Intricate: The Beginning of Us| MARKNOMINHYUCK(bxbxbxb)

39: A relaxing, thoughtful journey

Jeno

I didn't go home like I expected myself to do. Instead, I allowed the gentle breeze outside to embrace me in today's nice weather as I walk aimlessly through the streets. 

Being inside an empty house often made me think about things. Most of the time, they were not exactly pleasant. I used to be okay with that. I didn't care, frankly. But these days... I've just been growing more and more tired, each passing day becoming more of a challenge. 

I'm not sure when it began. Maybe it was that day or perhaps even before when I was wallowed by self-pity at the thought of never having my parents around. Those days when I would lay down on my bed and just stare at the ceiling and think of millions what if...

At least I had something to look forward to back then. 

At least there was a shoulder to lean on back then.

But then, I remind myself, it was all a lie. It was a scheme, a way to abuse me in ways I had never thought of. 

I shake off the reminder; I didn't want to go back there now nor ever again. 

I keep walking forward, just letting my legs guide me with my hands in my pocket and the hood of my hoodie on my head. My backpack is still in its place and my phone is in my back pocket. For a second, I debate taking out my AirPods and plugging them into my ears and letting the sound of music surround me but I chose otherwise. Instead, I decided to focus on the outside, the streets that I'm walking. Cars passed by only once in a while, this particular part of the city pleasantly calm. There are some men and women jogging on the opposite side of the street and as I pass by a small local park, the shouts and laughter of children can be heard. 

Honestly, the sound of their cute laughter made me miss my childhood. Back when there were no worries, when Taeyong-Hyung and I would still play with toys, when we would get stuffed by all the deserts we wanted. And, okay, I also missed when we got to play with little Donghyuck.

Now, thinking back to it, I'm not entirely sure how we began to hate each other. It just has been since the first day we saw each other, I guess.

I remember being three and trying to snatch one of his toy dinosaurs but he didn't want to give it up. Taeyong-Hyung was at school so he couldn't be the civil one to handle the dispute so we just kept on tugging and tugging until we broke it.

I laugh at the memory.

After that, the parents came to get us and comfort their child since we both had begun to wail because of the broken toy. I got a scolding after that, of course, but I don't think that's when it started. 

Actually, I really think that it was my fault. I was jealous of him. As a six-year-old. At that age, I understood how much love Donghyuck received and how much my parents lacked to show affection. It was annoying to see the other be drowned in kisses and hugs while I stood on the sidelines, waiting for my mother to pick me up from preschool only for her to take my hand on one of hers while the other was held to her ear, her phone on her hand, handling business like usual. 

I take a seat on one of the park benches, my feet wanting to rest after around an hour of walking. I lean my head back and close my eyes, letting them rest. 

It's funny how things have turned out, haven't they? I'm now fake-dating Lee Donghyuck. A cliche. One I never wanted to live but I accepted this offer with the intention of getting something out of it. I only hope that this is worth it.

I can pretend he is someone else. But who? There's nobody I want to date at the moment and earlier when we kissed I was one-hundred percent conscious that it was his lips against mine.

The thought made me shudder slightly but much to my surprise, it didn't make me cringe in disgust.

From what I have seen the last couple of times we've seen each other, he isn't as horrible as I've always made him out to be. When I thought about Lee Donghyuck I thought of a loud and obnoxious and sassy and perhaps even arrogant person. He isn't that. Or maybe he is but not in a bad way at all. It makes him who he is.

God. What the fuck am I even thinking about?

I let out a huff as I open up my eyes, putting my feet on the ground and standing up to continue my relaxing journey. 

As I walk back in the direction I came from, I notice a bush. One that had a bunch of begonias next to it. Begonias have the meaning of being cautious but that's not the first thing I thought of when I saw them. I saw that they were pink and the first image that came to mind was a certain pink-haired boy. 

I quickly become annoyed with myself at that thought. He never fails to just crawl his way inside my mind. 

He has stopped coming to the nurse's office and unlike what Ms. Kwon keeps on pressing, I am not upset by it. I'm glad, actually. His presence, his all was extremely annoying; the way he would sit down and just read, sometimes sweeping his hair out of his eyes with a frown on his face with concentration etched onto it. 

Okay, I was glad he stopped coming to the infirmary room but that doesn't affect the fact that I'm curious as to why. Was it because he started to date Mark Lee? But why would that be a problem? Again, not that I care, I'm simply curious!

I sigh, stopping my steps and thinking altogether, looking up to see 'Let Me In Cafe.'

I was a little startled by it, when had I arrived here? 

But that didn't exactly matter. Not when I saw Jaemin outside, crouching with his hands covering his eyes as if he were crying. 

I frown and without thinking, stomp my way over there.

A/N: I feel like we needed this. An all Jeno chapter. I feel like I haven't had many Jeno POVs so it was about damn time am I righttt. 

But anyway yeahh, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and if you did please vote on it 💜💜

LOVE YOU ALLLLLL 

LOS AMO A TODOS Y TODAS NO SABEN CUANTO MUAH (wonders if that's the right way to express a kiss 🤔)

Did I just edit this like five times in the last two minutes? yes. but i have a good excuse this time!! I FORGOT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR 5K READS!! Guys thank you so much!! you have no idea how happy and proud I feel, reaching this milestone in "Intricate Relations"

Once again, thank you and I love you!!