My Side - hyunin

twelve

☀︎︎☀︎︎☀︎︎

Jeongin popped a pretzel into his mouth and scooted closer to Hyunjin. They were sprawled out on Jeongin's bedroom floor their school assignments strewn all around them.

"Mmkay," Jeongin said between chews, "you just started reading A Midsummer Night's Dream. Tell me the basics of what you already know."

When Hyunjin didn't speak Jeongin looked up, his nose bumping into Hyunjin's. Jeongin pushed himself back and giggled. He hadn't realized he moved so close. "Sorry about that!"

Hyunjin's lips pressed into a thin line and he looked away. Jeongin's heart fell. Why was Hyunjin being so cold?

He laid a hand on Hyunjin's shoulder. Usually Jeongin could feel him relax underneath his fingertips whenever he did this. But this time, his body stiffened.

"Hyunjin what's wrong?"

"I can't focus," Hyunjin finally murmured.

"Well then we'll stop," Jeongin said simply, closing his book. Trying to help Hyunjin would be fruitless if what he was saying wasn't being retained. They'll rest a bit and try again later.

Jeongin stood up and flopped onto his bed. He patted next to him. He loved feeling the weight of someone lying next to him. He loved talking about everything and nothing.

"I should go."

"Hyunjin, no!" Jeongin shot up. Hyunjin was sliding his books and papers into his backpack, his eyes averted. "Tell me what's the matter, Hyunjin. Please. You know now how important it is to us that we help each other. It's important to me."

"You can't help me with this," Hyunjin protested. Jeongin patted the spot next to him again. Hyunjin sighed and threw back his head as he stood up and laid on the opposite end of the bed.

"Are you serious?" Jeongin grumbled and crawled closer to Hyunjin, so close that their legs were pressed together.

"Jeongin, don't."

"Don't what?" Jeongin asked. He didn't answer. What was with him? "You've been like this all week. You barely talked to me at Minho's birthday party, you haven't acknowledged me at all during school, you've bailed on me every single day for tutoring except for today. Are you gonna bail out of trick or treating this Friday, too?"

"No," Hyunjin said shortly.

"Then what is your deal?" Jeongin asked exasperatedly.

After a while, Hyunjin answered. "Nothing. I'm sorry I've been acting this way. I don't have an excuse or reason."

Jeongin knew what that was like. He rolled on his side to face Hyunjin but he still went on staring at the ceiling. "That's all you had to say, Hyunjinnie. I'm sorry for pestering you."

"You don't have to apologize for anything, Innie."

Innie.

Funny how when his other friends said that little nickname it had little to no effect. For some reason when Hyunjin said it, it made Jeongin's stomach flip.

"Have you ever been in love, Innie?"

A lump formed in Jeongin's throat. He despised this subject, but for Hyunjin's sake he let it slide. "I don't know about love. I've had crushes before."

"Crushes?"

Jeongin let out a short breath. "If you must know, I had a crush on Minho when I first met him. That faded really quick when I saw how he was with Jisung. Then I had some pretty weird feelings for Chan for a while. Those dissipated when I found out those feelings only really stemmed from admiration and platonic love. Just me being confused."