Around The Corner

18. Not love sick just plain Sick

Jihoon took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the air. He was at the grape vine staring at the orange evening sky. The air there held freshness to it. It felt somewhat good after a hectic day, which left him with a buzzing headache. The ground below him was covered in soft grass, that hid the sound of his footsteps, and as he looked to the sky, he marveled at how well it contrasted with the now almost red sky nearing dawn.

I wish Soonyoung was here to see this, he thought. And just like that, his good mood evaporated.

He remembered the night when Soonyoung went out with the gang and returned with his loads of souvineers. Including that gift wrapped perfectly on a wrapping paper with Te Amo written all over it, with heart all over it. The same kind if wrapper that he saw in the lock store, reminding him of the fact that how he was making the same fucking mistake all over again........Of liking someone who already have someone else in their life. He could see the impending doom looming around just to break his heart again.

He had finally come in terms with his feelings for Cheol. He's happy for him now and can wish him well like a friend. But in the process, he started having feelings for Soonyoung. There was no denying in that.

First, he thought a little crush won't hurt, but his little crush was growing and growing. Now, he had to get it under control. He didn't need another epic crush that left him heartbroken.

He lifted a hand to his face, hoping to wipe the sudden tiredness from his eyes. The light of the sun had begun to fade, and his body and muscles felt sore than he could ever remember them being. He allowed himself to float to the floor, sudden chills and exhaustion causing his legs to become shaky.

He closed his eyes and let him try to relax there until he heard some ruffling. He looked up in surprise from his hunched over position; he hadn’t even noticed anyone watching, and then froze.

His eyes meet with a pair of familiar brown bobba eyes.

Suddenly, his exhaustion took a back seat to the adrenaline that was flooding his body at the close proximity of Soonyoung.

Jihoon stepped back hurriedly, stumbling on his still unsteady legs. Soonyoung’s arms reached out to steady Jihoon, but Jihoon shook off the support.

Soonyoung sighed. "Are you alright?"

Jihoon straightened up, legs a bit more stable. “Why are you here?"

"Looking for you. Hyung said he saw you here, so I came to get you.
Aren't you cold? You are shivering already. Here." He draped his coat over Jihoon's body.

"How long have you been outside?"

Jihoon thought back. "Almost 2 hours."

Soonyoung's eyes seemed to widen as he realized Jihoon had been out since their return from the market. All this time, he was stuck with Cheol. His princess had been outside alone? "You haven't eaten?"

Jihoon's voice lowered," No."
Soonyoung sighed and tried taking Jihoon's hand, but he pulled it away.

Soonyoung was stunned at first, then thought maybe Jihoon's no skinship mode had activated again.

"Come on." He said, and Jihoon followed behind, the silence stretching between them. Soonyoung was sure nothing was wrong between him and Jihoon. They were good this afternoon and during shopping, but he could feel almost a strange tension between them.

Jihoon kept his eyes roaming between the floor and Soonyoung’s back. He wanted to reach out and touch him, but didn’t dare. Especially since he knows Soonyoung already had someone else.