* * * * * *

 ‘Was that your friend?’ Leo suddenly asked Hakyeon as the two was making their way out to the school courtyard.

Just by his presence alone, all the students stole gazes at Leo and the boy that was being dragged along with him to somewhere during lunch time.

‘Huh? You mean Minhyukkie?’

‘Minhyuk…kie?’ Leo seemed rather irritated by the sound of affection and closeness when Hakyeon mentioned Minhyuk’s name.

‘I mean Minhyuk. He’s my classmate and childhood friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids.’

‘…’

Leo suddenly stopped saying anything nor questioned anything any further as they continued their walk. They walked until no more eyes were watching them. The eyes of strangers and crowds were not pleasing for Leo and even Hakyeon knew that the latter was trying to avoid the stares as well.

The two of them finally found a place where they could be alone and talk.

‘Sorry.’ Leo said as soon as they settled down.

‘Huh?’ Hakyeon was rather confused as to Leo’s sudden apology.

‘My attitude back there… towards your friend. It wasn’t very nice of me. I’m not very good with dealing with strangers…’ Leo looked down rather disappointedly as he was well aware of his flaws.

Hakyeon couldn’t help but chuckled a bit at the sight.

‘Haha. Don’t worry about it. Minhyuk won’t get mad at you or anything for that. He’s just a bit overprotective like a mother. Plus, the both of us were strangers too until yesterday, weren’t we?’

‘But… you’re different. I can’t quite describe it but you don’t feel like a stranger when I’m with you. It’s like we’ve known each other for a very long time or something.’

It is strange… I don’t feel distant when I’m with you either. Why?

‘So, what was it that you wanted tot talk to me about?’ Hakyeon asked finally getting to the point of their meeting.

‘Right. I told Amelia, my fiancé about you and she really wants to meet you as well. I told her what you’re capable at and what you can do. We all know that although we’re not as excited for the wedding as others, we still want to make our parents happy and finally get this business over with. But since it is the two of us’ wedding, we want to at least see what is in store or planned for us. When do you think you can meet her?’

‘Whenever is fine with me. Would this coming weekend work for the both of you?’ Hakyeon asked.

Leo nodded.

‘Okay. Then this weekend it is. I’ll see you then? Lunch is almost over so you should head back to class too. It’s far to walk back for you isn’t it?’ Hakyeon said.

Just as he was about to leave Leo on his way, Leo stopped him again.

‘Wait! Can we… skip class? Together.’

‘Huh?’

The almighty, perfect grade and perfect attention Leo wants to skip class? Hakyeon thought he had heard wrong.

‘What? Why?’

‘I don’t feel like going to class. I want us to talk more. A lot more.’ Leo looked at Hakyeon with such puppy-like eyes that Hakyeon didn’t know how to refuse at all.

‘But wouldn’t that be bad for your attendance records?’

‘It’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.

* * * * * *

Hakyeon didn’t know why else he would not be able to refuse Leo’s invitation to skipping class but he went along with the idea anyways. The two of them walked through parts of the town where no one would care to bother them nor recognized the minister’s only son.

The mysterious and seemingly secretive Leo started to reveal little bits of his childhood to Hakyeon even though they’ve only met not too long ago.

Leo once hated looking at plants and flowers especially at home because it reminded him a lot of his mother. While he was younger, his mother would always care for them despite her own illness. She was bedridden after giving birth to Leo and for that, many people blamed the poor child for his mother’s illness. A child of misfortunes.

Because she was so ill and Leo was busy with school, the two never really had time to spend with one another. Leo was afraid to approach his mother while he was younger, afraid that his touch would hurt her even further.

Despite his efforts to stay away from his mother, she on the other hand, tried her best to fulfill her duty as Leo’s mother. As sick as she was, she would always send Chrysanthemums for Leo’s birthday. The flower of November. Unlike the usual Chrysanthemums however, these were specially bloomed in his mother’s own greenhouse. It was red in the middle and all over yet the tips of every petal were painted with white. They were beautiful and Leo secretly adored them.

Before Leo could return her affection, her illness took for the worst turn and eventually, she passed away. He hated himself for that and the sight of flowers around his home reminded him of the memories he wish he didn’t have. He wished he could have been there for his mother’s final moments.

* * * * * *

Hakyeon might have reminded Leo of his mother. Both his mother and Hakyeon were affectionate and passionate people, who cared greatly for those around them. They had a common interest as well in which reminded Leo of his mother once more. Someone about Hakyeon that made Leo want to know more about as well as to be closer to.

Hakyeon was surprised to hear so much of Leo’s story and feelings through their little trip around town. He was relieved that the other trusted him so much to be telling him all about himself.

‘Leo?’ A voice called out to them.

It was a girl dressed quite simple yet her posture was rather elegant. A small and petite figure appeared before them. She was like a fragile porcelain doll.

‘Amelia?’ Leo called her name.

That’s Amelia? Then she’s… the bride.

‘What are you doing out here? Aren’t you supposed to be in class?’ She questioned. Her tone when speaking to Leo was quite different from her appearance.

‘Same goes for you.’ Leo answered.

‘I… I had some business to attend to.’ She looked guilty of something and averted her eyes from Leo’s sharp questioning gaze.

‘Then that goes the same for me. If you don’t tell anyone that I skipped than I won’t say anything about you being around here either.’

‘Fine. Deal.’ She looked rather defeated and suddenly, someone else caught her eyes. ‘Who’s this?’

She looked over at Hakyeon, who was standing small beside Leo.

‘Ah. This is Cha Hakyeon. The one I told you about last night.’

The two of them finally remembered that Hakyeon was also around during their little bickering session.

‘Nice to meet you Ms. Amelia. My name is Cha Hakyeon.’ He bowed and introduced himself formally to the lady.

‘You don’t need to be so formal with her.’ Leo stopped him from bowing.

‘That’s right. I don’t care for formalities. I hear you’re the same age as us so more the reason to skip the formal introductions. Just be casual. Leo keeps bragging about how good your sketches last night that I just had to take a look myself.’ Amelia smiled warmly at Hakyeon.

‘Huh? It’s nothing special…’ Hakyeon blushed a bit.

‘It is special. Neither of us even cared for the wedding arrangements but after seeing your sketches, they were really amazing. You have to see them too Amelia.’ Leo became so bright just talking about his experience at looking through Hakyeon’s sketchbook the other day.

‘I’m excited to see them now too since it’s hard to get the usual pokerfaced Leo to be so excited about anything.’ She joked. ‘Anyways, I have somewhere to go right now and I’m already running late. But I will talk to you both another day okay?’ She seemed rather to be in a hurry.

‘Okay. See you.’ Leo waved her along her way.

The two of them, Amelia and Leo, seemed rather close to one another and Leo’s casualness when treating her was quite the surprise to Hakyeon.

He thought he was the only that Leo would be so friendly or casual towards but he seems to treat Amelia the same way.

‘She’s… really pretty.’ Hakyeon commented.

‘Huh? She’s nothing special. I’ve known her since I was a kid and she’s a total tomboy. If she wasn’t outside or seen by her family, she would never wear that dress.’

‘I see…’

Hakyeon felt a bit jealous hearing Leo talk about Amelia as if he knew everything there was to know about the girl.

Leo caught Hakyeon in a daze, probably thinking about something unnecessary.

‘There’s nothing between me and her okay? We’re only friends.’ Leo said as if he was trying to reassure something to Hakyeon.

‘Oh no sorry. You don’t have to explain anything to me. The two of you are friends and soon to be husband and wife. You’re both so close with one another so the marriage shouldn’t be a problem right?’

‘… Anyways, enough talk about her. Let’s continue where we left off. Where should we go next?’

Leo tried to change the subject and Hakyeon went with it.

* * * * * *

After their little trip through town, Leo walked Hakyeon all the way home.

‘Thanks.’ Hakyeon said as he was going up the porch to the door.

‘…’

‘What’s wrong?’ Hakyeon could see that Leo wanted to say something.

‘Hakyeon. Am I strange?’

Huh?’

‘I mean, even though we’ve only just met… I still took you everywhere. Was I being too clingy?’

Hakyeon looked at the latter as if he was becoming smaller and smaller.

‘It’s alright. I had a lot of fun actually. I haven’t been really into school since the semester had started anyways. Skipping class was quite fun and I honestly didn’t think you would be the type to pull a stunt like that. You surprise me every time I see you Jung Leo.’ Hakyeon laughed.

‘Thanks. To be honest, this whole marriage thing have been stressing me out and I didn’t know what to do or anyone to talk to about it. But you being here and listening to my stories, thank you.’

Leo was sincere with his gratitude towards Hakyeon and Hakyeon could see it clearly. The smiling and bright Hakyeon that stood by his side was able to ease the weight off his heart. He was thankful. Leo couldn’t help but express his thanks by hugging Hakyeon suddenly.

Hakyeon was caught off guard at Leo’s affection and his heart began to race.

Stop. Be still. My heart.

The two of them held onto one another for a moment before they said goodnight.

* * * * * *

As Hakyeon went back to his room that night, he continued to rub his chest to try and settle down his heart. Both positive and negative thoughts appeared in his mind.

‘I know it’s impossible and no good would come from this… but maybe for now, just for a little bit, I want to cherish this time I have with him. Am I weird for thinking like this?’

‘Hakyeon-ah?’ His mother knocked on his door.

‘Yeah?’ Hakyeon immediately went back to reality and positioned himself back to normal.

‘I heard you… skipped class today. Is something the matter?’ She asked.

‘Huh? Oh, sorry mom. There’s just been so much going on in my mind lately that I kind of wanted a bit of a breather. Sorry I won’t do it again.’

‘No no it’s okay. I know you’re not very into school but you still try your best for me. But if you ever need someone to talk to, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to talk to me okay? I’ll always be here for you.’

‘Thanks mom. Thanks for understanding.’ Hakyeon hugged her.

He remember Leo’s story about his mother and how the latter could not express his love for his mother until it was too late. Hakyeon wants to treasure the time with his mother even more after hearing Leo’s story.

* * * * * *

‘So where did you run off to yesterday?’ Minhyuk stared at Hakyeon while he was waiting downstairs in the morning so the two can walk to school together.

‘Just around town. Sorry.’

‘What are you apologizing for? If anyone should be sorry, it should be him. I knew I shouldn’t have let you go. He promised to bring you back yet he made you skip class instead!’ Minhyuk was irritated just thinking back at yesterday when Hakyeon never returned to class after being taken away by Leo.

‘Don’t be too upset with him. He has a lot going on and just wanted someone to talk to.’

‘Look at you. Already standing up for him.’ Minhyuk continued to sulk even after passing through the school gates.

‘Hey!!’ Someone called out to them.

‘The two of them stopped in their tracks to see who it was. They can see a boy dressed in the same uniform as Leo from the North Wing, running towards them.

He stopped right before Hakyeon and Minhyuk while he was slowly catching his breath.

‘Hey! One second… let me just take a minute…. And catch my breath.’ He huffed and puffed in front of them. ‘Phew! So which one of you is Cha Hakyeon?’

Minhyuk pointed at Hakyeon and Hakyeon pointed at himself.

‘I am. But who are you?’

‘I see. So you’re Cha Hakyeon. The one that Leo took off with yesterday right?’ He asked.

Hakyeon nodded.

‘I’m Ken. Leo’s classmate and cousin. Nice to meet you!’

* * * * * * A/N * * * * * *

December is that time of month where I'm too busy to remember about life. Working 30 out of 31 days this month! What is life?

Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter though. 

I'll update again with a cover image once I get time to make it :)