umbrella ¦ na jaemin

ch ; 20

.・。.・゜✭・20 .・✫・゜・。.

Whispered Affections

Sleep evaded Jaemin that night, his mind consumed not only by a certain girl but also by the whispered conversations of his two best friends, Mark and Donghyuck.

Mark and Donghyuck.

He resisted the urge to push Mark aside, mindful not to disturb their other sleeping friends.

He was used to sleeping on the ground since they always had sleepovers very often, Renjun's parents were in China which made Renjun live with his aunt for most of his life here in South Korea until he turned 17. His parents bought a small house to give him.

Turning restlessly, Jaemin retrieved his phone from his bag. Scrolling through his contacts, he hesitated on a familiar number, debating whether to call.

She's probably asleep, Jaem. Don't do it.

The thought crossed his mind, but impulsively, his finger tapped the screen, causing him to drop the phone with a loud thud. A groan from one of his friends and the sudden silence of their whispers followed. Jaemin muttered an apology, then cautiously picked up his phone, heart racing as he waited for her to answer.

"Hi," came a soft voice after a few moments, barely audible.

"I can barely hear you," Jaemin teased lightly.

"It's fucking 2 am, Jaem. Everyone's asleep. Unless you think otherwise." He let out a breathy chuckle.

Jaemin smiled and instantly stood up from his sleeping bag and went straight to the door, leaning against the railing. "Come out."

"What?"

"Come out," he insisted softly.

"You're driving me crazy, Jaem. Why would I go out. It's freaking freezing outside."

"I want to see you."

Badly.

There was a moment of silence on the line.

His eyes fixed on her wooden front door, Jaemin waited, his heart pounding in anticipation.

He watched as she cautiously closed the door behind her, dressed in pajamas and a cardigan that draped elegantly below her knees.

Even in such casual attire, she looked effortlessly beautiful to him. The sight of her from a distance made his heart race, hoping she couldn't hear it through the phone.

"Why do you sound like you've just ran a marathon and what are you still doing at Renjun's house?"

I'd run a marathon to your heart, if I could.

"Hey." He replied with a smile, hearing her giggle through the line, his gaze fixed on her

"Hi."

"Why aren't you asleep." He asked.

"Had a fight with mom." she replied sadly.

"I'm sorry," Jaemin offered sympathetically.

"You don't need to apologize, Jaem. It's not your fault... What about you?"

He wanted to tell her about how she occupied his thoughts, how he wondered what it would be like to be more than just friends.

"Mark and Haechan won't stop whispering beside me," he admitted with a laugh.

"Mhm. Poor you, I guess."

"Well, we still have school later and I can't afford to oversleep. You should get back to sleep."

I don't want to.

"You're right. Sorry for bothering you so late." he apologized softly. He waved his wand to her, and so did she.

"It's okay, I couldn't sleep anyway. You should rest, Jaem. See you later. Goodnight." He saw your smile which made his heart do flips.

He heard the smile in her voice, making his heart skip a beat. "See you. Goodnight. Dream of me."

"You wish. Bye, Jaem."

"Bye."

Jaemin ended the call and watched as she waved at him before disappearing back inside. A small smile tugged at his lips as he returned inside, carefully settling back down among his sleeping friends in the living room. The whispers had ceased, replaced by a contented silence as he drifted off to sleep with a hopeful heart and a faint smile.

He fell asleep that night with a small smile and a hopeful heart. He didn't know someone had also fallen asleep with a bloom of hope in their hearts.

-

Morning arrived, and Jaemin entered the school grounds with his friends just in front of him, already full of energy in the morning. His eyes scanned the familiar surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Spotting her figure at her locker, chatting with friends, Jaemin quickened his pace, then slowed as he approached.

"Good morning," he greeted, causing her to startle slightly and turn towards him.

"Good morning, Jaem. You seem unusually chipper. What's up?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Because of you," he blurted out without thinking.

She froze, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still around them. Her heart fluttered wildly, butterflies dancing in her stomach as she struggled to process his words.

Searching his eyes for any hint of teasing, she found only sincerity, causing her knees to weaken slightly. Their breaths mingled in the quiet moment that followed, and she opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her.

Why does he have this effect on me? Just one sentence, and I'm rendered speechless.

The school bell rang suddenly, breaking the spell. She looked away from Jaemin, offering a thin smile. "See you later," she squeaked softly.

Jaemin watched her walk away, his heart still racing. Releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, he placed a hand over his chest, feeling as if his heart might burst from his chest at any moment.

"It looks like you're about to explode," Donghyuck teased, appearing beside him with a knowing smile.

"Dude. Let's get to class before that happens, yeah?" Mark added, joining them.

Jaemin chuckled softly, grateful for his friends' presence. As they walked towards their first class, he couldn't shake the lingering image of her smile from his mind.

-

Continued.