[7/10] Implied Consent
Selca 7: Norms
Over the past few days, you have found that she has been avoiding you by making sure that she never crosses paths with you throughout the day. She has been waking up early to go to vocal practice, while you are still fast asleep.
You remember the times that you used to wake up next to her, her hair messy and her makeup smudged from all the lovemaking you have done from the night before. Her lips are a distinct taint of pink and you enjoyed giving her kisses which turned into make out sessions when she pretends to be asleep. Now you only hear the distinct sound of her keys clanging from the front door, which is probably the only interaction you can get directly from her.
In the afternoons, she takes naps instead of watching television and you go into your own room at that time as well. The fact that she is so close, yet so far away from you is something you are wounded from, and you do not understand how to mend it.
Several days have passed and you see your activities as empty, repetitive, and short. Time has gone into a standstill with a deafening silence surrounding it. You barely have that smirk that you used to show, the motivation to work your hardest, and all your reasons for existence are dissipating one by one.
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Rumors float around about her and Jaejoong going out. Secret encounters, frequent dates, with Jessica coming home later than usual. You question her action of ending it with you but yet finding someone else to be with. You want to put an end to all the doubts you have so you go to Tiffany and ask. You are not close to her but she is closest to Jessica at this moment.
She is watching television and the show is about different celebrities getting matched then having a fake wedding. You wonder where these companies get their ideas as they become more ridiculous throughout time.
“Tiffany, can I talk to you?” You say after the show has gone into a commercial break.
“Sure.” She smiles cheerfully at you while lowering the volume down.
“Is Jessica seeing Jaejoong?” You ask earnestly as you want nothing but the truth.
“I…I don’t know.” She replies with a slight drop on her tone. “Honestly, we haven’t really been talking.”
“Oh…” You rest your back on the chair again and you look at the T.V. lazily.
“I’m sorry, she has been avoiding me but are things okay between the two of you?”
“No, we broke up.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for asking.”
“It’s okay. Let’s hope for the best for her.”
You look at her with a warm smile. She is just as worried as you but someone has to be strong in the midst of all this. The show then resumes from its commercial break. You smile as you take the remote from the coffee table. You turn up the volume and you watch the show with her. No words are needed to convey how the two of you feel, so you let the noise drown your emotions out.
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The next day, you wake up and it is already 10 A.M. You have overslept and you get out to the kitchen to see if there is anything to eat.
You see her eating on the table, barely starting her meal. You take a plate and you sit next to her.
You can tell that she is uncomfortable with your presence so when she is just halfway done, she already stands up. You pay no attention to her because you know that it is a lost cause.
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You have just finished drying your hair and you see her reading again on the couch. You decide to confront her with it since the idea that she is with someone is putting a thorn in your heart.
“Jessica…” She inches away from you.
She does not respond but you face her direction. She is nonchalant and her expression is unreadable. You then call her again.
“Sica…”
After a few more attempts of calling, she closes her book and she stands up. You stand up as well, stopping her by grabbing her wrist.
“I heard about you and Jaejoong…” She does not look in your direction and it pains you that the same hands that held your own are now pushing you away. You hug her fiercely from behind and she tries to struggle. The fact that this is the harsh reality is giving tears to your eyes. Eventually the struggling has come to a halt and you know that you are hurting her as well.
“Are the rumors true?” You ask and you hope that she will deny it. She does not give an answer but you assume that she does not want to discuss it with you, despite it being true or not. You are hurt and you turn her around to look you in the eyes. Just like you, she is crying.
“Yuri let me go.” She weakly says while she cries. You wipe her tears away while yours flow freely.
“No, I love you.” You gently say. You feel pain in your chest that you somehow cannot describe. “If you’re worried about your practice schedule, let’s work things out…please.”
“What we have…is not normal. Yuri...we can’t be together.” She sorrowfully says while trying to get away from your embrace.
“Is this why you’re with him?” You unconsciously put a hint of anger in your tone.
She does not answer but you feel hurt. Hurt with the fact that she does not want to be with you because of something that is beyond your control. You love her and you feel frustrated because what she wants is impossible for you to give. On instinct, you give her a gentle kiss to see even a hint of her love for you is still there. But she rejects it by shoving you away.
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Things have gotten worse between the two of you that the only way that you can see her was during the joint practice you have with the other trainees. You see her from a distance, talking to other people while you are in the same group as Yoona and Seohyun. You practice and you try to ignore looking at her.
You know you are straining your body harder than anyone in the room, as you already spent the entire night practicing by yourself.
You are becoming lightheaded and fatigue is taking over you. Unfortunately, the entire room’s energy does not permit you to go against it.
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Gasps are heard and look for the source of it. You see Jaejoong walking past your fellow trainees and taking his place in front of everyone. The music then ends and he instantly steps forward to make an announcement.
“Hi everyone, I’m Jaejoong from DBSK and from next week on, I will be leading this practice.” The elicits cheers from people and you look at her. She is not smiling like the rest of your fellow trainees but she does not look upset either.
“But before that…” Jaejoong clears his throat again. “Jung Jessica, can you come in front please?”
You look at her and she lowers her head while everyone observes her every movement.
Jaejoong takes her hand and you understand what is imminent.
“Jessica is my girlfriend so please treat her with respect. I am telling you all this to put an end to the rumors. I am sorry but we are exclusive to each other. Isn’t that right, Jessica?”
She looks at you while hesitating for her reply. She looks uneasy and nervous, and you bite your lip in anticipation of her rejection of him.
But unfortunately, it never comes.
“Yes.”
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