Chapter 34

For the rest of the day, Kyungsoo showed Kris around town and all the while Kris told him about the things he needed to do. The problem was that most of the things were couple stuff. Really cheesy couple stuff that Kyungsoo could only shake his head at.

"How is school going?" They had entered a small park area, Kris heading straight for the exercise equipment that was placed throughout the park. He stepped onto a round plate-looking thing that could spin around. He took hold of the handles and started moving his lower body from side to side.

"I don't know." Kris knew he could be honest with Kyungsoo even though they didn't really know each other. He just trusted Kyungsoo but had no idea why.

"I mean it's pretty much the same as in Canada... but different."
Kyungsoo stepped onto the same kind of machine opposite Kris.

"I don't get it."

"I mean like, yeah the schools are pretty much the same but I don't really talk to anyone from my class. Besides you, Joonmyun and TCA I don't really have... anyone."

"You don't get along with your classmates?"

"It's more that I don't want to get close to them. They remind me too much of someone..."

"Who?... Not your ex-girlfriend I hope?"
"What? No! My best friend! ...Previous, best friend."
"Previous? What happened?"

"Nothing just. You know. Why does any best friend stop being be...  He slept with my girlfriend."

"No way. Seriously?"

"That's not the worst part. They did it right in front of me." Kris's movements started to slow down until he was standing completely still. He sighed as he climbed down from the machine to sit on the ground.

"I wanted to hate him and her as well. I just can't."

Kyungsoo joined him on the ground, patting Kris's back.

"If the guy really slept with your girlfriend then... screw them both. Forget them."

Kris snorted.

"Just like that? It is that easy?"

"Sure. They're not worth your heart ache. You're in Seoul now, that's pretty much as far away from them as you can get. Take this opportunity and live a little. Get out of your shell and stop being such an awkward turtle. If you do that you'll find that there are a lot of girls who'd be willing to give you a good time, I mean have you seen you? You pretty much live up to every Korean beauty standard there is. I'm sure you can get whoever you want. As long as you don't open your mouth."

Kris didn't know if that speech was more offending or encouraging, either way that was not what he wanted.

"I don't want that. I just want to fall in love again. I want to see the world through rose-colored glasses."

Kyungsoo could only frown at that.

"Why on earth would you want that?"
"I just want someone special to share all of this with. Someone that can make my heart beat faster and smile and laugh or comfort or just sit with. Like now. Until I met Kim I only had one friend and I was lonely. But suddenly, I wasn't alone anymore. I had her and I was happy. I want that feeling back."

"Aaaw...That is the worst pile of sentimental crap I've ever heard." Kyungsoo stood up, towering over Kris for a change.

"Love is nothing more than a waste of time. It's an illusion. A petty one at that. You're free. Go out and have fun."

"You don't believe in love?"
"I don't believe in fairytales."

"I believe in both. And I'll keep believing until I find the one. And when I find her, I'll do anything to make her mine."

"Yeah. Whatever. Just don't come running back when the one decides to take a humungous on your life."

Kyungsoo walked away, resulting in Kris bolting up from the ground, once again sprinting after the petit guy.             

"Okay so love isn't your thing. Can I ask why?"

"No."

"... Do you want me to leave?"

Kyungsoo stopped walking, sporting a confused expression on his face.

"Kris. I may seem harsh with my words but I do respect your opinion. If you want to be a crazy idiot in love, chasing after someone whose probably going to leave you anyway, be my guest. It's your life. I'm just saying that if I were you, I'd live it differently."

"But... Luuuuuuff."

"Love is for children. For us, it is nothing but a huge let-down."
Kyungsoo exhaled loudly.

"Let's talk about something else. Like how the hell did you end up in TCA and why the are you still in it? I'm telling you, Luhan is the plaque! I don't know how many times he's come to the café just to harass my hyung..."

Kris just listened to Kyungsoo blabbering about Luhan, laughing at the complete change in mood. He also wondered what had happened to make Kyungsoo so resistant to love.

When the clock struck 06.00 pm Kyungsoo took Kris back to the university grounds. Kyungsoo had to go to work soon, much to Kris's disappointment. At the gate Kris started fidgeting, not wanting Kyungsoo to leave just yet.

"Thanks. For today I mean. It was a lot of fun."

"I liked hanging out with you. Let's do it again sometime okay?"
Kyungsoo waved his goodbye and before Kris knew it, he was gone.      

As Kyungsoo entered Baekhyun's apartment, he yelled out an 'I'm back', took off his shoes and then everything went dark.

"Kyungie! I've missed you so much! How are you? Are you feeling well? I always knew that Krystal was a . Did you eat yet? Are you hungry?"

Chanyeol was pressing Kyungsoo's face against his chest, squishing the man to death. Frantically Kyungsoo started hitting his capturer, wherever he could manage.

"You're killing him Chanyeol. Let him breathe for God's sake." Baekhyun removed Chanyeol's arms which led to Kyungsoo falling on his .

"Sorry. It's just been so long. Uh uh! I brought my guitar. Wanna jam? What are you going to play at the anniversary concert? Aish! Why didn't you come live with me instead of Baekhyun. No offence Baekie, but I am his best friend. Why, Kyungsoo? Why?"

Kyungsoo stood up while rubbing his sore behind.

"Let's see. I have to be at work in half an hour so no jamming today. I don't know what I'm going to play since the concert isn't until next year. I didn't come to live with you because you still live with your parents and you're both my best friends." Kyungsoo walked towards Baekhyun's closet where his work clothes hung. He stripped out of his clothes much to his friends' chagrin.

"Dude! Where did your modesty go? Did you leave it back in Canada?" Chanyeol covered his eyes at the sight of Kyungsoo only wearing boxers.

"I guess I did. What's with you? You've seen me plenty of times before."
"That's different! We we're both then."
Kyungsoo noticed the horrified look on Baekhyun's face.

"No. Don't be thinking anything erse. When we were younger we used to go to the public bath house all the time."

"Aaah. I see." Baekhyun blushed at his premature assumptions.

Fully dressed again Kyungsoo made for the door.

"You're leaving already?" Chanyeol's face fell.

"I'd hoped we could hang out...Like in the old times."
"Some other day Chanyeol. And by the way. This." Kyungsoo pointed to his mobile. "This is a cell-phone. If you want to spend time together, call me beforehand. ." And like that, Kyungsoo left the building.

Chanyeol dejectedly sat down on Baekhyun's bed.

"But... I wanted to surprise you."