8| Eight

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"Want to work on our project after school today? We can go to my house," Jaehyun asked the still seated Taeyong.

Yesterday he realized he never had the older over. He'd rather not, but he thought it would be a nice change of pace and scenery. Considering they always went to Taeyong's place to work.

His lifeless house wasn't appealing with its unnerving emptiness. But it was still apart of him, and he wanted to share with Taeyong the tiny pieces that made him a whole. The older somehow compelled his way into becoming one of those pieces, and quite a big one too.

So he stood patiently waiting for a response. The suspense killed him. "Sorry. I have to stay after school again." Taeyong made no move to stand. His head hung low behind his hoodie as he avoided eye contact. Jaehyun didn't expect that, and he felt his shoulders dip in disappointment.

He took the hint that the ravenette wanted to be left alone and automatically headed towards Johnny's direction. But he saw Ten and him laughing together and decided against it. They probably had plans together or something. Instead, he pivoted on his heels and beelined out of the class.

When he made it out of the school, he looked for the nearest bench and approached it. He felt a warm, heavy sensation weigh down his chest and needed to sit before his weak knees gave out on him. There was a boy already sitting on the bench, but he ignored Jaehyun and typed away on his phone. So he sat on the opposite end and took out his phone.

The bench was under an Angel Oak Tree in the middle of the school's courtyard. It was a pretty and tranquilizing spot. Jaehyun plugged his earbuds into his phone and pressed shuffle on a random playlist. Once they were in his ears, he closed his eyes in a peaceful daze and leaned back. The reverie relaxed his tense body and thoughts.

A sudden tug on his sleeve interrupted it, though. He trailed his gaze from the fingers on his sleeve up to the arm until he was face to face with the kid who was on his phone a second ago. "Are you okay? You're crying." The kids soft and accented voice pointed out. He handed Jaehyun a tissue.

He didn't even notice the wet tears staining his cheeks. They left his eyes so delicately. He took the tissue and quietly thanked the kid beside him. "Why are you out here all alone? Wouldn't you rather be at home or with your friends?" Jaehyun asked, shoving the used tissue in his jeans pocket when he finished wiping the tears.

"I don't have friends.." He responded, looking away in embarrassment.

Jaehyun nodded to himself and observed the younger-looking male in front of him. Soft light brown hair rested on the top of his head. He had full pale cheeks, and Jaehyun had to refrain from pinching them.

He looked so friendly and approachable, it was unbelievable. How could he not have friends? Jaehyun then remembered the slight accent and uncertainty his tone held when he spoke to him. He was probably new and came from a place out of the country. "Hi, I'm Jaehyun. Want to be friends?" Jaehyun asked, sitting up and holding his hand out.

Chenle looked back at Jaehyun and, hesitantly, took his hand. With a shy nod, he said in barely a whisper, "I'm Chenle." His voice was small like the hand Jaehyun suffocated with his own.

"Well, Chenle, are you hungry?" Jaehyun shoved his earbuds and phone back in his pocket.

The brunette nodded. "Then follow me! I happen to where the best diner is in town." Jaehyun stood up and waited for Chenle as he did the same. After making sure they had everything, Jaehyun led the way to their destination. A timid Chenle following shortly behind. As they walked, Jaehyun initiated small conversations with the younger so he could feel more comfortable.

"Are you a freshie?"

"Yes," Chenle sighed out, already predicting the teasing from the senior.

They got to learn more things about each other, and Chenle felt like he could be himself around the other. Jaehyun's ears were about to fall off at the amount of talking the other could do. He talked about anything and everything he could. Then came the uniquely high-pitched dolphin laugh, and boy did it startle Jaehyun.

But he enjoyed it. Hanging out with Chenle temporarily filled the gap missing in his heart from recent neglect.

Soon enough, they were standing at the entrance of the vintage looking restaurant. Painted in red and white on the wooden sign above the door was Sun&Moon. Jaehyun opened the door and walked in first, holding the door open for Chenle as well.

The interior was old fashioned. It resembled an 80's style diner. Red popped out as the main color scheme of the place. They walked over to a table and sat on opposite ends, so they faced each other. The red sitting booth sunk under Jaehyun's weight. Leather conformed with their bodies.

Sun&Mood diner had a cozy and comfortable ambiance, as the wanted projection from the owner. The said owner personally went over to take their orders. "Hey, Jaehyun! Finally, came to visit, huh?"

"Had to see what you have to offer, Taeil." Jaehyun smiled warmly at his friend. He was proud of Taeil, who wanted to open his own business for a while and succeeded. "It's a nice place you got."

"Thanks! Now, what would you and your adorable friend like to order?" Taeil took a small notepad and pen out of his white apron pocket.

The two skimmed over the menu and ordered what appealed to them at the moment. Taeil wrote it down, and Chenle introduced himself. To which Taeil cooed shamelessly at him, causing the other to blush wildly in embarrassment.

When they got their food, they continued their conversations. Taeil became too busy at this time of the day to join them.

"Do you like anyone? As in like like?" Chenle hesitantly asked.

Jaehyun softly smiled. "Yeah. Why?"

Chenle fidgeted with the white salt shaker and asked, "Why didn't you tell them yet?"

Jaehyuj thought for a bit. He knew he liked Taeyong, yet he didn't say anything. Was it because he was scared of rejection? No. He was scared of crumbling down the friendship the two built. And that's what he told Chenle. "Why?"

"Because I like this boy, and I'm too scared to tell him. I want to," Chenle quietly said. "This has never happened to me before. I'm usually good at telling people I like them!"

Jaehyun chuckled. "It's okay. You'll be able to eventually. Maybe you need to talk to him more?"

Chenle nodded in agreement. "Thanks for dinner!"

𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 •jaeyong• [On Hold]Where stories live. Discover now