Colors ♡ Kim Hongjoong

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 21

Date: November 26

By dinner time, a few more of Wooyoung's friends had shown up. I was perched on a stool next to his mother, legs crossed and contentedly sipping one of the fancy mocktails we had prepared for the party. Wooyoung's father was enjoying the younger audience and chatting with my parents. I liked the atmosphere, and still found the randomly placed balloons amusing.

"He didn't see color?" Wooyoung's mother suddenly leaned over to me, speaking in a hushed whisper.

Shaking my head, I smoothed out my skirt, "No, I wasn't sure if I was expecting that or not."

"Ah," she let out a sigh, "That's a little disappointing, but it's okay."

I forced a smile, convincing myself that she was right. Wooyoung was all I had ever really known and while I don't think I had ever been "in love with him" per se, I did love and care about him. I just hoped that whatever girl the universe had picked out for him could see the beauty in him and also have the strength to put up with his spontaneity. I think, in some ways, I'll always be jealous of her once she steals my friend.

A lump formed in my throat and I took a sip of my drink.

I watched as Wooyoung and Changbin arm wrestled, and laughed when Changbin won yet again. Wooyoung stood and ushered Yeosang to go next. Both Yeosang and Changbin worked out quite a bit so I knew it would be a closer competition. Wooyoung enthusiastically cheered them on, too close to either one of them to pick a side. Yeonjun on the other hand, chose to stand by Changbin and cheer him on.

"Yeona, you need to cheer for Yeosang!" Wooyoung exclaimed.

Smiling, I didn't budge from my seat, "Yeosang doesn't need my support. He's very capeable...but go Yeosang!"

Somehow, in the midst of the chaos, me and his mother noticed a knock at the door. She stood and excused herself to go answer it. My attention returned to Yeosang and Changbin. Changbin was winning, and Yeosang only slowed the win due to leverage from longer arms and endurance. A few seconds later and Changbin had won. Yeosang shrugged it off and we all shared a laugh.

"Wooyoung, more of your friends are here," Wooyoung's mother returned with some familiar faces. I wanted to be annoyed, but I wasn't.

While Wooyoung bounded over and greeted them, Hongjoong gave me a small and awkward wave. I waved back, shifting in my seat and trying to put all of my attention into my drink. Why was I suddenly so awkward?

Get yourself together, Yeona.

I sat straighter, and politely greeted Seonghwa and Yunho as they joined the party. For dinner, Wooyoung's parents had prepared steak for everyone. Afterward, they cleaned up and left the young people to hang out and have fun.

"We'll just be next door with the Kang family," his father waved, as our parents left and went next door.

"We should put on a movie or play a game," Wooyoung suggested, and we all followed him to the living room. "What if we played a few rounds of truth or dare?"

Since everyone was in agreement, we sat in a circle and faced each other. I sat between Changbin and Yunho, and across from Wooyoung. It wasn't my favorite game, but Wooyoung looked so excited to play so I didn't complain. It was his birthday today so I would help make it a happy moment for him.

"I'll start us off," Wooyoung announced, "Seonghwa, truth or dare?"

Seonghwa breathed out regretfully, "...Truth."

"Is Hongjoong a good band leader or not?"

We all chuckled.

"Yes, he's great," Seonghwa covered his mouth and laughed, completely caught off guard. "He does a great job and listens well."

Seonghwa's gaze scanned the circle until it landed on Yeonjun, "Truth or dare?"

"Dare," Yeonjun wriggled his brows and smirked.

"I dare you to trade shirts with the person to your left," Seonghwa said mischievously. Changbin blushed and reached for the hem on his shirt.

"Right here?" Changbin glanced around the circle and then apologetically at me.

I tilted my head to the other side as they switched shirts and once they were finished I nearly lost it. Changbin's shirt was a little baggy on Yeonjun, but Yeonjun's shirt on Changbin looked like it was about to burst from his muscles. Everyone laughed and the game continued.

"Yeona, truth or dare?" Yeonjun grinned.

I raised a brow, folding my arms, "Truth."

"What's something that you're really good at but no one really knows about?"

Yeosang and Wooyoung snickered, knowing what my answer would be. I bit the inside of my check and felt my cheeks flush. It was something I really didn't talk about to anyone.

"Well," I scratched the back of my head, "I play the guitar. I have an electric one in my room."

Hongjoong perked up, "You do?"

Seonghwa and Yunho were suddenly interested as well.

"You should play with us sometime!" Yunho invited, beaming.

Wooyoung waved for everyone to calm down, "Don't forget it's my birthday guys. No fanboying over Yeona."

My attention tugged to Hongjoong, "Truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"I dare you to tell me one thing that no one else can hear," I cocked my head, hoping to raise the stakes a little. Wooyoung almost fell out of his seat — if that was even possible while sitting on the floor. Yeosang observed silently but his face said it all. Hongjoong froze for a moment, but came over and crouched next to me. He was so close that I could feel his breath in my ear, and his voice was low and quiet.

"If I told you my real answer, you wouldn't be able to look at me the same."

I sat rigid and unmoving. When Hongjoong returned to his seat, Wooyoung was practically begging me to repeat what he said but I refused. I couldn't even bring myself to look at Hongjoong for a while. I was confused and...something else, but I couldn't really place it. I wasn't quite sure that I wanted to even try.

When the game finished, Hongjoong excused himself to leave early. He had some things to do and didn't want to be out late. I waved goodbye, not able to verbally wish him a goodnight. Wooyoung then decided on a movie and we all found a place on the couches and cushions. I curled up in a cozy chair with one of his blankets.

Only two hours until my birthday.