HELIOTROPE ↻ NCT DREAM

ten

"Hey, it's almost time for class. I'll get going now." Donghyuck announced as he noticed the large clock at the top of the entrance. With that, he started gathering his stuff and putting it inside his backpack, getting the attention of both Jaemin and Ayeon who were doing their respective school work.

Hyuck went around the table and quickly pecked Ayeon in the cheek, who titled her head upwards to give him better access.

Ayeon hummed in response, eyes still fixated on her laptop screen. "Alright, good luck."

Jaemin who saw the whole thing had his mouth hung ajar, trying to register what happened. His eyes jumped from Ayeon to Hyuck, and Hyuck to Ayeon repeatedly, bewildered.

The air that surrounded them was suddenly filled with awkward tension.

Ayeon who was quick to cover it up, acted on impulse. "What the?! What was that for, Hyuck?" She blurted out, acting as if she was trying to wipe her cheek using the back of her hand.

Hyuck cleared his throat, swiftly moving towards Jaemin's side. He bent forward facing Jaemin, attempting to kiss him as well. However, the other boy resisted and pushed him away in a playful manner, sticking his tongue out.

"No kiss for you then." Hyuck declared, turning around to finally leave the two. "Your loss." He trailed off, giving Jaemin one last glance, sending a wink and a flying kiss his way.

Once the two were left alone, Ayeon knew what Jaemin would whine about. Thus, she had her eyes focused on the paper she's finishing, typing away for the boy to leave her alone.

"Oh, I know exactly what you're doing." Jaemin chuckled playfully as he drummed his fingers on the table before leaning in and pointing his index towards the girl, squinting his eyes at her.

Trying not to act awkward as they were caught, Ayeon finally let her eyes look back at him with her chin up.

"What do you mean?" She questioned while shaking her head, acting innocent.

"So... you and Hyuck, huh?" He interrogated, a brow lifted, still leaned in as his arms were crossed, sitting straight.

"Amazing! You answered me with a question." She uttered flatly and shook her head, ignoring what the boy said.

The young woman leaned back on her chair and started continuing her work which cause the boy to pout.

"That's it. I'm pulling out the friend card." He sighed, getting Ayeon's attention back at him who scowled in response.

"As your friend, I want you to be open and honest with me. We shouldn't be keeping secrets from each other." The boy trailed off softly, pouting his lips and fluttering his eyes, trying to act cute.

A sigh escaped the girl's lips. "You're lucky I can't resist you." She announced in defeat, raising both her arms.

"I'm cute, I know." Jaemin said cheekily to which Ayeon rolled her eyes to.

"So, remember back last week, when he was complaining about not knowing it." Ayeon started, pointing towards her inked neck.

The boy nodded excitedly in response, clasping his hands together, grinning. "This one's gonna be a good one."

"Well, he confessed to me, saying that it better be because of him because he harbors feelings for me or things might get really awkward between us." The girl narrated and to that, the boy's expression became serious as he listened carefully.

The memory came rushing back in her head, still vivid as ever as if it was only yesterday. When in fact, three days had passed. It made her heart giddy with joy. She felt like it was a dream. And if it was, Ayeon wouldn't want to ever wake up again. But that wasn't the case. The young woman was very much alive. She poked her cheeks and even tried pinching her arms. She could feel it all.

As Ayeon watched Donghyuck slowly turn and walk away from her on that day, she finally found the strength and courage in her to move from her frozen state. She didn't know what to do nor had any plan in mind, hence, she acted on impulse. Without second thoughts, her legs had strayed moving on their own - long strides as she tried to catch up with the boy. Once Hyuck was an arm away, she let her arms snake around him, hugging him from behind.

The action caught the boy off guard. It was his turn to become frozen.

"What would you do if I tell you I like you?" From behind, Ayeon could feel the thumping of Hyuck's heart. The young girl hugged him tighter as she shut her eyes, focusing on his heartbeats.

Unknowingly, a hint of smile appeared on Ayeon face upon the thought.

"So, do you really have feelings for him or you're acting that the feeling is mutual for the sake of things not getting awkward between the two of you?" Jaemin asked curiously, shaking his head as he was baffled. The question brought back Ayeon to reality and away from reminiscing the certain moment.

Ayeon felt her cheeks start to burn. Confessing to Donghyuck that she felt the same was one thing. However, her confessing to others about it was certainly something that makes her feel nervous and a bit uneasy.

Silence engulfed them for a brief second as she took her time to articulate her thoughts into words. With one final breath, she let her eyes meet Jaemin's curious gaze.

"I like him. I like Donghyuck, and we would like to see where things are headed for us."