Pins And Post-its

When He Becomes A Stranger

Four weeks and a day since they last breathe the same air, stood on the same ground and the first emotion that Daehyun felt was somewhere between Anger and Annoyance and Shock or everything mixed all together. And I would like to add Jealousy, I sincerely believe that everything sums up to Jealousy but Daehyun just doesn’t know it yet. 

Daehyun didn’t want to let go of Jongup. He didn’t want to make him leave again. But Daehyun doesn’t have any right to do what he wanted. Was he his brother? Was he another relative? Daehyun asked himself and of course he knew the answer – no. If only he asked for Jongup’s number when he had the chance, when Jongup could still freely and regularly come to the shop then he wouldn’t really feel anxious, but he didn’t so Daehyun couldn’t do anything but hope that Jongup would come back soon.

*~*~*

“What the fuck did you just do back there?” Jongup asked, worried and ill at ease.

“Calm down, it’s not like we don’t have this sort of game all the time,” Himchan calmly answered.

“But he doesn’t hang with the rest of us, so he might think of it the other way,” pointed out Jongup.

“Oh yeah,” drawled Himchan as he ease back on his seat. “Let’s go hangout on that coffee shop soon, okay?” and Himchan closed his eyes, instantly filtering out whatever protests or pleas Jongup wanted to say.

Jongup and Himchan came sooner than soon could’ve been. They came an afternoon after that incident. And boy what a deadpan face Daehyun has it’s not even funny. Himchan and Jongup came with heavy books that could count as alternatives to dumbbells, they sat at Jongup’s corner and laid out their things. They chat a little, joked a little, played a little and in between read and colored a lot, I mean, highlighted a lot as they sip coffees along those lines.

Daehyun could pass as an excellent stalker, he could steal glances at anytime without anyone else noticing. He could  even stare a bit lingeringly without being found out and whatever he has been thinking inside that head of his, I’m thankful that he’s being professional and had keep a good distance from them.

Himchan groaned as he stretched out his long arms, Daehyun’s eyes literally followed them, watching where they’d perch – to his sides, back on the table, on his head or at Jongup’s shoulder or just anywhere near Jongup. When Himchan kept them on the air, over his head, Daehyun exhaled in relief.

“Look at how colorful it is,” Himchan exclaimed as he studies his photocopy to which he has been reading for an hour and a half, its perfect black and white prints dabbed and painted with teal-like and fluorescent red-orange or salmon colors.

Jongup glanced at him, and rolled his eyes. “This isn’t a coloring book, Channie,” he scoffs as he goes on and makes a typical yellow highlight on some words or sentences that are important.

“It’s called Art therapy Jongup,” Himchan replied. “Besides, I only have one color and you,” he looks over Jongup’s shoulders and his eyebrows furrow in a bit of disapproval as if looking at a hypocrite at work. “You’ve got three different colors and with lines and circles and even sticky notes.” He said as he shakes his head and gave his friend a slow clap. “Don’t forget about me when you get to fourth year okay.”