To Be Loved... (BOOK 1)

My Best Friend

Art: Hwang Hyunjin himself :)
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Wooyoung's POV:

This was it.

The scariest moment of my life.

I knocked on the window of Hyunjin's room, trying to get his attention. He was painting so I wasn't sure which Hyunjin I was about to talk to; either way, I can handle both. He finally noticed me and quickly unlocked the window to let me in.

"What are you doing here?" He whispered with a cute smile. I sighed and just hugged him, but he stood completely still. "Wooyoung, do you think we could hug later?" I forgot, he doesn't like being touched when he's in this state.

"Of course, Jinnie." I nodded and sat down on his bed. I was lucky Kkami had gotten so used to me over the years, otherwise he would've started to bark. "Whatcha making?"

"Another one for my parents. They said they wanted to hang it in their bathroom." Their bathroom? Give me a break. It's going in the fucking garbage. "What do you think so far?" I'm not sure which part was worse; how dark it was compared to his older work or the fact that it's the damn ocean. I can barely take a shower, yet here he is painting a whole body of water.

"It's beautiful." I smiled. He lightly shook his shoulders back and forth, a habit of his when he's overly excited. "So how're you doing?"

"I'm good." He shrugged expressively. "How are you?"

"I'm okay." I didn't sound convincing in the slightest, but I don't think he'd be able to notice. "I was wondering if you wanted to sleep over tonight."

"Can't." He shook his head. "Mom and dad said I'm not allowed to talk to you. Plus they don't want me out of the house on a school night unless it's with Minho."

I would love to know what his parents love so much about Minho. I think people assume I have an issue with the guy, but I don't. It's just that usually when you come across someone who acts like they know everything, they really don't. They're just arrogant. Lee Minho on the other hand actually does know everything and he's never been wrong once. Not a single time. I need to stop questioning him because I end up embarrassing myself every time.

"Okay, that's okay." I assured him so he wouldn't get upset for rejecting the offer. I noticed he's been busy. He must be working at a rapid speed if he has all these canvases completed already. But they were all new. What about the ones he had done in my house? "Jinnie, where are all your paintings from the last few months?"

"Oh, mom and dad threw them out. They said my old stuff was too feminine with all the flowers and stuff. I didn't realize it until they said something. So they got me a bunch of new canvases and said my art should look more masculine and strong." He seemed so okay with that. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to cry or vomit. Art was his gateway to peace and it's been completely tainted.

There was one in the corner turned around. I could tell it was done purposely.

"Jinnie, what's that one?" I pointed to it.

He shook his head. "It's not good."

"Can I see it?"

He stood up and handed it to me. "It was the first one I made since I got home actually."

It was Felix. It may have been his best one of him too. He added small flowers on his cheeks mixed in with his freckles. Pink strands throughout his blonde hair. Every detail was so perfect.

"Felix was the first thing you made?" My voice was shaky as I stayed mesmerized.

"Yeah." He awkwardly confessed.

"Why?" I looked up at him and saw the innocence in his face.

"Because I like to make pretty things and Felix is pretty."

Even after all that's happened, Felix has been on the forefront of his mind. It's just a friendly reminder of how stupid I've been. But I don't want to blabber on about how sorry I am when he's like this.

"Hyunjin." I said softly. He almost seemed worried he was in trouble because I used his full name. "Do you think you could sit next to me?" He's been on that art stool since I got here. But I knew a way to switch it off. He was hesitant, but sat next to me on his bed. "Do you think you could hold my hand?" He didn't move or speak. "Is it okay if I touch you?" He faintly nodded. I could tell he was afraid. I slid my hand into his and started to rub the top of it with my thumb. "You okay, Jinnie?" It was almost as if you could see the war in his eyes.

"No." He shook his head, sounding completely broken and stressed. "I'm fucking not." There he is.

"Come here, Jinnie." I set Kkami on the ground and laid us both down close to each other. Now he was desperate to stay as close as possible. "It's gonna be okay." I whispered, stroking his head. "I'm never giving up on you again." My voice was unsteady and my eyes became glossy from the intense emotions. "I'm so sorry." I whispered as we both silently cried together. "Please don't leave me." I begged. "I need you. I may not be your best friend anymore, but you're still mine."

"What the actual fuck are you talking about? You may be an asshole, but you're still my best friend." We both laughed through our tears, only holding each other tighter. "God damn dude, why do we do this every month?"

"Because we're dramatic, little cry babies." I smiled. I pulled away slightly to look at his face. I missed him so much. "Jinnie, come home." It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.

"But this is my home, Woo." He tried to convince me. "My parents are really good to me now, I promise."

"Then can't you just come over for one night?" I was desperate for him to come home with me, even if it was just for a little while. I need him to remember what life was like there. How much better he was treated.

"I'd have to crawl out the window with you." He smiled.

"Are you willing to do that?"

"Of course."