Colors ♡ Kim Hongjoong

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 20

Date: November 26

Today was Wooyoung's birthday and I promised that I would be back in time for his party. I was going to be at Hongjoong's house for a few hours in the morning and then come over to Wooyoung's in the afternoon. I had already arrived at Hongjoong's house and opted for the chair this time. His dad had made us both coffee which was fueling our productivity. I felt as though we were working as if our lives depended on it.

Out of nowhere, pins and needles overtook my fingers, spreading through my hands and eventually to my shoulders. It was painful and I couldn't bare the feeling of typing with it. Wincing, I moved my laptop from my lap and allowed my hands to rest freely. A few minutes passed by and that aching feeling in my ribcage had returned. I tried to breath quietly, reminding myself to inhale and exhale.

A sudden stab of pain hit my head. My ears were ringing and I forced my eyes shut. I hadn't hurt this bad in a few days. The pain swelled in my chest, enveloping my throat and suffocating me.

"Are you okay?" Hongjoong asked, his voice cautious but concerned. I heard his feet hit the floor as he slipped off of his bed.

"I'm glad...that we're almost done with this assignment," I croaked, "I'm glad that the sun is shining. I'm also grateful for the coffee your dad brought us."

The pain began to dissipate and I was able to breathe a little easier.

I'm glad that Hongjoong understands this pain.

I felt a hand gently placed on my shoulder and I peered up to see Hongjoong standing over me. His eyes were searching me for a sign that I was really okay, and I could tell he wanted my honesty instead of my lies. As the pain faded away, I was able to breathe easier. My chest rose and fell normally — peacefully.

"Yeona, take a few minutes," he said, sounding more like a command than a request. "Trust me, it's okay. Especially since we're almost done with this assignment. We can work for another hour and then, if you want, I can walk you home. I know it's Wooyoung's birthday and he'd probably love to spend it with you."

He offered a smile.

"Thank you," I didn't quite know what to say, but I knew I was moved by his offer. The two of us went back to our homework and this time we seemed to be more productive. I helped him format the paper and make some major edits. We decided to leave the little things and tweak them throughout the week. It was about one o'clock when I closed my laptop.

"I think that's a wrap," Hongjoong grinned, "For the most part anyway."

"I have no idea what we just wrote," I laughed, relieved it was over. "My brain hurts."

"Mine too," he admitted. "We can pack up and I'll walk you home."

On the way home, we just talked. When I asked about the "family things" he was extremely vague and beat around the bush. So I didn't pry. If he didn't want to tell me, then that was fine. When we reached the house, he didn't want to come inside. He told me to wish Wooyoung a happy birthday for him.

It was weird how he left.

I pushed it to the back of my mind and dropped my things off inside my room. Then I walked next door to Wooyoung's house. I could hear the video games from inside and Wooyoung's sudden outburst to probably losing to Yeosang. As my hand wrapped around the handle, I hesitated.

What if this was it?

What if I walked through the door and Wooyoung saw color...because of me? Would I be okay with it? Would I be disappointed if it wasn't the case? Sighing, I realized that I didn't have a choice in the matter. But at least I tried to prepare myself just in case.

I turned the handle and entered. I was silent as I walked down the hallway, finding balloons placed randomly. There was one tied to the coat rack and another to a lamp. I chuckled to myself, imagining Wooyoung in a burst of energy and just placing them anywhere and everywhere he could. One balloon just floated on his own, pulled by wherever a breeze went.

Rounding the corner, I found Wooyoung lying on the floor and kicking his feet. Yeosang sat cross-legged and focused on the current game. I took a seat between them, patting Wooyoung's shoulder gently.

"Happy birthday, Woo," I greeted, a grin on my face.

He jumped slightly and whirled to face me, "I didn't even hear you come in!"

We stared at each other for a long moment and I knew he wasn't seeing color. He waited just a moment more, but when he realized there would be nothing, he returned to the game. Neither of us said a word about it, but I knew we were both secretly wondering if it would be us. It wasn't, which left me wondering.

If not Wooyoung, the boy I'd known since...forever, and one whom I did love dearly, then who?