Dancing On My own

Chapter 2

"Congratulations, team!" Jongin announced as he opened the door to their practice room. "Another successful performance!" as everyone applauded inside the practice room and high-fived one another.

They all shouted for joy and it was so loud and insistent that Jongin had to respond with a louder shout. He was numb with happiness, they all were. Honestly, this what kept them all united, to have an unbreakable friendship; dancing.

"Do we hear a free dinner coming out, mr. captain?" Yixing howled, one of the dancers, as everyone agreed and whoops of delight were heard inside the room. Jongin cannot help but feel satisfied just by seeing his teammates with the smiles on their faces. He wanted to stay with them for a long time, but he had to go somewhere tonight.

"Ahh.." Jongin clasped his hands, "sorry team.. but—"

"Boooo!" they all said in unison, "you're no fun, captain." they all howled.

Jongin only laughed and looked innocent as he can, "I'm really sorry! I just need to go somewhere tonight" his voice fainting, "I'll just treat you all tomorrow, then?" he said, anticipating their reactions. Roar of cheers from his team came and he felt relieved. He left after changing his clothes as he bid goodbye to his team.

"Oh you came!" her voice was fresh and bright as always as she opened the door and was welcomed by Jongin who was standing in front of the door looking dejected.

"I promised that right?" Jongin said in a low, husky voice, with a gloomy aura feeling guiltier everyday that this was the only way for them to meet; him visiting their house as much as he can every night. "I'm so sorry, Yeon—" she placed a finger before pursed lips to hush him.

She forced a sunny disposition, "Ya, shut it, okay? It's alright, don't worry!" she smiled, "I can handle it" she winked and she stood on her toes and stole a soft kiss from his cheek. "Surprise attack," she said. He flashed his most winning smile, having to thank the universe for having her in his life. Jongin leaned down and kissed her back, "Surprise attack back." "Sneaky," she said, and laughed. They both went inside the house and sat on the comfortable sofa.

Their apartment wasn't that big, nor was it small. But it was spacious enough for 2 people to live in. Well, that's not a worry for the siblings because nobody had ever gone inside their apartment except for Jongin.

"Hey, Yeonhee, what do you want for din—" Kyungsoo stopped as he saw Jongin sitting on the sofa beside his sister. Although he said awhile ago, he said that he would be visiting you later at the house as he always does, right?, he wasn't actually expecting him to visit tonight to be honest, because he knew Jongin would be somewhere else and he was just trying to cheer her sister up awhile ago. "—ner" he finished. Kyungsoo narrowed his eyes and gave him a cold stare.

"Oh, oppa! Jongin brought some food here actually.." she said, "come eat with us."

"I lost my appetite." He said quickly, how cold and calculating he was. "I have a lot of things to do."

"Wait oppa—" but Kyungsoo already left the living room and went to his bedroom. A brief awkward silence ensued as Yeonhee frowned.

She was mainly concerned by the fact that for the past few weeks, whenever Jongin would visit, Kyungsoo would give him the cold shoulders and inhospitable manner. It became like that just a few weeks ago, and she doesn't know what was happening.

In fact, for almost a year that Jongin and Yeonhee are dating, it started off great between Jongin and Kyungsoo. They are friends and would talk most of the time. It went pretty well actually, although he wasn't all too happy knowing that they have to hide their relationship for almost a year now. Just because Jongin cannot reveal it. He just can't. But as months passed by, Jongin and Kyungsoo weren't that close anymore. It was like the world fell apart between the two. Yeonhee noticed it when Kyungsoo would always excuse himself whenever Jongin would be around. She noticed how Kyungsoo's face will always be distorted with rage whenever he would see him. He would always say he wasn't hungry and that he had to study or go to work and then leave the couple alone.

On the other hand, Jongin only had his usual face on everytime events like these would happen, and because it was merely his fault why her brother's acting all like that. It's between Kyungsoo and Jongin only, but they say that no secrets won't be revealed as time passes by. As a matter of fact, Jongin is afraid that a day would come Yeonhee would know the truth.

"Well then, it's the two of us again" she said. "You were great a while ago, by the way." Yeonhee complimented, ignoring what just happened. They began to eat the bibimbap that Jongin bought for dinner.

"I was hot, aren't I?" Jongin teased as he took a bite from the food, knowing that Yeonhee wanted to ignore what just happened, he played along.
Yeonhee turned bright red. "That," she said, "is not what I said. Pssh."

"Admit it, ms. If it weren't for my hot moves, you wouldn't sacrifice your image a while ago just to see me dance" he winked at her, and she only scoffed by his witty comment.

"Ya!" she poked his arm, "do you want me to give you the middle finger again?" Jongin gave a loud, silly laugh, "yeah, you have to just laugh off your stupid remarks" she mumbled.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, enjoying their time together, because by tomorrow, everything would be a cycle again; they have to ignore each other again at their school, just because.

Jongin smiled and looked at Yeonhee lovingly, adoring her beautiful face. She isn't perfect and not the kind of beauty everyone would fall for. But rather, he was captivated by her youthful charm; an attractive, charismatic woman. Her passion for dancing made him fall in love more. They met at one of the dancing competitions 2 years ago, and he got attracted to her as soon as she stepped on that big stage. He took the chance of introducing himself to her and by that, they started out friends. Jongin wouldn't stop smiling when he knew Yeonhee was accepted for a scholarship at his school, and then finally came a day when Jongin asked her for a date and confessed his feelings. They started dating after it, but what's heartbreaking? It was all kept as a secret. Jongin knew that in this chapter of dating a girl- a girl that has no idea of what kind of man he is- he knew it won't have a happy ending. But he thought of the most stupid and selfish way a guy like him would think. To be honest, Yeonhee is his first ever girlfriend, and same to Yeonhee. Everyone might think that their love is just a puppy love, but no. He feels nothing, but love. Not lust, not admiration, but purely just love.

"Something wrong?" she asked.
He shook his head, just looking at her. "Nothing." Jongin's voice was low and full of emotion. "I just want to look at my girlfriend."
"And she's pretty, right?" she smirked. Jongin only laughed and moved closer. He stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "Are you mad at me?" he said- eyes that showed only sadness, he couldn't help feeling sorry for her. He brushed some hair off her forehead. "To be honest.." she whispered, "no." she lied.

Stubbornly he shook his head. "You always say that." he tilted his head and shrugged, "No matter how many times I tell you this, just trust me, okay?"

Screw that. Yeonhee felt like she's the only one trying. She's the only one trying to understand everything. Yes she trusted him whole-heartedly, but she couldn't stop thinking that why won't he trust her? Why can't he just tell her the reason why he has to hide their relationship, why can't he introduce her to his friends, why can't he just tell the real reason?

Yeonhee grew silent, her gaze softening as she looked at him, "Jongin," she said, after a long pause, she took his hand away from her face, "...I'll just see you tomorrow" she said. His heart shattered into million pieces seeing her eyes. There were tears trying to come out, but she held it in.

They stood outside the building under a light, killing each other with their thoughts as they had done for months. There were unspoken words that needed to be said—but it was just a matter of timing. Timing and patience are all they need.