As Long// Tao Exo

Chapter II

After the phone call with my mom, I had a hard time settling into my new apartment without looking through the peephole hoping to see the light seep out from the crack under Tao's door.

After his lights go off sometime after midnight, I try to get some sleep as well. It doesn't work out that well; all through the night I toss and turn. By the time I finally get my eyes to close, the alarm on my phone signals I need to get up and start my day.

I groan while dragging myself away from the slightest chance of sleep. After I gather my attire for the day, I walk to the door and look out to find the light from Tao's room still off.

'Man, it must be nice to be able to sleep.' I think as I walk to the shower. After a short warm cleansing, I check for the light again only this time it's on. Knowing that now I'll have to check it every minute now, I grab my fully charged phone and my crossbody purse from my new bedroom.

I drag a chair from the table in the kitchen to beside the door. I plop down in the chair and wait for, pretty boy over there to start his day.

I check to see if the light was still on then unlock my phone to kill time. I open my messaging app looking for someone to talk to. I scroll through my contact and halt when I see Sehun's name. I click the contact of the weird boy I met on the plane just yesterday.

I was about to text him about meeting up today but I decided to wait until Tao actually decides to get up and do something before making promises to meet up with him somewhere that I may not even be able to get there. I slightly frown as I close the messaging app to peep out the hole again. This time I notice the light flip off and the door open.

I grab my purse from the living room and place my phone in it as I walk out the door. I simply leave the chair there for now not wanting to lose him for something small already today.

I see him get on the elevator.

"Hold the door!" I yell when I notice them slowly shutting.

To my relief, the doors begin to reopen.

"Thanks," I mumble as I step into the elevator. A slight head nod of acknowledgment is all I get in reply.

The ride down after my one word of gratitude was awkwardly silent. The only noise being our breathing until my phone dings. It was a text from Sehun.

'Hey, Ying Yue! I hope you're up because if you aren't you will be now... I wanted to know if you're free today? I want you to meet some people.'

I smile thinking about how I was just thinking about texting him earlier. I've only known him for a bit yet two full days and yet I feel like I've known him for years just by his friendliness and how easily I can talk to him. I feel like within a week or so I'd be spilling my darkest secrets with this guy. I can't let that happen though; I must refrain from letting myself be free when I've been bolted down my entire life.

'I have to run some errands but send me the address and I might be able to swing by for a bit later.'

Just moments after hitting send, he replies by simply saying okay and leaving the address of a dance studio. I pocket my phone as the elevator doors slide open. I quickly follow Tao as him and his cursed long legs.

'Actually, I'm the cursed one here. Being short is such a nuisance.' I argue mentally with myself.

Somehow between Tao's long legs and the massive cluster of humans walking like either they are late to their own funeral or they're the living dead walking the streets, I am able to not lose him yet. And honestly, if I was in a private place right now, I'd give my own self a high five.