like never before | beomkai

01 | graduation

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To sit in front of the stage, toga draped loosely around his body, and his name being called for his turn to climb the stairs—graduation was nerve wracking to say the least. Kai could barely contain his smile as he breathed in excitement to receive his diploma.

A high school diploma.

Oh, how much he always wanted this and just jump to the college school he always passed by as soon as possible. It was finally happening as Taehyun ran towards him with a bone crushing hug, whispering a gentle 'we did it' and 'we're going to college and finally have café discounts!' to which Kai responds as enthusiastically as he could.

"I'm going to miss this place," Taehyun said with voice cracking. He was always the emotional one in the friendship and Kai made sure to comfort his best friend with a hug.

He cooed. "Well, Bahiyyih still goes here. If you want to visit the school then we can always pick her up and visit the place."

"I'd love that, and I'll tell her about the embarrassing shit you've done in here."

"The closest I've done to be considered as something embarrassing was talking too loud in the hallway, and that was because I was memorizing a declamation."

"Are you sure?"

Not quite.

If Kai was being honest, visiting the place will be the last thing he wants to do. All that flashes in his mind are awkward walking and anxious waiting, avoiding people he didn't want to ever see and talk to. Other than that, he remembers the strict schedule he made for himself that helped him get through the years alive even if it did tire him out a lot for constantly having his guard up.

Kai has rules to live by and a schedule that he follows. Right after a party he regrets ever getting swayed by Taehyun to attend, he made sure he made no reckless decisions anymore. He spent most of his free time alone in the library or in his classroom while Taehyun got used to walking alone to the cafeteria and eating with his friends—his friends that Kai was acquaintances with and avoided like the plague.

It was a big change that Taehyun never questioned. He was always understanding anyway, but Kai still thanked his best friend in every way he could for that.

"Accompany me to the restroom," Taehyun said, tugging on Kai's sleeve and didn't bother waiting for the other's response. (Not that Kai ever said no to that request before.) "Wait for me here or I swear to God I will strangle you if you leave me alone."

"So dramatic, Tyun. Where would I go anyway?" It took a lot for Kai to not roll his eyes as Taehyun entered the surprisingly almost empty restroom despite the crowd on the field today.

He paced around the front with his eyes glued to the diplomas in his hand—one was Taehyun's—and mind was as blank as the sound of teachers announcing through the speakers ring in his ear. A person, he knows well as Yeonjun, suddenly stood in front of him wearing a big grin.

"Congratulations!" He greets and Kai reciprocates rather less genuinely as he intended it to be. "Kai, right? It's been so long since I last saw you."

Kai nods. "Yeah.."

Yeonjun is one of Taehyun's close friends, also one of the people he used to sit with at lunch. He thought that Yeonjun was cool; a dancer, a dean's lister, and the president of the student council. He was meant to be popular, and Kai finds him intimidating that way. Even with the knowledge that Yeonjun is a sweetheart.

"Taehyun's in the restroom if you're looking for him," Kai said when Yeonjun remained standing beside him. It was the only reason he could think of.

"Dummy! I'm calling Soobin because he said he wanted to take a picture with you."