Crossroads | Sookai

Chapter 2

It's been only a day since Kai interacted with Soobin, but he honestly didn't think much of it. Today he planned to study with Taehyun in the library for their upcoming quiz since it did count for a quarter of their grade for some unknown reason. Taehyun left their dorm early since he had to speak with some of his professors for help on assignments. He had also told Kai to meet him in the library at 12 sharp as he didn't want to waste any time not studying.

 Kai woke up around 11. quickly ate breakfast, and got ready to go in less than an hour. The time came for him to leave so he grabbed his textbook, notebook, and trusty pencil and headed out. He was able to arrive at the library 5 minutes before they were supposed to meet. He quietly cheered to himself and found an empty table, eager to get the study session going. He looked around and saw all the other study groups for their respective major. There was also a brief hint of coffee in the air, seemingly to be the only thing that was keeping most of the students awake. He checked the time again and saw it was 12:01. Taehyun isn't the type to be late but he figured he must've been just slightly late this one time. He decided to wait five more minutes till he'd contact his study buddy. The five minutes passed very slowly but he opened his phone to text Taehyun. Right as he was about to hit send, a message popped up.

Terry :))

>Hi Huening! I'm so sorry but I have to cancel our study haul since some stuff came up :(

>U should study while ur there tho!

Oh its okk, just be safe ok?<

He turns off his phone and puts his head down on the table. He sighs and thinks to himself, what am I supposed to do...I don't even know what to study... He puts his head back up and opens up his notes. He reviews what he wrote down the previous day but for some reason, it just isn't making sense to him. He sighs in frustration and closes his notebook, cupping his face in his hands. He looks down at his closed notebook and contemplated just going back to the dorm, unaware that a familiar path would soon cross his again.

Soobin, too. was studying for their upcoming quiz but he seems to be getting a hold on the topic easier than others. He contemplated a good place to study and figured there was no better place to study than the library. When the clock struck 12, he decided to head over to the library and find a quiet area. When he entered, he saw most of the tables were taken and it wouldn't be an easy journey to find an empty spot. He sighed but he carried on forward, in hopes of at the minimum, a place to sit. He continues to look around until he spots a certain boy, a very familiar boy, sitting by himself. He saw his fluffy black hair and his pastel pink hoodie and was immediately mesmerized by the sight. He snapped out of his daze and saw that he had a pretty troubled expression on his face. Should I help him out? I mean he was nice to me so I don't see why not...He took a step forward but then he quickly realized how much confidence he actually needed to go up to him. C'mon, I can do it... It's just a boy. He hyped himself up mentally for a while until he finally built enough confidence to walk over to the boy.

"Hi, you ok?" Soobin asks with a soft voice. Kai had been spacing out for the last couple of minutes so he was caught completely off guard by Soobin's appearance. He looked up and recognized him as the sad boy from class.

"Oh-uh- Hi! You're Yeonjun's friend right?"

"Yeah, but I'm Soobin by the way," he said, realizing he never properly introduced himself. Kai extends his hand out to him.

"I'm Huening Kai," He says with a smile. Soobin found the small gesture adorable and he shook Kai's hand. A slightly awkward silence fell upon them but it wouldn't last for too long

"So...are you here alone?" Soobin asks. Kai nods.

"Yeah, I was supposed to be here with Taehyun but he canceled last minute," he explains with a cloudy look on his face. Soobin was already trying hard not to coo at his face but he kept his composure.

"That's strange, he usually isn't the type to cancel"

"Wait you know Taehyun???" Kai asks, looking at the taller boy with wide eyes. He nods in response.

"Yeah, I met him through Yeonjun a while ago" Soobin explains. Kai nods as he realizes that Soobin has been standing this entire time.

"Hey, do you wanna sit with me? I feel bad making you stand here the whole time," Kai looks at the blonde haired boy with sincere eyes, so how could he turn him down? And if anything, Soobin was trying to stop himself from saying yes immediately since he didn't want to come off as desperate.

"Yeah that would be nice," Soobin smiles back as he pulls out a chair, sitting next to Kai.

"Also if you don't mind me asking, why did you seem troubled earlier?" Soobin asks softly, looking deeply in Kai's eyes. Kai sighs as he recalls what happened earlier.

"Well y'know how we have a quiz coming up? I just don't get the lesson at all and every time I try to read my notes it just gives me a headache. I was here so Taehyun could help me understand it but now I got no one." Kai confided. He sat there still thinking about how to get ready for the dreaded quiz but suddenly Soobin had an idea. 

"I can help you study if you want, the lesson wasn't too hard for me and I wouldn't mind explaining it" Soobin explained, hoping the younger would agree.

"You would help me???" Kai sat up straight look Soobin dead in the eye, he once again had hope today. Soobin shyly looked away.

"Y-yea, It's the least I can do for Snickers," he smiled again. Kai grabbed the older's hands and started jumping up and down from his seat.

"THANK SO MUCH, TRULY!" Kai exclaimed. Soobin was trying hard to not become a flustered mess from his hands being held by a cute boy. There were also some of the students who looked at him annoyed but he didn't care too much because now he finally had hope to pass the hateful quiz.

"But this seems worth way more than a small Snickers bar, isn't there another way I can pay you back?" the younger asks, still holding his hands but feeling guilty for such a small payment. Soobin ponders for a little bit before finally responding.

"How about you come with me to get an Americano? I think I'll need one after I'm done helping you out," Soobin proposed with a dimpled smile. Kai nods.

"Sounds good! But I'm paying though ok?" Kai insisted. Soobin sighs but agreed as he's just happy Kai agreed.

"As warm as your hands are, I'm gonna need my hands if I'm gonna help you understand the lesson," The older teased as he gestured to their hands, which Kai still had a hold of.  He quickly let go and put his hands on his lap.

"S-sorry about that, I don't pay attention to what I do when I'm excited..." Kai explained, too embarrassed to look Soobin in the eyes. Soobin chuckled, finding Kai being flustered pretty cute.

"Ok, let's start shall we?"

A/N: ty for reading and have a nice day !!!