When My World Falls-JAEYONG

11 | emergency

After the session, Taeyong insisted about driving Jaehyun back home. The man wasn't much bothered by the looks of it so the boy felt happy. Both of them walked towards the vehicle and stepped into it. Taeyong started the engine and prayed to the gods that he'll get lucky the second time. Carefully driving their way back, Taeyong noticed that Jaehyun was a bit tensed.

"Did mom give you some homework too?"

The man looked back at him and remembered the 'homework' that was given to him a while ago. That hasn't left his mind, by the way. He was still nervous about doing it. Greeting a few people on a daily basis wasn't a habit to him. In fact, it was something he has never done before, even to his aunt.

The question that was thrown to him wasn't answered. The boy just spoke to fill up the quiet atmosphere between them.

"When I was a kid, I would go with my mother and just stay in her office while she does her business. My mind wasn't really understanding things back then but I was told to never tell anybody about the things they're talking about inside the room. But I do remember her giving "homeworks" to her clients. It was something about improving social skills, apparently," Taeyong said, telling his childhood story.

Jaehyun slowly nodded and answered the last question, "She did..."

"That's why you're tensed, huh?"

The man just realized how observant the boy was, or he was just good at reading people. Or Jaehyun was just really bad hiding how he feels.

"If you haven't noticed, I'm here to help you. Hate me or not, I'm here, waiting, if you ever need someone."

This boy just pushes himself to Jaehyun, like how his aunt did when Jaehyun has nothing. The man was stubborn but his aunt was even more stubborn when she was trying to make Jaehyun understand. As a kid, Jaehyun just saw his mother to her and his trust was just really broken, which made things a bit harder. But the man was thankfully that she didn't give up on him.

Jaehyun could only nod, which earned a smile from Taeyong.

"So...how did it go?"

On the other line was his aunt. Jaehyun wasn't a person who likes talking about or showing his feelings, but he misses her. He would have the same feeling whenever she'd go. He doesn't even know how's his hanging up when feeling lonely could be dangerous.

"It was fine, I guess..." the nephew answered, "She gave me an assignment."

"Assignment? What was it?"

"It was to greet people."

"Oh, that's good. Don't think about it too much."

"It's easy to say."

She chuckled, "You're not just used to it. You can start greeting me. It's best to start with someone who you're comfortable with."

Jaehyun tensed and got nervous, "W-What should I say?"

She hummed, "It would be easier if you would just reply to them, repeating their greeting to you. Okay, I'll say...Hello, Jaehyun. What would you say?"

It took the man some time, thinking if whatever he's going to say is right. Jaehyun just shrugged, although his aunt couldn't see.

"Hi?"