the story of us 》sungtaro

21

"Have you been asked to the dance yet?" Donghyuck asked me, eyes lifting on the book he was supposed to have been reading. I doubt that he had even read a word.

That day, the two of us were in the library with some free time, studying for an upcoming test. I could have lied, made up some answer, but I actually had no clue what he was referring to. "What dance?"

The dance. The event itself had the capability of being a night of fun, or a night of misery. Donghyuck would go on to tell me how this wasn't any usual dance, this was a girl's choice.

The idea took a bit of stress off my shoulders. I wouldn't have to worry about pretending to be interested in any girls and torture myself over how to ask them. Now I would just have to worry about a girl asking me.

As honored as I would have been, I didn't want to be asked. The only one I wanted to go with was a beanpole, brown eyed boy.

"I'm excited." Donghyuck smiled. He was always the life of the party, so enthusiastic about everything. "Even if we don't get asked, I think we should still go, you know? Get out for the night."

Donghyuck abandoned his neglected book, a speech brewing on his mind. "There's no shame in just going with friends anyway. I think that-"

The stopping of Donghyuck's loud voice caught my attention more than his words. Glancing up, I saw his attention across the room, tracking a figure moving towards us.

Waiting for the opportune moment, Donghyuck grinned, waving at the stranger. If he was in a cartoon, hearts would have replaced his eyes. "Hey Mark!"

The mentioned boy glanced to Donghyuck, no hint of recognition in that gaze. He only nodded, his mouth forming a flat line. Then he was gone.

I can remember how my dear friend watched the boy's back as he retreated, a longing in his gaze like one I'd never before seen.

"You know, I think we're almost friends." Donghyuck sighed, not even attempting to hide his dismay.

I wanted to comfort Donghyuck, tell him that he didn't need that kid anyway, that I was there for him, but a figure hovering outside the door interrupted my insincere sweet words.

Luckily for me, Donghyuck also noticed the awkward boy outside the library, debating or not whether to enter. Unluckily for the indecisive kid, Donghyuck was quite loud.

"Jeno? What are you doing?" He voiced, catching the attention of our friend. As if Donghyuck spooked him, Jeno entered the room, wide eyes surveying the room as he hid his face behind a book.

"Shhh." Jeno hissed, cowering when he approached us, gaze circling the room. "Could you have said that any louder?"

"Why are you hiding?" I can't remember now if Donghyuck or me asked, but I remember his reply.

"I'm supposed to meet my tutor here, but I didn't study at all over the weekend." The fear was clear in Jeno's eyes, strong and present. "I think I'm going to call it off. Who needs chemistry anyway?"

Donghyuck's eyes wandered to the blue haired boy reading next to the window, ignoring the bustling library without a care in the world. The Lee thought just what I did.