ASTRONOMY | SEUNGJIN

5 - Stories their mouths couldn't tell

"Hey Hwang, you left your coat in my house" Seungmin approached Hyunjin. "That's where it went! Thanks, Seungmin."

Minho popped up out of nowhere. "So, care to tell me why you left clothes at his house?" He had that grin on his face. "Ew, hyung no, I left it when we did the art project at his place," Hyunjin defended. "If you say so," Minho said in a teasing way.

Homeroom was boring, but what bothered Seungmin was the pair of eyes looking directly at him. "Can you stop?" He finally spoke. "Stop what?" Hyunjin was acting clueless.

"Staring." Seungmin was starting to get annoyed.

"I just came to notice your hair," Hyunjin pointed out. "What about it?" Seungmin just recently dyed his hair with blonde highlights. "I think it's pretty."

That was the last of their conversation before Hyunjin left for Lunch.

"Hyung, will you stop using your phone while we eat?" Minho has been texting Jisung since yesterday.

"Fine, fine" He put down his phone and ate.
"How's it going with Jisung?" Hyunjin asked. "It's going great! We're going to eat later!"

Minho may or may not have just invited Jisung to dinner.

"I think it's pretty." has been going around Seungmin's mind all day. He tried to get it off his head and concentrate on the science lesson, but he can't.

"Get off my mind Hwang" Seungmin mumbled to himself on the way to the library.

"Me?" Of course, Hyunjin would be around, how convenient for Seungmin.

"What?" Seungmin hoped Hyunjin did not hear him.

"Yeah, who else are you calling Hwang?" Thank God he only heard his name.

"Ah yes, my house later for the art project?" He did not plan on saying that, in fact, he planned on going to the mall today but guess not anymore.

"Sure, see you then."

phew Seungmin got away with that, but he really needed to go to the mall today to buy his mother a birthday gift.

His driver arrived to pick him up, but before he got inside the car, Hyunjin came running to him.

"Seungmin wait!" What is it that he wants right now? "I don't have work later so maybe I can go to your house early?" Hyunjin was out of breath.

"Sure, want a ride?"

Hyunjin of course agreed.

What happened to the stubborn and cold Seungmin?

The car ride was silent but soon broken by the driver "We've arrived at the mall." Right, Seungmin told the driver to bring him to the mall after school; how could he forget?

"There's a mall here? Let's go Seungmin!" Seungmin was dragged by Hyunjin into the mall. I guess he was going to the mall after all.

"So why are we here?" Hyunjin only questioned that when they had already entered the mall. "I forgot to tell my driver that I won't be going to the mall anymore but since you already dragged us here then I'll just proceed with what I was originally supposed to do."

They went from store to store looking for the ideal present for Seungmin's mother.

"How about this one?" Hyunjin suggested it was a Hermès Birkin bag in the shade of Bougainvillea. It was perfect! How did Hyunjin even find that? "That's actually the last one in Korea," The sales lady spoke.

They left the store with the bag despite the price, Seungmin was very much satisfied with the purchase.

On the way out, they passed by a photo booth.

"Seungmin, please?? It will just take a second, I swear!" Photobooths were common in Seoul but not so much in Busan, so Hyunjin was happy to see one. Seungmin finally agreed; they were just waiting for the people inside to get out.

"Jisung, the pictures turned out great!" Minho exclaimed. "Really hyung?" It was them inside the photo booth.

"Minho hyung?!" Hyunjin was astonished. He knew they would have dinner together, but what are the odds of them meeting here? "Hyunjin, what are you doing here?- Oh, hi Seungmin." Minho had that grin on his face again.

Hyunjin trying to avoid Minho and his silly thoughts "It's our turn with the photo booth. Have fun with your date hyung!" Hyunjin once again dragged Seungmin inside, even before Minho could speak.

"So it's a date?" Jisung beamed. "Well, if you think it's a date, then maybe it should be?" Jisung's face showed a light shade of crimson.

"Seungmin smile!" "Cheese!" "Let's do a heart!" "Pretend you're happy!" "Smile wider!"

"Look how pretty your smile is here! I'll take this one, but wait- I like this one better because it shows your braces!" Hyunjin was so happy. "I'll take this one then." Seungmin got the picture of Hyunjin doing a half-heart while he was doing a thumbs-up, which perfectly describes their friendship.

As soon as they got to Seungmin's house, they worked on the project. Brushes and paint were everywhere. So much was happening on one canvas. The canvas was filled with so much color and art that it told stories their mouths couldn't tell.

"We need a break," Seungmin said. Both their hands were getting sore. They went down to eat dinner with Seungmin's mother again.

"I don't know if Seungmin has mentioned it yet, but it's my birthday tomorrow; we're celebrating it at a resort nearby; you're free to come." She invited him, and he of course accepted.

"Mom, I'm home." He heard sobbing.

"Your dad left with all his belongings," she cried.

"Mom, stop. you knew this would happen soon enough, stop drinking and start living your life." Hyunjin was in a range of emotions.

"Your dad is my life! I can't live without him!" She cried even harder.

"What am I to you then...?" He said before locking himself up in his room.