The Pianist [DoHwan/HwanYoungz]

March, Friday 31

Doyoung no longer goes to school.

Doyoung no longer plays the piano.

He spends his days at home, lying on his bed. I do my best to visit him daily, but it's just harder every day. Each day that goes by, I look at him and can't help but wonder how has he managed to lose so much weight. When I think he can't be any skinnier, pale, haggard and weak, the weekend comes and when Monday arrives and I visit him again, life slaps me, by proving me I was just wrong.

Since the beginning, Doyoung has been a skinny boy, but I'm sure now he's not even half his weight from when I first saw him. His skin was also porcelain white, but it now looks so pale that it gives the impression he's becoming transparent. His dark circles under his eyes are new huge grooves, and his eyes had lost all shine and sparkle. That weak boy, who couldn't face the bullies at school, now is also unable to defend himself from what his own body is doing to him.

"Hwanie..." He says that afternoon. I look at him, giving him all of my attention, and I hurry to sit at the bed end, so he doesn't have to raise his voice and force his destroyed lungs.

"I think I know what I want for birthday present, this year."

I take a time to reflect. We're eight months away from his birthday. Seems like Doyoung is thinking the exact same thing as me, since he hurries to add:

"But I don't think I'll be able to wait until then."

"So you want a gift in advance?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood. Doyoung nods. "Tell me what you want then. If I can grant it, then I'll give it you."

"I'd like... I'd like if you could gift me a kiss."

I look at him, visibly surprised. I'm now unable to say a word. Doyoung seems to be embarrassed of his own words, since he now hurries to correct himself:

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to..."

"It's not that." I reply, still unable to believe this is happening, right now. "Is just that... Well, you know, this would be my first kiss. So, if you got no problem with me not knowing how to do this, and if you're okay with being let down and disappointed..."

"It's okay." He cuts me, in a whisper. "This would be my first kiss too."

I cough a couple of times, visibly nervous. I touch my nose tip for a moment, as I ask him once again if he's sure about all this. He nods once again.

So, being careful enough to not pull any of those tubes, I gently lean over him, and after we both close our eyes, I press my lips against his.

And that's basically all I do. I press myself against his mouth, wondering if I should do something else, like opening my mouth, or moving my lips, or pushing my tongue inside his mouth, or maybe biting his lip... But I'm not brave enough and so I just press my lips against his, for a couple of seconds, before withdrawing slowly.

"Happy birthday. In advance." I say, once again, trying to lighten the mood.

Doyoung can't help but smile at me.

We're one week away from the finale. Just two more chapters and that would be it.

Hope to see you stick around until the very end.

Ribo~