four || a sacrifice to be made

ʚ♡ɞ

"I LIKE KANG TAEHYUN!"

In an instant, the whole cafeteria went silent, all of those who were in the middle of a conversation or leaving after finishing up eating, stopped what they were doing and stared at Beomgyu.

The male instantly pursed his lips, his eyes widening after realizing what he had just said. Covering his mouth, he instantly sat down and stared back at Seong-jin, Yoshino, and Miyuki who all stared at the male in shock, two having their mouth completely wide open from what he had just said.

It was like time was frozen, nobody said a word, nobody dared to move. After his sudden outburst it was all eyes on Beomgyu which sent straight chills down his body, what was he thinking screaming that out? It wasn't like he was trying to announce it to the world, he panicked!

"I'm—"

"K-Kang TAEHYUN?!" Yeonjun interrupted the male as he screamed loudly, his eyes blown wide open as his face was burning red. "You can't mean... THAT Kang Taehyun, right, Beom? You're joking!"

Beomgyu chuckled softly, scratching his neck awkwardly as he looked away from Yeonjun who was just a few seconds away from blowing up the whole cafeteria. He felt so awkward, he knew Yeonjun could see through his lies, but right now he was praying that the elder would be blind, just for this moment.

"Y...Yeah...I like Kang...Taehyun!" Beomgyu said, smiling painfully. He could practically feel beads of sweat rolling down the side of his face because of this. I didn't have anyone else, and his name was the only name that came into mind...I'll just go with it for now, it's not that big of a deal anyway!

Yeonjun's jaw dropped opened after hearing what Beomgyu had just said, furrowing his eyebrows in frustration he shook his head, seconds away from pulling out his damn hair.

"Beomgyu! That can't be right, not at all! That doesn't even...This doesn't even make any sense! Please say you're joking!" Yeonjun turned back towards the male, grabbing his wrist desperately as he practically begged Beomgyu for the truth, only for the latter to smile wider in pain.

"Who's Kang Taehyun again?" Miyuki whispered loud enough for only Seong-jin and Yoshino to hear which was probably easy since the whole cafeteria was quiet.

"He's that one art club leader, I think he's in our class, never seen him though."

"Of course you wouldn't, you're in the front and barely pay attention to your surroundings! It doesn't matter though, Kang Taehyun has a bad reputation anyway."

Beomgyu side eyed the trio, tuning out Yeonjun's desperate begs he stared at the three who were in their own world discussing everything. It bothered him slightly, how come every time Kang Taehyun is mentioned it's something negative, was the male really that bad?

"I don't think—"

Ring!~

The loud echo of the school bell rang throughout the cafeteria, signaling students to wrap up their lunch and head back to class for the day. Immediately, all of the students around them who were staring at them (mostly at Beomgyu) in shock began walking away, that once lively loud chatter returned once again as others began to leave.

"There goes the bell! I think we should go to class now! See you guys there!" Beomgyu instantly stood up, straining his smile as he gathered his things before bolting out of the lunchroom, not allowing the others to say anything.

Running out into the hallway, he breathed heavily as he reached the classroom in time, walking to his desk he sat down and groaned. Slamming his head onto the surface, startling those around him.

Why did I do that...Everyone in the school now knows I said I like Kang Taehyun! I don't even know him... this is horrible, but it's for Yeonjun hyung, he likes Soobin, there's no point of me meddling, Yeonjun deserves to be happy—

"Choi Beomgyu."

The males head popped up after hearing his name being called, he immediately met eye contact with Yeonjun which made him flinch and sit up straight, expressing another strained fake smile he tilted his head. "Hyung! You're not in your seat?—"

"I want you to talk to me after school, there's no way you really like...Kang Taehyun, I don't believe you, so tell me the truth after school, okay?"

"But hyung I do!—" Beomgyu croaked out, but he was too late, Yeonjun already walked away. Sighing weakly he sunk back into his seat and frowned, he hated lying to his best friend but this was for Yeonjun! His happiness was more important!

Let's just hope that this doesn't become a huge issue.

ʚ♡ɞ

It was a huge issue.

After school ended and when classes were done, the moment Beomgyu got home he was bombarded with hundreds of texts from Yeonjun, all of them being about Kang Taehyun only.

Usually, he didn't mind at all when his best friend would text him, but the male kept him up all. fucking. night.

It didn't help that he had stacks of homework to finish with his mom on his ass, still asking if he was number one in class rankings yet. He didn't want to handle that along with Yeonjun spamming his phone for six hours straight, it was so stressful.

He had honestly hoped that what he said in the cafeteria would be brushed aside, who he likes was not a big deal at all! It was just a silly little excuse to not expose himself of his best friend who likes the same guy as him!

Groaning loudly, he rubbed his eyes to get rid of the blurry exhaustion that clouding his mind. He couldn't fall asleep today, he had already woken up late and pissed his mother off. She had yelled at him and said that if he woke up late one more time it would ruin his perfect student reputation and disappoint her, he didn't want to disappoint his mother at all!

It felt weird walking alone to school, but it made sense. He woke up late and now he's making himself even more late for class because he was sluggishly walking towards the school gate.

Looking down at the ground, he chuckled to himself disappointedly, the memories of what had happened yesterday clouded his mind.

So Yeonjun really does like Soobin... He thought, a disappointed grin displayed on his lips. It does make sense though, how did I never realize it? The way he looks at Soobin...Explains everything...

"I see sleeping beauty finally woke up, why the sad grin though, your carriage didn't arrive in time?"

Beomgyu's eyes widened hearing that familiar deep tone, looking up he made eye contact with a very smiley Soobin who held a cup of coffee in front of him. "Hyung...?"

Oh no...What do I do?

Hesitantly accepting the cup of coffee, he looked down and noticed it had everything he liked in it, it made him smile weakly. "Why aren't you in class? Won't you get in trouble for being late?"

Soobin scoffed playfully, shaking his head he waved his hand. "I'll just tell Mr. Son that you were helping out one of the first years, he'll believe us, trust me."

Beomgyu nodded, expressing another fake smile, yet deep inside he felt so guilty and confused. He didn't know what to do, the reoccurring thoughts of Yeonjun liking Soobin hit his brain like a truck, he was a horrible friend. His best friend liked the guy he liked!

Slowly taking a sip of the coffee Soobin had got him, the sugary bitter flavor coated his tongue. It tasted sweet, way too sweet. Looking back up at Soobin who was chatting away about something he couldn't really hear, he furrowed his eyebrows and looked down.

Even though he liked Soobin for months now... he was willing to sacrifice his feelings for the sake of his best friends feelings, just this once.

"I'm sorry, Soobin."

The elder paused mid sentence, staring at Beomgyu with a confused stare he chuckled and tilted his head. "For what, Beomie?"

The latter clenched his fist tightly, he couldn't handle staring at the elder right now, if he did...He was certain his heart would shatter. I'm sorry for never paying attention, Yeonjun hyung, but now you can be happy.

"If you ever need help with school work, things you don't know, or if you need something..." He started off slowly, his heart pinging in pain by the second.

"It's better if you don't contact me at all."

Refusing to look at the males expression, Beomgyu handed back the coffee he had given him and sprinted towards the entrance of the school, leaving behind Soobin who was shocked.

I'm sorry hyung, this is for you and Yeonjun's sake.

ʚ♡ɞ

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Beomgyu's eyes squinted open, slowly looking up he groaned lowly from how sore his neck was. Did I fall asleep?

"Wake up, sleeping beauty, are you going to sleep all day? Lunch just started."

Beomgyu's eyes widened in an instant after hearing that, panicking slightly he sat up straight and began to fix his hair as Yeonjun stared at him, slightly amused by how panicked the male was.

"I missed notes! How could this happen, I was certain I didn't fall asleep! I was paying attention!"

"Chill out," Yeonjun chuckled, holding out his notebook which made Beomgyu even more confused. "I already took notes for you, so you don't need to panic at all."

A loud exhale of relief left Beomgyu's lips, standing up properly he pulled Yeonjun into a hug, smiling happy that the elder did that. "Thank you, hyung! I appreciate it so much, my mom would've killed me if she knew I slept instead of taking notes during class."

Yeonjun frowned hearing that, but he didn't say anything. Allowing the male to hug him for a few seconds longer he pulled Beomgyu away from him and stared at the male who was grinning widely.

"I think we should talk, Beomgyu."

Being caught off guard by what Yeonjun had just said, he sighed and nodded his head, he already knew what this was about.

The two of them walked out of the classroom and went down to the hallway where most club rooms were. It was the perfect place to have a quiet conversation at since most students don't come near the club rooms until after hours.

Yeonjun had stopped in front of the art club room, it was the perfect spot since there were little to no students around to eavesdrop on their conversation. 

"What did you want to talk about, hyung?" Beomgyu asked once they stopped, watching the elder turn around and frown at him. A frown that almost looked guilty in Beomgyu's eyes.

"You know...Yesterday when I said I liked Soobin, I only said it because I couldn't believe what Seong-Jin was doing, it was stupid of him to even try and use you to get close with Soobin in the first place." Yeonjun explained looking away from Beomgyu, his tone was low and filled with guilt and sadness.

"Don't misunderstand anything, okay?" Yeonjun continued on, looking back at Beomgyu with furrowed eyebrows. "I know you like Soobin. So you can stop saying you like Kang Taehyun now."

A wave of chills went through Beomgyu's body, he didn't know what to say or do except just smile awkwardly. He knew the elder would see right through him, he was always observant... but this was for him and Soobin. Yeonjun's happiness was his top priority.

So unfortunately for Yeonjun, Beomgyu didn't plan to back down at all.

"It's nothing like that hyung! I swear I do really like Kang Tae—"

"But why?!" Yeonjun interrupted him, grabbing onto the males shoulders he leaned forward and stared at him with desperation in his eyes. "Why him?! Out of everyone in this school, you chose Kang Taehyun?! He has a bad reputation, the girls in our class say he's too rude and the boys say he's too cold to get close to!"

Beomgyu awkwardly chuckled, he started to feel bad by how disliked Kang Taehyun was. "Uhm...He's cute? I like his pink hair, he also has really cute round eyes?"

"Cute my ass..." Yeonjun muttered under his breath, which was picked up by Beomgyu easily. The elder sighed and removed his hold on the youngers shoulders, looking away in disbelief he couldn't help but frown. "I just don't get it...Kang Taehyun out of everyone..."

"Maybe he isn't rude at all, hyung." Beomgyu spoke up, the sudden rush of wanting to defend Taehyun soared through him, he didn't even know the guy yet he's defending him! "Perhaps he's just quiet and straightforward with those who aren't close to him, but that doesn't mean he's a bad person."

"So...You really do like Kang Taehyun...?" Yeonjun asked him, his voice wavered a little, almost as if he were practically begging Beomgyu to deny it.

"I really do like Kang Taehyun." Beomgyu replied, the amount of guilt in his heart was overwhelming, he hated lying to his best friends, but in this case he needed to lie to make them happy!

Yeonjun's lips grew into a straight line, even though he wasn't fully convinced he decided to give up for the day. "Fine, whatever, let's go get lunch before it ends, i'm starving."

Mentally feeling relieved that Yeonjun finally dropped it, the male smiled excitedly and wrapped his arm around the elder as the two began to walk towards the direction of the cafeteria.

"So...Rude boys are your type? That's a surprise."

"I guess so...Explains why I hang out with you all day, doesn't it?"

"Oh be quiet..."

Beomgyu chuckled softly, trying to ignore that painful guilt that kept eating at him. "So have I convinced you that I really do like Kang Taehyun?"

Yeonjun tsked loudly, looking over at the male he shook his head.

"Not one bit, but whatever."

ʚ♡ɞ

There's no way that happened.

It can't be true...But he said it so many times!

THERES NO WAY.

Huening Kai stared at the window in shock, processing almost everything that had just happened. All he wanted to do was crack the window open slightly to get some of the cold air inside of the club room, but instead he got a whole load of unexpected news!

Choi Beomgyu... one of the most popular guys in our school ... HAS A CRUSH ON MY BEST FRIEND?!?!?!

Huening Kai squeaked loudly, panic and shock rising in him as he looked back at Taehyun who was busy painting away on a canvas. "Did you hear all of that Taehyun?! It can't be true!"

The pink head didn't answer him at all, it was almost like he was ignoring him.

Huening Kai frowned and rushed over to Taehyun's side, the latter not even sparing him a glance. Taking a glance at his ears, he noticed that Taehyun had his headphones on which were surprisingly sound proof when he wanted them to be. A strange sense of relief rushed through Huening Kai, knowing that his best friend didn't hear all the mean insults about him.

But... it also means he didn't hear what Choi Beomgyu said about him.

"What are you standing there for?"

Huening Kai immediately looked over at Taehyun who stared at him weirdly for just hovering over him. "You didn't hear any of that?!" He asked frantically, almost panicked by the whole conversation that he had no idea about.

"What? Of course I didn't hear anything, I have music playing. Now can you go get me more paint? The blue is almost out." Taehyun said, his tone was filled with confusion as he secretly judged his best friend for his sudden weird behavior.

"Ah...Blue paint...Okay..." Huening Kai mumbled, deciding to drop what had happened and scurried off to go find Taehyun blue paint.

The pink haired male watched as his best friend left the classroom, making sure he was fully gone he sighed and took out his headphones that didn't have anything playing at all.

Looking over by the window, he felt his ears burning red from what had just happened. It was easy to hide blush on his face... but it was impossible to hide the blush on his ears.

"So...It's true," He mumbled softly, looking back at his painting, furrowing his eyebrows he couldn't help but feel so odd about everything.

All of the rumors he heard the day before about a specific brunette liking him, he just brushed it off and continued with his day like usual, tuning out everything since he knew it was a joke, but now that it was confirmed by the male himself...

Taehyun chuckled softly, a slight disappointed smirk grew on his lips, his mind clouding with the thought of a specific person only.

"Choi Beomgyu really does like me." 

ʚ♡ɞ