EL DORADO

one

"I clearly remember not wanting to go on this stupid road trip," Baekhyun said. It was the beginning of summer 2012 and he never goes out the house nor spend any time with his family. He pushed away people who tried to converse with him, he didn't enjoy having friends following him around. His parents became worried about him, so they decided to take him out, to help him socialize and see that being out in nature is so much better than staying at home. "Honey, I planned so much for this trip. You'll enjoy this, trust me!" His mother replied, turning her head to face Baekhyun with a wide smile plastered on her small face.

He avoided eye contact with his mother and looked out the window, Baekhyun noticed that the clouds were turning dark and gray. Just like my soul, he thought. "I probably won't have–" A loud smack was heard in the van which left Baekhyun in a moaning mess. His older brother— Minseok, who is the angel in the family— smacked the younger boy on his nape. "Baekhyun, have a little respect would you!" Minseok yelled, patting his cheeks after.

Baekhyun rolled his eyes, scoffing. He didn't have the time nor wanted to argue with his only brother. He raised his middle finger, pointing it at him. "Suck a dick, Minseok."

The car abruptly stopped, awaking Baekhyun from his (what he calls it) beauty sleep. He fluttered his eyes open, scanning his surrounding. It looked like they were in a gasoline station. He stretched his arms, accidentally hitting his brother right in the jaw.

Minseok nudged Baekhyun and was about to lecture him but he stepped out the car, leaving the latter talking to nothing but mere air. "Lecture me later, loser." He stuck his tongue out, slamming the van door shut. Baekhyun stuffed his hands into the pockets of his black jeans, walking over to a shop. On his way, he locked eye contact with a tall lanky man, wearing a brown coat. He smiled. Baekhyun didn't.

"Is there something particularly interesting about my face?"

The smile on the man's face faded when he heard Baekhyun's stern remark. He blinked, struggling to string words together. "Your fringe.." He trailed off, pointing at the smaller male's bangs that were covering his eyes. "– it's immensely long." Baekhyun ignored the latter, shrugging him off. He opened the dilapidated door open, the air con welcoming him with open arms. He made his way to the cigarette section, grabbing a pack. He quickly fished out his wallet, placing the money on the counter.

The ground was wet and muddy when Baekhyun left the shop, it was to his taste– he likes the rain. He glanced at his parents getting out the van, making their way to the restroom but spotting Baekhyun on their way. "Oh, did you buy anything?" His mother asked, her voice soft and alluring. Baekhyun nodded, waving his parents away. He jogged his way to the back of the shop and took out a cigarette, placing it between his long slender fingers then to his lips. Before he could get the lighter, that same cheerful yet mysterious voice boomed into Baekhyun's ears.

"You do know that smoking is bad for your health, right?"

He sighed, not giving the other man a glance. He ignored him once more, placing the lighter near the cigarette's end. Baekhyun felt the man walking closer, so he took the cigarette out his mouth, stepping back. "Don't come any closer." He whispered, shutting his eyes due to frustration. "Why not?" This man was pulling Baekhyun's strings and he just want to throw a rock at his pretty face. "If you talk to me, we become acquaintances," He began, holding onto the pack of cigarettes tightly and scrunching his nose. "— and if we become acquaintances, then we'll be friends. And I don't want to be friends."

Baekhyun shook his head, placing the cigarette on his lips once more. "Now leave me alone." He crossed his right hand across his chest, breathing the smoke onto his dying lungs. The man chuckled— which surprised the smaller male about how deep and husky it is, but didn't react nonetheless— tucking in a small piece of card on his hoodie. "See you then."

When Baekhyun finished his business, he threw the used cigar on the ground, crushing it with his shoes. He ran to the van, quickly closing the door. "Where were you?" Minseok asked, his eyes full of suspicion. Baekhyun popped a mint into his mouth, shrugging. "Baekhyun!" His brother whined, grabbing both his shoulders, shaking the living life out of the younger.

"To get some fresh air." At the back of the shop— smoking. But little did Baekhyun know.. that his older brother saw everything.