NCT Dream One Shots

Bingsoo - Chenle

"Something that is beautiful?" I echoed. My teacher nodded. "It could be anything you'd like. Nature, art, or even an item you like! I just need a photograph that conveys the beauty."

"Okay," I thanked her and exited the classroom, closing the door. I leaned on the frame, letting out a sigh. "Hey!" My friend Donghyuk waved at me from the classroom he had just left from. I greeted him back as he leaned against the wall beside me, scrutinizing my face. "I know that look," he pointed at my slight frown. "Photography problems, and a desperate need for food." I laughed lightly and pushed myself up. With my mind focused on the project, I had almost forgotten about lunch. I tugged on his sleeve, pulling Donghyuk behind me towards the cafeteria.

Now that the two of us had found an empty table, we dug into our meal. I picked up a french fry with my fingers, brought it to my lips and chewed, brows furrowed in thought. I was brought back to reality when his thumb pressed the space between my brows. "Stop," I dragged the word and smacked his arm away. "What's got your face all frowny?" Donghyuk questioned as he took a big bite of his sandwich that was labelled as a 'burger.'

I summarized the summer project for him as we continued to take bites of our food.
"So, something beautiful, huh?" Donghyuk swirled a stolen fry in the glossy, red ketchup. "I don't know what to do," I complained, stabbing my blue jello with a plastic spoon. "There's so much beauty in the world, you just gotta have the eye to see it." I grumbled at his words, continuing to mash the smooth jello into a lumpy mess. "For example -" he stole a scoop of jello "- me, myself, and I."

I balled up a napkin and aimed it at his face. He let out a loud laugh, raising his arms to protect his 'moneymaker.' "Shut up, I don't want it." I tsked and started to clean up, seeing that lunch was almost over. "Last block, finally," he groaned, laid his head on the table and stretched his arms.

*****

It was the beginning of June, so I was dying in the sweltering heat while working in the small dessert cafe. There were no customers, so I was free to look like a drowned rat while fanning myself. The bell suddenly chimed with the arrival of a customer. I greeted the customer and bowed, not getting a chance to have a good look at who I was going to serve.

The boy looked at the menu above me, and I took this chance to subtly observe while maintaining a smile on my face. He wore simple, light wash jeans, and a bright green shirt. He carried a small, black backpack and his fringe of brown-blond hair brushed his eyelashes. "I'd like to order," the boy spoke, looking from the menu to me. "Of course, what would you like to order?" I had my hand poised over the touch screen, ready to take his order.

"I'd like a strawberry bingsoo and a chocolate waffle, thanks." He pulled out his credit card and tapped it onto the machine. It beeped, signalling his confirmed payment. "Thank you, I'll bring out your order in a few minutes. Please have a seat." I smiled politely at him, pressing my arms to my sides to hide the sweat.

The boy looked into my eyes and grinned. The sight of his cute eyes squinting together and his lips stretching to reveal his pearly teeth made my heart skip a beat, and I almost clicked on the button for a hot americano. He casually walked over to a seat by the AC and opened up his bag. Taking out a laptop, he powered it on, crossing his legs as he started to type away.

I shuffled to the back with my hand clapped over my heart, my breathing slightly hitched. "What's up with you?" My co-worker Jisung looked up from the game on his phone and tilted his head.

"I think I just fell in love."

*****

"You did not."

Donghyuk leaned his elbows against the counter, his eyes sparkling like diamonds. I shooed him off with a small smile on my lips. "It wasn't even that long," I argued to stop a blush from coming to my face. "She did," Jisung didn't even look up from his game. "She took his order and came to the back, she was a complete mess. She nearly made him hot chocolate instead of bingsoo."