Memories were made, then painfully wrenched away as they separated. What was once a valued friendship and vague romantic interest was now only something that he could see in his dreams. But by chance, they meet again, and struggle to pick themselves...
With weak knees and blurred vision, Baekhyun ran for the hallway. He crashed into Jongin, who was coming out of the library. "Oh sorry- Baek! Why are you crying? Are you okay? Where are you going?" Jongin wrapped his arms around Baekhyun's fragile frame and cradled him.
The dam of defiance that was holding Baekhyun's tears back broke as Jongin rocked them side to side. "Jongdae," he managed to choke out. "Get Jongdae." He sobbed into Jongin's chest, overwhelmed.
Jongin pulled out his phone and texted Jongdae, having no clue where he would be. His heart broke for the small boy crying in his arms, and he tried to soothe him the best he could. "Shh, it'll be okay. You'll be okay. Don't cry anymore."
Jongdae jumped up at the sound of his phone. He furrowed his brow as he scanned the message. Normally, he would jump up and run to help, but he was guarding Baekhyun's violin, and didn't know if he should leave his post. He texted Jongin back:
'Bring Baekhyun to me. I can't leave. I'm in the hallway next to the auditorium.'
Jongin rubbed Baekhyun's back as the boy gradually stopped sniffling. "Come on, let's go to Jongdae."
Baekhyun slowly let go of him, frowning at the wet patches he left on his shirt. The cut underneath he eye stung more than ever. "I'm sorry about your shirt."
"Don't worry." Jongin untied his jacket from his waist and put it on, zipping it all the way up. "No one will know." He guided Baekhyun to Jongdae. Baekhyun blinked harshly all the way there, trying his best to hide the fact that he had been crying.
"Thanks Jongin. I really needed that."
Jongin smiled. "No problem. But I need to go now. I'm here on a library pass." He squeezed Baekhyun's shoulder softly.
"Wait! You're coming tonight, aren't you?"
Jongin grinned. "Yeah. I'll see you then." He turned away and jogged back the way he came.
"Hey, Baekhyun. Your violin?" Jongdae snapped him out of his thoughts.
Baekhyun crouched down next to his instrument, examining the busted G string carefully. Unlike the E string he had broken while playing, the G string was not frayed. Almost like someone had deliberately took a pair of scissors and cut it.
A familiar anger churned in the pit of his stomach as Baekhyun carefully took out a set of replacement strings that he always kept. Whoever cut the string was smart. Eliminating the lowest string would eliminate a whole bunch of notes that he couldn't get from any other string. Higher notes he could get easily from lower strings by changing positions. There was nothing he could do about lower notes.
"Woah Baek! Calm down." Jongdae's eyes widened in surprise as he watched Baekhyun clutch his broken G string tightly.
"Why?" He seethed. "I want to know who did this!" He angrily reattached the new strings, then tuned them roughly, not bothering to cool down and listen. He put the two broken strings in the packaging of the new ones, then looked disdainfully at his bridge. "Oh, to the hell with this!" He grumbled, frustrated. He jerked at the piece of wood harshly, trying to yank it back. "Someone has a death wish. When I find out who did this... I swear! They are so lucky that they didn't bring the soundpost down." Baekhyun certainly didn't look like he had been crying.
"It was probably Kyungsoo or Chanyeol," Jongdae mused.
"I've realized!" Baekhyun angrily tuned his instrument with gentle hands.
"I meant to ask earlier. What took you so long? And why did Jongin have to bring you to me crying?"
"Because of that damn Park Chanyeol!"
"Woah, put a filter on your mouth." Jongdae took a few steps back.
"I will not! I don't care if I'm being a hypocrite. That bastard! He stopped me when I was trying to exit the bathroom and had the nerve to grab and kick me." Baekhyun took a deep breath. "Not to mention, he threw just about every insult I've ever heard from him." He plucked his strings carefully. "Better." He got to his knees to put the instrument in its case, then winced. The brunet rolled up his pants leg. There was a spot the size of a half dollar on his shin turning a nice purple. "Lovely."
"I'm starting to think Kyungsoo's the one that cut your string. Chanyeol could have been sent to stall you. Kyungsoo would have probably saw you run for the bathroom, then told Chanyeol to stall you. He came in right when I left, correct?"
"But he wouldn't have needed to stall. He would have been done and long gone by the time you got there. Chanyeol could have done it on his own."
"Kyungsoo hates you. He should have done something by now. Plus, he was mocking you earlier," Jongdae reasoned. "We could always do a DNA test."
"Do we need to? It seems like a bit much."
"It's vandalism! We should tell someone."
"Dae, you realize the school has cameras. We could just ask for the footage," Baekhyun laughed.
"Now?"
"Why not?" Baekhyun zipped up his instrument and hooked the strap on his shoulder. "But I'm bringing this with me."
- § -
Who do you think did it? Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be Kyungsoo or Chanyeol. It could be someone completely new.
I'm going to start asking questions like these more often, and using the answers to move the plot along. It'll help add a sense of unpredictability to the story. So please answer them!!! Please!
That being said, after each chapter, give an idea for a new problem that could occur in the next one. The more complex the better! You guys can help give me ideas! (Of course, I'll credit you!)
This is my third and final update for today. After over 3K words, I'm beat! I hope you guys have enjoyed the past three action filled chapters, and look forward to more!
The more suggestions you guys give, the more action and entertainment there will be!
<3
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