SKINNY || HYUNHO

VII

Hyunjin stood in front of his bathroom mirror, staring at his reflection. The numbers on the scale had started to drop, but all he could see in the mirror was the same boy who was too big, too imperfect. The more weight he lost, the more distorted his self-image became. He ran his fingers over the contours of his face, wishing away the roundness he still perceived.

The mornings were bearable because they promised distractions, but the nights were a different story. Each night felt like a battle, the darkness amplifying his doubts and insecurities. Thoughts of self-harm whispered to him, promising an escape from the relentless ache inside. But he fought them, clinging to the hope that things could get better.

Today, Hyunjin had the chance to spend more time with Minho. As he walked into the school, he saw Minho waiting by their usual spot under the tree. His heart skipped a beat, a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling within him.

"Hey, Hyunjin!" Minho greeted, his smile as bright as ever. "Ready for another day?"

Hyunjin managed a small smile. "Yeah, as ready as I'll ever be."

They fell into step together, walking through the school grounds. Minho's presence was a comforting constant, and Hyunjin cherished these moments. Despite his internal struggles, being with Minho made things a little more bearable.

During lunch, they sat together on the grass, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Minho had a way of making Hyunjin forget his worries, if only for a little while.

"So, I've been thinking about joining the photography club," Minho said, taking a bite of his sandwich. "What do you think?"

Hyunjin tilted his head, genuinely interested. "That sounds great. Do you like taking photos?"

Minho nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I love capturing moments. There's something magical about freezing a second in time, you know?"

Hyunjin smiled, the warmth of Minho's enthusiasm washing over him. "I think you'd be amazing at it."

"Thanks, Hyunjin," Minho said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "What about you? Any clubs you're interested in?"

Hyunjin shrugged, feeling a pang of doubt. "I don't know. Maybe the art club? I like drawing, but I'm not sure if I'm good enough."

Minho reached over, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from Hyunjin's forehead. "You should totally go for it. I'd love to see your drawings."

Hyunjin's heart fluttered at the touch, his cheeks warming. "Maybe I'll give it a try," he said softly.

Their conversation drifted to lighter topics, Minho's stories and laughter a soothing balm to Hyunjin's frayed nerves. They talked about their favorite movies, music, and dreams for the future. With each word, Hyunjin felt himself falling deeper for Minho.

"Do you ever think about what you want to do after school?" Hyunjin asked, looking at Minho with curiosity.

Minho leaned back on his hands, gazing at the sky. "Sometimes. I think I'd like to travel, see the world. Maybe take photos and write about my experiences."

Hyunjin smiled, imagining Minho's adventures. "That sounds incredible. I bet you'd be great at it."

Minho turned to Hyunjin, his expression serious. "What about you, Hyunjin? What do you dream of doing?"