Pirouettes&Flips

>>nineteen<<

Jaemin felt weird opening the door to the studio on his own, without his friends' usual banter going on around him. It's been so long since he came to this place alone, not even Haechan, who he guessed was still at school taking whatever class he had last for the day.

He has skipped school today with the basic excuse of a headache. His mom was concerned with him going to studio after the show he put on in the morning, but he wouldn't have missed the rehearsals even if he was actually sick. He has come early with the hopes of relieving some of the burden he has been feeling, and what better way was there to do it other than dance.

He listened to his steps echoing around the room as he walked through the smallest practice room in the building. He placed his bag next to the speaker and connected his phone to the device. He forced himself to ignore the notifications that were making his chest feel tight as he put his playlist on shuffle.

Of course, he was aware of how he has ignored his friends through the day, spare the single text he has sent Haechan in the morning to inform his absence at school. He tried to follow the rhythm of the song with his body for the first few beats, waiting for the music to get into his body and take control of his limbs.

This time, however, it didn't work. His mind was so frustratingly full that he just couldn't let go. After forcing his way through 2 songs he just gave up and laid himself on the floor. He listened to his breath slowing as the light of the room made his eyes sting. He wouldn't have realised another person coming in if it weren't for the small bump of their shoulders as the other person placed his head next to him, laying his body the opposite way.

"You probably shouldn't tire yourself out like this before an at least two-hour rehearsal"

"I have to. I will go insane if I don't tire the shit out of myself" Jaemin could hear the deep breath the other took.

"We're worried about you, you know. Haechan says you have been acting out of character at school too" It was Jaemin's turn this time, to take a deep breath. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this conversation.

"You shouldn't, I'm alright. Maybe a bit confused, but nothing important" Jaemin could now feel the eyes that were focused on him.

"It is important, if it is bothering you. Would I be going too far if I asked what it is?"

"Not really, no. You're my friend too and I understand you are worried. It's just... How can I explain it if I don't know what it is myself? I'm just so frustrated, I want everything to go away" He couldn't stop the thought of him being overdramatic over a small thing filling his mind. His friends really shouldn't be worrying about him.

"You can try to describe it maybe? It obviously doesn't have to be me, it could be Haechan, Jeno or anyone you want. Sometimes your brain messes things up so bad that you might need an extra hand to sort out the mess" Jaemin slowly lifted himself up the floor using his arms, Renjun closely following the same movement. The two ended up back to back, in the center of the studio floor.

"What did Haechan say? About me being out of character?" Jaemin could sense the slight stiffening happened at the back of his smaller friend.

"That you weren't as bright as your usual self, you have been more closed off and... he said you haven't been going on any dates as well. Not that it is a bad thing of course, just out of character" Jaemin couldn't help the small smirk that his lips did with Renjun's assuring on the last bit.

"I don't mind you know, them implying I keep going on dates with different people. It is the truth, at least was, so you don't have to feel pressured to assure anything"

"Honestly I don't know. I haven't really seen you going on many dates. And I'm sure I can count the ones I have seen with the fingers of my single hand"