Hung Up On The Stars • ChenJi

three

Jisung doesn't remember what it felt like two years ago as everything felt like yesterday and the time flew with almost the same speed as light, or that's what Jisung wants himself to believe. Chenle and Jisung didn't change even when many other things in their life did. They got to wear cooler uniforms and could use pens over pencils. Chenle was improving day by day in his Korean and gave his gratitude to Jisung and his cousin (Renjun Hyung, as much as Jisung knows his name to be).

Chenle likes to watch dragon ball, Pokemon, and all the cool seeming animations available on the screen while jisung pulled out his interest in the Disney world and video games. With more talking, more they shared their interests always welcoming each other's excitements and thoughts. Far from their age, they made a room for acceptance and adaptations in their small goofy world. The subjects they found issues were resolved by each other or for themselves by others.

Jisung once told him about his love for astronomy and naming all the planets which amazed Chenle and he received a long ass essay on how much Chenle adores basketball games and his obsession with a specific player named Stephen Curry.

Maybe this is how Chenle ended up in Jisung's house that night because apparently, Jisung considers "showing something cool" to be re-watching the star wars. If Jisung was being honest to himself, Chenle didn't enjoy the whole series but just didn't say anything because of the hesitation. Jisung kind of makes out the disinterest in Chenle and turns off the screen and suggests sleeping.

With a very polite persuasion, Jaemin agreed to sleep in their parents' room because Jisung's friend was sleeping over. Jisung was thankful though. Having somebody for the first time in their house kind of excited him but the feeling of missing Chenle later also made him sad. Chenle informed him that they were going back to China for four months and probably never return if things went well later. Jisung didn't want to hold back or have any regrets before sending off Chenle, therefore he proposed the idea of having Chenle invited for their dinner and sleepover. This time though, he didn't receive much resentment from the family because even Jisung knows, they are not completely hateful to the idea of Jsiung having fun. Maybe they wouldn't permit Jisung to go to Chenle's house for the whole night.

Jisung sighs. Chenle beside him laying on the bed yawns loudly and speaks, "You are always talking, what happened to you today?"

Jisung turns his head sideways and covers his face, "Nothing." Chenle didn't seem convinced, however.

Opening his eyes, Jisung says, "Anyways, what shall we do now? I am not sleepy yet."

"I am not sleepy but I am tired, let's just talk??"

Jisung considers that option but his mind is very hollow right now so he just sits up humming to a song.

"How long are you going to be here, Chenle?" Emptily, Jisung asks.

"Uhh... today is 24th, right? So.. five days more."

"Oh."

And they fall into silence again.

Jisung again speaks, "When you came here did you miss China?"

Chenle thinks for a moment and answers, "I did, I guess. But not anymore. I did not know many people there either. And you see, even Renjun Hyung is here so I never felt the absence of home."

"I see."

And then the silence falls again. Jisung hangs his fingers in the air making weird patterns which he imitated seeing a dancer in the street. Chenle tries to copy his movements but unable to follow the speed, he miserably swings his finger in an improper direction causing him to whine in pain. Jisung giggles and Chenle only slaps his shoulder. Later they plunge into the familiar habit of Jisung tickling Chenle and the latter breaking out into high pitch laughter and irregular body movements thereby causing Jisung to fall on his stomach.

"Jisung ah, you have a big heart. Thanks for inviting me," he says in the air. Jisung doesn't reply.

"You know what else is big?"

"What?"

"Your head." And then both of them laugh and unable to bear the weight on his stomach, Chenle says, "Get off me, idiot, your ass is so bony it hurts my stomach."

Jisung spanks his cheek and gets off embarrassed and allows some more silence to float between them. Slowly their eyes get heavy but Jisung finds himself unable to sleep immediately burdened with thoughts.

"Chenle yah! Can you get me a present if you come back here?"

Chenle hums already slightly asleep.

After few seconds, Jisung speaks facing the roof, in the air, "Chenle," and this time, the said boy doesn't respond.

"Please don't forget me if you don't ever return."

And all he hears is a loud snore from beside.

Then jisung sleeps too. When he wakes up the next day, he is unable to feel the presence of the other boy beside him but when he walks to the basin he finds a sticky note.

'I won't, jisung.
-Park Chenle'

Jisung gleams at the text and silliness at the name signed. He remembers the time when they decided to exchange their surnames for fun because Chenle didn't like being called "Zhing" or "Zhaing" because of the mispronounced words.

And then the summer comes which brings with the smile of a boy like a little sun. Chenle as per the promise brings him a star sticker set and jisung is more than delighted to decorate his room with the brightness of his dream.

~tbc~