crossed hearts || haobin

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Zhanghao sighs for the third time in a row. Two hours remain before he has to go to the auditorium, and he still can't get the ending of the second piece right.

He glances at the sheet music again and takes a deep breath, remembering what Hanbin told him a few hours ago. "You can do this."

Hao breathes in deeply and repeats Hanbin's words to himself as he picks up his violin and starts playing the ending of the piece again. He plays so effortlessly that it seems as if he was the composer, smiling triumphantly after finally nailing it. He decides to practice both pieces just one more time.

It's hard for him to focus with so much on his mind. He's doing everything he can to avoid thinking about what happened with Hanbin downstairs.

Right after the kiss, Hao had told Hanbin that he could leave when he was done because he was going to take a shower and rest for a bit. Hanbin, blushing, agreed and did as Hao said.

Hao spent an hour in the shower, thinking about Hanbin and that kiss, which had been so deep and sincere. When he came out of the shower, he went downstairs and saw everything neatly organized—the sheets perfectly arranged and the kitchen spotless.

On the table, he noticed a note from Hanbin saying, "I did what a good boyfriend does. Now I'm off to practice. Get some rest and remember, you can do this."

Hao smiled as he read it and even shouted in excitement when he saw the note, but quickly stopped himself, realizing he was acting like a love-struck girl.

Shaking off his thoughts, he turned his focus back to the sheet music and his violin, concentrating to play well.

He began playing but was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He rolled his eyes at the sound and walked over to the phone, seeing that the call was from Hanbin.

He opened his eyes in surprise and immediately answered the call. "Hey," he said, swallowing hard.

"What time do you have to be at the auditorium?"

"In two hours," he replied, confused, not understanding the reason for the question.

"Okay, I'll pick you up and take you there," Hanbin said. "And I'm not taking no for an answer," he added seriously, making Hao sigh.

"Okay, mother," Hao rolled his eyes, and Hanbin laughed.

"And I have something else to tell you," Hanbin began, and Hao furrowed his brow.

"What is it?" Hao asked, almost whispering, his heart starting to race as all sorts of ideas about what his fake boyfriend might say rushed through his mind.

"So... my parents are going to watch your audition," Hanbin said nervously, and Hao shouted, "THEY WHAT?"

"Lo—Hao, calm down! They didn't want to let me leave, so I had to tell them I was going to see your audition. They insisted on coming," Hanbin explained awkwardly, and Hao was sure that at this moment, Hanbin was probably rubbing the back of his neck.

"Have they finally stopped saying this is just a teenage phase?" Hao asked worriedly, and Hanbin burst out laughing.

"I think so," Hanbin replied, still laughing, and Hao smiled.

"Good. I want you here in two hours," Hao said, changing his expression from happy to serious, and Hanbin smiled. "Call me when you get here."

"Yes, I will," Hanbin said with a smile, and Hao pressed his lips together, ending the call with a smile on his face as he looked at Hanbin's contact. But then, he quickly wiped the smile away when he realized.