You were sitting on a bench outside of your faculty building, juggling the books on one hand while your fingers were tapping the screen on your phone on the other hand. You were waiting for your best friend, Mashiho, who hasn't finished his class yet. You promised you wanted to accompany him at his part time job today.

"Where is he?" you were sweating under the sun, fanning yourself with a book.

"y/n!!" a familiar voice calling out your name was heard, and you turned around to see the mentioned figure who you were waiting for cutely running towards you.

"Finally! What took you so long? I thought your class was supposed to end fifteen minutes ago?" you offered him your water bottle after seeing him panting as a result of running just now.

He chugged down the whole thing. "Yea my prof ended it a bit late, he was giving a briefing about our final year project."

You and Mashiho were both college students. You two have been friends since highschool, and intentionally applied to the same university together. Being the smarty pants you two were, both of you got in.

- Flashback to graduation day in highschool -

"Hey y/n! We haven't taken a picture together yet." Mashiho pouted, interrupting the boy who wanted to take a picture with you. You were the highschool crush after all, many guys wanted to take pictures with you.

You were so busy taking pictures with other classmates that you forgot you hadn't taken one with him.

"Aww hahahaha sorry! I forgot."

"You forgottt? How could you??" He crossed his arms, still pouting. You chuckled at him. Cute.

"Chill Mashi, It's not like we're not going to see each other anymore. You're applying to SNU right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I applied there too." you smiled. And he jumped in excitement.

"I guess you're stuck with me!"

"I wouldn't have wanted it any other way."

The both of you took many pictures, with your phones and even with your polaroid. He wrapped one arm around your shoulders, and the both of you smiled at the camera with the 'peace sign'.

"Say cheese!"

- End of flashback -

The both of you walked together down the streets, heading towards a cafe where Mashiho worked. Mashiho arrived at work just in time, and went to the back to change.

"Helloo my favourite barista, the usual please." you said as you went to the counter.

"Coming right up." Mashiho winked, causing you to laugh.

After a few minutes, Mashiho came to the table with your caramel latte and a slice of blueberry cheesecake.

"The cake is on me."

"You didn't have to! Thanks Mashi. I'll be waiting here okay." He nodded.

Since you had nothing else to do today, you decided to come accompany him at the cafe until his shift ends. You liked the ambience of the cafe so it was a perfect spot to just sit down with a cup of coffee while doing your assignments. Usually, the two of you would do your assignments together at the library but when Mashiho has work, you'd come and do it there. The cafe was a famous spot for students to come and do their work there so it was nothing weird.

A few hours have passed, and Mashiho came up to you whose eyes were focusing on the laptop screen.

"Hey I'm done! Let's go."

"Alright hang on, let me pack my things."

It was getting dark, and the two of you walked home together side by side.

"Mashi, I have something to tell you. But please don't get mad." you slowed your steps, glancing at him to see his reaction.

"What is it this time?" He raised one eyebrow.

"We got back together."

Those four words might have sounded simple, but it managed to crush his heart into a million pieces.

"With who? Hyungmin?" He stopped his steps. You nodded.

"Are you sure you're doing the right thing? After what happened?" He didn't sound mad, but he said it in a monotone voice. He looks serious.

"He promised that it'll never happen again. Besides, I've been with him for so long. I don't want our two years of relationship to be a waste."

"It doesn't matter how long the relationship is. It'll be a waste either way if he doesn't appreciate you."

"I just want to give him another chance."

"But what about you? Do you still love him?"

You let out a big sigh and nodded with a small smile. If you wanted to be honest to yourself, then you would be lying if you said that you've completely moved on from what happened before. Which was the reason why you and Hyungmin broke up in the first place.

He cheated on you. You caught him with another girl and broke up with him on the spot. It happened a month ago, but it still felt like it just happened yesterday. You did still love him, which is why you agreed to get back together. But everytime you were reminded of what happened that day, your heart ached so much.

"If that's what you want then I'll respect your decision. But I won't stay still if the same thing happens again." Mashiho gave you a look of concern.

"Thanks Mashi." you hugged him, and he wrapped his hands around you, patting your head.

Only God knows how he felt. He's liked you for quite a while, but realised it a little bit too late. The day he wanted to meet up and confessed to you was the same day you came and told him that Hyungmin asked you out, and that the two of you were now officially dating. But of course, you never knew about this.

After the incident where you caught Hyungmin cheating, Mashiho didn't want to rashly confess to you because he knew that you were still hurt about what happened with you and Hyungmin. He didn't want to confuse your feelings. After a month, he could finally see that you've completely moved on since you haven't said a word about Hyungmin.

He was wrong.

His heart broke after you told him that you guys got back together. He was late, again. But your happiness was his happiness too. And he promised to himself that he would take care and do anything for you no matter what.

You two finally arrived in front of your apartment. His apartment was just a few doors across yours.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

-

Mashiho's pov

The next day, you were getting ready to close the cafe as you finished your night shift. After locking the doors, you made your way home.

While passing through the streets, you passed by the entrance of a club. You've been there once with your friends, the place was famous for the students in your campus. You continued to walk, trying to avoid bumping into any drunk individuals. However, something caught your eyes.

It was a couple who just left the club entrance and went into a cab. The guy was holding the girl's waist, the skinship was quite close. You finally realised something. You squint your eyes, making sure you weren't seeing things. But you were right.

It was Hyungmin with another girl. The same girl who he cheated on y/n with last month.

"That b*stard." You tried to catch him, but the cab already left and you couldn't chase it because there were too many cars.

You felt that you had to go tell y/n. Even if y/n was never going to be yours, there's no way that you're going to let her stay with that punk.

This would've never happened if you were with me instead.

You dialled her number.

"Hello?"

"Hey y/n. Are you home?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I'm coming over."

After ten minutes, you arrived at y/n's apartment.

"What's wrong Mashi? Is everything okay?" She let you in, concerned because you were panting.

"I saw him."

"Who?"

"Hyungmin. I saw him come out of the club with another girl."

Y/n's pov

"What are you talking about?" you furrowed your eyebrows. Your heart starts racing after hearing Mashiho's words. But a part of you didn't want to believe him.

"I saw them on my way after work just now."

"No no no. Your eyes must've slipped. He texted me just now, he's been home all night."

"Trust me y/n, I saw them! I don't want you to be lied by him again."

"But he's not lying!" You denied what you heard. There was no way Hyungmin would do that to you. Not after what happened. He practically begged you to get back together with him.

"Y/n, please. I'm telling you the truth. I want what's best for you."

"If you really want what's best for me then you wouldn't want to try and destroy my relationship with him that I worked so hard for!"

"I'm not the one destroying it, he is! Would you open your eyes and trust me for once? If you had to work so hard on that relationship then that means he was never even the right one for you in the first place!"

The both of you were now screaming at each other. This was the biggest fight you two have ever gotten into.

Silence filled the room.

Your heart was in pieces. What if Mashiho is telling the truth? You couldn't help but want to deny it. You barely moved on from the previous heartbreak. You couldn't handle another one after just one day of getting back together.

Who do I trust?

"Fine y/n. You choose who to believe. But remember what I said. I don't want you wasting your tears over him again." He let out a big sigh and left. You could see he was disappointed in you.

-

Two days have passed and you still haven't talked to Mashiho. Hyungmin hasn't been answering your calls either. You knew Mashiho would never lie to you. But you didn't want to accept the fact. And you hated yourself for this.

You were sitting in the library alone, trying to at least get your assignments done to get your mind off of Hyungmin and Mashiho. Suddenly your phone vibrated, indicating there was a text. You picked it up and your eyes shifted from your laptop screen to your phone.

It was a text from an unknown number.

You opened it.

A tear fell on your cheek.

So it's true.

You knew Mashiho wasn't lying but after seeing the picture, you couldn't try to deny it anymore. The picture was blurry, but you could recognise Hyungmin from anywhere. And he was with the same girl who you saw him with last month.

You instantly blocked that good-for-nothing Hyungmin. You didn't even want to go talk to him and confront it. You've heard his lies enough. And you didn't want to cry in front of him again. Like what Mashiho said, it's useless crying over him.

Mashiho...

You felt bad for not wanting to trust him. He was always there for you. You took him for granted. To be honest, you used to have a crush on him back in high school, but you rubbed it off. Thinking it would ruin your friendship and that he would never feel the same. Plus, your relationship with Hyungmin made you think that Mashiho really did never like you since he looked genuinely happy for you.

You left the library, walking without a direction. Your feet suddenly brought you in front of Mashiho's apartment door.

"What am I doing here..." you whimpered to yourself. Your eyes started to water again and you crouched on the floor, sobbing into heavy tears.

"y/n?"

You looked up, only to see the face of someone who you were afraid to see. He just got back home, his hand was holding a bag full of groceries.

"Oh hey. Um sorry, I'll go." you instantly got up and wanted to leave, but he grabbed your hands.

"Are you okay?" He looked at you with a soft look. You felt even worse, tears started to fall even more.

You shook your head, both of your hands covering your face. He put down the groceries and pulled you into a hug.

"I'm sorry Mashiho, I really am sorry. I'm so stupid. I don't know why I didn't want to believe you. I was scared. I understand if you hate me now. I deserve it, you were always there for me but I took you for granted."

His hands gently stroke your back.

You felt calm at his actions. Your heart skipped a beat.

"You know you're not alone, right y/n? I'll always be here for you."

The sudden realisation slapped you in the face. Mashiho has been with you all along. Why haven't you seen his efforts? Why did you let your mind think that he was just doing that because you were best friends? He clearly cared for you more than that. You were so stupid to realise that because you never thought he would like you the way you used to like him too.

Mashiho slowly let go of you from his arms.

"Y/n, I've been keeping this for myself for a while. But I've lost my chance twice and I don't want to lose it again. I love you, y/n. More than just a best friend. I tried to stop and know my limits because you looked happy with Hyungmin, so I kept it to myself. But I can't stand it any longer after seeing what he's done to you. He is ungrateful and that jerk definitely doesn't deserve someone as beautiful and amazing as you."

He looked you deep in the eyes.

"I know I can treat you better than he can, y/n."

No words were said, you instantly pulled him into a hug.

"Why was I so dumb to realise that our feelings were mutual back then?" your voice was slow, but could be heard by him loud and clear.

"Well it took you long enough." he teased you, causing you to chuckle.

He wiped the tears of your cheeks.

"You wanna come inside? I was planning to cook dinner." he held onto your hands.

You gave a quick peck on his cheek.

"I'd like that."

- the end -

a/n; writing this story was so stressful idek why. Psstt, inspired/based on Treat you better by Shawn Mendes ;)