REJECTED

It was the last day of school,
It was a hot summer day, humid and rainy for some reason.

Wonwoo run to the gate where Mingyu was standing waiting for his driver like he always does at this time.

It was the last day of school and summer vacation just started, everyone was so excited about what they were going to do, their plans, sleeping all day and partying, playing video games and more but Wonwoo didn't care about any of it ... he run, he didn't want to miss his last chance of telling Mingyu how he felt.

Mingyu was standing at the gate, wearing his school uniform for the last time and waiting for his driver to pick him up. Wonwoo crossed the road and stopped right in front of him immediately catching his attention,

"Wonwoo?" Mingyu looked up confused and soon got worried "Are you okay? You're all wet"

Yes, Mingyu knew who Wonwoo was, he was the younger kid who shared science, math and physics class with, Wonwoo was one year younger but was too smart he skipped a class and became classmates and lab mates with Mingyu.
Wonwoo was introverted and shy, frail but very smart while Mingyu was the exact opposite, very extroverted with lots of friends, strong, well built and athletic ... but his most important trait, the one that made Wonwoo go heads over heels for him was that Mingyu was simply very ... Kind.

He was too Kind in fact,

Wonwoo's shy and bullied self couldn't wrap his head around it for a long time.

Why is he so nice to me?
Why does he keep talking to me?
Why does he care?

And Wonwoo avoided him, he thought that there was something behind it, he couldn't trust Mingyu at first but ... Mingyu proved to him, day after day that he was nothing but a kind and caring person, with a big heart and a loud personality.

Wonwoo's life wasn't the easiest, he definitely had so much going on and school was actually an escape. He liked to go there and stay in class for as long as possible just to avoid going back home, and even when he was bullied, pointed at and yelled at, it didn't feel as bad as things were at home.

Wonwoo stood there in front of Mingyu, eyes tired and teary while Mingyu tried to pull him closer to take cover from the rain under the shade of the gate.

"Mingyu" he called the older's name softly, his voice shaking a little but determined still,

"What are you doing? Get inside, It's raining and you're soaked wet"

Wonwoo shook his head "Just ... please, listen"

Mingyu frowned, Wonwoo looked like he had something very important to say so Mingyu gave him his attention

"I ... I wanted to say thank you, for being ... kind to me, you made my last year easier than you'll ever know"

Mingyu blinked "Huh? What, I ..."

"And I know," Wonwoo just couldn't wait to say what was on his mind because if he waited any longer, he might loose this rush of confidence he just had and might never be able to say it

"I know that you probably never noticed me but ... I ... I like you a lot and I was hoping I could ... maybe, see you again sometime"

Mingyu looked a little stunned, looking at Wonwoo right now seemed like a movie  scene, the sparkle in his eyes was real, simply honest and innocent ... Mingyu softened, looking at the younger in front of him

"I like you too Wonwoo" he said, and Wonwoo's heart was about to explode, a new spark of hope lit up in his chest as soon as he heard those words ... but,

"I like you too Wonwoo, but I'm leaving the country soon to go to college and I'm not ready for anything quite yet ... I wish we did this sooner"

Wonwoo's heart broke right there and then, he didn't know Mingyu was leaving the country, why was he always late? Why nothing ever works out for him?

He blinked and the tears finally fell on his cheeks and Mingyu panicked

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Wonwoo shook his head immediately "It's not your fault, I ... I have to go" Wonwoo looked around himself for a moment nervous and embarrassed,

"I wish you all the best, you deserve it" he said and took a few steps back, "I'm sorry if I ever bothered you with this, you obviously have more important things—-"

"Wonwoo please don't get me wrong"

"I'm not ... I'm really not"

It took him all the strength in the world to look at Mingyu one last time, he will definitely miss having someone with his kindness around.

Wonwoo smiled "I wish you the best, be happy ... always"

Mingyu smiled back, a sincere look in his eyes "You too Wonwoo, and I hope we meet again someday"

Wonwoo chuckled knowing that it could never happen but he nodded still. One last glance and he turned around, the rain still heavily falling and he kept stepping into puddles because he simply didn't know where he was going or even care what he was stepping into.

Mingyu stood there feeling sad and guilty, he watched Wonwoo leave and this sickening feeling in his stomach started piling up.

Yes, he liked him, Wonwoo was simply and genuinely innocent, he liked how smart he was and the way he hid from people, being introverted Wonwoo always stayed away from large groups and simply watched from a far. Mingyu's mind lingered to when Wonwoo would sit on the bleachers while Mingyu was playing football with everyone else, Wonwoo would hide in the field to do his homework or write in his notes. He never asked him why, he thought he would get nervous and won't come back but ... maybe there was more to it?

Wonwoo left and life took a long and painful turn from then on.