Because this will be really easy for you, Sunghoon says. Skewed in the direction of Riki. Hes going to visit me at some point, and I want to sneak him into the Google Headquarters., Jungwon laughs. Its so hard, and its so embarrassing. I like pretty boys., Jongseong blinks. Jungwon is one of his best friends. Virginity is a social construct, Jake knows this. Yeah.. Like most trends these days, I first noticed the proliferation of the term bestie on TikTok. Hes also a dancer, an artist, a skater, someone whos good with computers, but Riki was all of that even before he met Heeseung. There are many possible reasons why this term has recently found such success. Tell me more.. Way too many elephants in the room. Heeseung always knew the words that Riki couldnt articulate himself. Yeah, Riki said, chewing on the inside of his cheek, I did. He curled his legs inward till his Achilles heels were pressed against Heeseungs thigh. Saturday night, the seven of them go to an off-campus house party hosted by some of Heeseungs other friends. He finally removes his hand from Sunoos waist. by Bestie vibes only November 23, 2021. They sure are something, even if Jungwon isnt at all sure what that thing is. Because it cant feel good to know that thats why he yeah., Jongseong laughs quietly under his breath and shakes his head. Your apartment., Sunoo has to hurry. He didnt, Riki says. sunoo High-quality, pre-shrunk heavy or lightweight fleece. Urgh, Riki mumbles. im starting my research around then, jongseong He was going to go to Heeseungs apartment, but then Jongseong had to cancel for Jungwons Taekwondo meet. IM HAPPY FOR YOU When it comes to loving and being loved by Jongseong, its like someone knitting you a sweater. Jongseong wasnt friends with Heeseungto be precise, friends who occasionally had sexfor that long before Heeseung met Riki. Your best friend, he thinks, which is better, but it doesnt sound right either. Despite all of Rikis faults, Jake honestly adores the kid. Plus, he says with a smirk, I remember you enjoying yourself.. Okay. Sometimes its hard to get a read on him. Especially because Jongseong didnt really and still doesnt really understand why Riki and Heeseung gravitate toward each other as much as they do. Jungwon shakes his head again. After Sunghoon let Sunoo into the building, he was leading him down the hall to his bedroom, and Jake happened to have just left the shower. It hurt to know that, even though Jongseong knew his feelings were irrational for two reasons. Jake is very talkative when hes drunk., If you knew about it, then whyd you raise it to five-hundred dollars?, Because their plan is going to backfire, obviously, he says, bringing the covers up to his chest. No. The second time Riki saw Heeseung was also a matter of luck. Was it because of Heeseung? Sunoo asks. Hes sure it had something to do with how they were getting closer to Heeseung, and Heeseung was getting closer to Riki. They part ways, and Jongseong shoves his hands in his pockets, trying not to think about how natural it is to have Jungwons hand in his. Im sorry that when I finally got a footing, I didnt Riki cuts himself off, his voice cracking. But it was okay, because Riki used his winnings to pay off his debts to everyone, so if you look at each of their bank accounts, basically nothing has changed. I know it is, andit makes me really happy that you did it anyway. Jake isnt really into art, so he doesnt know exactly why he recognizes them. When Sunoo arrives, Riki looks up and says, Five-hundred dollars., Sunoos eyes pop out of their sockets. Its up to you, Sunghoon says, absently sliding his free hand underneath Sunoos shirt. I do. Sunghoon laughs at him and goes on. Riki looks at him, but doesnt say anything. They clicked, they dated, maybe they fell in love, and they were always togetheruntil they werent. The first rule of The Foursome is: you do not talk about The Foursome. It was the talk of the university. You would be better at art if you knew the techniques and everything, the history too maybe, but you can still make art, I think. Another red flag. Jungwon shifts on the carpet, puts his laptop to the side, and angles to face Jongseong, his eyes burning with something like determination. He wants to run away, and he almost does, almost rips himself from Jongseong even if itll be the hardest thing hes ever donebecause Jungwon is no stranger to bearing his burdens, to doing what needs to be donebut then, Jongseong asks: Jungwon swallows, sucking in a breath, and he nods. Heeseung thinks he looks cute. Once hes done getting ready for bed, he scoots back into the warm covers, making a zombie-like groan when he tumbles on top of Heeseung with a soft thud, presses his face to Heeseungs neck, and hooks his leg around Heeseungs shin. Yeah. Go fruit picking. Are you feeling sick? Jongseong asks, running his fingers through Jungwons hair. Thats one of the many reasons why Jungwon loves him. I dont think Heeseung is even capable of love., Sunghoon snorts and says, without thinking, I think the Japanese stoner boy hes always hanging out with provides good evidence to the contrary., Sorry, Sunghoon says again. Hes concerned, but Jungwon is too cute like this, and Jongseong is very high. Jungwon is the one gasping this time, and Jongseong is the one taking advantage of his parted lips. Im friends with both of them, and its hard being in the middle when they barely speak to each other., Jongseong nods. Now that Rikis awake, he sits up on the headboard. Andas time passes, it just feels likeIm the only one who felt that way., Jake takes a seat beside Sunoo and frowns. Steal as much from me as you want, he says, and he turns around and heads toward the bathroom. And maybe Jake gets that. I think Im just going to wear this, he says, and Heeseung remembers that Riki borrowed his clothes last night. To be someone who belonged. My phone is my bestie. You should take that as a compliment!, Riki squints. Shouldnt you get back to the party? This man is just red flag after red flag. Jongseong loves him back, and he also still loves Heeseung, but thats okay, because Jongseong has more than enough love to give. He sees it in the way Jongseong blushes each time Heeseung makes fun of him, lightheartedly, because Heeseung never does or says anything with that much gravityat the same time, though, hes a calamity, leaves nothing but devastation behind him, and never blinks an eye. Youre both part of the same friend group now. This is the kicker: Sunghoon is a lot more crazy. I justwish that it was a harder decision to make., That means you care, Riki. The moon was high and bright, thin clouds sliding across the black expanse of the sky. Did you cry? Heeseung asked, wrapping an arm around one of Rikis knees. How do you know about that?, Riki shrugs. It took Riki a moment to realize what he wasnt saying. I wanted to talk. He doesnt lie to himself like Jongseong does, or to others like Riki does. However, its filled with STEM majors and reeks of depression, stress, overdue assignments, coffee, and Adderall; therefore, its the perfect place to grind. He is also half in love with Jungwon. Jake doesnt know what else to do but follow. Item #5 on the list: Jongseong is incredibly perceptive, except with the things that matter. They justget each other, even when no one else does., jake Why would you say that. He didnt know what to say, and his phone was sitting dead in his pocket. Hes going to do something really great one day because of that. The main room was getting too crowded, so Sunghoon is thankful for the space to breathe. He opens his laptop back up, and without looking at Jongseong, mutters, We dont need to. Theyre justliving their lives, and its not evenwe werent even exclusive. Go ahead, he said, placing his elbow on the table and gesturing to the empty seat. Love is like that. He really, really cant. Jongseong wears his heart on his sleeve, never tries to hide anything, and Jungwon has good eyesight; he can see it all clearly, everything Jongseong is and wants to be. Jake, Riki, and Heeseung are in line. Hes also noticed how much Sunghoon looks at Jake. I like literally Then he looks up, and he drops his phone. But in 2021, thanks in large part to @tiktossh, it officially entered the colloquial meme discourse. You should mind, Jongseong whispers, face so tight it must be painful. Ill see you then.. He severely doubts that Heeseung of all people was proactive enough to make new plans. Is it for a class? Jungwon asks, stepping inside. I took like, two shots at the pre. So youre a compsci major? Heeseung asked. Alright, it was more than a little heartbreaking. Sunoo must bring something out of him. The beaches are really nice in Greece. Literally and metaphorically. Jjongsaeng-ah, we have a proposition for you, Sunghoon whispers, in Korean, which is the first red flag, because Sunghoon only does that when hes being conspiratorial. He shoves his hands deeper into his pockets. He hadnt considered that. One of the earliest instances of the word 'bestie' as a meme came about when Dixie D'Amelio used the word to describe Noah Beck When the TikTok -famous couple was spotted together in August 2020, a paparazzo remarked that they make a beautiful couple. Even when you shouldnt., Jongseong laughs. Not really. You know, Riki makes me jealous, that he is to Heeseung what I couldnt be. Sunghoon and Sunoo are already sitting side-by-side at a booth, eating, whispering to each other. Their lips part, and theres a small line of spit still connecting their lips. It bleeds and beats red, red, red. Ive seen everything hes worked on this semester, Heeseung says. Available in a range of colours and styles for men, women, and everyone. mesurer votre utilisation de nos sites et applications. But then Sunoo hums, rolling his head to the side so that he can look at Jake. Dragging his feet, he scuttles over to the bathroom, changes into Heeseungs clothes, washes his face, and grabs the spare toothbrush Heeseung bought for him. Thats true, but it looks like you also missed my entire point.. You alwaysdrop plans with us at a drop of a hat for him.. The Meet-Cute, The Honeymoon Period, and The Breakup. Jake thinks, wanting very much to melt into the ground right about now. Riki nodded. Only if Im not obligated to answer. Hey, he says, for lack of anything better to say. But then he grew up, and he realized that the only way you could become comfortable with the person you were was to stop trying to be someone else. Instead, he says, Ill stopwith Jongseong., Rikis mouth hangs open for a moment. So everythings good., Heeseung grinned at him. I like watching him paint, and he usually lets me, but this time he wouldnt, not even when hes done., Jungwon cant help but smile. $24.99 (20% off) FREE shipping. Heeseungs hand feels nice. Comfortable and safe. Heeseung and Riki would barely post on any social media, but when they did, it was always photos of them with each other. Well, no, that parts a lie. When Jake was down with a fever last month, Riki did all of his compsci homework for him even though Jake never asked him to, and he oddly sent a bouquet of flowers to his apartment. Me and Jake do, at least.. | Urban Dictionary . As if we werent He cuts himself off and bites down on his bottom lip. Twitter; Facebook; Help; Have you and Jake also been having sex? Sunoo asks. Rikis having a heated debate with Heeseung about Little Nightmares. Something claws at Jongseongs throat, and he rips himself away, gets up on his knees to tower over Jungwon, still laid out on the floor, looking dazed. And Heeseunghas Riki. He doesnt drown his problems with positivity like Jake does, or pretend they dont exist like Heeseung does. Sunoo, Jake, and Sunghoon are something. OH, THE BET IS $500 NOW Oh, good. Im sorry. But thats not enough, and he knows it. What does that mean?, He has this pure sort of love for the world and the things he likes. I liked you so much, Riki whispers, blinking when he realizes that his eyes are stinging. Facebook was a little more helpful, but Heeseung hadnt posted anything in the past few years. I repeat, hes never done a single thing wrong in his life.. me: ok i saw that already Because I want you to win The Bet.. Vulnerability is hard and Jungwon swallows, looking at his feet, realizing that hes started listing the reasons why he loves Jongseong. But this is the difference: when Riki looks at Heeseung, he is not trying to find anything. An extremely beautiful and pretty girl whom people are super mad at. Do you have plans to leave?, Heeseung shrugs. Besties vibes only Besties vibes only is the best discord server I can ever be in: "Hey are you in besties vibes only discord server ?" " Oh yea! Then why?, I guess it just freaks me out. Heeseung rolls over onto his back, looks up at the ceiling. It happens to you. Hey, have you guys seen my Juul? Why?, I dont know, its justisnt it a little weird how invested he is in this?, Jungwon looks like hes sucking on a lemon. Its debatable. Jongseong is half in love with Heeseung. Not always. I think it would convince Riki very well, Jungwon says. He isnt looking for anything more. Let them learn. Riki groans. Bestie Vibes Only Mousepad, Bestie Gift, Gift For Bestie, Good Vibes, Positive Vibes Only, Best Friend, Bestie Mousepad, Best Friend Gift. . Jungwon feels breathless, like hes about to pass out; his face is warm, and hes just realized what hes done and everything that hes said. a short ode to messy college friend groups. He wasnt even aware that Riki and Sunoo were exes until Jongseong told him. I admire you for the opposite, Jungwon says. About what? Riki asks, putting his phone down on the desk. I really do, Riki said, voice cracking. About?, Jongseong looks uncomfortable. For instance, the new Gen-Z app Hive almost never goes a tweet without using the term to refer to its user base. as well as Heeseung took your virginity?, Jake opens his mouth. He let Sunoo into Heeseungs apartment, and it was awkward, so he retreated into Heeseungs room, closed the door, logged into Animal Crossing on his Switch, and that was that. I dont really get it either.. That, on its own, isnt that weird, but given how Sunghoon and Sunoo have been spending so much time together recently, its weird. Jongseong now has a boyfriend, Sunoo has two kind-of-boyfriends, and Heeseung has Riki, but that part isnt anything new, really. The thing about being in love with Yang Jungwon is that its painless. He and Heeseung are best friends. He does too.. Heeseung is beside him, but upside down; his feet are by Rikis head. im with riki at the art dept. Theres still the puffy Gudetama sticker Sunoo gifted him, positioned in the bottom right corner. The door is unlocked. Unbothered, Riki bounces onto Heeseungs bed, picks up his Nintendo Switch that he must have abandoned to let Jake in, and tucks his feet under his butt. Because Sunghoon hates me.. Cant you see how much that hurts him?. Id tell him everything youve told me.. When hes at the door, quietly, but just loud enough for Riki to hear, he adds, Its all basically yours already.. Obviously, the term bestie wasnt invented in January. Tags: Im trying my hardest, you know? To love someone not in spite of their faults, but because of them, because their faults make up who they are, and you love all of who they are; its a heavy thing, maybe horrible and beautiful also, but its heavy more than anything. Do you want me to stay here with you? Jake asks, feeling powerlessbut more than that, confused. Are you in or not?. Jongseong and Jungwon are just trying to help Sunoo scam his ex; Sunoo does not hold grudges; Sunghoon likes pretty boys; Heeseung did not pop Jakes gay cherry; and Riki has never done a single thing wrong in his life. And Jay, Isnt capable of letting go of people he loves?, Jake laughs. He brandished a smile. Theres no point in denying it. Hes one of my best friends. It takes Jongseong a long time to realize what Heeseung just said, and the incredulous looks on Sunoo and Jungwons faces. Lower, in the corners: dark reds and blues bleeding into black. I know Im gonna reach for as many besties as possible. What? Its been better lately, though, since Heeseung has been making real efforts to speak to him. Are you, like, on something? he asks with a pained laugh. Love in motion, love because. slack: you have a notification :) Sunghoon bites his bottom lip, looking at the wall behind Sunoo when he admits, Before The Foursome, we used to do things., Sunoo hums and thinks about it. Is he in his room?, Riki shakes his head. When he sees a familiar figure walk into the courtyard, Jungwon snaps to his feet and runs over to Jongseong. Heeseung looks skittish. What? One: because who could pass up a turn with Lee Heeseung? He doesnt try to bear all his burdens on his own like Jungwon does, or deal with them as well as Sunghoon does. Its a choice, sometimes; other times, its an inevitability. Its frustrating, and I love you because of itnot anyways, in spite of it, but because of it. Jungwon feels overwhelmed, but that small, almost-hidden pasture makes him feel at peace. He never pushes. Jongseong is too high to maintain his usual tact. I get fifty.. Flag. If he had a bad falling out with Jongseong or Sunghoon, he isnt sure if he could keep up the pretenses that everyone seems to expect Riki to keep up with Sunoo. You, reading this, are my bestie, too. I needed him. And you seem different lately., Sunoo turned to look at him and nodded. He took another drag and let the roll dangle between his fingertips. He never hangs out with Jake one-on-one and barely talks to him when theyre all together. The Breakup, though. I love you guys, sighs Jake, because he always gets like that when hes high. The third item is what Sunoo has capitalized on via The Bet. Fantastic, Jake thinks. vrithika. It was good at first. Do we not do that already?, Jongseong laughs. Then he remembers the other lingering question hes had for a while. You dont sleep in your room half of the time and we know you dont sleep around. sunghoon Yeah. want to meet halfway on main green? Riki, Jungwon says, firmer this time. Im getting really tired of it, Jungwon says, squeezing his eyes shut, clenching his hands in fists. Jongseong is surprised that Jungwon even agreed to The Plan. Making a bet with Sunoo was probably the one thing that would get him to break his vow of silence., Jake hums. BUT COULD YOU NOT HAVE WAITED Oh, cool, Sunghoon replies, even though its very much not cool. There were only two reasons why Jake was up for The Foursomewell, three, if you count the fact that he was drunk and they all were drunk and thought it was a great idea. Its still early, a few minutes past 9 AM, but Jongseong should be in class right about now. Higgens field And then neither of them say anything. Instead of lamenting the loss of the one person who youve previously been able to (physically) lean on in times of trouble, the internet has presented a new solution: What if everyone is your bestie now? He even ate me out yesterday, Jongseong thinks, but they dont know about that. Thats not true. Just to confirm And you take good care of Riki.. What? Sunghoon asks as they cross the street. Which is why, when Jongseong calls him at midnight, sounding like hes just been crying, he barely gets a word out before Jungwon tells him to come over, asks him where he is, if he needs to be picked up, if hes okay. Here, the stranger said, putting the roll down on the table. Sunghoon noticed him though, and with some time, Sunoo noticed how much Sunghoon looked at him. We just grew apart.. He knows that he was born on the 9th of February, that hes an Aquarius, and that he loves Park Jongseong and has loved him since the day theyve met. If he greens out tonight, so be it. a lot drunk For most of November, Jongseong saw Jungwon a total of five times. Jungwon had a short stint working at the underground student-run cafe, and Jongseong recognized the pretty barista who took his order. And thats okay, Heeseung said, and Riki tried his hardest to believe him. Just as he and Heeseung had finished smoking, both of them riding a pleasant high, Sunoo had bursted out of the house, Jungwon leaning drunkenly into his side. But thats not to say that Jungwon hasnt thought about it before, what would happen if Heeseung and Jongseong stopped sneaking around together. Kim Sunoo is a sweetheart; that much is true, but the thing about him that most people dont realize is his capacity for grudges. Everything about this has been exhausting. He deserves that. Oh yeah, have you talked to Sunoo about The Bet? Jongseong doesnt want to lose him, and if he does this, if they do this, losing Jungwon will only be an inevitability. Want me to ask him? Jongseong offers. Please dont do that.. So I ran.. A lot of them. Maybe it wasnt the only reason, but it was a factor. Well be in Korea at the same time Maybe its because of Riki, maybe it isnt, that Sunoo doesnt get it. Almost all of Heeseungs clothes are already baggy on Heeseung himself, so Jongseong practically drowns in them; the fabric has slipped to the side, exposing a collarbone. TELL ME IT ISNT TRUE Literally the entire campus has seen it!, I love that kid to death, Jongseong said, but he might actually be the devil incarnate., Heeseung only grinned. Im not seeing them until end of August, jongseong Yeah. He needs to drown himself in alcohol immediately. Where are you going? Jongseong asks when Sunoo pushes his chair back under the desk. Every time I asked you why you were breaking up with me, you said, Thank you for the past two months. You never actually told me why.. Sunghoon-hyung gets twenty. Jake brings his arms around his body, shifting his weight from leg to leg impatiently, wishing that Sunghoon was faster at these sorts of things, and also that Sunghoon wasnt so impervious to the cold. A very rarebreedof friendship. Yang Jungwon is the sun, Jongseongs sun. Jongseong tears himself up over it; whenever hes caught looking at Heeseung when Jungwon is also in the room, he rips his eyes away like hes just committed a crime. Im going to keep working at the art gallery, but full time., Heeseung nods.