𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐨

14

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"But, I'll say them, if you're willing to take the risk."

The words bounced around in Minghao's skull. Losing Junhui over a few words, now that certainly was a risk. One of which he didn't want to take. How could he stand to lose his best friend, his other half, his junnie? Still, he couldn't stand the thought of not knowing how the elder was feeling.

It was now or never, he could either tell the taller boy to stop, ending the conversation as the two continued to avoid each other for reasons of which he did not know. The other option; let him speak, allowing the words to leave Junhui's lips, words that would apparently change his life forever

Minghao decided to go for it, nodding his head slightly. He couldn't stand being in the dark about all this, being cut out of his best friends life without any explanation. Plus, the elder was just being dramatic, a few simple words, a mere sentence couldn't break apart years of friendship; could they?

"Go ahead."

Junhui watched as Minghao moved his hand closer to him, signalling him to continue. He felt his stomach drop, the boy in front of him clearly did not know the weight of the whole situation. He couldn't tell him, he wouldn't; and yet he had to. He had already explained the risk to the younger, and he had ignored it.

The elder too was in a now or never stance. Don't tell him, leave him in the dark. Continue to avoid Minghao and run the chance of their friendship fading over time. Or, tell him the truth, the honesty behind his actions that could make their relationship shatter in mere seconds

"You sure you want me too?"

There was a hopefullness laced in Junhui's voice. Almost as if he was begging for Minghao to change his mind, stopping him from having to come clean. In all honesty, if coming clean meant it would make the younger view him in a bad way, he would rather be dirty

"I'm sure."

With those words, Minghao sealed the deal. He didn't know why the elder was so scared about saying a few words. Junhui on the other hand couldn't wrap his head around why the younger boy was so calm, listening to the consequences as if they meant nothing

But it was too late, the boy was in too deep. All the grains of sand had fallen through his fingers, the hands of the clock once again landing in twelve. The alarm ringing in his mind, making the words run off his tongue and out into the air

"I like you Xu Minghao."

The younger felt his heart stop. He must have heard him wrong, this couldn't be happening. How could his best friend, say something like that to him. Had he misinterpreted him? Was it all some kind of joke?