EXO IMAGINES

Tao

The teacher called out your partners for the senior field trip. As she reached the end of the list, you couldn't believe your luck- couldn't believe how crappy it is.
"__________ and Tao."
You sank in your chair as Tao smiled shyly at you. The girls behind you laughed.
"Okay! So! For the senior field trip, we are going to Palm Island," the teacher explained. "You and your partner will be buddies. If your buddy ends up missing you will be...." You zoned out the teacher and looked at the chalkboard. The date of the field trip was written in big numbers. The most important field trip of your high school life...and it'll be spent with Tao.
You have been to elementary school and middle school AND, surprise surprise, high school with him. He's known for being alone and there's rumors that he might be emo. All he does all day is sit in the corner and listen to music. Not only that, Tao is girlier than most girls in the class. Being buddies with him... You suddenly had a mental breakdown.

As class ended, Victoria came up to your desk and made a sad face, "I feel sorry for you, ________. But don't worry! You can always hang out with us. Just because he's your buddy, doesn't mean you have to hang out with him all day every day!"
Victoria's words made sense. And maybe.... This trip might not be as bad as you thought. (It wasn't.)

Chanyeol hit a beach ball over the net and you jumped up to return it to the other side. Music was blaring from a speaker and the smell of barbecue was heavenly. The sound of laughter was the most pleasant to your ears.
As Victoria said, students didn't need to hang around their buddies 24/7. This was the second day of the field trip and you were having the best time of your life. As long as Tao was alive at the end of the day and not missing at the beginning of the day, everything was all good.
After the 3rd round of beach volleyball, Chanyeol called for a rest. It was Kris and Chanyeol against 7 girls.
"Suits them right for being so tall," Victoria snickered. You laughed as you walked with her to your rest area. It was almost time to head back to the cabins. The sun was just barely above the horizon and most of the students have already gone back. Victoria and you sat on a towel and you drank a cup of iced lemonade.
"After graduation, I will go on to be the best singer ever," Victoria said.
As you turned your attention to the dock, you saw a dark shadow sitting on it. You squinted to make out the silhouette. Tao. He was peacefully swaying his legs back and forth in the water but there was something sad about the shadow. It looked liked a painting.
"_______!" Victoria waved her hand across your face and you were brought back to life.
"Are you okay?"
"Me? Yeah... I'm fine."
"Ya sure?"
"Yes... Hey Victoria. Doesn't Tao look really... handsome sitting over there?"
"Haha very funny. He's so girly and there's huge bag under his eyes."
"Oh... Yeah... I guess."
"Ladies!!!!"
Victoria and you both gasped as Chanyeol plopped down on the towel. You guys started chatting about the trip and you suddenly find yourself averting your attention to Tao again. It never occurred to you to ask why he was alone all the time even though he's been to school with you all these years. Maybe there's something behind that sad painting that no one will ever understand.
"OMO you're zoning out again!!" Victoria cried.
"Oh sorry..."
"Tell you what? Chanyeol and I can clean up and you should go and sleep."
"Yeah... I'll do that."
You walked away from them and instead of heading towards the cabin, you walked to Tao. He was still alone at the dock even though the sky was already purple.
You were a few feet away from him when someone grabbed you from behind.
"Hey sexy.... Cute bikini you have on!" His breath reeked of alcohol and you scrunch up your face in disgust. He was definitely not part of the senior class.
"Let go!" You cried.
He tightened his grip and slid a bikini strap down your left shoulder.
"STOP!"
He didn't and he was trying to kiss your lips. You were preparing to scream when something flew from the sky and punched the stranger in the face.
"You!!!" The man cried. There was blood on his face where Tao had punched him. He raced toward Tao was about to hit him when Tao took a hold of his arm and flung him across his shoulder. He tried to get up but Tao punched his chest and he fell down again. Tao was about to throw another punch but you stepped up to the man and kicked his manhood with every joule of energy you had. And he cried.
"On the count of three!" You told Tao. He looked at you and understood.
"One, two, THREE!"
The two of you kicked him off the dock and into the water. You guys laughed as he desperately paddled to the shore. Hearing him laugh- it was your first time.
"Not bad," you said.
"You too," Tao responded.
For a while, the two of you stood in silence. It was you who was the first to move. You stepped up and hugged him.
"Thanks. Lords knows what would have happened if you weren't there."
You felt his heart beat increase as he slowly hugged you back.
"Y-yeah... No problem."
"So! We should head back to the cabins! It's quite dark outside."
You smiled up at Tao and he blushed a little. It wasn't girly at all. It was the first time you had a good look at his face- and his built body. You found yourself at war internally as you asked yourself why you didn't make this friend earlier in your life. He wasn't the weird kid you've always thought he was.
The night was young as you decided to open up Tao's box of worries and make him smile as often as possible.
Because let's face it, you know it was nice to see him smile.