To Put On An Act ✔ [bxb]

Chapter 40 - to be myself

          December used to be colder. Darker, as well. Lonelier. Black, grey, muddy brown. Dead silent, empty, isolating.

On the night of Friday, December eighth, however, nothing was the way Youngbin remembered this godforsaken month to be like. An old grey car parked in front of his house, laughter coming from the inside, waiting for him to come out. The way outside, however, was blocked off.

His mother's eyes were narrowed, staring him down with her arms crossed, and Youngbin felt as though he could hear her judging thoughts as she scanned him.

Arguments between the two had become more frequent, though Youngbin had become better at ignoring them. He learned what to say to his mother, when to say no, and when to leave. And she, surprisingly, had learned to say sorry. Not that she liked doing that. Not that she ever really was sorry, really meant it, but it was a start. Her arguments had started to hurt less, anyway.

His mother's mouth opened, closed again, as though she had to lay the correct words onto her tongue. She was going to talk shit about Alex, probably, or tell Youngbin that he was making a fool out of himself, and how disappointed she was for him to even consider going out at night-

"You can't leave wearing just that," she said instead. "Do you know how cold it is?"

Youngbin looked down on himself. He looked fine. The same as always, at least. Jeans, shirt, jean jacket-

"You're walking around with just that flimsy little jacket? And no hat, no scarf, no-"

"Mom, I think it'll be fine."

She shook her head. "Exposed neck, in this weather? Not only have I raised you more fashionable, but also more responsible." Now that wasn't a complaint Youngbin had expected from her. "I can't let you out like this."

"Everyone's already waiting for me outside-"

"Then tell them that they'll have to wait a little longer. You're going to dress appropriately for the weather, young man. I'm already unhappy enough that you're going out this late, I may as well get you to dress properly." She then stepped away from the door, letting Youngbin pass.

Lani rolled down the car window as Youngbin approached.

"Bad news." Youngbin stuck his head halfway through the window.

"Is she not allowing you to go?" Margo asked, hidden on the backsteats of the car. "You didn't tell her where we're going, right?"

"Of course I didn't tell her. I just need to go change. My mother thinks I'm not dressed for the weather."

"And that's bad news to you?" Margo raised her eyebrows as she stared Youngbin down. "Girl, she's right. What is that outfit? I mean, denim on denim is cute, but- Y'know what, I'm coming with you. I'm dressing you up like a barbie doll."

Margo undid her seatbelt, and after a gentle sigh, Lani followed her. One more click was heard, the car doors opened, and out came Margo, then-

"Kaya?"

She flashed a familiar smile at Youngbin, lifting her hands in a wave.

"Mango invited me to come along! Surprise!"

In the past weeks, Alex and Youngbin's friend groups had begun to mix. Though Kaya still didn't really like Alex, Margo and Lani had quickly found a liking in her, which came to no one's surprise. She fit in with the two girls as though she'd always belonged among them.

So it shouldn't have been so surprising to see her here, at Margo's birthday. Yet Youngbin had just kind of assumed that Kaya wasn't going to come along, and if it was to keep her from bullying Alex.