Dancing King

Chapter 8

We FINALLY found both my laptop and its charger. I can work on my real novel guys. Excitement is in the air.

...

Junmyeon's POV

...

Sunday mornings usually meant dramas and breakfast in front of the TV at almost noon because I slept in. But as with the last couple of days, something didn't feel right. I awoke as the first watery rays of light peeked above the horizon, the morning frost turning everything stunningly white. Instead of turning on a drama after I got myself dressed, I sat back on my bed, my notes spread out across the sheets. Tomorrow started the first round of semester finals.

After a good couple hours of pouring over notes, I sat back, blinking a couple times as words swam across my vision. Problems, vocab words, deadlines... All of it loomed in the air around my head. I sighed, standing up as my limbs screamed in protest after being still for so long. I made my way downstairs to the kitchen, greeting mom as I passed. The single blue rose I'd gotten her a few nights ago sat proudly in a vase in the middle of the table. She sat at one end, pouring over a paper with a mug of coffee beside her.

"What are you reading about?" I asked, pouring myself a cup of coffee and reaching into the cabinet for some cereal. Mom hummed in response, but otherwise she didn't say anything. I poured myself some cereal, sitting at the table across from her. She flipped a page in her paper. I took a few bites of food. I glanced up to her. Even with her chin tilted down and a gentle frown on her face, she looked stunning. I see why dad fell so fast for someone like her.

After breakfast I kissed her cheek and made my way back upstairs, plunking down onto my bed, sending papers everywhere. I sighed, scrubbing my face with my palms. Just a couple more weeks and winter break would be upon us. I could survive this. But studying suddenly didn't hold an appeal, even if I knew it was necessary. I packed everything back into my bag except my note cards, stuffing those in the pockets of my jeans. I pulled a sweater over my head, added a scarf, then threw my jacket on over that. I laced my sneakers on my feet. Finally I was ready.

"I'm going for a walk," I called. Another hum in response. As I stepped outside, I was a little shocked by the sight that greeted me. Since I'd woken up, a thick layer of clouds had covered the sun, turning the sky a muted grey. I stuck a hand out as tiny white flakes fell, watching as they instantly melted on my skin. I smiled serenely to myself. Snow. It was really snowing before Christmas. I pulled the hood of my sweater over myself, beginning my quiet walk around my neighborhood. I didn't have a real destination in mind. My feet carried me wherever they wanted.

I walked passed Baekhyun's house, gazing up to see if I could make out his figure in the window. But he wasn't there today. Maybe he was downstairs, or still sleeping. I walked around the corner to Kyungsoo's, shocked to see both vehicles there today. Both his parents worked a lot, so it was unusual to see both cars squished into their driveway. I walked as far as Chanyeol's even, and I paused to wonder what he was to Baekhyun. A friend, Baekhyun would always say like it was the most obvious thing in the world. But he couldn't fool me. I saw the way his eyes lit up every time Chanyeol's name was mentioned. The certain tick of his lips. His special smile. The way his footsteps seemed lighter whenever the giant boy was around.

"Jun." I turned around quickly, then waited patiently as Yixing caught up to me. I chuckled quietly as he skidded to a stop beside me, reaching out and brushing the light dusting of snow flakes from his hair. "What are you doing out?" he asked, completely ignoring my gesture from a second ago. "It's snowing," he added, his chocolate eyes dancing in the half light.

"Yes, it is," I replied, continuing on. He fell in step beside me. "As for what I'm doing out... I don't really know. Needed some fresh air I guess." We walked together in silence, save for the sound of crunching snow underfoot. I didn't mention rising with the sun, feeling hollow and lost without my usual Saturday activity. "What about you?" I asked when the silence had stretched on long enough. For an extra beat, he didn't say anything.