Homeless ➹ 2jae [✓]

- 17 -

Jaebum and Jinyoung sat silently with the Dean of the university, faces and hands heating up with anxiety. First, they would speak with him, since they were living with Youngjae. Jackson and Mark would be next.

"So," he began, sitting with his hands together, "I'm sure you're aware that we will be discussing your punishments, correct?" The two gave a quiet answer, their heads hanging low. It was a serious air that held onto them, gripping both of their throats, but they both stayed content. "Alright! What I've devised for you two is a lenient, three-day dorm arrest."

Jinyoung asked, "A-arrest?" lifting his head up.

"Ah, that sounds harsh, but it's far less brash than it seems. You will be monitored going to and from your classes, and you may not leave the boy's dorms other than to go to your classes or the cafeteria." The two boys looked at each other, nodding as they understood. Before continuing, the Dean took a deep breath. "Take Jinyoung outside for a minute. I'd like to speak alone with Jaebum." Jaebum's eyes widened, unsure of what to expect. Jinyoung was escorted out of the room, and Jaebum sat with anticipation. "Ah, Jaebum... I was really disappointed when I saw your name here... Next to Jackson's, too."

"I would understand why, sir," he spoke quietly, sitting with his legs closed and hands clenched.

"You know, I'm close with Jackson and his family, so I trusted that it would be okay to let you study here," he began, Jaebum's neck heating up. "This... This is a very big offence, and, quite honestly, I'm surprised that you would be involved. That trust, Jaebum... I don't want to say it's broken, but... It'll take some time for it to become stronger again."

All Jaebum could say was, "I understand," as he was overridden with guilt. He knew that he wasn't another regular student, and that made the whole thing worse.

"Do you?"

"I do, sir."

"Alright. You may go back to your dorm. I'll be speaking with Jackson in a little bit."

"Ah- What happened with Youngjae?" Jaebum asked, turning around just before leaving.

"Security handled him. I'm sure he's alright."

-:-:-:-

The next morning, Youngjae's goosebumps rose all over his arms and he shivered as he lie on the ground. It hadn't even been thought about that he would fall asleep next to some fenced bushes, an empty cup of ramen being his only company. The cup had blown away in the wind, though, so Youngjae didn't even have that.

It was hard for the teenager to open his eyes, as they were stuck together somehow. He rubbed at them harshly, the sudden brightness waking him up. He looked around him, calmly remembering how he'd managed to end up in his situation, and how he felt like he was alone.

That night when he was fifteen, it was okay, because he had somewhere to go, and he slept properly; However, at eighteen, he'd finally slept on the ground, with remnants of leaves and some trashed boxes.

He stretched and messied his hair, standing quickly in hopes that nobody would see him. It was embarrassing to feel so dirty like he did, even though he didn't look particularly dirty. It wasn't in his interest to stay where he was, so he ventured further to find somewhere else.

As he walked along, he felt a buzz in his pocket, remembering that he did have his phone with him. He looked at the screen, Jaebum's caller ID flashing, and he picked up. "Hello?"

"Youngjae!" he heard Jaebum, a strange sound accompanying the back.

He faintly heard, "I-is he o-okay?" It didn't sound like a quiet voice, though. As the voice got closer to the phone, a hyperventilating became clearer, and Youngjae suddenly felt nervous.

"I'm alright..." he answered, unwilling to reveal how he ended up. "What's happening?"

Jaebum answered, "Jinyoung's worried..."

"Le-let me talk t-to him..." he heard, the phone being handed to the other person. "Y-Youngjae?"

"Hey... Jinyoung, what's the matter?" he asked, concerned about why the older seemed to be sobbing and breathing too heavily.

In a choked voice and loud heaves, Jinyoung explained, "Youngjae, I-I couldn't sleep all.. all night!" The younger felt bad, looking down at his moving feet. "What, some... some security guard t-took care of you? H-how the fuck am I su-supposed to know what that means!?"

"Jinyoung, it's... I'm alright. Please stop worrying." All that was audible was more heavy breathing, sporadic intakes of air and a loud exhale.

"How d-do I stop when--"

-:-:-:-

"How d-do I stop when--" The call cut off, and Jinyoung sniffed as he noticed the silence. "Youngjae?" He looked at the phone screen, seeing that the call was ending, and he cried more. Since he and Jaebum had returned to the room, he was panicking on and off about where Youngjae went, and if he was okay, and the endless possibilities of what could or could have already happened to him. His worry was wreaking havoc in his head.

"Hey, what happened?" Jaebum asked, sitting next to Jinyoung, watching the older wipe his tears away as new ones came.

"He hung u-up."

"What?" Jaebum took his phone back from Jinyoung and dialed Youngjae again, but there was no answer. A few seconds later, he called a third time, and still received no answer.

"Jaebum, what if something h-happened to him?"

"Hey, I'm sure nothing happened," he said, pulling Jinyoung's head onto his shoulder. In his best efforts, he comforted him as sobs continued to escape his mouth. "Here," he said, handing the younger some tissues and pain killers. "He sounded alright, Jinyoung. I'm sure his phone died or something."

"He should charge it then," Jinyoung cried, blowing his nose into a tissue. Jaebum chuckled a little, rubbing the younger's arm. "Ah, I really want to know where he is, but I don't know how... He could be anywhere..." Jaebum rested his head on Jinyoung's, the room filling with a silence that was constantly disrupted by Jinyoung's crying. For once, though, the silence between them wasn't awkward, or filled with a spiteful tension; Instead, it was much more warm, and they were more comfortable.

"Well, I'll go look for him the second this dorm arrest bullshit lifts, okay?" Jaebum assured, looking at Jinyoung, whose eyes and cheeks were red. "When I find him, I'll tell you and bring you to him. Sound good?"

Finally calming down, Jinyoung took a deep breath. "I want to look for him, too..."

"We'll look together, then. Let's split up, though. It might be easier that way." He watched as Jinyoung took another tissue to wipe his eyes, sniffing another time. Sobs no longer filled the air, but they both still felt exhausted. "Jackson and Mark may help us, too."

"W-what if they don't want to?"

"Yah, don't talk like that, of course they'd want to. They're also worried about him, but they've got this dorm arrest, too. Once we're all free, we'll go out and look for Youngjae."

"Alright..."

"Are you gonna be okay?"

"I'm sure I will..."

"Alright, then," Jaebum began, standing up off the bed. "Take those, they'll help you calm down a little." He looked at Jinyoung, the boy's face pale and rid of energy. "You sure you're alright?"

"Yeah..." he said, walking towards where his phone was plugged in. "I'll... call and tell my professor I don't feel well... You have a good day, though."

"I will... And I'll come back right away. See you."

-:-:-:-

a/n: aah i'm so glad chapters are longer now lol :')

also,,, WHAT THE FUCK THIS HAS 2K+ READS THANK YOU!!!!! and 300+ votes, too, damn T-T really, thank you so much for all the support! it means a lot to me that you enjoy this!! :^D

i hope you're looking forward to future chapters + the 2jae~~~~ :P