"I like you." Yunho spoke, his voice sounding shaky. Mingi looked at him with widened eyes. "What?" Mingi exclaimed and he couldn't understand the world anymore...

__________

••••

"I only became friends with Hongjoong in the summer to get closer to you, but then you two had a fight and the only way I could stay close to you was to help Hongjoong to annoy you."

Mingi furrowed his eyebrows, then laughed lightly. "Did you take any drugs? That's absurd." To Mingi's surprise, Yunho looked more serious than ever and the longer he looked at him, the more Yunho's eyes irritated him.

"Besides, I knew that Hongjoong..." Yunho broke off and looked at Hongjoong, who widened his eyes. "That's enough," he pressed out and grabbed Yunho's wrist. Faster than Mingi could look, he pulled Yunho along with him and they both disappeared around the corner.

Mingi stared after them. What had just happened? Was that just imagination or reality?

.....

It was lunchtime and while Yeosang shoved a potato into his mouth, Wooyoung dropped down next to him. "Hey, how was your weekend?" Yeosang asked immediately and looked at his friend. Wooyoung was grinning so widely that it was infectious to look at him. Yeosang poked him lightly in the side. "Have you seen San?" he said and got goosebumps at the thought. He was so incredibly happy for Wooyoung.

Heat rose to Wooyoung's cheeks.

"I showed him the dance studio and..." Yeosang couldn't wait and poked him again. "Tell me," he said excitedly, dropping his chopsticks. "We kissed." Wooyoung said, then started giggling and hid his face in his hands. "What?" Yeosang yelled and immediately fell silent as other students turned to look at them. Yeosang no longer recognized himself. He had never been so excited for a friend before.

Wooyoung's face was now as red as a tomato. "And how was it?" Yeosang whispered to him. "Why are we whispering?" Wooyoung whispered back and Yeosang rolled his eyes. "Tell me or should I squeeze everything out of you." Wooyoung laughed lightly and sat up straight again. "It was..." he paused for a moment and sighed as he placed his hands dramatically on his chest. "Magical," he sighed.

Yeosang started laughing himself. "No really it was amazing. I think I really like him. I've never liked anyone so much." Wooyoung sounded so in love and as cheesy as it was Yeosang wished he could experience something like that. And he wished it would happen with Jongho, even though it was hardly possible.

"So you're together now?" Yeosang asked. Wooyoung's smile disappeared a little. "No San said he still needs time, but I'll give it to him." Yeosang scrutinized his face. "Okay, but don't give him an infinite amount of time. At some point, he has to make a decision and you deserve someone who's sure about you." Wooyoung nodded. "Don't worry, San is not that kind of person. He just needs a little bit." Wooyoung said and smiled slightly. Yeosang hoped he was right.

"You have no idea what just happened," Mingi groaned, slamming his tray down on the table. He sat down opposite Wooyoung and Yeosang.

"Jeong Yunho seriously said that he likes me." Yeosang and Wooyoung gave each other a questioning look. "He has a crush on you?" Yeosang asked, puzzled. "Yes, he said that at least." Mingi shrugged his shoulders. "But I don't believe him, he and Hongjoong are probably trying to pull some kind of prank again."

Wooyoung crossed his arms. "What if he is serious?" Yeosang asked in Mingi's direction. Wooyoung answered in Mingi's place. "Then it doesn't matter anyway, because Mingi is, as he says every day, one hundred percent straight."

There was so much sarcasm in Wooyoung's voice that it sounded almost creepy. Mingi glared at Wooyoung. "Can you stop it?" he asked, sounding annoyed now. Yeosang swallowed and looked back and forth between them.

"Then stop lying to your friends and especially to yourself," Wooyoung croaked, banging his chopsticks on the table. "I never lied to you." Mingi spoke a little more quietly. Wooyoung sighed loudly. "Oh yes you did, and only because Hongjoong never liked you back."

Mingi's gaze darkened a little more. "As if anyone ever liked you! Of your three million crushes, that's sad don't you think?", Mingi spoke.

Wooyoung looked at him speechlessly, then jumped up from his seat and grabbed his things. Without saying anything, he disappeared from the cafeteria. Yeosang had no idea what had just happened. He looked at Mingi, who now lowered his eyes and pushed his food away.

Yeosang took a deep breath, then reached for Mingi's hand, which was resting on the table. "Go after him," he said cautiously, but Mingi shook his head. "Wooyoung is right," Mingi then muttered. "I'm just lying to everyone." Yeosang squeezed his hand lightly. "There's nothing wrong if you like Hongjoong as more than just a friend, Mingi," he said in a gentle voice.

Mingi looked up at him. "Liked. That's over. I am over him." Yeosang nodded. ''You deserve someone who values you. What about Yunho? Do you think he was really just kidding?" Mingi shrugged his shoulders. He looked so distressed.

"I know this is all overwhelming and confusing right now, but you should make up with Wooyoung. I'm sure you both didn't mean what you just said." Mingi pulled his hand back slightly and smiled. He still didn't look happy. "Don't worry Yeo, we fight all the time." Yeosang bit his lower lip slightly. "Aren't you just going to apologize?" he asked cautiously.

He didn't want to get between them, but he wanted to help somehow. Mingi shrugged helplessly and stood up as well. "I've lost my appetite. I'm going to the library," he mumbled and disappeared with his tray. Yeosang exhaled and looked back at his food. He hoped that everything would be all right again.

.....

After lunch, Yeosang went to his next class. He hesitated in front of the door, knowing that Lia was sitting in there and with everything that had happened today, he really couldn't bear to see her and her sad look anymore.

Nevertheless, Yeosang stepped through the door and entered the room. He walked to his seat and didn't look back, but he could see Lia and her friends in the corner of his eye.

The professor entered the room a little later. When she started to speak, Yeosang's blood boiled. "I've decided that you should write a final report of your group work. Just to reflect on how everything went and to give tips for other students who will be given this task in the future. Please sit in your groups and I'll hand out the paper with examples of what you can write."

Yeosang couldn't believe his ears. That couldn't be true. He gave Lia a quick glance and she looked at him at the same moment. Yeosang regretted coming to university today.

All the students stood up. Yeosang remained seated. A little later, he noticed someone sitting next to him and, of course, that someone was Lia. He could hardly stand it.The professor placed a sheet of paper in front of them. Lia took the sheet.

A little later, she placed her laptop on the table. "Shall we start?" she asked, her voice sounding as anxious as Yeosang felt. Yeosang nodded and turned in her direction.

They started working and it was the worst two hours Yeosang had ever had. He didn't have the oxygen to breathe. He was nervous and didn't know how to treat Lia. Should he pretend nothing had happened? Or should he apologize again? None of it felt right.

Lia typed in the last word and they were finally done. Yeosang exhaled slightly. He felt Lia's gaze on him and couldn't help but look at her. He cleared his throat and gathered all his courage. "So how are you?" he asked so quietly that it was barely audible, but Lia had clearly understood him.

She looked anything but happy. Her pink lips pulled into a smile, but he wasn't genuine. "Everything's fine so far, I just have a lot to do for my other classes," she said. Yeosang looked at her and he knew he looked pitiful, but he couldn't help it. Lia noticed his look. She started playing with her hair. "Yeosang about the other day." Yeosang's breath hitched and he looked at her.

"It's not your fault. Honestly, I'm not mad at you. I...," she searched for the right words. "I just need some time and I just can't be around you right now." Yeosang nodded sadly. "I hope you understand that," she added. "Of course I do," Yeosang mumbled. He wanted to add how sorry he was for everything, but they were interrupted by their professor ending the class.

Lia didn't waste a second and packed up her things. She left without saying goodbye and left the room. Yeosang couldn't blame her, but it still hurt.

.....

A little later, Yeosang was sitting in the park in front of the university. His last class was already over, but he couldn't bring himself to go home. He needed time and peace to sort out his thoughts. His thoughts were completely confused by Lia.

On one side was Jongho and every time Yeosang thought of him, he felt light and carefree. He wanted to see him and was excited every time they met. On the other hand, there was this feeling that dragged him down whenever he was with Jongho. He knew that he couldn't help the way he felt and that it wasn't his fault that he liked Jongho and not Lia. And yet he still felt bad.

"Yeosang." A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. A voice that was familiar and gave him goose bumps. He turned around. "What are you doing here?" he asked in surprise. Jongho dropped onto the bench next to him. As always, his hair hung slightly down his forehead. He was wearing a brown coat and a light-colored scarf. He was so beautiful.

"I was going to pick up Lia, but she's already gone with her friends I think." When Jongho mentioned her name, everything inside Yeosang tightened. He still wondered why Jongho wasn't angry. Didn't he care? Was he planning something? Or did he really not know about everything that had happened? Yeosang couldn't take it anymore and cleared his throat.

"Because of Lia..." he broke off. Maybe his words would destroy everything now, but he just had to talk about it or he would collapse. "Aren't you angry at all?" he asked meekly. He lowered his eyes and waited tensely for an answer.

"What?" Jongho sounded confused. Yeosang lifted his head again. "She likes me, didn't you know that?" Yeosang's voice was hoarse. He had the feeling he was going to pass out at any moment.

"Of course I knew," Jongho said calmly. Astonishment was written all over Yeosang's face. "You knew and you're not mad at me?" he asked, his voice revealing that he was afraid of the answer. "Why should I be mad at you?" Jongho said so naturally that Yeosang briefly forgot why he thought Jongho was angry with him. "Because I told her that I don't return her feelings?"

Jongho looked at Yeosang as if he was speaking a different language. But was his assumption really so absurd? "Lia told me about the boy she likes a few weeks ago, but I didn't know it was you. You don't like her, so what? What does it have to do with us?"
Yeosang was speechless.

"You're her brother?" They looked at each other for a few seconds, then Jongho burst out laughing. Yeosang had no idea what was so funny or why he was laughing, but he couldn't help but grin at the sight. Then he slapped Jongho lightly on the arm. "What's so funny huh?" Jongho's laughter echoed through the park.

Eventually he calmed down again.
"I have no idea, your look was way too funny," Jongho pressed out and then took a deep breath before continuing to giggle. Yeosang looked at him, puzzled. Not a second later, he felt a hand on his arm. "Did you seriously think I was angry with you for something you can't even decide?" Yeosang nodded and still didn't understand how easily Jongho seemed to take it.

"Don't you think Lia will be hurt when she finds out you're hanging out with me?" Jongho shrugged his shoulders. "It's my business who I'm friends with and it's not like you did anything bad, you were just being honest. It's better than lying to her." Jongho was right about that.

Some of Yeosang's tension fell away and relief spread through him. Nevertheless, he still felt a little depressed by what Lia had told him. Jongho noticed Yeosang's sad look. His hand squeezed Yeosang's arm lightly. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. Give her time and she'll come to you on her own." Yeosang sincerely hoped that Jongho was right.

When Jongho noticed Yeosang's thoughtful look, he poked him in the side with a smile. "What do you say if I come over later?" Yeosang's eyes widened. "Huh?" Jongho jumped up from the bench. "I'll be there at six. Yes?" Yeosang didn't have a chance to answer, because with a satisfied smile, Jongho grabbed his backpack, then walked off along the small stone path and disappeared a short time later. Yeosang was left behind, more overwhelmed than ever.

.....

Yeosang's fingers clutched nervously at his mattress. He looked around his room in the dormitory for the tenth time to see if everything was tidy. He couldn't believe that Jongho would be standing in this room in a few minutes. He would only believe it when he was really here.

Yeosang stood up and looked in the mirror. He brushed a strand of blond hair behind his ear and straightened his shirt for the last time. He knew he was overreacting like every time. But he couldn't help it.

There was a knock and everything inside Yeosang stopped. With a pounding heart and sweaty palms, he opened the door. A warm smile came his way. Jongho was wearing a loose, gray jogging suit. He didn't wait for an invitation, he just walked in.

Yeosang took a step back to prevent Jongho from getting too close. Then he let him through and closed the door behind them. He watched as Jongho looked around his room. He turned around. "I like your room," he grinned. Yeosang smiled, then pointed to his bed. "You're welcome to sit down." Jongho followed his words.

Yeosang then pointed to a paper bag. "You can take this later, it's got your clothes in it." Actually, the bag was always next to the scarf Yeosang had from their first meeting, but he'd tucked the scarf away in his closet. He wanted to keep it at all costs. He didn't want to forget this night and lose Jongho's scent.

Jongho nodded and leaned back slightly. A strange silence pervaded the room. Yeosang sat down next to him, then started playing with the corner of his blanket. He was more nervous than ever, even though it wasn't the first time he'd been alone with Jongho. There was something strange in the air.

"Do your parents actually live far away?" Jongho asked suddenly. Yeosang shook his head hesitantly. "No, it's two hours by bus. I would visit them more often, but right now I have so much to do." Jongho nodded at Yeosang as if he understood exactly what he meant. "Was it difficult to get to Seoul on your own?" Jongho then asked, looking at Yeosang attentively.

Yeosang didn't have to think for long. "Yes, especially at first I was afraid of what would happen, but luckily I quickly made friends and got to know you." Towards the end, Yeosang became a little quieter. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks.

Jongho now turned fully to Yeosang. His warm brown eyes scanned Yeosang's face. And there it was again. That special look with which Jongho sometimes looked at him and dissolved everything in Yeosang. "I'm glad to have met you too," he said so softly that Yeosang wanted to cry. He could no longer take his eyes off Jongho. Everything inside him softened.

Was this a look that a normal friend would give you? Did Jongho really just see him as a friend? Yeosang's question was answered immediately, as Jongho slowly leaned forward.

Yeosang realized how his face came closer and a lightning bolt ran through him. A flash of emotion that he had never felt before in his life. Jongho's brown eyes were not far away. His cute nose within reach and his lips just a breath away from Yeosang's. Everything felt perfect at that moment. Yeosang blocked out his worries and uncertainties. He wanted this. He wanted to kiss him and feel what he had never felt before.

They were getting closer and closer and the distance was no longer measurable. Yeosang closed his eyes.

....

But then a loud ringing rang through the room. Both Yeosang and Jongho flinched and distanced themselves from each other. It wasn't a big distance, but it left Yeosang with a cold feeling. He wanted to pull Jongho back towards him, but the ringing just wouldn't stop.

Unsure, he dug his phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen. To his surprise, his mother's name flashed up. "Go ahead and answer it.", Jongho spoke. Yeosang stood up and answered the call. His mother immediately started talking and Yeosang's blood froze. Totally shocked, he looked in Jongho's direction.

"What happened?", Jongho asked worriedly as the call ended. "My dog..." Yeosang's voice broke off. "He needs to be euthanized."

______________

Update comes really soon ^^