fine if I take Haeun with me for few minutes? I need to talk with her for about something important".

"Why?", her mother asked.

"Uh, nothing. Just wanted to clear some doubts".

"Please say no, please say no", Haeun whispered.

"Yes, you can!", her mother said. Joshua grinned while Haeun forced a smile looking at Soonyoung. "Just do what your heart says", he whispered.

Haeun glared at him, "How should I do it when my mind is trying it's best to betray me".

"Nothing will happen, go", he pushed her. Haeun smiled at Joshua, when her eyes met his, she forgot everything. "Should we go?", he asked. Haeun nodded.

As they walked towards the garden, Joshua intertwined their hands, holding it tightly. "I know this is too early, Haeun. But I'm sure about my feelings. I just want to tell you that-".

Haeun stopped walking, "I never liked you, Joshua. The kiss... the kiss was nothing, I just went with flow. I know you like me, but I don't feel the same. I never had. I just see you friend who helps me in studies and nothing else", Haeun said. Her eyes widen realising what she just said as Joshua's hand on her loosened.

"Y-You are joking right?"

Her heart crumbled seeing Joshua. "But no, it's fine. It's totally fine if you don't feel the same way. Maybe the kiss was nothing for you, but for me, it meant a lot. I'm happy that you were my first kiss. It was me who always thought that you were joking when you said I'll never be the one for you. It was me who actually thought you would like me back", Joshua said smiling, to be specific, a forced smile.

"No, I-I didn't-".

Before Haeun could say anything, someone approached Joshua. "Sir is calling you", he said. Haeun looked at him hoping he would hear her out but he didn't. He just followed that person leaving Haeun alone.

"Joshua, listen-", he had already gone without sparing a glance at her.

She sighed cursing herself, "Why did I even say such thing, why? Why? Why?". Her heart broke seeing Joshua wiping away his tears. Her eyes landed on Joshua's father who was standing in the balcony enjoying the scene.

Haeun glared at him, "I wish I could wipe off that smirk of yours". Their eyes met, he smiled in victory raising his glass of wine.

Haeun went inside, trying to search for Joshua and he was again no where to be seen. She was about to go to his room when her mother stopped her, "Where are you going in such hurry?".

"Eomma, not now, please. I need to see Joshua right now", Haeun said. Her mother stopped her, "Wait, not right now, Haeun. I need to talk to you".

"We can talk later Eomma but-"

"Stay away from Joshua", her mother said tightly holding her wrist. "Haeun, I heard you and Mr. Hong talking. For now, stay away from him", her mother whispered.

"Not you too", Haeun whispered. Her mother cupped her cheeks, "I'll tell you everything once we reach home, Haeun, not now. Just trust me". Haeun looked down, her vision blurred because of tears.

Her mother gave her a forehead kiss, "Just believe me, sweet heart". Haeun nodded.

Meanwhile

Joshua went to his room. All his excitement had turned into sorrow. The words echoed in his mind, each syllable a dagger to his heart. I never liked you, Joshua. Haeun's rejection hung heavy in the air, suffocating him.

"I thought we had something, I felt it", he whispered as his voice cracked. "The first kiss meant nothing to her", he murmured.

He had been so sure, so certain that their connection was more than mere friendship. The stolen glances during class, the late-night conversations about dreams, fears and some totally random things.

"Joshua", Jiwoo stepped into the room, "We-", she stopped, her gaze falling upon his shattered demeanor. "Hey, what's wrong?", she inquired, her hands gently cupping his cheeks.

Joshua's head shook slightly. "It's nothing", he murmured, pulling away from her touch. Jiwoo looked at him, "Are you fine?". Joshua nodded gulping down some water.

"What are you doing here?", he asked. "They are announcing about the engagement thing again. Gosh, it's so annoying", she rolled her eyes.

Joshua scoffed, "They don't know anything else". Jiwoo hummed holding his hands, "Is everything fine?". Joshua nodded.

"You both are here. We were searching for you two. What's with this crying face, Joshua. I want you two down there in next 5 minutes", his mother said and went.

Jiwoo tightened the grip on his hand, "Come on, it's time to act again". Joshua smiled. "At least give a real smile. It looks like a forced one", Jiwoo whined.

"I don't think I can give a real smile, Jiwoo", Joshua whispered. Jiwoo frowned, "What do you mean? Now you have to tell me what happened?".

"I confessed to Haeun and she rejected", Joshua said. Jiwoo gasped, "How can she? Wait, I'm sure somethings wrong, Joshua. No, there must be a reason-"

"It is true Jiwoo. I just talked to her, we had even kissed but she said that the kiss was nothing", Joshua whispered as again his eyes were filled with tears.

"Don't cry, okay. If that's true than she doesn't deserve you", Jiwoo said, "Let's go down otherwise you know how your father is". Joshua nodded, "Let me wash my face first".

Back to the party, Mr. Hong had everyone's attention. A wide smile spread on his face as Haeun and Soonyoung glared at him.

"Good evening everyone. I hope you all are enjoying the party", His father said, "Well, some of you might know it and some of you might not. My son, by next year will complete his high school. He is a brilliant child, I'm proud of him".

After giving some speech, he finally came to the main topic. Joshua and Jiwoo had come down by then. Joshua looked at Haeun who was still glaring at his father, his eyes couldn't leave her.

"Joshua, let's go", Jiwoo intertwined their hands. "Aha, here they come. I'd like to announce that soon they will be engaged", Mr. Hong said.

Everyone clapped, Joshua's eyes met hers. Joshua could see her glistening eyes. "Why are you crying, Haeun? What happened between you two?", Soonyoung asked.

"I messed up, Soonyoung. I did something I shouldn't have", Haeun whispered. Soonyoung frowned, "What do you mean?".

Haeun looked down and hugged him, "I don't want to talk about it right now. I'm regretting whatever I did". Soonyoung patted her head, "Fine".

Throughout the party, Soonyoung stood along with Haeun somewhere in the corner. She noticed Joshua's secret glances as he talked to others. Haeun told Soonyoung everything that happened.

"So you just panicked and said the lie?", Soonyoung asked. Haeun nodded, "I-I tried to tell him truth Soonyoung but he just went away", she sobbed.

Soonyoung sighed pulling her closer, "Don't cry now, hmm". He looked at Joshua who was worried about Haeun and it was visible. "I think you should go and tell him everything, Haeun. He needs to know", Soonyoung said. Haeun looked at him, "But Eomma".

"I'll talk to her, don't worry about Eomma, Haeun. Just go", Soonyoung whispered cupping her cheeks.

Haeun bit her lips, "Are you sure, Soonyoung? What if Eomma losses her job and Joshua losses his guitar?".

Soonyoung glances at Joshua who was sitting in the balcony. "Don't worry about it, Haeun. Just go and tell him whatever happened. Maybe you'll get a solution".

Soonyoung pushed her towards Joshua. Haeun slowly walked towards him. "J-Joshua", she whispered looking down. Joshua flinched, "Oh, Haeun".

"I wanted to talk to you", Haeun said. Joshua smiled, "It's fine, Haeun. I understood you don't feel the same, you don't need to be sorry for that". Haeun opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out.

"Can I just give you a hug?", he asked. Haeun without hesitation closed the gap between them giving him a tight hug.

"I'm sorry for this", Haeun whispered. Joshua smiled, "It's fine".

"I want to tell you something. Whatever I said was because-".

"Joshua, come here sweetheart", His mother called him. Joshua sighed, "Coming", he looked at Haeun, "Let's talk later". Haeun stood alone as she watched him leave.

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A double update 🥳🥳