So, We Graduated!

A/N: Text in italics means the character is thinking that and hasn't said it. Also, high school here means class 12 (it's different in different education systems). Here it means graduation right before going to university.

Seonghwa can't help but stare at the boy in front of him in awe as he climbs onto the stage, takes his adorable small steps, and gets his high school certificate. The camera shutters click in front of his eyes, capturing the moment he will cherish forever. In front of him stands his best friend, his first love, Hongjoong. Tears well up in his eyes as he looks at the other boy proudly, sad that he won't get to come to school every day to Hongjoong waiting for him. His thoughts are interrupted when Hongjoong's robe moves a bit, revealing a hint of a skirt beneath it. He wore a skirt for his graduation.

No one could have been happier than Hongjoong when their school announced that students could wear casuals for graduation. Hongjoong had said that he wanted to try something new with his outfit. That was one of the many things Seonghwa loved about him. He was never scared or ashamed of experimenting with clothes. However, not long ago, Hongjoong has mentioned that he had wanted to try to skirt for a while but been afraid of his parent's reaction. He told Hongjoong he would also like to experiment with his style and wear something from the women's section someday. Seonghwa can't help but smile, seeing that Hongjoong could finally do it. Hongjoong's love for fashion has also led him to apply to fashion universities, which meant he wouldn't be in the same university as Seonghwa. Worst case, they will be in different countries.

The rest of the ceremony goes in a blur for Seonghwa. His head filled with thoughts of sadness. He doesn't want to let go of his first love without confessing to him, but he can't lose Hongjoong's friendship. Hongjoong has been nothing but the best of friends anyone could have. He would be so disappointed to see Seonghwa make something else out of it.

"Congratulations, hyung, I hope you won't forget me after this," San comes running to Seonghwa as everyone leaves the hall to meet their parents. Seonghwa is thankful San kept him company. His parents are on a business trip and could not come."How can I forget you, San? I will be here for your graduation next year. I promise," Seonghwa hugs him tightly. San's eyes catch Hongjoong at a distance, hugging his parents. "Are you really not going to tell him?" San doesn't have to explain what he means."San, let it go," Seonghwa whines."No, hyung, tell him. How can you let him go after all this time? He will get a boyfriend when he goes to university. He will talk to you about all his crushes in class. If you think you can take that, then it's okay. I wouldn't leave the last proper opportunity I have," San says while Seonghwa's face drops. He turns around to find Hongjoong looking at him. He skips towards Seonghwa, smiling brighter than the sun above them. "Hi," Seonghwa says, his eyes not leaving Hongjoong's for a second."Hi. We did it," Hongjoong is jumping. "Let's go find an empty room. I have something for you," Hongjoong says, running toward the class building. Seonghwa's eyes never leave Hongjoong. Not when he holds Seonghwa's hand and drags him to the room, not when he removes the robe, and Seonghwa can finally see the skirt. "You wore a skirt. Your parents liked it?" Seonghwa asks."It's not really a skirt. It's a skort. And yes, my parents liked it. I am so happy, Seonghwa," Hongjoong says, bursting into the brightest smile Seonghwa has ever seen on him."I am so happy for you," says Seonghwa, trying hard not to burst into tears.Before Seonghwa can continue, Hongjoong turns around and produces something out of his bag. He turns around, and Seonghwa sees another skort identical to Hongjoong's."You mentioned you wanted to try something from the women's section. I got us matching skorts as a graduation gift. I hope you like it. You don't have to wear them if you don't want to, but I would love to wear these together," Hongjoong hands him the skirt. He remembered. He got me this as a graduation gift.He wants to wear these together.Hongjoong's face drops when he sees how Seonghwa looks on the edge. "Seonghwa, are you okay? You can return it to me if you don't want it," Hongjoong looks at him, concerned."No, I-" Seonghwa gulps, a tear escapes his eyes. He's thankful the room is empty. "Can I give you a graduation gift, too?" he finally speaks. Hongjoong nods, confused.Now or never, Seonghwa.Seonghwa's eyes hesitantly roam all over the other's face. With shaky hands, he holds Hongjoong's shoulders, his eyes not leaving Hongjoong's. Struggling to find Hongjoong's boundaries, he ducks his head in the crook of his neck, the action coming out rougher than intended. A loud, surprised gasp escapes Hongjoong's neck when he feels Seonghwa's teeth rough on his neck. Seonghwa's hand unintentionally moves to the other's waist, moving him closer. Another gasp leaves Hongjoong when Seonghwa suddenly moves away and storms away from him towards the door.What the fuck is wrong with me? Who confesses their love like that? I better not show my face to him again.Hongjoong isn't sure if the heat of the moment gets to him, but he storms after Seonghwa."Seonghwa, wait," he says, grabbing the other's wrist, and before he can think, he finds himself pushing Seonghwa against the door."Hongjoong, what are you-" Hongjoong smashes his lips against the other. They don't know how long they stay like that. When Seonghwa pushes him a bit, Hongjoong opens his eyes and finds Seonghwa rushing out of the room again. He runs after Seonghwa again, unable to get another word out of his mouth. Seonghwa walks as fast as he can, his mind hazy. He can feel Hongjoong walking behind him. It makes him want to run away. He doesn't want to face him, not right now, not ever again. He hopes the earth swallows him whole before he has to see Hongjoong again."Oh, you're here. We have been looking for you everywhere," a voice breaks Seonghwa's train of thought. The voice sounds too similar. He raises his head to see Hongjoong's parents in front of him. They must be here to take Hongjoong.He is about to move aside and continue walking away but gets interrupted."I'm sorry Seonghwa Hongjoong told me your parents couldn't be here today. So, we want to invite you for lunch at our place to celebrate your graduation," Hongjoong's mom continued.No. Please, no."Oh, you don't need to do that. Please, I don't want to disturb you. I'm sure Hongjoong wants to enjoy with you today," he says, awkwardly turning towards Hongjoong, hoping for some support. "That's not the case, mom. He should join us. We should celebrate together," Seonghwa fails to understand what makes Hongjoong so chirpy after what happened."No, please. I don't want to interrupt your plans," Please leave me."You would never. You have been friends for so long, it's only fair you celebrate your graduation together," Hongjoong's mother says, already moving towards their car.Seonghwa timidly follows them and gets into the car, trying not to make contact with Hongjoong, but Hongjoong, being a menace, sits right beside Seonghwa, sticking to Seonghwa, leaving the other side of the seat empty. "There's enough space on the other side, Hongjoong," Seonghwa whispers, eyes not meeting the others."Yeah, but I want to sit here," Hongjoong whispers back, face full of mischief."I heard Hongjoong bought you matching skorts. Did you like it, Seonghwa?" says Hongjoong's mom, sitting in the front seat."Yes, I did," Seonghwa says, his face red as a tomato. He can feel Hongjoong staring at him."I didn't expect Hongjoong to remember. I mentioned once that I wanted to try, but I hadn't thought I would. Hongjoong carried it well. I don't think I will," says Seonghwa, the blush not leaving his face.Hongjoong's face scrunches. "No way you said that, Seonghwa. You look good in everything. Do I need to remind you why every girl from the other class wants to come to our class to borrow chalk?" Hongjoong nudges Seonghwa lightly. Seonghwa's blush deepens at Hongjoong's parents' chuckle. "So, I assume Seonghwa was the popular guy?" Seonghwa's dad says playfully.Before Seonghwa can deny the obvious, Hongjoong jumps in."Not just popular, but he was very popular. They tried to befriend me to get close to Seonghwa, but I shooed them away. I wanted to keep the popular guy for myself," Seonghwa's face snaps towards Hongjoong, too shaken to get a word out of his mouth.Stop talking like this in front of your parents.Seonghwa hopes Hongjoong understands this just with his eyes because he's too embarrassed to open his mouth."Let poor Seonghwa have a girlfriend, Hongjoong. He can't be stuck to you forever," Hongjoong can hear his mom rolling her eyes."No, I won't share him," Hongjoong rants like a nursery kid who got his first friend."Okay, that's enough. Please get new friends in college, Seonghwa, and force him to do the same," his dad says, chuckling.It's not like we would be meeting a lot anyway.Seonghwa chuckles awkwardly. Nothing prepared Seonghwa for this conversation. He needed to get out of there as soon as possible. Hongjoong talking like this was not good for him.Thankfully, Seonghwa doesn't have to deal with anything embarrassing at lunch.