FAKE & TRUE.

Chapter 13: Start line.

⤿ YANG JEONGIN.

Jeongin was walking to the train station when he felt someone tug at his wrist. He turned around with wide eyes, afraid he was about to get mugged. He sighs out loud when he sees Hyunjin's face, too calm to be in this situation. Hyunjin looked straight into Jeongin's eyes with that cold eyes of his, lips in a straight line. Jeongin felt like his face was on fire. Jeongin pulls his hand away harshly, taking a step back.

"Listen. I don't care what you say, I'm going to keep hanging out with you." Hyunjin says boldly, avoiding Jeongin's eyes. "Why? Why are you so persistent to be my friend?" Jeongin asks with knitted eyebrows, he didn't seem angry, confused was to put it in words. "I have my reasons alright? Maybe one day I'll tell you." Jeongin scoffs shaking his head, looking at the orange sky. "Just please, give me a chance to show you I'm not like what people say at school alright?"

Player.

Unintelligent.

Emotionless.

Worthless.

Jeongin bites his lips at the words people around the school had used on Hyunjin's name, chewing on the skin until a metallic taste had hit his tongue. "Okay." Jeongin breathed through his nose, he wants to regret it. He wants to tell himself- I told you so- that this was a mistake. He sees Hyunjin flash a lop sided smile, just a small one- he wants to smile as well, he just can't find the strength to. "What are you doing now?"- "Home- I think."

Jeongin stood behind Hyunjin, looking at the modern-like house, it clearly costed fortunes. "My parents aren't home, so don't be shy- if that's possible." Hyunjin had invited him home to play some games, Jeongin practically had no choice.

The house seemed like no one lived in it. It was empty, the interior was simple and had no life to it. Jeongin compared it to his home, lively and full of life- plants, colour and sounds were present, unlike this house. It was quiet and had no colours. "Your parents.. are they often home?" Hyunjin seemed surprised Jeongin spoke, the former was bent trying to turn on his game. "No. The last time I saw them was probably two months ago."

Transferred money into your account. Should last you a week. - that messaged from Hyunjin's mother had made more sense. Hyunjin wasn't spoiled greedy brat that leeched off his parents for money, he needed that money in order to survive on his own without his parents. Jeongin regrets speaking so nastily.

"Which do you prefer? Shooting games or- hey, what's wrong? You look a little flushed" Hyunjin asked concernedly. Jeongin jumped in his seat, realising that he had left Hyunjin hanging. "Uh- You choose. I don't really play games." Liar. Changbin had told Hyunjin about how they used to play games until they passed out from lack of sleep.

"You sure? You seem like you're beating me- keyword on 'seem' haha!" Hyunjin proudly wore a bright smile, making Jeongin crack a small one of his own, shyly smiling with red cheeks. "Try saying that again."

"Thanks- for today, I apologise if the way I talked to you made you feel bad, I'm just not used to people talking to me like this, not anymore at least." Jeongin muttered the last sentence, thinking Hyunjin wouldn't have caught on. They were on a calm walk to Jeongin's house, it was dark and the air was chilly- it made Jeongin hug the blue sweater tighter. "It's alright. I understand." Hyunjin smiled at the shorter, Jeongin understood why girls would kill for that charming smile, Hyunjin had charms that made up for his player image.

"You really love and treasure that sweater, yeah?" Hyunjin watched Jeongin clutch the fabric as if it was his life, it was- wasn't it? Hyunjin thought with heaviness in his chest. "Yeah, means a lot to me." Hyunjin thought he made mistake asking, seeing the way Jeongin's eyes curve in a sad way, sad smile tugging on his lips.

They parted away with small smiles that night.