𝗪𝗛𝗢. ❥ nomin.

12 ; who likes me?

Jeno spent the next two days trying to think of ways to confess. Could he could maybe buy flowers? That felt too... basic. Making anything was off the table– he was dogshit at baking and cooking, and all he knew (how to crack an egg) was thanks to Jaemin. He didn't want to be boring, but there was nothing drastic he could do.

Renjun nudged Jeno in the side. "Stop overthinking. You have, like, two hours. There's no time to get anything else."

Right. It was lunch on Friday, and this was Jeno's last chance to tell Jaemin anything. Well, not exactly, but Jeno was sure that he wasn't going to be able to rebuild the amount of confidence he'd been accumulating this entire time.

"Then what?"

"I don't know, speak your mind?"

"Yo." Mark poked Renjun in the side. "What're you two whispering about."

"Why the fuck do you think we're whispering?" Renjun flicked his forehead. "Jeno, my motto."

Jeno hummed, continuing to eat his lunch. He still didn't know what he was going to say to Jaemin. He'd been pondering it for what felt like forever. And what if Jaemin didn't even like him? What was he supposed to do then?

After lunch, Jeno was thankful that he didn't have a complete Sports Sector itinerary to do. He turned in his sports therapy research project and spent the rest of the class sitting in the back corner searching up ways to confess. Nothing seemed right.

Once school ended, Jeno returned to his locker, which was right next to Jaemin's as they had picked. He wanted to say something. He wanted to do something. But what exactly?

"Well, I'll be leaving." Jaemin wrapped his arms around Jeno. "See you in the New Year."

No! Jeno's mind started screaming at him. Don't let him go!

Jaemin started retreating down the hallway. Jeno's throat went dry. 

"Jaemin!"

Jaemin turned around. "Hm?"

Jeno didn't know if he wanted to punch himself in the face or thank himself. Jaemin started walking closer, ready to hear whatever Jeno was about to say.

What was Jeno about to say? He stared at Jaemin's face. The same long eyelashes, rounded nose, and cherry lips that he had been staring at for as long as he remembered. How he came to the conclusion of liking Jaemin so late was beyond him.

Jaemin blinked at him. "Are you just–"

"Ilikeyou," Jeno interrupted, squeezing his eyes shut as he felt his face heat up. He took a breath and opened his eyes.

Jaemin's face was blank. "What?"

Jeno pressed his lips together. "I like you, Jaemin."

Any previous worries that Jeno had based on Jaemin's initial reactions immediately cleared his mind when Jaemin's face lit up. He smiled widely, almost giddy. It was a complete 180. "Really?"

"I... I mean, I said it twice," Jeno mumbled.

"Oh my god, this is the best day of my life." Jaemin closed the space between them, pressing his palms against Jeno's cheeks and kissing him.

Jeno blinked. Jaemin likes me back. JAEMIN LIKES ME BACK. JAEMIN LIKES ME BACK!

Before Jeno could do anything, Jaemin pulled back with a grin. Granted, they were still in the middle of the hallway. "I can't believe you like me."

"You think?" Jeno could feel the pink on his cheeks. Jaemin had a bit of a blush as well, but it complimented his hair. Jeno already wanted to kiss him again.

He leaned in for a little peck, watching the smile on Jaemin's face grow. "You can only imagine," the latter hummed. "Hurry up so we can leave."

Jeno quickly finished packing up his things. He closed his locker door, taking Jaemin's hand. "Let's go."

"Whatever you say, boyfriend."

Jeno blushed. "Okay, boyfriend."

It sounded just about right.