Hung Up On The Stars • ChenJi

twelve

Meanwhile, Jisung takes Hina to the playground to discuss what just Hina wanted to admit to Jisung.

"Hina, what's wrong with you?" He asks, restless.

"I am sorry- I didn't want to" she cries suddenly, unable to bear the embarrassment anymore.

"Hey, don't be sorry, it's not your mistake at all, if anyone is to be blamed, it's only Adam." He says putting his hand on her shoulder.

"That dumbhead should not be shown any mercy when he attains hell," she says crying covering her face in the meantime.

"He sure will be, you first relax," he gets the water bottle from the filter and gives it to her.

He grew anxious over the sudden confession from his girl friend; He never took Chenle's teasing seriously and never considered the fact that it could get so real and when it comes like that, he doesn't know what to do. He can not digest the fact that Hina being one of his closest friends would end up liking him. He still considers the way to turn her down in the most pleasing way that can actually turn her mood up.

"Jisung, just listen to me okay-"

"You first stop crying. Breathe in," she takes a deep breath, "breathe out" and she lets it out.

After wiping her tears completely from her cheeks, she composes herself to look at Jisung.

"So I just wanna ask," Jisung says in a low voice, "do you mean it? What all happened there? Do you really like- like me?"

Oh God, why does it have to be so awkward?

He slowly sees her nodding looking at the ground.

"Why didn't you tell me?" That is all he could ask. He knew he sounded so helpless and regretted and hated everything about what was happening.

"I wanted to, Jisung. Even today, I wanted to talk to you properly, about everything but it just got ruined, I am so sorry."

"It's- i- I don't know what to say, Hina," he stutters out.

"Your friend is not so weak to handle rejection, Jisung. Just use your words profusely," she says, already sad.

"Listen, I don't want you to be upset, okay? And your friend won't leave you hanging behind too,"

She looks at him hopefully.

"I will always be the most supportive friend you will ask for"

"Of course," she says again.

"We have been friends for a long period, okay? I don't want anything to change between us. I don't want us to become the sappy teen couple."

She nods her head pouting.

"Don't laugh at me for saying this but I can't even imagine you like that, fuck, I always thought of you as my elder sister who buys me, sweets, when I ask, who helps in eating my lunch when I am not hungry, a friend who sings like there are earphones on when they aren't. We all love making fun of you and equally appreciate your presence likewise."

She scoffs at the last sentence laughing and wipes her nose.

"That's the smile I like," he says, returning a smile.

She kicks the stones from her legs and both of them sit in silence for some time.

After she leaves, Jisung feels a heavy burden leaving from his shoulder for making sure that the problem is resolved but new guilt for breaking her heart builds up. He is helpless nonetheless.

After some more time, he sees three of his friends coming in his direction, and with further scrutiny, he sees Chenle with bandages on his mouth and hands. He grows panicky but doesn't show it immediately.

"Oh my God, you look like a kicked puppy, what shit did you make of yourself?" He asks Chenle after all of them sat down before him.

"I didn't make it myself, but Adam had much business with it."

"What do you mean?"

And then Shotaro reveals the whole incident of Adam and Chenle throwing each other off almost as if their life depended on it and making a huge fuss about the non significant issue and the teachers punishing them off detention.

"I am sure he looks worse, am I right?" He asks, facing his palm unbelievably.

"Oh dude, definitely way worse. I am stronger than he is. It's a proven fact now," Chenle says proudly, making everybody scoff.

"You shouldn't have picked up a fight, Chenle," He says, stroking his non-injured arm.

"Well, God wasted shit ton of time and energy creating that motherfucker that made him a dick while he accused you of not having one, that shithead you called you a faggot and you want me to shut the fuck up and clap my hands at that bitch?" He says putting so much aggression in the very word he speaks.

"Why did you have to care about those filthy words if you know it's not true? Why did you go and fight him for me?" He speaks genuinely concerned.

Chenle is silent for a moment and Sungchan speaks on Shotaro's shoulder, "Everybody knows why, except you," and immediately earns a glare from Chenle and a light-hearted slap from Shotaro after.

"The fuck is he saying?" Jisung asks with disinterest.

"Nothing, Jisung. You just know his habit of getting possessed by Satan once in a while and muttering the most random things ever. He talks in the air, don't worry."

Jisung sighs.

"Anyways, what about Hina? Are both of you fine?" Shotaro inquiries.

Before Jisung can talk, Chenle puts his hand on his, "Are you sure to be able to talk about it right now?" with worry and concern in his eyes.

Jisung nods, "it didn't grow too serious and from the most, I hope she is convinced and fine."

"So are you like.... Together or something?" Sungchan asks curiously.

"No, we aren't and we can never be. She is a nice girl but we are not meant to be like that," he resonates as if anybody is going to ask him an explanation for just speaking his mind and wanting space.

But nobody intrudes further.

When the school bell rang, Jisung left the place leaving Chenle (as he got detained) Sungchan and Shotaro who had the period free according to their timetable.

Chenle takes the nearest stick in his hand and throws it on Sungchan's face saying, "You can't shut up, can you?"

"You say you want to become an agent right, what kind of agent will you become if you can't even talk in codes? Idiot." Shotaro hits his head playfully.

"I was trying to hint it to him-"

"Not required," Chenle says sternly, "I don't want to push Jisung anytime, and I know he is not ready for anything right now so I will do whenever or whatever I have to do."

And then three of the boys exit to their rooms.

~tbc~