Mingyu was staring at a book on the table. He had been digging into that book since he bought it last night, reading before he went to sleep, while he was having breakfast, in between classes, and now while he wait his friends for lunch. He was so absorbed that he didn't realize someone approched his table and took a seat across him, until the person yanked the book from him.
"Hey!"
"Composing Music 101: The Definitive Guide to Becoming a Composer...?"
The person, Lee Jihoon, raised his eyebrows until they almost touch his pink bangs.
Mingyu mumbled something about having no choice since Jihoon wouldn't help him. Jihoon looked like he was trying to say something, but didn't get the chance because Wonwoo and Jun approached from behind. After seeing the two boys, Mingyu quickly hid the book in his bag. Jihoon gave him a questioning look, but Mingyu ignored him.
The four boys exchanged greetings and quickly their table was filled with chat and laughter. Then Mingyu glanced at his watch.
"Where's Jeonghan-hyung?"
"He... might not sit with us today," said Jun in a supicious manner. Wonwoo replied "Nah, I doubt that" and then turned to Mingyu and Jihoon who didn't have the slightest clue.
"Choi is at it again." Wonwoo said it matter-of-factly.
Jihoon just gave an "oh" while Mingyu grimmaced.
"I think Jeonghan-hyung will go for Choi," Jun said, smiling confidently.
"From all the girls and guys who's after him? No. No way it's going to be Choi Seungcheol." Wonwoo said with a straight face.
Jun rolled his eyes. "Don't you know that Choi Seungcheol is pretty popular too? He's not my type but I get it. He's tall, got that half foreigner look, nice and cool attitude, good rep as member of the soccer team. Well yeah, he can be a bit embarrasing at times, but all in all he's pretty cute, don't you think?"
Wonwoo looked as if he has lost trust in the world. Mingyu and Jihoon couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Wonwoo doubting his judgement, Jun started his talk about the popularity rank in their university and what he thinks about the girls and guys that made the list. After getting into the fifth person, Jun suddenly stopped.
"Well, look who's finally here."
The rest of the group turned their faces to the direction where Jun was looking. They saw Jeonghan walking with a guy equally tall as him. The guy had black hair with straight bangs. He and Jeonghan was walking while having a chat. His eyes never left Jeonghan's face but Jeonghan didn't seem to notice. If Jeonghan did, he didn't show any discomfort whatsoever.
The guy, Seungcheol, stopped Jeonghan for a moment, gesturing to a table at the far corner of the cafeteria. Jeonghan smiled but shook his head, waving his untied red hair in the process. Seungcheol looked obviously disappointed, but smiled anyway as he waved goodbye. Jeonghan continued to walk until he arrived at their table.
"I thought you'll be having a lunch date with Choi," said Jun.
"No, because I'm not dating him."
Jun said "Yeah, sure" and gave a suspicious look, but Jeonghan just laugh. For a while they enjoyed their lunch and chat.
Then something catches Jihoon's attention. The others realized it and tried to see what distracted Jihoon. Upon seeing the target, Mingyu groans. Jun let out an "Oooh", eyes sparkling just like everytime he finds something that pique his interest. Wonwoo deadpanned while Jeonghan rolled his eyes to his friends' reactions.
A guy was walking towards them. His copper hair was divided on one side and combed up. He was tall and lean. His eyes has the look of confidence but didn't make him look much of a snob. Maybe it was thanks to his pink small lips with edges curving upwards, giving a friendly aura.
The guy arrived at the table and greeted them. Eyes focused on Jeonghan.
Everyone gave a short "Hey" and Jun let out a "Yo, Hong Jisoo!". Jisoo sat next to Jeonghan.
"I see you here more than I see our dean. And you don't even go to this university." Jun said.
Jisoo smiled. "My brother is thinking of going here so I'm taking a look at the place."
"Your brother won't be going to uni in two years. It's a bit too soon, don't you think?" Wonwoo said.
"It's better to be prepared as soon as possible."
Yeah whatever. Everyone knows what's his real reason is. Wonwoo, Jun, Jihoon glanced towards Jeonghan.
Jeonghan was not fazed by this and continued the chat. "So, you don't have any gigs or classes?"
"There's one later." Jisoo looked at Jeonghan's eyes while producing a ticket from his pocket.
"I was thinking if you'd like to come and watch."
Jihoon exchanged glances with Jun and Wonwoo, his fingers curled in an expression of distaste. Wonwoo looked like he wanted to throw up while Jun laughed without letting out any sound.
"We're going to hang out after class," said Mingyu.
Jun quickly added, "Nah, we hangout everyday. It's not like Jeonghan-hyung would miss anything."
Mingyu glared at Jun but Jun just shrugged.
Jeonghan looked at Jisoo and smiled. He touched Jisoo's hand which were holding the ticket and said, "I'm sorry. Maybe next time."
Jisoo, still smiling, said that it's okay and he will definitely prepare the ticket for the next gig. As soon as he left their table, Jun opened his mouth.
"I changed my mind. You should go after Jisoo. He's richer." Jun commented about Hong Jisoo the rising star. Jisoo rose to fame after he posted videos of him singing and playing guitar on the net. Now he's a part time student and part time heartthrob sensation.
Jeonghan just laughed. Meanwhile Mingyu look as if someone had just insulted him. "Jeonghan-hyung shouldn't go out with someone just because of money."
"Hyung can get it with a smile and a flap of his hair. Why not?"
"Hey! Don't talk as if Jeonghan-hyung is some slut!"
Wonwoo and Jihoon looked taken aback by Mingyu's reaction. Jun just shrugged.
Jeonghan said softly. "Mingyu. You know that Jun doesn't mean that. It's just the way he talks." Jeonghan glanced at Jun and said "Gives the conversation some sparks, eh?" Jun nodded in agreement, a smug on his face.
"Besides, I do like money," Jeonghan said playfully. Jun let out a "See!" with a I-told-you-so look.
"But you deserve the best!" Mingyu said. A look of disbelief on his face.
Jeonghan laughed and ruffled the younger's hair. "Aw, you sweet. I do, and I will get the best, okay? Just trust me."
Jeonghan smiled and it made Mingyu lift his lips a bit.
For a while they kept talking about who Jeonghan should date. Jun said, "At least Jisoo has the guts to ask Jeonghan-hyung out."
"More like no shame for flirting with Hyung wherever and whenever." Wonwoo rolled his eyes.
The table was filled with laugh, but there was one person who only let out a strained chuckle. It was Mingyu. He chuckled at the words, but his expression was dim. Sitting across him, Jihoon noticed his strange behavior.
Worried that Mingyu or anyone else might notice him staring at Mingyu, Jihoon averted his eyes. Then his gaze met with Wonwoo's. With that gaze, somehow Jihoon knew that they both noticed the same thing. But none of them said a word.
It was dark when Mingyu and Jihoon walked the streets. The five of them went to a bowling alley to hangout. Wonwoo had to work so they cut it short. Now Jihoon and Mingyu are walking home together since they go to the same direction. They chatted while they walked. Then suddenly Mingyu turned silent. Jihoon glanced to his left and saw a serious look on Mingyu's face.
"What?"
Mingyu turned to Jihoon. Nervousness and hesitation clouded his face.
Jihoon raised his eyebrows. "You can tell me."
After a few moment of hesitation, Mingyu said, "I was thinking about Jun-hyung's words..."
Jihoon waited. Even though he actually wanted to stop Mingyu and just tell him to shut up because Jihoon didn't think he'd like what the taller guy was going to say.
"Jun-hyung is right. Having the guts to ask someone out, to tell them about your feelings is an admirable thing."
Jihoon stayed silent, but Mingyu knew that he's listening. So he continued.
"So I can't give up. I'm finishing that song and I will give it as a present. To convey my feelings. And hopefully to make that person happy."
Sensing that Jihoon has stopped his steps, Mingyu stopped too. He looked at the shorter guy and saw him looking back.
"Why a song?"
"Because a song... Music is what that person holds dear."
Jihoon sighed. "Fine."
Mingyu blinked.
"How about tomorrow before the afternoon class? You can come to my place. Tonight's good too, but I don't want my neighbors banging my door for noise disturbance."
Mingyu was still blinking. Watching the younger guy like that made Jihoon gritted his teeth.
"Didn't you hear me? I'm helping you so tell me when you want to start."
With that Mingyu's face lit up and he brought his huge body over Jihoon, hugging him while showering him with a stream of "thank you".
Jihoon struggled to take Mingyu off him. "You're heavy! Get off!"
Mingyu did as he was told. Smile still plastered on his face. Then they continued to walk.
"Why are you keeping this from Wonwoo and Jun anyway?"
"There's no way I'm telling them. They'll mock me everyday for the rest of my life!"
Mingyu was humming. It was a melody that Jihoon played with his guitar earlier. Now Mingyu was trying to think of the words to fill it.
"As your beautiful long hair... No, no, no. I don't want him to think that I only look at his looks. I want to convey that I appreciate his personality, kindness—"
Mingyu stopped. He eyed Jihoon's back, looking for any signs that Jihoon heard what he just said. He didn't want to give any clues, but sometimes his mouth just slips. Jihoon's hands was still busy mixing stuffs into the glasses, so Mingyu thought that it was safe.
Mingyu hadn't told Jihoon about the person he likes. He was not ready yet. He thought Jihoon would find it silly. Mingyu knew that Jihoon wouldn't mock him as bad as Wonwoo and Jun, but still, Jihoon can be pretty harsh with his words even though he doesn't mean too.
A sound of spoon hitting the glasses and then Jihoon walked back to the table, two glasses in his hands. It was ginger drinks.
Mingyu smiled as he sipped the drink. "You really like ginger, huh?"
Jihoon gave a hum and kept drinking. After finishing half of the glass, Jihoon said, "That restaurant. You quit?"
"Yeah. I haven't find a new job, but I'll get to it. Anyway, from now on I won't be dealing with gingers and spices. I used to walk the streets smelling like Indian food or something. But not anymore!" Mingyu laughed.
Jihoon let out a chuckle, but his eyes weren't smiling.
Mingyu didn't know what made Jihoon look like that and it brought an uncomfortable feeling in his chest.