win. - nomin

1

Jeno put on his best smile. He watched Jaemin receive his first place trophy happily while parents and children clapped and cheered. The kid next to Jeno was sniffling and crying, some other kids around him were too, but Jeno wasn't upset he lost. He felt happy when he watched Jaemin grin gleefully whilst accepting the well deserved award. Jeno tried searching for his parents in the crowd. This was his first competition. His parents had signed him up for dance, just as something to do since Jeno had no particular interests. He did whatever his parents wanted him to do, what made them happy made him happy. When Jeno found his parents, he gulped. They didn't look happy. They were the only people not celebrating in the crowd. Four year old Jeno knew he was in trouble.

He'd tell his parents that he was sorry, that he'd do better next time. He never won though. The highest he'd placed was second, first always went to Jaemin. Jeno didn't know Jaemin well, but he never had any hard feelings. Not until his parents stopped showing up to his competitions, not caring about whether he won second or not. Jeno knew his parents wished he was as good as Jaemin. They constantly compared him to Jeno. Jeno began to dislike Jaemin for this reason. He would purposely shove Jaemin out his way when in corridors. He'd step on his shoes when doing group performances. Just anything he could.

Jaemin didn't know why he would do these things of course. Jaemin found himself wondering the same question every time Jeno gave him a side eye, "What did I do?" He just wished to get along with Jeno. His only wish.

-+-

Jeno was eighteen now. He was no longer a kid. No longer under his parent's control. He could do so many things he couldn't do before, the first thing he chose was quitting dance. Jeno didn't like it. He hated how his parents would guilt trip him into staying, they didn't even care about his competitions yet they acted like they did every time he brought up the topic. Jeno's parents didn't approve of his decision, but he was an adult now, they couldn't do anything. Plus, his dance company didn't teach people over the age of eighteen.

Jeno had one last performance before he could quit. He planned to win this one. He didn't really care before, but today he does. He'll be giving it all his best. Just to show his parents that he is capable, to hopefully give Jaemin one last 'fuck you.'

Jeno looked around the room. The crowd, the judges, all watching him on stage. Jeno took a long and steady inhale, waiting for the music to play. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. Jeno had no problem performing, but now that he really wanted to win, he felt his stomach drop in fear. He hated this feeling. Jeno attempted to not let his anxiety show, he didn't need the judges marking him down for that.

After his performance, Jeno ran off the stage ignoring the crowd clapping. He just needed to leave as soon as possible. Jeno waited backstage, catching his breath. He put a lot of effort in the dance, it better be worth it.

"Jeno?"

Jeno turned around and saw Jaemin. It was obvious he hadn't performed yet. His hair was still tidy and soft. Jeno on the other hand felt gross. He was all sweaty and greasy.

"What." Jeno grumbled, looking away.

"Hi. It's our last competition together and I just wanted to say good luck. I can't believe we're leaving."

"Yep. Finally gone." Jeno scoffed, fiddling with his fingers.

Jaemin remained silent. Not sure of what to say or do to avoid offending Jeno. It seemed like anything he did irritated Jeno in some way.