silence is bliss,, renmin

seven.

renjun returned to the campus the next day by himself. lucas was running late, which is strange. he walked to his class sitting down and pulling all of his books out.

"aw, the mute's big friend isn't here today," someone said as they passed him. 

"i wonder if he finally drove him off too," another stated.

"i heard that his whole family left him because he stopped talking," they gossiped.

"imagine having to put up with something so pathetic," one mumbled. 

"honestly, what could stop you from talking?" someone else said.

renjun listened to the lecture. he took notes, following along with the classes. a break between classes started, for 30 minutes. 

renjun walked outside, the wind blowing lightly as he sat on a bench, under a tree. he put headphones on and listened to music.

he pulled his legs up and hugged his knees as he watched the world before him. he was separated. he didn't talk, there was a level between him and everyone else.

that level was split with xuxi. he understood him. and that radio host. jaemin. he understood him. he. he made renjun feel normal. something he hasn't felt in years. 

he sat there, under the trees, and suddenly his friend showed up. he apologized repeatedly before hugging renjun. classes started again and they flew bye. no one dared to say anything about the small boy when the taller was there.

he left as renjun sat in the art department. painting more sunflowers. he's probably painted hundreds of sunflowers. it was one of those days though. 

as he finished. the door opened and the pink-haired boy walked into the room. renjun stood up and walked with him. 

"so junnie, i was thinking, you know how today we don't have the radio show, well i thought we could go out for coffee at a small cafe a little ways off campus,"jaemin asked as they walked.

renjun just nodded making sure jaemin could see as they walked for the older's car. they drove off and parked in front of the cafe.

they got out, and renjun texted what he wanted to jaemin, the older boy paying for it, not letting renjun pay him back. 

they sat down at a booth and jaemin talked while renjun responded via text and that's how renjun asked jaemin questions.

they got to know each other and enjoyed each other's company. renjun smiling the most he's done in 4 years.

as the night fell later and later. jaemin decided it was getting late and drove the smaller boy home, making sure he was safe before driving to his apartment.