The Three Worst Secrets

Time Is A Material Thing

Changbin showed him the completed painting in art class.

It was him in Felix's full makeup, the day he'd fought with his father after walking home in the rain.

He fainted on the spot.

Right before he blacked out, he thought that Bin might have a really good future in art, and that he looked quite beautiful in the other boys' eyes.

He woke up in the nurse's office and was taken to see the principal. Unfortunately, his mother was there- her pale hands shaky and gripping too tightly into her designer purse.

"Minho. Please sit. I want to ensure that we straighten this out."

They thought he fainted because it was an attempt to bully him. He had to tell them over and over that he just wasn't expecting it and he'd already agreed for Changbin to paint him.

The principal pulled the painting out and his mother mutedly photographed it, muttering almost too quietly about how Minho had been acting differently, sneaking out and getting into trouble. They sent him home early. When they pulled into the drive his father was home too and he felt his breathing change. "Mom?"

"Come on Minho."

"What's going to happen now?"

"Get out."

They stepped inside, and she threw her phone at his father, the picture of the painting open on her screen and too detailed to be in that house. "You said you fixed him! You didn't!"

"I thought I did." He replied, barely fazed by her hysterics.

"Look at that! Look!"

Minho opened his mouth as the larger man knelt to scoop the phone up, wishing he had something he could say to stop him.

He stared at it for a long time. "Go to your room kid. Pack up your things. I think it's time to get out of this crazy town."

Relief washed over his body, like slipping into a cool river on a hot summer day.

"Oh... okay. Yeah. I- okay." It was what he'd wanted anyway.

At least that's what he told himself.

He packed swiftly, finding his parents in the car already when he finished. In a moment of bravery, he snagged the home phone, calling Changbin. The rapper picked up on the third ring, Minho could hear their history teacher droning on in the background.

"Minnie?"

"Hey..."

"Oh my God I was so worried about you. I'm sorry. I should've let you see it earlier."

"No you're fine Bin. It was really nice."

"... Really?"

"Yeah. You have real talent."

"Thank you."

"I just wanted to call because we're moving today. I probably won't see you again. Or, at least not for a long time. Maybe we can get some drinks next time I'm in town? Legally?"

There was a heavy pause and some deep breathing. "Yes. I would like that. I'm- really going to miss you... I love you Minho."

"I love you too. You were the best of them Bin. The best part of moving here."

"Oh God, don't say that now when you're so far away from me... you can... maybe call me another time? If you ever get a cellphone again?"

"Okay... I'll try. Bye Changbinnie."

"Bye Minho."

He assumed there wasn't space in the trunk for his bags as usual, so he dragged them into the backseat beside himself, watching the scenery fly by with a feeling that would one day be nostalgia.