You Belong With Me | Jeongcheol Fanfic

Chapter 49

Before they knew it, graduation day arrived, marked by a brilliant sun shining down on the school grounds and a vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement, nostalgia, and the bittersweet sense of an era coming to a close. The day began early, with students rushing to get dressed in their caps and gowns, their hearts racing at the thought of stepping into a new chapter of their lives. Friends mingled in the hallways one last time, snapping photos, signing each other's yearbooks, and promising to keep in touch no matter where life would take them.

Jeonghan, Seungcheol, and the rest of their friend group gathered together just before the ceremony, all dressed in their blue and gold regalia. The sight of each other in their graduation attire felt surreal. There was a familiar, comforting closeness among them, like no time had passed since their earliest days of school, yet here they were, ready to step into the world as graduates.

Seungkwan was already getting teary-eyed, clinging to Hansol's arm. "I just don't get how we got here so fast," he whispered, his voice shaky. He looked around at their group, his eyes lingering on each friend, as if committing their faces to memory. Hansol smiled softly, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

"Don't worry, we'll still hang out all the time!" Hansol promised, trying to lighten the mood. "We can even have weekly game nights. How does that sound?"

"Yeah!" Dino chimed in, trying to rally the group. "And we can do study groups too! Evecn if we're not in the same classes anymore, we can still help each other out!"

Junhui stood beside Minghao, who was adjusting the collar of his gown and looking around at the bustling atmosphere. Junhui was nervous but excited. He'd spent so much time with Minghao in recent weeks, and their bond had deepened into something beautiful. Minghao caught Junhui's eye and offered a warm smile, easing his friend's tension.

"Ready for this?" Minghao asked, his voice steady and encouraging.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Junhui replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for having someone like Minghao by his side. They exchanged a brief but meaningful glance, knowing that no matter the future, they would be there for each other.

Mingyu and Wonwoo were off to the side, chuckling over some inside joke that only they understood. Wonwoo was trying to hide a smile, but Mingyu's antics made it impossible for him to keep a straight face. Their friendship had blossomed into something more, and they shared a camaraderie that had only deepened throughout the years.

"Alright, group photo time!" Seokmin declared, waving his phone around as he rallied everyone together. He wanted to capture the moment forever, to encapsulate their friendship in a snapshot.

They gathered into a haphazard, loving circle, arms thrown over shoulders, with Jeonghan and Seungcheol at the center. The air buzzed with laughter and the gentle teasing of friends. "Get in closer!" Seungkwan urged, trying to fit everyone in the frame.

They all posed, laughing and cheering, as Seokmin counted down. "Three, two, one—cheese!"

When the photo was snapped, everyone took a moment to look around, each realizing just how much they'd come to mean to each other. In each other's faces, they saw the memories, laughter, and milestones they'd shared—the triumphs and struggles that had shaped them into the people they were today.

~

As they headed to their seats for the ceremony, Seungcheol reached for Jeonghan's hand, intertwining their fingers. He gave it a gentle squeeze, grounding them both in the moment. Jeonghan turned to him with a bright smile, feeling the warmth of Seungcheol's affection radiate through him. They shared a look that held a thousand memories, a promise that whatever came next, they'd be facing it together.