Portraits

CHAPTER 1

Minho is laughing. Despite the seriousness dripping from what Hyunjin said, he's laughing. "What? I'm serious!" Hyunjin says, with a mix of irritation and confusion in his voice. "You, Hwang Hyunjin. The most competitive person I know, is stepping down to become vice president? For what? So that I can be president? Minho asks him, "Yes, exactly! I want you to become president so that I can be your vice president." The 2 boys had just finished preparing for tomorrow's school event and they're waiting to be fetched when Hyunjin, out of the blue, asks him "Can I be your vice president?". It's late, Minho thinks. Checking the time from his phone, 6:13pm. "You know what, I'm not even going to wait for your answer. I'm nominating you and that's final. You take so much time to think, my fetch is already here. Bye Minho, see you tomorrow!" and off he goes, leaving Minho in his train of thoughts. He checks his phone again, 6:15pm. Hyunjin couldn't wait for more than 2 minutes with what Minho had to say? He knows Hyunjin was never an impatient person. Well, that's Hyunjin for him. Minutes later, Minho gets fetched. Still deep in thought as to why Hyunjin so easily gave away the highest position in the student council.

Hyunjin always gets what he wants. It's election day and as wished by Hyunjin, Minho gets the most votes to be president along with Hyunjin getting the most votes for vice president. "Isn't this amazing? Next school year's gonna be really fun!" Hyunjin exclaims. "I still don't get why you chose me to be president when you could have been president yourself." "And not have you in the council? No thanks. I want to be in the council with you, Dahl." Hyunjin gives Minho a celebratory hug while jumping up and down because he sure can't contain his excitement. Dahl? Minho is not sure when and why Hyunjin called him that and now he's too afraid to ask because he knows how easily Hyunjin gets upset when you forget about the things he tells you. With the remaining days left in 9th grade, the 2 boys continue with their lives. Prom is coming soon and Minho is so sure someone is excited for the event.

"I'm thinking, glitters and sequins? I'm sure they would look really good on you!" Hyunjin continues to ramble about what would look good on Minho. While Minho is busy painting, Hyunjin makes it his problem deciding on what Minho will wear for prom. It's a weekend and Hyunjin decided to invite himself over to Minho's house. Despite Minho not agreeing to it, Hyunjin is now laying down on the grass across from him, while Minho is sitting on his chair, facing his canvas. "Hmm, he looks good in anything, so I want to make him look dashing!" Hyunjin of course thinks about Minho's preferences in clothing. His favorite color is olive, which is the shade of green that Hyunjin can differentiate from the rest of the shades of green, and the fabric must be silk! He remembers how often Minho complains that wool makes him feel itchy. And maybe we could wear matching boutonnières? A tulip would look nice. As Hyunjin continues to ramble and think hard for Minho's prom outfit, he doesn't realize that Minho is done with his painting. He only realizes when Minho pokes Hyunjin with his pink colored paintbrush. "There, now just wait until Santa calls you because he's missing Rudolph." "Dahl! You could've just told me you were done painting. And Rudolph is red nosed, not pink." "Then should I paint your nose red instead?" Hyunjin rolls his eyes at Minho's comment. "Where's your painting anyway? You never show them to me." "That's a mystery for you to solve, vice president." With that, Hyunjin grabs the closest paint brush to him and chases a now running Minho. "Get yourself a canvas, not me!"