XOXO Love, Dodo (HYUNGWONHO)

Chapter 1: Thriller and Mullets

October 27th - Friday - 20:59

I often ponder the hierarchies teenagers often categorizes themselves and each other in. Though, even as I ruminate this over with a yawn and awkward breeze between my bare legs - which Kihyun and Jooheon made me shave, mind you, with the reason of "if you're going to do it, don't half-ass it " - I am swayed by some innate knowledge that while I'm not unpopular necessarily, as, by definition, I'm actually rather very well-favored generally, I am definitely not "popular".

The difficulty at which I prescribe to explaining this is on equal footing to very little in my short lifespan; as difficult as attempting to comprehend my English teacher when she spirals off into philosophical tangents, and how Jooheon goes from spitting fire in the backseat of my car to KPOP instrumentals to, at times, being scared of his own shadow. It's one of those things that just is how it is. While I cannot place my finger on it, something feels wrong in being out here tonight; I'm neither startling attractive, athletic and on any sort of sports team, nor rich - I'm not popular, and that's alright. What isn't is the sense of not belonging tonight that never lets me forget I really, really shouldn't be here.

Locking the door of my shitty red minivan with the Dragon Ball Z decal on the back window corner, a beloved sentiment gifted to me by my parents (along with the car as a whole), the three of us amble down the street. In the distance, we can hear the very distinct rhythm of Thriller coming from the direction of Minhyuk's house, and both Kihyun and Jooheon begin to sing along. We're just close enough to see it (however, with a home as gargantuan as his, how could anyone with decent vision possibly miss it?), but far enough that my toes and ankles throb sorely from Jooheon's high heels amidst a brisk walk over. It's a mystery as to how I didn't dislocate an ankle - but, as they say, the night is still young. Oh, so very, very young. Kihyun is shivering from the cold as per usually. He uses the silken cape of his vampire costume to shield himself from every light, dainty breeze that feels like ice on my thighs.

"I'm already starting to regret this." Kihyun mutters as we cross the street, catching me when I stumble over myself. What most people are often unaware of us the somewhat disproportionate strength Kihyun will randomly exhibit. If he wanted to, he could throw me like a javelin, but, as of lately, I've begun to wonder if this is a statement of this strength, or merely my body's helplessness in the face of weight gain. "Jesus, Hyungwon, get a hold of yourself."

"I would if I could. I don't understand how women or Jooheon wear this without breaking an ankle." I reply.

"I don't." Jooheon argues back.

Kihyun and I stop to look at him. Kihyun's brows furrow. "Jooheon, your mom and none of the women you know own heels that are a men's size nine."

"But -"

"We still love you either way."

"But -"

A car de-accelerates beside us, just enough to follows up to us, their windows rolled down as the blast what sounds like Kendrick Lamar. A blaring honk punctuated by loud whistles and calls of 'nice legs!', and 'damn, girl!' startle me and never - absolutely never - have I ever felt so disgusted and irritated by another person as I do now.

"Hey, girl, why don't you ditch the two losers and hop in with us?" The asshole in the passenger seat hollers, biting his lip in the most pretentious manner. Is that a bad mullet I see? Like, a really, really bad mullet? "What's a tall model like you doing with such a short dude, anyway?"

I don't notice I'm still holding onto Kihyun until he violently prys himself away from me, crossing over the patch of grass, standing beside the stop-sign, with a furrow in his brown and protruding vein in his temple. Jooheon and I have to hold him back by his waist and arms, certain he'll put himself in danger, or go out of his way to spite this person, like kicking this guy's car or spit at him. The struggle Jooheon and I make to force Kihyun in place is surprising, as his unexpected strength has made itself presence loud and clear, dragging Jooheon and I a couple of feet with brute force. But, the longer this guy rambles on, the more I wish I was less sensible, or at least spiteful enough to let Kihyun do as he pleases. Kihyun definitely has the strength, but it's hard to say if he knows little (or at all) about fighting. "I'm not short - you mullet wearing mess of a human."