|| Right In Front Of You ( Part 1 of 2 ) || Kiseop

Fiddling around with your phone on the lounge in the break room, you smiled as you felt the familiar prescense of your best friend, Kiseop, sit beside you. Looking up, you saw him leaning back, biggest smile on his face, clutching one of the throw pillows to his chest as he relaxed there with his eyes closed. You wondered what was making him so happy all of a sudden. He gave a huge happy sigh and you put your phone down to lean against the opposite side of the couch.

"Well well, Kiseop-oppa! You look very happy. What's up?"

Without looking at you Kiseop answered with another happy sigh. "Aigo, Chingu-ah...I'm in love...it feels so GREAT!"

Despite the answer you know he's going to say, you cant help but feel your heart thrum with hope. Secretly, you liked Kiseop, and you have for a long time. The two of you had been friends for as long as you could remember and gradually the attraction had grown. Well, for you that is. With a pang of anxiety you inquired,

"Hmm? And who would that be with?"

"Your unnie."

The flame of hope burning so intensely in your heart was snuffed out immediately, replaced by a hard icy chill as you were filled with an intense jealousy for your own sister. You couldn't hate her; she was family after all. But with all due respect you couldn't help but bunch your hands into little fists as you thought of the two of them, kissing and cuddling, as you watched sadly by yourself. They would be complete, while you would still still fumbling with the shattered pieces of your broken heart.

"Is that so?" You forced a bitter chuckle despite how crushed you were.

"I know. Its...its weird, to love your best friend's sister, but I just...she HAS to be the one, you know? I can't get her out of my head. I want to ask her out so badly!"

"Then...why don't you?"

"I was...I was hoping to get your permission?"

His considerate nature and how sweet he was thinking of others, made you cringe and get up, mumbling to him as you stalked away in frustration.

"Why do you need MY permission!? You're a grown man; do what you want."

-----

Later on at home you found your sister sitting in front of her vanity while brushing her long flowing golden hair. She sang softly to herself, her throaty, song-bird like voice making you flush as you realized that was probably another quality Kiseop found attractive in her. A sudden honk outside startled you; brushing past you your sister grabbed her purse and quickly made her way to the front door. Quickly you grabbed her wrist and she smiled at you while impatiently tugging at her wrist.

"Unnie,I don't have time for this!"

"Where are you going!?"

"Aish, must you know EVERYTHING? I'm going out with my new boyfriend, Alexander. We met yesterday and we instantly clicked. He is the absolute SWEETEST!"

Another honk outside caused your sister to twist from your grasp, yelling playfully as she went out the door. "I'm coming, you babo!" </I>

You stood there, dumbfounded, wondering what to do. Your sister...your best friend...you loved both so much and yet you felt like you were betraying the other if you did something AND if you did nothing. Your heart throbbed heatedly; it was as if it was screaming out the answer for you. Running to your room you hurriedly dialed Kiseop's number (you knew it by heart) and waited anxiously for the click. As soon as he picked up your mouth went dry. Partially from your nervousness and partially because his sleepy voice was so adorably sexy.

"Yah?"

"Kiseop oppa, it's me."

"Hey, Chingu-ah..." he yawned and you shivered, unable to hide a giddy smile. "What's up with you? You sound tense."

"I um...I have something to tell you...about my sister."

Immediately you cringed, regretting those golden words as you heard him gasp. His voice perked considerably a he spluttered out "AIGOOO!!! What did she say? Does she like me? You know, 'LIKE like'? No no wait don't tell me. NO! T-tell me! I'm going crazy!"

"Oppa! SHHH!"

"Sorry! Im just so anxious! Please, chingu! Tell me!"

"I called to tell you that she already has a boyfriend..."

There was a long, painful silence; you could almost hear his heart shatter. Finally he whispered "W-what?"

"You're...you're too late Kiseop. She's going out with Alexander. You missed your chance, I'm...I'm so sorry."

Another long silence, one which you kept breaking by apologizing as often as you couldn't in hopes that he could be consoled. Suddenly he barked sharply  on his end,

"I see. I see how it is."

"How...how what is?"

"I didnt think you could be so cruel, chingu."

"What are you talking about!? You're not making any sense oppa!"

"Why are you my friend if you insist on lying to me to keep me from my one and only love? That's low, even for you."

"I'm not lying! She IS dating someone!"

"I don't believe you. In fact, I'm disgusted. I don't know how I can even call you my chingu anymore..."

His sudden threat made you tear up as you realized the inevitable was here. "No...no oppa please! Don't say that!"

"Sorry. I'm asking your sister out tomorrow, your jealousy isn't going to stop me from doing what I know is right."

"Oppa, don't-"

"Goodbye."

He hung up roughly as the last words fell numbly from your mouth, "...hang...up."

You fell forward onto your sheets, letting the phone slide from your grip. Kiseops words stung you like so many poisonous darts, killing you quietly as the venom coursed through your veins. Chilling your blood, numbing your thoughts...all driving the tears from your eyes finally. They ran down your cheeks and soaked your bedspread, the sobs coming and coming without stopping as you realized, with horror, that your heart may have been broken in more ways than one.