detraction | Sohn Youngjae ✅

Eric: sophomore-junior

A year later...

I jumped onto Younghoon and clung to him like a koala. "It's you." "What do you mean, 'it's you'? Of course it's me. We're best friends." He pried me off then scoffed. "We were. Now buzz off. I have chicks to fuck." "I hope they're disappointed with what they see." He flipped me off then walked away. "Ouch. Need ice for that?"

I rolled my eyes as Haknyeon stood next to me drinking coffee. "Whatever, lets go." I was upset. He and I had such a friendship that couldn't easily be broken, but now he's pushing me away. Younghoon was like an older brother to me. We rounded the corner and I felt something cold drench my shirt. "Now look what you-" He looked down at me and instantly shut up. "I'm so sorry." He started wiping me down with napkins and looked horrified by what he had done.

"I can do it myself, thanks." "Um..." "Look, we have somewhere to be, so do you mind spitting out what you need to say?" I hit Haknyeon for his rudeness then motioned for the guy to continue. "I'm Lee Juyeon. Sorry for the mess. Where are you headed?" "Oh, the painting session." "Really? Me too. Let's go together." He linked his arm with mine and sped off, leaving Haknyeon to play catch up. He opened the door and ushered me to go on in. He let the door close behind him and crushed Haknyeon's fingers in the process. "Hak, you okay?" "Yeah. I'm sure I can still paint and write with 3 fingers." "Come on, we'll be late."

I sat in between Haknyeon and another guy who looked to be my age. Juyeon had to wait outside as he hadn't signed up beforehand. We were given instructions then told to paint our hearts out. I was so focused on creating my masterpiece that I had almost failed to notice him tapping me. "Oh, uh, yes?" "Do you mind sharing some of your gold with me?" I moved my palette over so we could both share.

I looked over at his canvas and nearly dropped my paintbrush in awe. It wasn't completed, but it looked like a portrait of someone. "Is that a person? Someone in here?" He looked at me then smiled softly. "It's supposed to be you." I felt my face heat up then quickly went back to my canvas. "I'm Hyunjoon. Heo Hyunjoon. And you are?" "Sohn Eric..." "What a nice name."

I happily placed my painting to the side then watched Hak and Hyunjoon place theirs on either side. "Ah, aren't you in my Math class?" "I'm not sure...is it 105?" "Yep." "Huh, I never noticed you before. Well, I will now. Don't be shy and just sit next to me." We all exited the room and I felt myself being pulled to the side. "Who is he?" "An acquaintance?" "Oh. So, are you free now?" "No, I actually have a class soon..." It wasn't a lie and the last thing I wanted was to miss class.

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I looked around the classroom and hoped to spot Hyunjoon. I sighed when I saw he hadn't arrived yet. I took my usual seat then opened up my laptop. I decided to check my emails and see if any of my professors had gotten back to me. I opened one up and was disappointed with the response. "They live for being vague..." I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw Hyunjoon place his iced frappé down before taking the seat next to mine. "I still think you trying to use the class as a pick up line or something..." "I'm more classy than that. Something like that is more up Juyeon's alley."

I couldn't help but laugh as it was true. He took a sip of his drink then eyed me from his peripheral vision. "Cute background." I looked at my laptop then realized he had seen it before I changed browsers. I was embarrassed and tried to hide my face from sight. "Don't be embarrassed. I like Twice too. I say it takes guts to have them as a background." "Hyunjoon..." I gave him a hug then pretended to weep into his shoulder. I felt his arm snake around me then gently pat my back. "H-Hyunjoon...?" "Huh? Oh, uh, sorry..." He pulled away from me and ignored me for the entirety of the class.

Hyunjoon had left the room rather quickly, making it difficult for me to catch up to him. "Hyunjoon, wait! Slow down!" He seemed to have heard my pleas and waited for me to catch up. "Do you have another class right now? If so, why didn't you just say so?" "I don't..." "Then why?" "Because..." I continously nudged his side then wished I hadn't as he had lashed out. "Because you're so annoying! God, it's like watching over a 7 year old sometimes. Now I see why Younghoon fucking hates you."

Hyunjoon had walked away and I just stood there, dumbfounded. I didn't know they felt that way about me. How could I know? I hardly listen to anyone other than Haknyeon. Even then, none of them really voiced their feelings to me. Or have they and I've just been a oblivious fool? I started to cry. It hurt a lot, knowing your best friend since the beginning now hated you, that a friend you wanted to become close to hates you as well. I ran back to my dorm room and stayed there. I missed the rest of my classes that day.

Was that your honest answer then?

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He put another piece of fruit into my mouth then sighed in satisfaction. "I must be taking up your time." "No, not at all. I love spending time with you, Juyeon." His smile had widened and caused me to smile as well. It was an interesting friendship for me, if I was going to be honest. It resembled how my relationship with Younghoon used to be, but amplify it by three.

He bought me things, mostly food, even when it wasn't necessary. Not that it really ever was. Luckily my roommate had a big appetite, so he usually ate most of whatever I received. "Juyeon, really, don't buy me anything unnecessary...I have enough shirts..." "Then is there anything you need? Let me know and I'll get it." I sometimes felt like either I was being too nice or he was just too dense. "Ah, how's Haknyeon?" "He's doing better. I really want to know how it happened." "Maybe it's someone doing god's work of keeping him away from you." I turned to look at Juyeon who simply shrugged.

"That was oddly specific, Juyeon..." "So you think I had something to do with it?" "There's no reason why I shouldn't. I know you don't like Haknyeon. Hell, you don't like anyone who I befriend." Juyeon gave me a shocked reaction then scoffed. "I'm offended. Your friends are my friends and vice versa." I sighed then wondered why I suspected him in the first place. He's my friend and has my best interests at heart. I'm sure of it.

I exited my class then saw Juyeon waiting across the hall. "Juyeon, hey." "Want to go out?" "Are you asking me-" "No, I meant, hang out. Goodness, how could I possibly ask you out? We're both straight and have a wonderful platonic friendship." He was right, about our friendship. However, even I was unsure about my orientation at times. It's a natural part of life that I've come to accept. "Sure, where are we going?" "Froyo?" "It's February." "So? Doesn't mean shit. But, you agreed, so let's go." "Wait-" And just like that, I was whisked away.

I slightly shivered as I ate my froyo. "Feeling cold? I can warm you up." "I don't-" He pulled me closer to him and he was rather warm. My cold self moved closer for warmth and was pleased with the results. "Do you regret coming along now?" "Yes." He clicked his tongue then pressed his froyo against me. I recoiled from the cold and fell off my seat.

"Ow...Juyeon..." I looked up and saw that he wasn't even looking in my direction. "You could at least help me up." "You aren't a little kid, Eric. Grow up." He didn't even look at me when he said it. I was confused by his sudden change and I'm sure any person would be. I slowly climbed back into my seat and finished the rest of my froyo in silence.

Were you preparing for our future?