Step by Step [TO1 ROMEYOU 1]

CHAPTER 10

      Last night, for the third night in a row, Jerome dreamt of Donggeon. He woke up at dawn, no trace of exhaustion nor fatigue. And he couldn't recall the previous day.

He shrugged. His appearance in the mirror felt unfamiliar, as if someone stole his body and interchanged the personality. But deep inside him, he knew nothing has changed. It was his inner self, that wanted things to change. To be different and less abstruse. He shook his head sorrowfully, walking up and down his dark room. His mind was occupied: Answers surged and retreated, like ocean waves. Phone in hand, he paused. He had to resist the urge to call Donggeon and bust out that he is his best friend. The inner conflict reached an alarming state, various emotions locked up in his fragile heart.

He eyed his room, twirling his lifted head into several directions. It felt like he was trapped. Trapped in the room's reeking loneliness, no one would ever relieve.

Why is it me who has to go through this? It's his fault, after all. But I can't stop thinking about it. I am so dumb. So dumb. Why am I so pathetic. I hate it so much. Why can't someone help me.

Turning around, he saw something totally unexpected. He forgot to close his notebook, Donggeon's name revealing and emphasizing Jerome's inner feelings. Is this a sign? The sign he waited for, to have a reasoning for his odd actions? Dialing Donggeon's phone number with melodic sounds, he placed his phone next to his ear. Not knowing what he even wanted to say, his soft lips opened slightly, as a tone echoed through the speaker.

»Hyung? I am sorry to call-« An interrupting voice startled him.

»The number you are trying to call is not reachable. Please-«

»Huh?« He looked at the display for several painful seconds in complete silence. Did I just try to call him? He came back to his senses. Am I going crazy?

The chance of Donggeon reacting bitter and annoyed was the same as him reacting happy. Jerome didn't know anything about him, after all. It was a mystery why he suddenly abandoned him and their friendship, without leaving any trace. There had to be a reason. A reason he would only be able to find out by asking him. He lifted his phone again, the dark room only illuminated by the bright display. A loud thud cut the motionless air. Jerome tossed his phone on the bed, sliding too far and lastly hitting the floor. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness of the room.

I will not ask him. My friends told me to wait. I will get through this...somehow

***

It was Monday lunchtime. Jerome was already waiting in front of the nurse's office, expecting to be released from his crutches. With a few minutes delay, he was asked into the room. His friends gathered in front of the door to welcome Jerome and celebrate his ability to be able to move around freely again. It was a minor thing, especially considering the short period of time he had these, yet it was something exciting.

Jeyou knew about the situation. He passed by the hallway, seeing Jerome's friends. Instead of taking care of Jerome or enjoying the first moment with him without his crutches, he rather took a sharp turn into the other direction, heading to the rooftop through the staircase.

As the door flew open, Jerome presented himself with a bright smile. Woonggi jumped up and down while holding onto Jerome's wide shoulders, making happy but indescribable noises. Jisu and Jaeyun initiated a hug, dragging Chihoon along, who already started to take a step back.

»We are so happy for you!«

»Glad time flew by so quickly.«

»Yeah, now we can finally run around!« Woonggi voiced happily with his head leaned all the way back to look at Jerome in front of him. Suddenly he received a hit on his head from Chihoon.