Homeless ➹ 2jae [✓]

- 16 -

Youngjae felt heavy, suddenly alone again. He could hear the wind in his ears, and feel the cold across his nose, so much more when he was really left with nothing. The university grew smaller behind him as he walked further away from it, hoping to find a cafe or someplace to rest, but soon realized that he only had a few dollars on him. Even though he found a few 10,000 won bills in the large pockets of Jaebum's jacket, he didn't want to use them. It was Jaebum's money, he thought.

Even though it was hardly five in the evening, the winter air made the sky dark, and he walked the streets with dark thoughts. Aimless, wandering with no mind to his surroundings, he was brought back to that night when he was fifteen, and how he felt alone. Though, just like that night when he was fifteen, he thought about going to Jinyoung's house, until he realized that was no longer an option.

He had no family or friends in Seoul other than the boys in the university. He had no money, other than the money that he told himself not to use, and was growing more thirsty the more he walked. His legs were cold as the wind seeped through his skinny jeans, causing his knees to shiver while he covered his hands the best he could. He almost wished he had a second jacket, or leather pants, to cover his legs, but knew there was nothing, and that he would have to deal with being cold.

The whole day replayed in his head: How it began as another seamless plan, and ended up with him being thrown out to the street by a security guard, of all people. He thought there could have been something to prevent this happening, something to say or explain, but it was too late. By the time all of the thoughts had gathered in his head, he was already in an area of Seoul that was even more unfamiliar to him than his neighbourhood the first week he moved in.

It was dark, and there were alleyways with broken trees and leaves scattered to the ground. It creeped him out a little, the sight adding more goosebumps to his existing ones. He didn't know how far he was from the university, or if he should have tried to go back, but it was a lost cause for him at that point. He was alone; He was scared; And, most of all, he was without somewhere to sleep.

-:-:-:-

"Park Jinyoung! Im Jaebum! Open up!" The booming voice sounding through the door startled Jaebum as he twisted the doorknob.

"Uh.. May I help you?" he asked, watching as Officer Jeong stared into his eyes.

"Your room was inspected today, right?"

"Yessir."

"There wasn't anything suspicious?"

"No, sir."

"Hm... Well, we found something suspicious outside that seems to belong to you and you friend," he snarled, frightening Jaebum. "Which one are you?"

"I- I'm Im Jaebum."

"Where's Jinyoung?"

"He's in the shower. I'm s-sure he'll be out soon. I-in fact, I can--"

"Don't rush him," Officer Jeong snapped, Jaebum stiffening up in response. After a few minutes of awkward and chilling silence, Jinyoung walked out with a towel around his waist.

"Ah- Jaebum, what's happening?"

Jaebum shrugged with an unknowing look while Officer Jeong demanded, "Put some clothes on and come with me. I'll wait for you." Jinyoung nodded in response, oblivious to what was going on, until he realized what the cause might be. The panic drove him to throw his clothes on quicker, and they were out the door sooner.

They were walked down the same dark hallways as Mark and Youngjae were, and introduced to the same room. They sat in the same chairs as Officer Jeong gave them the same dirty stare. The two shared a mutual feeling of discomfort and invisible sweat dripping down their necks. It was almost a mirrored image, as each one's movement was like the other, and as each said nothing.

"The Dean has become aware of your little friend staying at your dorm."

Jinyoung blurted, "Young--!?"

"Do not interrupt me." Jinyoung sat back in his chair and composed himself once again. "I'm sure you both know that this is against the school policy, am I correct?" The two nodded in response, allowing the guard to go on. "The Dean will be here in a few minutes to speak with you."

-:-:-:-

"Good evening," spoke the cashier, Youngjae nodding slightly in response. Over the course of an hour, Youngjae got hungry, and figured that it was stupid to not use money if he had it. He thought that, if anything, Jaebum would be mad at him for leaving it in his pockets, so that's what he decided on.

He had 30,000 won to do whatever he wanted with, but he knew he should use it scarcely. Walking around the small convenience store, he looked around for something cheap he could buy to bring back to the little corner he'd set himself up in. Once he'd picked up a water bottle, the question was whether he would get chicken or shrimp flavoured noodles.

In the end, he picked chicken, and brought it to the woman behind the counter. "Is this all, sir?" she asked, bagging his items.

"Yes," Youngjae said quietly.

"7250 won is your total." Youngjae handed her one of the three bills he had, and he was handed his small amount of change. "Thank you, and come again."

"Ah- could you make this for me?" he asked, taking the noodles out of the bag. The cashier nodded and took the noodles, preparing them to be eaten. When she finished, she carefully handed them to Youngjae, who thanked her. Soon, he was off to walk the half block back to his temporary abode, where he sat and ate his noodles in the cold.

-:-:-:-

a/n: youngjae's certainly in some situation T-T

hope isn't lost yet though, so stay tuned!

<3