─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

❝ Though, it hurts. I still look at you like you're an angel in disguise ❞

🎼

C H A P T E R  S I X

THE ONCE GATES OF HELL AREN'T SCARY ANYMORE. It's astonishing that the pianist wants back the late-night studying, completing essays before the midnight deadlines, going to orchestra tournaments, and finding a best friend forever in a boy who plays the guitar, excluding messing with his feelings.

The drunken kiss was a complete mistake.

Kevin still hasn't apologized to Jacob, and graduation is tomorrow.

Jacob whispering, voice velvety, smooth, different—secrets unraveling with just one touch, his warm, glittering, brown eyes in the dark—and like playing the piano, hit the wrong note the morning after.

Kevin woke up to an empty side of the bed and felt cold.

Jacob's sunshine to everybody, the epitome of an angel with glorious white wings, and blessed smiles. He's still sunflowers, butter on pancakes, sunny weather, and yellow sweaters.

"Again," the music teacher instructs, arms folded across chest, head held up high, and the brunette wishes he had the same level of confidence as he.

"The art of playing music requires concentration. Whatever is in your pretty mind, don't think about it. Focus on the present. Feel," he says, giving him a thumbs-up, leaving the dim-lit theater. When the doors open, the pianist's eyes land on the dancer with a dimpled smile, midnight hair windswept, and oversized hoodie hung over his lean muscular frame, gaze meeting his.

Changmin walks down the path between the red seats filling the theater and Kevin's thoughts cease as he realizes the space next to him on the bench gets taken.

"Breathe, okay?" Changmin's chocolate eyes hold Kevin's confused ones. To other people, it may seem they're having a staring contest or they're a couple, but to them, it's searching for trust in each other.

"Can you do that for me?"

Slightly unsure, Kevin nods anyway, fixating his gaze somewhere else.

But then he feels slender hands rest on top of his,  movement tentative before pressing down on the white keyboard, lightly. The dancer's fingers tap the keypad, moving across the tiles resembling stairs to heaven.

His touch produces tempos of innocent love, heartbreak, and tragic memories.

It's as if the music follows him and he's gentle, aware with one rough movement, the whole tempo will create a chaotic symphony of rage.

And watching him play lights up a flame in the pianist's heart, wondering when the raven dances, does the music follow him too?

He's a pianist in their school band, adored by the class, along with the other bandmates. However, he also knows he's the main dancer of the school's dance team, leading them during practice.

"Do you understand, or do I need to help you one more time?" Changmin asks, looking at surprised Kevin.

"You can play?" Kevin wants the reassurance that he can believe what Changmin did wasn't just magic but real.

"Is there anything else I need to know how to do or I should know?"

"Maybe how to not break every soul's hearts that confess to you and your eyes are they blue?" Direct. Way too direct. Changmin stares at him, face impassive, lips parted perhaps to speak.

Regret pangs his myocardium, almost ripping the tissue.

"Nevermind. Forget what I said. I'm sorry," quickly grabbing his backpack, and sliding a strap over his shoulder, he dashes off-stage like an idiot who just did something reckless when a hand grasps his before he trips over his shoes.

The dancer pulls him back, turning him around, so they're face to face, heartbeat thumping. "Stop saying you're sorry. You did nothing wrong."

Kevin blinks and then laughs.  Why can't he apologize after all that has occurred?

"Trust me," Changmin says, finding Kevin's hand. "This means you're comfortable with me and won't be afraid to ask me for help or come to me when you're sad," he shows him their clasped hands, frowning, and—Kevin gets it.

Kevin rolls his eyes playfully and entwines his fingers with Changmin's, brown eyes noticing the hair at the nape of his neck, defined jaw, and the veins popping from his arms. Holy shit.

He's hot. Wait—he's not supposed to think this way about him.

Snap out of it. What are you doing?

Stop thinking like that.

"Is that better? It completes the definition of this act of trust."

Changmin lets go of the grip in a flash, leaning down to tie the older's shoelaces. By now, his ears are blushing a cherry red, and there's a grin dancing on his mouth. He's stupid. They're both idiots, but he doesn't care.

"Now it's better," he says with a dimpled grin, looking up at him, "you're always getting yourself into trouble, aren't you? Remember to look left, right, up, and down, silly. Don't want to end up falling. Look after yourself better, okay?"

. . .

"I can't do this no more," Kevin mumbles, lips forming a pout. His face is buried in his favorite plushie, clutching the white animated pillow against his chest. "Why are you doing this?" He shakes his head disapprovingly at the algebraic numerals written in bold ink on the whiteboard.

"To wake your brain up," Chanhee smiles teasingly, wiping the problem with the whiteboard eraser, doodling a sentence appearing as a reminder, to talk to him and figure things out.

"How do you know?" Kevin sits up straight, shock coursing through his veins like hot lava, erupting a burning sensation over his skin. He didn't tell him, so how?

Chanhee lifts a brow and has this deadpanned expression, and oh Kevin thinks, why did he forget it's the news here at their high school fast as the speed of light?

The city is never asleep or quiet either.

Gossips, rumors, tantalizing words snatching innocence, and bustling daytimes fading into sinful nights of sirens from police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. Midday wandering without a map, finding stray cats hungry on the sidewalks, and if lucky, a sight of flowers sprouting at the thin lines between the pavement, or somewhere blossoming in parks.

What are the chances of coming across a dandelion, then?

Changmin said you can't see stars unless there is a blackout.

The chances would be zero, wouldn't they?

"Okay, I know. I don't know how to though," a laugh stifles out of him when their taller friend runs a hand through his obsidian silky hair, long legs traveling towards the smaller male standing still, planting a hand on his pink head, and pats him.

"I'm sorry about causing a misunderstanding. I don't like it when you're sad or when we're ignoring each other. Can you forgive me?" Younghoon says softly, affection sprinkling in his umber sweet laughing eyes.

Chanhee's trying, he's really trying not to laugh, and god he feels irritated. This is only acting but if anyone would apologize, and seek forgiveness, he'd never know how to respond.

"It's okay. We can start over."

"Like that, does that make sense?" Chanhee and Younghoon ask, becomings silent and Kevin, confused, turns around. His throat is suddenly dry and his mouth opens first, lost for words.

"Kevin?" Jacob says, hope dripping in his voice.

"I've got class. I almost forget. I'll see you later, okay?" Younghoon tells Kevin, slinging an arm around Chanhee, and hauling them out of the tranquil library.

Stay calm, and act cool. Don't act like you're strangers because you're not.

"Hi, would you—would you like to have lunch together?" Kevin suggests, coffee eyes swirling with surprise and sadness. He doesn't know what he's doing, honestly. His feelings are growing like a wildflower, and he can't stop this—getting over that night and he just, he wants the truth.

"Sure. That sounds great," Jacob gives him a sincere smile, reaching out to gingerly mess up his hickory hair.

Kevin can't stop falling in love with Jacob.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A U T H O R 'S N O T E

Okay, so my brain said saldhskj@FF%%$$$3## because my laptop decided to be oddly slow while writing the chapter. Can we just applaud Kevin for finally not running away from Jacob, and sorting things out with him?

If you enjoyed reading this chapter, please vote and comment! It would mean the world to me.

ALSO BOYZ COME BACK SOON

AND ME STARTING COLLEGE BAHAHA yAY (guys, it's my first time, and with covid, I feel like I won't be able to attend physically. People who are smart cannot stress this enough, and neither can I. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and practice safe social distancing. and eat well, stay hydrated, and take a day for mental health if needed, okie? 💖