By The Window | YeonBin

two

The school hallways buzzed with the usual chaos of students shuffling between classes. Yeonjun walked with his head down, lost in thought as he navigated the sea of faces. He had become adept at blending into the background, his presence almost invisible among the crowd.

Taehyun, always perceptive to changes in his best friend, noticed something different about Yeonjun today. Despite his usual reserved demeanor, Yeonjun seemed slightly more... engaged. It was a subtle difference, but Taehyun was quick to pick up on it.

As they approached their lockers, Taehyun glanced at Yeonjun, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "You seem a bit more... awake today. Anything happen?"

Yeonjun shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Not really. Just had a weird night, I guess."

Taehyun raised an eyebrow, but before he could press further, Beomgyu approached them, a smirk playing on his lips. He had his usual sarcastic edge, but there was something softer in his eyes when he looked at Taehyun.

"Hey, Taehyun," Beomgyu greeted, leaning against the locker next to Taehyun's. "Did you get that thing done for history class?"

Taehyun glanced at Beomgyu, a brief, knowing smile crossing his face. "Working on it. But I'm more interested in why Yeonjun seems a bit... less gloomy than usual."

Beomgyu looked at Yeonjun, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. "Oh? What's that about?"

Yeonjun shifted uncomfortably, not used to being the center of attention, even in this minor way. "Nothing, really. Just had some unexpected company last night."

Beomgyu raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Unexpected company, huh? Sounds interesting."

Before Yeonjun could respond, Soobin appeared, walking towards them with his usual exuberance. He gave Yeonjun a friendly wave and a bright smile. "Hey, Yeonjun! How's it going?"

Yeonjun nodded, trying to keep his response neutral. "Hey, Soobin."

Taehyun noticed the interaction and shot a quick, amused look at Beomgyu, who seemed unusually quiet. There was an almost imperceptible exchange of glances between Taehyun and Beomgyu, hinting at something unspoken.

As Soobin continued to chat animatedly about his day and his plans for the evening, Yeonjun found himself half-listening, still processing the earlier conversation with Taehyun. He could feel a subtle shift in his mood, but he wasn't ready to fully acknowledge it yet.

____________

Later that evening, after the school day had ended, Yeonjun was at home, trying to focus on his homework amidst the familiar backdrop of his parents' arguments. The noise was more a constant drone now, something he had learned to filter out.

As he worked on his project, he found his thoughts drifting back to Soobin's visit. Despite his initial reluctance, there was something oddly comforting about the unexpected company. It was a small, fleeting distraction from the usual chaos.

He glanced at his phone and saw a message from Taehyun: "Don't forget about our project. We can work on it tomorrow if you're up for it."

Yeonjun texted back, "Got it. Thanks."

As he put his phone away, he heard a soft knock on his window. His heart skipped a beat, but when he looked, it was just Soobin, looking as cheerful as ever.

"Mind if I come in?" Soobin asked, his tone light and casual.

Yeonjun hesitated for a moment before nodding, sliding open the window. Soobin climbed in with practiced ease, setting down a bag of snacks he had brought along.

"I figured I'd check in," Soobin said, grinning. "How's the homework coming along?"

Yeonjun offered a small, grateful smile. "It's going. Thanks for checking in...?" Yeonjun hadn't quite yet familiarized himself with this... on going visit.

As Soobin settled into the room, Yeonjun realized that, despite his best efforts to remain detached, there was something different about these interactions. It was a change he wasn't sure how to fully embrace yet, but for now, it was a welcome distraction.

Soobin continued to explore Yeonjun's room, his gaze eventually settling on the open sketchbook at the edge of the desk. The cover was partially covered by textbooks, but what was visible caught Soobin's eye—a glimpse of dark, intricate drawings that spoke of more than just artistic skill.

"What's this?" Soobin asked, reaching out to pick up the sketchbook.

Yeonjun's reaction was immediate. He moved to cover the sketchbook with his hand. "It's nothing. Just some sketches I do."

But Soobin was already flipping through the pages. The drawings were intense and raw—portraits filled with anguish, abstract shapes that seemed to twist and writhe with despair. Each page was a window into Yeonjun's inner turmoil.

"So, you draw?" Soobin's voice softened with a mix of curiosity and concern. "These are... interesting, emotional."

Yeonjun's face flushed, a mix of embarrassment and defensiveness. He quickly grabbed the sketchbook from Soobin's hands, his voice growing firm. "I said it's nothing. Please don't."

Soobin looked up, taken aback by the sudden shift in Yeonjun's demeanor. He could see the pain in Yeonjun's eyes, and for a moment, his usual cheerfulness faded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I just—"

Yeonjun cut him off, his tone icy but as gentle as he could manage. "I appreciate the concern, but I'd like to be alone now."

Maybe I was too wishful, letting him in like this.

Soobin's expression softened, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Okay. I'll go."

Yeonjun nodded, not trusting himself to say more. As Soobin collected his things and climbed out of the window, Yeonjun felt a hing of regret but remained silent.

He watched Soobin's retreating figure, feeling a mix of frustration and guilt.

As Soobin disappeared from view, Yeonjun closed the window and turned back to his desk, his thoughts heavy with the emotions he'd tried to suppress. The night felt more oppressive than usual, and the drawings now seemed to echo his internal struggles louder than ever.

He sank into his chair, staring at the sketches, feeling the weight of his own isolation and unresolved emotions. Despite the brief connection he'd felt with Soobin, he knew he wasn't ready to let anyone in fully. For now, solitude was his only safe space.