The Official EXO Ship Book Pt. 2

XingDae

LAY AND CHEN TOGETHER ARE SO SOFT FIGHT ME

OK, you got this, Lay thought, breathing deeply. Come on, it's not that hard; just look him in the eye and ask him if he wants to grab lunch after classes tomorrow. It's not that difficult.

He gripped the notebook in one hand and raised his fist to knock on the door, only to freeze.

Wait, what if he doesn't say anything? Do I have to speak first? OK, I'll go with a nice, soft 'Hello.'

He nodded to himself, straightening his glasses and brushing off the front of his pants. He raised his fist again-

Weeeeell... I'm not a 'Hello' kind of guy. I'm more of, like, a 'Hey, how's it going?' or 'Hi there, nice to talk to you.' Wait, no, no one ever says that. Ugh, what's wrong with me?

He banged his forehead against the door, only to freeze. Oh no.

I BASICALLY JUST KNOCKED- OK, no turning back now! Stay calm, no need to panic, it's OK- DEEP BREATHS DAMN IT WE CAN DO THIS-

"Um... hello?"

Lay whipped around, startled. Chen stood there, coffee in one hand and a book bag strapped on the opposite shoulder. He gave a confused smile, making Lay's heart flutter.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH-

"H-Hello, Chen, is it?" Lay asked, looking up shyly. Chen's smile turned smaller, more cute. It made Lay's knees go weak.

"Yes, it is me, Chen. Sorry, were you standing out here for long? I have evening classes Tuesday to Thursday."

Of course, you dumbass. You messed up, he'll never go out with you-

"Oh my goodness, is that my notebook?"

Lay shook his head, ignoring that stupid voice in his head. "Uh, yeah... we're both in the theater department, a-and I saw that you left this onstage..."

He trailed off, blush creeping onto his cheeks as Chen looked on. He held it out to the shorter male, looking at his toes.

"So yeah, it's yours..." He murmured softly. He felt Chen take it gently from his hands, and he clasped them together.

Leave, you idiot. He hates you; he thinks you're a creep.

"Thank you..." Chen tilted his head, and Lay realized he never introduced himself properly.

"Lay. Well, my name is actually Zhang Yixing, but I hate my name, so..." He facepalmed, sighing. "Sorry, I suck."

"What? No you don't." Chen smiled down at his notebook. "This is the first time someone gave me my notebook back in person."

Lay frowned. "Really? But- why not be nice?"

Chen gasped, causing Lay to flinch. "That's exactly what I'm thinking! Be a decent human being for once!"

"Yes!" Lay exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Chen laughed his usual laugh, making Lay's heart flutter uncontrollably.

"Well," Chen yawned. "I will love to continue this wonderful conversation, but maybe not in the hallway. Would you like to come inside, have some coffee?"

Lay nodded, smiling shyly as he followed Chen inside. Soon he was laughing at the hilarious story Chen was telling, hiding his face.

"... that's why I hate chickens," Chen chuckled, wiping a stray tear away from laughing so hard. "Man, petting zoos in general."