blush [ moonbae ]

sixteen

Kevin silently stabbed a fork into the waffle that sat on his plate, the diner's cheerful music playing in the background.

"That's why I hate that class," Eric finished telling a story. "I wanna change my schedule so bad."

The boy next to him, Changmin, laughed. "You'll survive," he said encouragingly. "I've had worse."

Kevin couldn't help but stare down at the table. He'd come to the restaurant only expecting Eric and Juyeon, but a couple of other boys had apparently also been invited.

Naturally he felt awkward as hell. He didn't know anyone besides Eric, and the more people there were, the quieter he became.

The boy sitting to his right, Juyeon, gently tapped his shoulder.

Kevin looked over at him questioningly. "Yeah?"

Juyeon glanced across the table to where Eric and Changmin chatted mostly by themselves.

"I get the feeling that you don't really wanna be here," Juyeon spoke quietly, watching the other boys as to make sure they weren't listening.

Kevin stared at him for a moment. "Uh..." was all he could say in reply. How the hell did Juyeon know that?

"It's fine, I don't really want to either," Juyeon admitted, picking up the soda he'd bought and taking a sip out of the straw.

Kevin gave him a look. "Why...?" he asked.

Juyeon shrugged. "Just not really in the mood for it."

The two were silent for a moment, the boys across the table still engrossed in whatever conversation it was.

"I'm gonna go to the shop next door and get ice cream," Juyeon stated. "Come with me."

Kevin would've given the boy a weird look if he was bold enough. Instead, he kept his concern bottled up, letting his questioning thoughts fester in his brain.

"Okay..." Kevin agreed, seeing it as an escape opportunity at least. Juyeon nodded, satisfied, and slipped out of the booth, standing up.

"Me and Kevin are gonna get ice cream," Juyeon announced to the table, a couple of the guys turning and looking. "If you want anything just text me."

Kevin didn't miss the weird look that Eric sent towards Juyeon at the statement.
He stood up as well, following behind Juyeon, who he didn't see send an equally challenging look back.

"Come on," Juyeon murmured to the Canadian, gesturing for him to follow him out of the store.

As Kevin walked behind the other, he couldn't help but think over the boy's reasonings. What was the point of him being so friendly all of a sudden?

Well, Juyeon had always been friendly, but... Kevin still couldn't help but question his motives.

Juyeon swung the door open, gesturing for Kevin to exit before him. Kevin did so, and looked warily towards the boy as he shut the door behind the two.

"Finally, Jesus," Juyeon breathed out as the two stood alone on the sidewalk. "I've been wanting to get you alone for ages. I'll buy you ice cream so they don't question it, alright? Let's talk."

Kevin raised an eyebrow at this. "Sure...? Let's go, then," he said, now kind of interested.

The pair entered the shop, the cashier greeting them cheerfully. Juyeon greeted back, looking over the items on the menu.

"Choose something, I'll pay for it," he offered.

"Oh, no, you don't have to..." Kevin tried to protest, yet Juyeon gave him a look that only said he wouldn't take no for an answer.