Colors ♡ Kim Hongjoong

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 23

Date: November 27

I could go days without seeing Hongjoong — not a problem. But it was a problem when I was being lied to. I was annoyed and my headache was raging, and my ribcage was torn apart. I didn't "storm" down the hallway, but it kinda felt like I did. I was annoyed. Seonghwa and Yunho had lied to my face.

Bursting into the practice room, I saw him sitting with his back to me, "Hongjoong."

He flinched and turned to face me.

The colors hit in waves and with such vibrancy. I stumbled backward into the wall, my heart pounding in my chest and the soul bond pains simmering under my skin. A whirlwind of emotions washed over me, causing flashes of pain and relief at the same moment. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Hongjoong though.

He rose to his feet, both guilt and worry consuming his expression.

"You knew," I mumbled, my mind racing, "This whole time you knew."

"Yeona..." he was at a loss for words.

Everything clicked though. He had asked to be friends, and had wanted to hang out. He has been showing me so much kindness lately. Yeosang and Wooyoung had brought me to his show. He even had me over at his house this weekend and...his family probably knew. I suddenly remember every single moment I had hated him, lashed out at him, and been rude.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I knit my brows, my hands shaking. It was so much to take in — the color and...realizing this whole time it's been Hongjoong.

He stayed where he was, uneasy and careful, "Because I wanted you to find out on your own terms. And..."

"And?"

"Look," he exhaled shakily, "I know you hate me. You don't even have to say it but I know you do. For me, it was a dream come true to find out you were meant for me. But I realized that this must be your worst nightmare. So I tried, I really did try to become friends with you and make it easier on your part. I so badly wanted to show you the parts of me that were imperfect and that you didn't know. All I could do was hope that it would be enough for you to hate me a little less."

I blinked back tears, "Hongjoong—"

"I'm not finished," Hongjoong continued, his words firm but his tone soft, "Everything you've been feeling and going through, I've also dealt with. I didn't realize until my birthday how much you hated me. I can't read your mind, but I can just about guess by how much pain I've gone through these last several weeks."

"But I've gone through so much pain," I took a step forward, setting my jaw. If he thought this was all about him — it wasn't.

"Because of you," he snapped. He sighed and buried his head in his hands, "I have feelings, Yeona. Sometimes they get hurt, especially when I find out how much my soulmate really hates me. That can fall back on the other half, you know."

It was a slap to the face. A very sobering slap to the face.

"I don't hate you, Hongjoong," I said softly. Something was simmering in my stomach and now I knew what to call these pains, and this one was guilt.

Hongjoong's gaze softened, and he came closer, "What...changed your mind?"

"I don't know," I answered honestly, "Maybe you were right, and I just needed to see you for who you really are — without my prejudices. But I do know that I'm...sorry."

"I forgive you," he cracked a small smile. "I know this is a lot right now with the color and me, but I want you to know that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win you over completely every day."

My heart fluttered.

"And if you don't?" I could feel my cheeks warm, suddenly remembering what he had whispered into my ear last night. Hongjoong stepped closer so he was finally directly in front of me. I sucked in a breath, caught off guard by this Hongjoong. I guess he really wasn't joking around.

"That'll never happen," he whispered, his eyes calmly studying me. I stared back, no longer afraid or jealous of him. I still felt guilty for how I had treated him, and the universe had its way of humbling me. Hongjoong was kind and compassionate — and I had never given him enough credit for that.

"Why are you guys just standing and staring at each other like that?" Wooyoung appeared in the doorway and I flinched, backing away from Hongjoong. I gave him an incredulous look.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked while Hongjoong chuckled.

"Long enough to notice that the silence got weird," he answered, glancing between us. "Are you coming over today?"

Hongjoong smiled at me, "No, Yeona is coming over to my house today."

This week is important for his family. Of course. Everything was making sense now. Except, I wasn't really sure why he missed the entire school day. That was something that still confused me.

"Wait," Wooyoung furrowed his brows and came closer, placing his hand on my forehead. "Are you okay? You've been spending a lot of time with him recently and that's just...not normal."

Hongjoong raised a brow, "Hey."

"In the nicest way possible," Wooyoung added, a cheeky smile on his face.

I chuckled, brushing his hand away, "I'm fine, I promise you."

"Sure..." Wooyoung's eyes darted between us suspiciously.

Yeosang peeked inside the room, "Wooyoung, leave them alone. I want to go home so hurry up."

Defeated but still suspicious, Wooyoung backed out of the room and left with Yeosang. Hongjoong and I shared a look before laughing.

I covered my face, "This is crazy."

I watched as Hongjoong picked up his things before waving for me to follow him. We left school together and walked home. When I entered his house, his family greeted us warmly and with hugs. They had known who I was when I was over this past weekend which made me feel embarrassed that I didn't refer to them properly.

"Hongjoong can't stop talking about you," Bumjoong snickered during dinner. "Every day after school, he'll come into my room and tell me all about it."

Hongjoong's ears turned red and he got shy. Smiling, I continued listening to his family's commentary on things. They asked me questions and got to know me better and I did the same. They were so welcoming that I felt like I truly was part of the family. When dinner was over, Hongjoong walked me home for the night.