The Rainbow Love

Chapter 2 - Sunbeams and Awkward Moments

Yin POV:

"Can I kiss you?"

The words hung in the air like a question that didn't belong in this crowded room.

I stared at War, and for a split second, all I could see was his face—his hopeful eyes, his shy uncertainty. But then, the yellow washed over everything again. Bright, relentless yellow, blinding me to anything else. I couldn't tell if he was nervous or disappointed, because all I ever saw from him was... yellow.

Like that Coldplay song.

What did that even mean? Could someone really be this happy all the time? Or was he hiding something darker behind that brightness? Was he faking it, or was he... just different? 

Can someone fake it? Is he a witch?

"War, that's... uhm." My voice barely made it out of my throat. My heart felt like it was lodged somewhere between my ribs, each beat pressing harder than the last. Why did he have to ask me this?

He looked at me, his smile softer now, almost hesitant. It was like he was waiting for something I didn't know how to give. And yet, that smile... it didn't break.

"I—" My lips felt dry. I couldn't understand why this was so hard.

Just say yes, Yin. It's his birthday. How bad could one kiss be?

"I'm... sorry."

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. War's eyes widened just a little before they dipped to the floor, a flash of hurt crossing his face. But still, that yellow didn't dim. Not even for a second.

How can someone be this okay with rejection?

"War. I—" I couldn't finish. I didn't know how. Kissing him would've been so simple. But I wasn't sure I could handle what came after. I never could.

I was used to keeping people at arm's length. It was easier that way. Safe. I had my two close friends and even that was a delicate balance. Seeing people's emotions so clearly—whether they wanted to hide them or not—was exhausting. It was like living with a permanent spotlight on every lie, every secret, every hidden intention.

Especially love.

Whenever someone tried to befriend me, I always saw it—the affection, the attraction, the crushes they hoped I wouldn't notice. Even when they didn't say it, I knew. I knew the second their colors shifted. And it scared me. How could you be close to someone when you knew how they really felt?

And... what can I do when they get used to me and start liking someone else? That's how all my previous relationships turned out. Even though I was with nice people who didn't cheat, I could see with my own gifted—or cursed—eyes that they were drawn to others. All I was ever left with was bitterness.

So I kept my heart locked away. Untouchable.

War was different. His yellow aura, his persistent happiness—none of it made sense. I wasn't used to someone being this open. This... unaffected by rejection. Or at least, unaffected enough that his emotions didn't crumble around me.

"Oh. It's okay." His voice snapped me back to reality.

He smiled, his usual carefree grin stretching across his face as he waved his hands like the awkwardness between us was nothing more than smoke. "Don't feel bad," he added, his tone light and warm.

Warm. That was the only way to describe him. He was warm and bright. Like the sun.

His feeling wasn't a fake happiness I had seen on others. It was something else entirely, something real. That smile wasn't forced. He meant it. He really meant it. How could someone feel so disappointed yet stay so... radiant?