Portraits

CHAPTER 5

Long ago, or maybe just years ago before highschool, Hyunjin would spend his summers gardening, looking out for his plants, and sleeping to his heart's content. He'd definitely wake up at around noon, then go walk around the garden checking if any of his flowers had bloomed or if there were any plants that needed to be watered, then watch time lapse videos on youtube of a plant he's found interest in on that day. But all changed when he stepped foot in highschool. His supposed free time for the summer becomes the busiest days of his life. With a mix of time spent with his family and friends, he can't dismiss his responsibilities in being a student council officer. "I'm outside, are you ready?" He receives a message from Minho. They had already agreed to bike to school together. As much as he hated biking out in the sun, he agreed because of how excited Minho got. He remembers jokingly telling Minho, "We could even bike to school so that we can lessen pollution!" What he doesn't expect is Minho eagerly looking back at him, "Can we really?" And so they'll be spending the summer biking to school. Come to think of it, Hyunjin has done a lot of things that he would oppose just because he liked hanging around Minho. "Didn't you tell me you were never gonna join the student council because you said, and I quote, "That's just too much responsibility and I want to make the most of my highschool life." Changbin says using his hands to mimic the quotation mark. "Yeah, yeah, I know what I said. But I only agreed because Minho wanted me to join! I can't back out on him." Hyunjin defends himself. That's how his conversation with Changbin went back in 7th grade when he applied for 7th grade counselor. During that time, Minho had already won the election for 7th grade batch representative and he had blurted to his friends how he would want someone close to him to join so it would be easier for him to warm up with the other officers. On that same day, Hyunjin applied for student councilor. And that was the start of their highschool journey.

"Changbin asked if we want to visit the cat shelter because they'll be bringing in new strays. I already told the others we'll be dismissed early so we could go." Minho states. "Changbin had just arrived last night, won't he be a little jet lagged?" Hyunjin questioned. "I don't know, but I'm not complaining. We might even get to shower the cats!"  Minho simpered. Despite Hyunjin not having a say in this, he complies because that means he'll be hanging out with his friends again! Playing with the cats is an extra, and maybe seeing Minho get overwhelmed at the clowder of cats, too. After quickly finishing their proposals and presentations, they quickly head to the cat shelter. It's almost been a month since their group of friends had been at the same place together. The last time they'd been together was during his birthday, which was 2 months ago. Changbin had been really busy with the shelter so it was usually them who visited. Jeongin had left in April but came back to the city on the weekends. He would then spend the night at any of his friends' houses. Because of that, the group often had sleepovers at the weekend. Jeongin, Felix, Jisung, and Hyunjin had spent the night at Seungmin's house 2 weeks ago. Then just a week ago, it was Jeongin, Felix, and Jisung in Chan's house. The group was busy with their own lives but they had always made plans so that they could hangout. Now that Changbin's home, there will totally be another sleepover where everyone's present.

Hyunjin and Minho had just arrived at the shelter and they could already see Changbin laughing along with Seungmin and Jisung. Felix was talking with Changbin's sister while the others were giving the cats their medicine. They're probably talking about makeup, since Felix had recently said he's become interested in makeup. And Changbin's sister is also a makeup artist, other than running the shelter. "Changbin! I missed you so much. Tell us about Germany." Hyunjin races to Changbin and gives him a bear hug while Minho follows behind. Minho puts his arm behind Changbin and places his chin on his shoulder. "I know you want a hug, Minho. Come here." After the exchange of hugs, Changbin went away and brought back a huge chocolate packaging tray and gave one to Minho and Hyunjin. After a shocked gasp, the 2 boys said thank you and kept their chocolate souvenir with them. "Chan had just finished training so he will be fetching Jeongin at the pier, let's wait for them so we can be complete." Changbin announced. While waiting for the 2, the rest of the boys played with the cats. Felix and Changbin are feeding a milk replacer for the kittens without mothers, Jisung and Seungmin are cutting the nails of the cats, and Minho and Hyunjin are showering the new strays. "This one's really obedient. All it does is look at me and meow." Minho tells Hyunjin who is washing the cat with water while Minho lathers tha cat with shampoo. "All the cats like you, Dahl. But I think this cat really likes you. It didn't even spare a glance at me after it saw you." It's true, Minho was some sort of cat whisperer. Everytime he was there at the shelter, the cats would behave and bump their heads on Minho's feet. When Minho crouches down, the cats would crowd around him. Or when Minho moves away, the cats would follow him. The cats sure like Minho, but this cat must really like Minho.

Jeongin and Chan had finally arrived and after their exchange of hugs "I missed you, buddy!" and "You guys act like we haven't been messaging each other through the phone.", Changbin had also given them their chocolates. Next, they too started helping along with the others. After making sure all the cats were treated, fed, brushed, showered, and cared for, the boys went outside to sit at the park near the shelter. "This one has oreos inside!" "Mine has strawberry yoghurt. Does anyone have caramel in theirs? I want to try." The boys each opened one chocolate bar to share because Changbin gave them different varieties of chocolate. White chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate with white chocolate, chocolate with toffee, biscuits, and many more! These bars could last them a year, that is, if they don't share. They promised Changbin that they'll share with their family the joys the chocolate can bring. "Thank you so much Changbin!" The boys had said multiple times that day.They continued to eat and share the chocolate while chatting about what went on with their lives until it was time to go home. They go back to the shelter to bring their things. When the boys almost leave at the front door, they hear a soft meow. They all turn around and see a calico cat eyeing Minho carefully. "Isn't that the new stray?" Seungmin questioned. "Yes, she hasn't meowed since she arrived and seemed like she was looking for someone. That someone's probably you, Minho." Changbin's sister explained. "Me?" Minho crouched down to pet the cat and astonishingly, the cat showed her tummy. That surprised everyone in the room. "What an interesting cat, do you want it, Minho? You can have her." Changbin's sister encourages Minho. After saying their goodbyes, Minho will be going to the pet store to buy cat food and litter. He's grateful that his bike has a basket.