Changes of the Heart (FanFic)

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

    

I went through my day pretending like nothing was going on. But in actuality, there was a whole lot going on inside me. My feelings for Changmin—and now Jaejoong—were all mixed together. The boys had nothing to do and it was my off day from school, so were all in the house together. No matter where I went to clean, I felt like I was getting in the way. Then I forgot about lunch, wrapped up in my own thoughts and schoolwork—until Yoochun knocked on my door to remind me. What kind of motherly figure forgets to feed the ones she’s taking care of??? So I went to the kitchen to make ramen. I was startled when Changmin suddenly appeared, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.

“Oh my gosh, Changmin don’t sneak up on me like that!”

He laughed. “Sorry. What have you been doing all day? I mean, besides cleaning. Are you always locked up in your room like that when we’re gone?”

I nodded and turned to the stove, trying to erase the images and words of last night from my mind. If he could pretend like nothing happened, so could I.

“Well, I’m usually studying. I guess closing the door is a habit. I don’t mean to make it seem like no one else can come in. You should remind me to leave it open every once in a while.”

He nodded. “Ok, I will.” Then he looked at me closely. “You’re a very good student. All I ever see you do is schoolwork.”

I shrugged. “Well, if I’m constantly studying, there’s no need to cram for tests and exams. Makes life a whole lot easier and less hectic for me.”

“Ya, but don’t you like to do other things? What about your writing? When do you have time for that?”

“Sometimes I do it late at night. Doesn’t really matter right now. It’s not like I have a publisher yet…”

“You will.” He said confidently.

“How would you know? You’ve never read…” I stopped, my voice trailing off. He was suddenly looking guilty for some reason. “You have? When? Did hack onto my laptop?! Changmin!”

I smacked him and he flinched.

“I’m sorry! It’s not like I broke in. You left it open once when you went to the store. I was going to close it before something happened to it, and… You must’ve left one of your stories open.” I smacked him again. “I’m sorry! I was really curious. If you want to know, I liked it a lot.”

I was about hit him again, but I stopped. “You did?”

He nodded vigorously—either because he really meant it or he really didn’t want me to whack him again. Maybe both…

“Ya! I think it was brilliant. You’re a really good writer. One day you’ll be a famous author—I just know it.”

I smiled. “I hope so…” Then I frowned and smacked him a third time. “Why is it so darn hard to stay mad at you?”

He smiled, pleased with himself. “Because I’m the littlest?”

I put my hand on his head, then move it over mine, measuring how much taller he was than me. Almost a whole head.

“I wouldn’t exactly call you the littlest.”

We both laughed, and it felt good. Like nothing really had happened between us. Maybe he didn’t realize anything had “happen”. It was like I’d told him anything. And he hadn’t really told me anything. Is it a mistake to let myself like Jaejoong? I thought, looking up into Changmin’s eyes. This seemed to make him uncomfortable, so he left the room. My shoulders dropped. I guess not…