for lovers who hesitate | taejun

03 | hard time

In Taehyun's last year of high school, he met a boy that made his feet do little kicks like a stereotypical teenage girl in movies. Everything was glowing and happy around him, mostly because Taehyun was captivated by the smile a certain tall boy with dimples would flash every time they walked past each other in the hallway.

He was Choi Soobin, a student from the class beside his, who had only transferred recently that year.

Taehyun first officially met Soobin when he was forced to join a quiz bee and Soobin was his competition, only he was kind and sweet, immediately sweeping Taehyun off his feet. Then they both start having fateful meetings in the library, cafeteria, and other quizzes (Taehyun was always forced to join but after meeting Soobin he starts volunteering)-it was no surprise that they both became friends.

Without really the knowledge of anyone, including Yeonjun, Taehyun and Soobin both started becoming text mates and soon late-night-call-mates, and it became a relationship blooming slowly as time and opportunities came. Needless to say, all that led to Taehyun dating this "cute guy with dimples"-as he saved Soobin in his contact list after finding out Soobin had him saved as "cutie who blushes whenever we meet"-and everyone found out.

Yeonjun was beyond upset that he had zero knowledge who this guy is and how they got together but he wasn't acting like an ass when Taehyun introduced them to each other. Although, he did badmouth Soobin behind his back but that's typical Yeonjun badmouthing everyone alive-didn't raise any worry in him.

It wasn't until one weekend when the best friends got worked up because of a last minute call. Yeonjun asked Taehyun to watch a movie with him which is not new for the two of them but this time Taehyun had to decline since Soobin asked him for a dinner date a week prior.

"So now I'm not number one? This is the movie we've been waiting for. Remember we kept crying about the trailer every time they came out and now you're choosing a boring dinner date that you don't even like over something you genuinely find enjoyable? And for what? A man that doesn't even know you don't have dinner every time?"

That was low. Taehyun knows how Yeonjun talks and how brutal he can get but it was unnecessary for him to say all these things over a cancelled movie plan. Taehyun wasn't pleased with the attitude, not one bit.

"Where is this even coming from? God, the movie is showing until next month! We can always watch it some other time but since you're talking like that about my boyfriend I don't think I want to see the movie with you anymore," Taehyun left him alone to walk home and he ran to meet Soobin waiting at his front door. It didn't really take the heavy feeling on his chest resulting from the fight he had with Yeonjun off but seeing Soobin with a shy smile made Taehyun feel a bit better.

They both went on dates after dates after dates and Taehyun swears he has never felt this happy with someone before. Soobin was just amazing. He was kind, loving, and always took care of him every chance he could get. He was also very clumsy and that would never fail to make Taehyun laugh any time. It was almost like he was perfect but perhaps he spoke too soon.

The first conflict in their relationship was when Soobin introduced Taehyun to his parents despite his constant reminder that he wasn't ready yet. Soobin said they were persistent with seeing him immediately, so he didn't have a choice but to comply. Everything was going well when Taehyun met his father but it all went downhill when he met the mother. It was easy to tell that she was not pleased with him.

She eyed him down, almost like she was making a final judgement after one look, and she began talking to him with things he wasn't really comfortable with. Soobin saw Taehyun's discomfort but did nothing about it, and that made it impossible for Taehyun to control his temper when they both left for his car after the dinner meeting.