Take It Slow (NCT U's TEN)

Chapter Eight.

Chittaphon jumped slightly when he heard the door open. He was stilling lying on the carpet, not bothering to move. He relaxed a little when he saw Jaehyun come through the door.

"Why are you on the floor?" Jaehyun asked as he shuffled through the door with a smile, taking his jacket off.

"I have no idea," Chittaphon answered truthfully. Jaehyun laughed, walking over and holding his hand out to help Chittaphon up. The latter grabbed his hand, pulling himself up. Chittaphon noticed Jaehyun's smile hadn't faltered since he stepped through the door. He then remembered why. "Oh, how was the film?" Chittaphon asked, leaning against the bed post. Jaehyun thought for a moment.

"The film was good, actually," Jaehyun answered, sitting on the sofa opposite Chittaphon.

"Did Seb look good?" Chittaphon asked, referring to the actor who plays Bucky. Jaehyun chuckled.

"Of course." Jaehyun nodded. Chittaphon noticed Jaehyun looked lost in thought, his head down and a smile on his face.

"Did Skye think it was good?" Chittaphon questioned. Jaehyun nodded.

"Yeah, Skye thought it was good." Jaehyun nodded again, still smiling. Chittaphon was feeling slightly annoyed that he wasn't explaining more of what happened.

"Are you going to tell me why you're smiling like an idiot?" Chittaphon asked, tilting his head. Jaehyun's eyes widened.

"Am I smiling that much?" He asked. Chittaphon nodded. "Oh, I didn't notice," Jaehyun spoke again.

"Well?" Chittaphon pushed, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh, well um. . . After the film finished I walked Skye home," Jaehyun paused, "You know, 'cos it's dark and stuff. . ." He continued, pausing again.

"And?" Chittaphon prompted, frustration in his voice.

"When we got to her door ikissedher." Jaehyun finished, too fast for Chittaphon to understand.

"Could you slow down a bit?" Chittaphon asked. Jaehyun sighed.

"I kissed her." He repeated. Chittaphon's heart stopped. What? He thought. "Only on the cheek, though." Jaehyun clarified, not that it made Chittaphon feel any easier about the situation. He wasn't sure what he felt.

Were they romantic towards each other? Do they both feel the same way? He had many thought whirring in his mind.

"Ten?" Jaehyun called, bringing him back to reality.

"That's great," Chittaphon commented, nodding his head. Jaehyun was feeling too dazed to realize that Chittaphon didn't really mean what he'd said.

"I don't know what came over me. . ." Jaehyun admitted, trailing off. Chittaphon frowned, turning around and climbing up the ladder to get on his bed.

"Well, it sounds like you had fun," Chittaphon stated. "I'd love to talk more about it, but I'm tired. Good night, Jaehyun." Chittaphon rolled over so his back faced Jaehyun and his front was facing the wall. Jaehyun simply took in the situation and nodded, understanding his exhaustion as it was almost ten o'clock. He got up and walked over to the light switch, turning it off then walking to his bed, sitting down on the edge of it. He laid down, not bothering to change his clothes before slipping under the duvet.

Although Jaehyun had his eyes closed, Chittaphon did not. Instead, he laid in the darkness with his eyes open. He was thinking about what Jaehyun had told him. He wasn't sure why he felt so uneasy. He should be happy for Jaehyun, that he's found a possible love interest. And yet, he wasn't. Chittaphon groaned quietly, turning over on his back. He stared at the ceiling, placing his hands on his chest. He didn't know what to make of the situation, or if anything would be different tomorrow in school. He slightly dreaded it; hoping they wouldn't be all lovey-dovey towards each other and he would have to be the third wheel. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath whilst trying to clear his mind. Slowly, with his mind full of thoughts, he fell asleep.

*

"So, how was your date?" Chittaphon asked Skye as he sat in his seat early the next morning. Skye looked taken aback, although she didn't notice the bitterness in his voice.

"It wasn't a date, we just went to see a film," Skye defended.

"And ended up having a smooch," Chittaphon snorted, raising an eyebrow. A light blush appeared on her cheeks, which he noticed.

"It was on the cheek, it doesn't count," She replied, frowning. Chittaphon smirked, then scowled.

"I can't believe you actually went out with him, though," Chittaphon said. Skye tilted her head, her eyebrows pulled together.

"Hm?" She said.

"He meant it as a date all along," Chittaphon told her. Skye looked away for a moment.

"How would you know?" She asked. Chittaphon noticed she sounded slightly offended. It's true, she was feeling slightly offended that Chittaphon was getting so involved.

"Because he would've invited me if it was a friendly outing," Chittaphon answered. "Also, I'm sure he seemed really let down when you told him I couldn't come, right?" Chittaphon continued, sarcasm apparent in his voice. Skye tightened her lips, nodding slightly.

"I see your point." She looked at him. "But we're only friends." She added. Chittaphon scoffed.

"I think you'll find Jaehyun disagrees," Chittaphon said. Skye frowned again.

"What do you mean?" She asked, although she really did know what he meant.

"He feels. . . Different towards you." Chittaphon looked at her. Skye slightly blushed again. She did like Jaehyun, and he was really kind. . . "But, as long as you don't feel that way, nothing will happen." Chittaphon finished. Skye nodded, not sure if what he said applied to her.

Their registration class continued as normal, including where their teacher tells them off for talking too much, before it ended. Skye and Chittaphon made their way out of the room along with the class in silence. That is, until, Skye realized they had maths first. And who she sat by. She mentally cursed.

"We have maths first, don't we?" She asked Chittaphon, who confirmed with a nod. He noticed her state, realizing why she was suddenly so anxious.

"Just act normal. Pretend like yesterday didn't happen. And if he brings it up, tell him you don't want a relationship," Chittaphon advised her. Skye shook her head.

"I don't want to forget yesterday, I'm just worried it will be awkward now," She said to him as they walked. Chittaphon's stomach felt odd as he realized that she didn't necessarily want to act as though nothing happened and that she might even want to take it further.

"I don't know. Just talk like you normally would," Chittaphon told her as he started walking faster away from her. Skye watched as he walked away, confusion taking over her. She didn't know why he left so suddenly. Just as she was thinking, she saw a tall figure come to her side. She looked up to see Jaehyun. Is that why he left?

"Hey, have you seen Ten?" He asked Skye. Skye was worried her voice would break, so she took a while to answer.

"Um, I think he's already in maths," She replied, her voice slightly raising at the end. Jaehyun chuckled.

"Don't be awkward with me because of yesterday," He told her, a warm smile on his face.

"I'm trying not to be," She said truthfully, blushing. Jaehyun chuckled again.

They walked through the door to their maths room, walking to their seats shortly after. Jaehyun made a gesture for Skye to get into her seat first as she was closer to the wall. She made a curt nod, sitting down and smiling at him.

Chittaphon watched, tapping rapidly on the table. He saw the light pink tint on Skye's cheeks and remembered when he first met her, although it was only a few days ago, when she was blushing because of him, not Jaehyun. He sighed, looking away when she laughed at something Jaehyun said.