Colors ♡ Kim Hongjoong

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 17

Date: November 23

Since Yeosang and Wooyoung clearly hadn't taken the class on "How To Finish a Conversation 101" I left first. The sky was dark and I knew it would start to rain soon, which is another reason why I wanted to leave and go home. I left in a cluster of other students and after a while, they all slowly dispersed — each going their own way home.

I had one earbud in but I swore I could still hear a set of footsteps behind me. I glanced behind me to find Hongjoong. His house wasn't in this direction. Not that I ever paid much attention, but I knew he should've turned down another road a while ago. Sighing, I ripped out my earbuds and shoved them into my pocket. It was about to rain anyway and I didn't want them to get damaged.

I whirled around to face him, causing him to stop in his tracks.

"You have to be everywhere, don't you?" I complained. Lately, it seemed like wherever I went in or out of school he was there.

He was silent, unsure of what to say. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the skies opened with rain. Large droplets began to pelt down on us. He tucked his own earbuds into his backpack and pulled out an umbrella, offering it to me.

"Here, you'll get wet," he held it out to me.

"I'm fine, Hongjoong," I swatted it away and turned away from him, now furious, "Why do you always have to act like you have a solution to everything? You always act like nothing affects or touches you and it's annoying! Just for once, leave me alone."

I heard the umbrella drop and Hongjoong's silence. Knitting my brows, I glanced behind my shoulder. I flinched, seeing Hongjoong kneeling on the cold, wet pavement and breathless. His whole body was trembling from the exertion of trying to stay upright. He grit his teeth and reached for his ribcage — the same place where my pain often was.

His hair was now soaked and hovering over his eyes so I could barely see his expression. But I knew well enough to know he was in pain. He was gasping for breath, and struggling to hold himself up. I thought for sure he would fully collapse any moment.

"Hongjoong—" I began to say.

"Please..." Hongjoong interjected, his voice strained but calm, "...be gentle with me, Yeona."

I froze. Why wasn't he angry with me for lashing out at him? Why was he never upset with me or seemingly even bothered by it?

"Hongjoong..." I searched for words as remorse hit me like a truck. "I didn't mean to—"

"I know," he chuckled weakly, trying to push himself to his feet. "She's been upset all day. And that was just the cherry on top, I guess."

Furrowing my brows, I took a step and picked up his umbrella which I had so unkindly rejected moments ago. Hongjoong managed to make it to his feet but was still weary from the unexpected blow. He rubbed his chest, exhaling heavily but still found the strength to form a soft smile.

"She?" I asked, handing him the umbrella.

He nodded, "My soulmate. She's definitely a firecracker sometimes."

"Oh," was all I could respond with. I hadn't realized that emotions could carry over into soul bond pains. That gave me some hope. Maybe my soulmate wasn't rejecting me after all. Perhaps he was just moody.

"Well, I'm...sorry," my voice was unsure, and apologizing was not something I frequently did.

Hongjoong's eyes widened and he paused, "I don't hold it against you."

"You never do," it slipped out before I could stop it.

He grinned, "That's true."

I scratched my head awkwardly, "So...why are you following me again?"

"Yeosang invited me over," he said slowly, "He didn't tell you?"

I frowned, "Yeosang doesn't fill me in much these days."

"Ah..." He stared at the umbrella in his hands. "Well, I doubt this will do us much good now."

Shaking my head, I turned and resumed walking, "I'm sure Yeosang will take good care of you."

I sat at my desk, working on my science homework when there was a knock on my door. Without glancing up, I called, "Yes?"

Wooyoung came barging in, "Yeo wants to know if you want to come play video games with us."

I raised a brow, "Is Hongjoong still here?"

"That's why we're asking you to play with us," he whined, "We need the teams to be even and Yeosang doesn't want to play with me. He wants to play with Hongjoong for some reason."

I peered down at my homework and debated. Sighing, I tilted my head to Wooyoung, "Let me finish this and I'll be down to play. It won't take long."

Wooyoung punched triumphant fists into the air, "Yes!"

Huffing out a laugh, I returned to my homework. About twenty minutes later, I tucked it into my backpack and headed downstairs to the living room. The three boys all sat on the couch with pillows in their laps and controllers in their hands. They were playing a racing game, nearly shouting disses at each other.

Hongjoong was the first to notice me but he didn't say a word. I figured it was probably because the air between us was still awkward. I took a seat in the single chair and curled up with a blanket. I had taken a warm shower as soon as I got home but I still felt a little chilled with my damp hair. I just watched as they finished their game and waited patiently.

My gaze drifted around the room until I spotted one of my robots. I perked up and took my phone out. It was one of my wireless robots so I was able to control it from my phone. Turning it on from my phone, I watched as it lit up and made a warping noise. Yeosang and Wooyoung didn't flinch, but Hongjoong suddenly glanced around. My lips curled as I got an idea.

While Hongjoong tried to concentrate on the racing game, I controlled the robot. Its moves were silent as it snuck around the couch, out of sight from Hongjoong. It made another noise which caused Hongjoong to look around again. He mumbled something under his breath, confused, but I couldn't hear what he said. Then, just as the race was finishing and the boys were neck to neck, the robot hit his foot and made a louder warping noise. Hongjoong jumped in his seat, dropping the controller to the floor and standing on the couch.

"What the heck?" he stared at the robotic creature, realizing what it was. Yeosang and Wooyoung laughed, and the three of them looked in my direction. I smugly sunk into my seat, acting as though I knew nothing about it.

Yeosang and Wooyoung's characters crossed the finish line as Hongjoong's character ran into the wall. I was satisfied.