dunk shot | z.cl

t w o

"Is this your house?"

Wonyoung nodded and let out a "yes" as Chenle pulled up to the yellow house.

The young girl got out of the car and the two stayed in her driveway until they saw her enter the house, making sure she was able to get in safely.

"Alright that's everyone, the girl's have all texted me that they got home safely"

Chenle nodded, a smile on his face at how caring his best friend was. He leaned one arm on her seat as he backed out of the driveway, watching out the back windshield for any approaching lights.

Her stomach started flipping again, and she looked down at her lap to avoid eye contact, instead opting to reach over and grab Chenle's phone, picking the next song for their short ride to her house.

"Girl if you listen to Cat & Dog one more time-"

"Shut up, you love Cat & Dog"

They continued their playful fighting until they got to Kaili's house, Chenle killing the engine as the porch light flicked on.

The front door was pulled open before Kaili was even able to reach for the doorknob.

"You're late"

Kaili looked down at the time on her phone, cringing slightly as the bright numbers 12:02 stared back at her, two minutes past her curfew.

"Im sorry mom, we were dropping off some of the younger girls" she let out a nervous laugh as her mother raised an eyebrow at her.

"We?"

At that moment Chenle came up the porch stairs, a fresh hoodie on his body and a smile on his face.

Mrs.Xiao's face immediately lit up, the suspicious look being replaced by a loving smile.

"Hello son, it was nice of you to drop off Kaili"

"You act like he doesnt drive me everywhere"

A pointed look from her mother shut the high schooler up again, and Chenle laughed breathily.

"Sorry we were a little late, Kaili insisted on making sure all the girls got home okay"

"Don't even worry about it, it was only a few minutes. Do you want to come in? We still have some dinner left over if you're hungry"

They made their way into the house, Chenle politely declining the offer after explaining that they had just eaten.

"Okay well we're gonna hang out in my room mom"

Her mother let them go, giving no real response other than yelling a "door stays open" as they made their way up the stairs to Kaili's room.

As soon as they got in the door Kaili threw her cheer bag into her closet, not being able to do anything else as her best friends arms made their way around her waist, trapping her in his embrace.

"My mom was going to smack me until she saw you"

"I practically saved your life, you should repay me by giving me those cuddles I was promised"

She felt her heart jump but tried to remain calm as she responded.

"Yeah, but there's makeup caked all over my face and I smell gross"

"Since when has that ever stopped us?"

It's true that they had been a lot closer than this in a lot worse conditions, since neither really had a sense of personal space when it came to the other person.

"Just let me wash my face? You probably should too, you were all sweaty and gross"

He sighed loudly, eventually loosening his grip on her waist and following her to the bathroom, a dramatic pout on his lips the entire time she washed her face.

It quickly changed into a smile when she started lathering his face with the cleanser, and he hoped she couldn't feel his face get warm in her hands.

Kaili then threw the towel at his face, wrapping it around his head before aggressively rubbing it all over his face.

"Hmgrph"

He was trying to complain, but he couldn't get any words out due to the towel.

She stopped just as suddenly as she had started, pulling it away from his face with a smile.

"Peek a boo"

The angry look he had solidified on his face automatically dropped when he saw her smile, her voice a little higher in the same pitch she used to talk to kids and stray animals.

"You're lucky you're cute"

She let out a soft laugh while he quickly grabbed her hand, pulling her all the way back to her room and pulling her down with him to lay on her bed.

"But the towel attack and the detour for face washing means no moving allowed. I'm going to squeeze the life out of you, and you can't complain!"

He finished his speech with an exclamation, looking down to see her staring up at him with soft eyes, her chin on his chest.

"Why would I ever complain about that?"

And with that she laid her head back down, resting her ear right above his beating heart, taking comfort in the steady rhythm and his fingers rubbing circles on her spine.