𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 - 𝐒𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠

"I Can't Be Your Second Best"

Yeosang sped out of his front door that Monday morning after break, eager to get to school and find Jongho as soon as possible before classes began. He carelessly wrapped the scarf around his neck and lower part of his face, attempting to keep his book bag straps in place as they kept slipping off his shoulders with every hard and quick step he took.

Minutes later the panting boy arrived, marching straight to the soccer field knowing Jongho would be there either stretching or practicing at this time. He made his way up to the bleachers and took a seat next to Jongho's stuff, snatching the other's hoodie and placing the younger's book bag on his lap to use as a pillow.

Yeosang had just finished pulling the rather large hoodie over his small frame when he spotted the boy he was looking for already staring at him. Jongho's eyes widened, genuinely startled to have seen Yeosang up this early for the second time since they've been talking to each other. He was for sure the elder would want to speak regarding the conversation they had on Friday, making him sweat more than he already was.

By the time practice was over for Jongho, Yeosang was on the edge of collapsing from how cold he was. He mentally cursed at himself for not having brought a thicker sweater but his impatience had pulled him by a string attached to his torso and now here he was, freezing.

"Yeosang-" Jongho grinned nervously. "Good morning..." he chuckled.

Before the conversation could go on further, Yeosang managed to pull out his phone from his pocket with his delicate fingers and unlock his way to the messaging app.

"Explain," he held the phone out, his hand trembling. "E-explain y-yourself or I w-will make you s-stand out here with m-me all day." Yeosang managed to complete through as his teeth chattered.

"There's nothing to explain," Jongho scratched the back of his head, putting on an innocent smile that not even a child would buy.

"Sh-shut up, I d-don't believe you." Yeosang frowned. "When I asked if y-you had asked your crush, you t-turned the question on me. Why? Then when I replied 'yes' you left me on s-seen. Why?" Yeosang waved the phone in the air.

"One question at a time, Yeosang," Jongho held his hands out, trying to calm the elder. Yeosang smacked Jongho's hand away, his face scrunching up into a frown.

"C-could you p-please listen t-to me?" Yeosang cried out. "I'm confused, Jongho, seriously!" Jongho finally gave in, sighing and taking a seat next to the shivering boy. Yeosang turned his whole body to face Jongho, his eyebrows still remaining furrowed as if he was lost in thought. Yeosang knew what he wanted to say though, it was nothing to go over any longer. After that late talk with Jongho, the wheels in his head started turning. Maybe he was being delusional, self- centered, whatever term applied to his conclusion, but he needed an answer. Now.

"Go on," Jongho motioned with his hand. The elder took a deep breath, his whole body trembling as he inhaled the cool air.

"I thought about what you said on Friday, a lot," Yeosang said slowly.

"Damn, it was already Friday? I really thought it was still Thursday," Jongho commented.

"Jongho, s-shut the f-fuck up for a m-minute and listen- Fuck! Why am I so c-cold?" Yeosang pulled the sleeves of the hoodie over his hands and stuffed them in the pocket of the hoodie.

"I'm sorry, go on." Jongho finally made eye contact with Yeosang and provided his full attention. The intense stare of the other, however, started to make Yeosang feel warm and small, almost as if he wanted to hop into the arms of the other. Jongho's stare wasn't cold, or mean, it was a look of concern and sincere compassion to listen to the other. For a second, Yeosang felt important. For a second, Yeosang felt wanted. For a second, Yeosang felt-