Blaze

First Steps into Each Other's Lives Again

~_____~

"Ow!" Tao jumped back and shrieked when the hot water splattered onto his hand.

Hopping up and down to relieve himself of the pain, he peered into the bowl wondering if the chicken he'd cooked was ready yet. Why was such a simple thing like preparing a meal so difficult? How did Donghae manage to do this?

Thanks to Donghae's absence Tao had spent the last hour and a half working on boiling water and cutting up chicken breasts. Straining his eyes on the time strictly he turned the stove off after another half hour and packed the food up.

Namjoo would be surprised, but he knew she wouldn't turn him away. Chorong should definitely be gone by now, leaving the apartment to just the two of them. This time he'd definitely make her sit down with him at the table willingly and watch her eat his masterpiece. Thinking of it made him anxious and excited.

In hopes of giving her some strength, Tao also hoped to cheer her up.

Minutes later he bounded down the hall with all smiles and rang her doorbell. Namjoo didn't come to the door even when he rang the bell again and again.

"Namjoo?" He called out. "It's me, Tao. Are you in?"

When he received no answer again he grabbed his phone to call her, but was immediately sent to voicemail.

What was this?

Was Namjoo really not in?

~_____~

Suho looked excited. It spread so thoroughly on his face that it made Chorong believed she'd made the right choice.

Suho had seemed hesitant at first, but he looked so much happier now. Total relief sunk through her when she saw him debating over which movie they should watch. He resembled a child, deciding between which candy bar was better.

"This one looks good too," Suho talked to himself, "but I really want to watch a comedy. Laughing relieves stress. What do you think?"

"I don't mind," Chorong replied and watched him cross his arms then tapped a finger against his chin.

Was it such a difficult decision? She almost wondered how long they'd be standing there in front of the movie posters.

The ringing of her phone stole her attention and she turned to answer.

"Is Namjoo with you?" Tao asked right away.

"No."

"Then where is she?"

"How would I know?" Chorong shrugged.

"Did she say anything to you last night?"

"No."

"Are you sure? Think hard."

Chorong felt a part of her boil inside. What reason was there for Tao to doubt her? He was still insanely annoying to some point.

"Why?"

"I can't get a hold of her," Tao answered without holding back the obvious frustration he was experiencing.

"Have you gone to her apartment?"

"Yes," Tao slightly raised his voice. "She's not in either."

Chorong sunk into her thoughts. Namjoo hadn't said anything to her. They'd ended breakfast peacefully that morning with Namjoo reminding her about Suho and movies.

"What if something happened to her?" Tao went on. "What are we going to do?"

Chorong shook her head and insisted, "Calm down, will you? Namjoo's not a child. I'm sure she doesn't stay inside all the time and I don't think she needs to tell anyone where she is at all times."