my first and last || renmin

S e v e n - Disney World

Renjun rolled out of bed and stumbled to his computer.

He casually checked his inbox and was shocked to discover that Jaehyun had written back to him.

"Holy crap.." Renjun whispered to himself quietly as he opened the email.

"Dear Mr. Huang... I cannot answer your questions, at least not in writing because doing that might tease a sequel, which you might publish or share on the internet. Should you find yourself in Amsterdam, do pay a visit. Sincerely, Jung Jaehyun." Renjun's jaw hung open once he finished reading the email.

Is this life??

"Mom!!" Mrs. Huang raced in, expecting a health problem.

"What's wrong?!"

"Nothing, sorry." Renjun lowered his voice realising that he scared her.

"Nothing?" She asked confused.

"Look!" Renjun showed his mom the email.

"Can we go to Amsterdam? Please?" Mrs. Huang thought about how to respond.

"Renjun.. I love you and.. I'd do anything for you.. but we don't have the money.. the expense of getting the equipment there.. It's not possible.."

Renjun's mood quickly deflated, "Yeah, no. Of course. Forget I mentioned it.." Mrs. Huang walked out sadly.

Renjun sat on his bed, extremely bummed.

***

Renjun and Jaemin walked together on the sidewalk.

"Just use your wish." Jaemin said.

"I've used it already."

"What'd you do?" Renjun didn't want to tell, Jaemin realized.

"Not Disney." Disappointment was evident in his voice.

"I was 13..."

"Tell me you didn't go to Disney world." Renjun looked away.

"Huang Renjun! You didn't use your dying wish on Disney world!"

"And Epcot center.." Renjun mumbled feebly.

"Oh my god!" Jaemin's hands were in the air.

"We had fun on that trip!" Renjun tried to defend himself.

"This is the saddest thing I've ever heard!"

"I met Goofy.." Renjun mumbled again.

"Now I'm embarrassed." Jaemin shook his head.

"Why are you embarrassed?" Renjun asked genuinely confused.

"How can I have a crush on a boy with such cliché wishes?"

"Wait, what?" Renjun blushed, the word 'crush' took him by surprise.

"What?" Jaemin smiled as Renjun looked at him.

Renjun quickly looked away, his face heating up even more.

Jaemin continued on about Disney but all Renjun could think about was 'crush'.

***

Jaemin waited on the front stoop when Mrs. Huang's car pulled up, they were back home from the hospital.

He wore an Indiana Pacers Jersey and he carried a bouquet of bright orange tulips.

Mr. Huang got out of the passenger's seat to help Renjun out of the car, Jaemin got up to assist.

"Is that Rik Smits jersey?" Mr. Huang asked.

"It is indeed." Jaemin smiled.

"Man, I loved that guy." Renjun saw Jaemin, he wasn't expecting him.

"Jaemin?"

"Hi Renjun.. how would you like to go to a picnic?"

***

Jaemin sat with Mr. and Mrs. Huang downstairs while Renjun changed upstairs for the date.

"You're a survivor yourself?" Mr. Huang asked drinking coffee.

"Didn't cut my leg off for the fun of it. Though it is an excellent weight loss strategy. Legs are heavy!" Jaemin joked, tapping his prosthetic.

"How's your health now?"

"Great for the past 14 months."

"That's fantastic!" Mr. Huang congratulated but then he went silent.

"Listen.. you have to understand.. Renjun's still pretty sick.. and he will be for the rest of his life." Renjun stood silent behind the wall, eavesdropping.

"He'll want to keep up with you, he's that type- but his lungs-"

"Are you ready Jaemin?" Renjun interrupted, silencing his father mid-sentence.