Chapter 7: Mine

 

~10th Grade, Fall, First Semester~

 

“So Yoona dies and Seung Gi doesn’t want her to go to the Underworld, which is the place everyone goes to after they die?” Jongdae said.

 

“Right. He asks Aphrodite to do something to her so that they don’t have to separate. She turns both of them into stars and they live happily ever after. When two lovers don't want to be apart, they become stars. Yoona and Seung Gi become the brightest star, the North Star, and are the King and Queen, respectively.”

 

“I have to say, this turned out pretty well. By the way, today’s Wednesday so don’t forget about our study date after school.” The short male nearly choked on his spit at the word ‘date’. Both males coughed awkwardly before an idea popped into Minseok’s head.

 

“Should we start planning our costumes?”

 

“Yeah! I can’t wait to blow everyone's socks off when we walk in!” Minseok chuckled at his partner’s childishness before turning serious.

 

“But what are we going to wear?”

 

“You’re right. Hmm, what could we be?” Jongdae’s eyebrows furrowed as he wondered about what the pair could dress as. His eyes lighted up with an idea that brought his once frowning lips upside down into a bright smile. “I know! You could be Mario and I could be Luigi! It would be perfect!” Contemplating the idea for awhile, Minseok processed the information. It was Jongdae’s turn to admire Xiumin although he wasn’t quite sure of his feelings for the baozi boy yet.

 

“Sure. After we finish, we can go to a store to look at the costumes.” With perfect timing, the bell rang, signalling their lunch break. “I’ll see you later, Chen.” Flashing him one last smile, Minseok ran out of the room to leave a disappointed dinosaur behind. Wondering what could possibly be more interesting than himself, Jongdae followed the other boy to see where he disappeared to every Wednesday and Friday.

 

“Sup, guys.” Anger and envy boiled Jongdae’s blood as he witnessed Minseok hugging his friends. He wasn’t even sure if he liked the other boy - although he has thought about it before on multiple occasions - but he knew that he definitely didn’t like people touching his new friend besides himself. “Ready?” All five males walked into the choir room where all of the instruments and other equipment were kept. Trying to be as stealthy as he could, Chen followed them and ducked under the window. When he was sure that they weren’t looking, he opened the door a bit to peek into the room. He was surprised when he was greeted with Minseok tuning a guitar and the other four boys warming up their voices.

 

“What do you want to sing today? Baekhyun, it’s your turn to pick.” A small boy with brown curls and a cute (not as cute as Minseok’s, but still cute) face with puppy like eyes, whom Jongdae assumed was Baekhyun, nodded and looked through their list of songs they had created, rearranged, or just really liked.

 

“Um, let's go with Transformer. Min, you up for it? This one’s pretty hard.” The mentioned boy just shrugged and turned to the drum set in the corner instead after putting away his guitar, knowing he wouldn’t need it for this song. “I’ll take that as a yes. We can finally have someone rap the parts!” Baekhyun hugged Tao before signaling Minseok to start.

 

Jongdae was amazed at Tao’s bass voice and the three other boy’s vocals. He knew that he was good at singing himself and he wasn’t ashamed to sing in front of other people, but he had to admit the others were just as good as himself. Besides the four males powerful vocals, he was just as amazed or maybe even more as he watched Minseok calmly hit the percussion instruments with controlled force and precision.

 

When the students concluded the song, the last note they struck rang in their ears for a few moments afterwards. Slowly, a smile made it’s way up to all of their lips. Gradually, they all sat down in a circle and began to eat their food while complimenting each other and giving out pointers. But soon, the five males became childish again and joked around with each other. It reminded Chen of him and his own group of friends. They all had a common interest, soccer, and were comfortable enough with each other to call themselves brothers. Just like the group of friends he was watching, they all had a bond with each other that would last their lifetimes. Sighing, Jongdae closed the door and walked to the cafeteria towards his friends.

 

“Where’ve you been, man?” Jongin greeted him with a soft pat on his shoulder.

 

“You should get lunch before our break ends.” Yixing, being the warm and caring unicorn he was, worriedly told his friend.

 

“Yeah, sorry, had to talk with a teacher about something. I’ll be right back, kay?” The lie rolled smoothly off of Jongdae’s tongue. He walked to the line and took a metal tray full of food before paying and coming back to his friend’s table. “So, what’d I miss?” Eating slightly quicker than usual, Chen made sure that he would be able to eat a full meal before the bell rang.

 

“Nothing much, just the usual.” Jongdae raised his right eyebrow at Sehun’s reply. “Usual, as in Jongin drooling over Kyungsoo, Kris talking about his new obsession with the new kid, Chanyeol fangirling over Baekhyun’s new haircut that he swears is slightly curlier today, so on and so forth. It’s funny because Jongin and Kris aren’t even gay. And they say they don’t like them.” The two boy’s shared a knowing look that said, ‘Our friend’s are really stupid.’

 

“Oh, then I didn’t miss much.” Flashing a bright smile, the goalkeeper dug into his food while listening to the conversation.

 

“No! Chanyeol, I was always taller than you! I did not spontaneously grow last year! I have always, and will always, be taller than you!”

 

“That’s beyond the point!”

 

“Than what is the point?” Oh, what great friends Jongdae had.

 

-    -    -    -

 

“Shut up.” Baekhyun stated.

 

“No.” Tao whined.

 

“Yes.”

 

“No!”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because!” Tao rolled his eyes at Baekhyun’s immature answer.

 

“Because what?”

 

“Because I said so.” The panda boy whined and complained about how the petite male shouldn’t use his seniority and age to get the former to do something. Having heard this certain complaint from his many underlings before, Baekhyun just brushed off the annoying words and continued his life like there wasn’t a tall male with large eye bags talking to him.

 

"Why were we fighting again?" Tao placed his index finger on his chin, pondering why he was wasting his time fighting with Baekhyun.

 

"Don't ask me." Tao rolled his eyes again.

 

"I hate you."

 

"No, you don't. But it's okay if you do, I love you enough for the both of us." Baekhyun kissed Tao on his right cheek and smiled triumphantly when the younger male wiped the spit off.

 

"That's disgusting, hyung!"

 

"You should be honored, Zi Tao."

 

"Alright class, please pay attention!" The Language Arts teacher looked in the direction of the two males and effectively shut them up. "Today, we're starting a new project! Isn't that exciting!" Groans from all the students were heard throughout the room, just like every other class. "Aw, don't be like that! It'll be fun, I promise!

 

"Since we are in our Greek mythology unit, you guys will be making your own myths! You will all have to find your own partners and create something in your myths. Not things like the microwave, but stuff like water, land, or fire. This project will last for a couple months and you'll have to sit next to your partners for the whole time, so pair yourselves up with someone you can get along well with. Don't sit with someone you'll fool around with. If so, I'll have to separate you, and you’ll each have to work alone. I'm going to show you an example each of a good myth and a not as good one. Pay attention, this will help you in the future." The teacher droned on and on about the details about the new assignment and then showed the example myths. Tao gradually lost his focus until he was in his own land. "Okay, that's it for now. I'll let you choose your partners now. Please take these graphic organizers and fill them out with your partner. Hand them back in two classes. Have fun!"

 

Baekhyun watched as Chanyeol and Kris automatically move next to each other. An evil plan formed in his mind. Pulling at Tao's arm, he made him stand up and turn around.

 

"Hi, Chanyeol, want to be my partner?" Not waiting for the taller male's answer, Baekhyun continued talking. "Sorry, Tao, guess you'll have to find another partner." Smiling at the win-win situation, the small boy took Chanyeol's arm and dragged him to the side.

 

"But-"

 

"Hush, child. Just watch." Baekhyun pointed in the direction of Tao and Kris who were conversing awkwardly.

 

"What? Oh. Oh." Chanyeol smirked with the other boy and watched the ship sail.

 

"Sorry about that. I just..." Baekhyun trailed off and watched one of his best friends blush at something Kris had said.

 

"You just want him to be happy, I understand completely." The taller watched his crush smile fondly at Tao and wished the latter cared about him the same way, maybe even more.

 

"Thanks." Baekhyun smiled wholeheartedly at the other before a frown take its place. "We have to do work now. Like, actually do stuff." He wrinkled his nose as if there was a bad smell. Chanyeol laughed at the others childness.

 

"Don't worry, Chanyeol is here to save the day!" Baekhyun playfully hit the former's shoulder.

 

"Shut up."

 

"What if I don't want to?" Chanyeol asked flirtatiously. Baekhyun couldn't find a smarter retort than 'just do it' so he resorted to focusing on the worksheet in front of him.

 

"We have to find a topic and write it down. Let's brainstorm." Chanyeol smirked at his victory before complying and getting out a lined piece of paper.

 

-    -    -    -

 

"So..."

 

"Yeah. Let's, uh, start now," Kris his dry lips out of anxiety and held the pencil in his slightly shaking hand.

 

"We have to f-find a topic to write about." Tao cursed his teenage hormones for making his voice crack in such an unmanly way.

 

"We could, uh, we could write about, erm, love?" It came out more like a question than a suggestion. Tao blushed.

 

"S-Sure. I'm fine with that." Sending one last weak smile in the taller male's direction, the panda wrote down 'love story' under the topic area. "And, uh, what we we going to create? I-It could be anything, really."

 

Kris furrowed his eyebrows and Tao couldn't help but stare at the former in adoration. He blushed again at the thought of there being a possibility that Yi Fan could have been the eyes he felt on his neck before. If he could have been staring at Tao like the latter was staring at him.

 

"I-" Kris unconsciously his lips again and sent Tao's inner fanboy crazy. "-I like dragons..." He lowered his head as if in shame, trying to hide the red blush creeping onto his cheeks and nose bridge.

 

"Really? The all mighty basketball captain, Wu Yi Fan, likes dragons? I didn't expect that from you."

 

"What did you expect?" Kris pouted and Tao couldn't help but think that the former looked extremely adorkable.

 

"Well, you just give off the 'suave', 'too swag for this' vibe. You're sorta... How do I put this? Intimidating. Yes, unapproachable. But I think you're probably just a big softie on the inside."

 

Kris started mentally freaking out that point. There was no way that the transfer student from China knew about his reputation at school and the completely opposite collection of stuffed animals on his bed. There was no way, right?

 

"Yeah, totally. You could say that. I'm not as bad as everyone says I am. I act like a completely different person with my friends."

 

"Can I be one of those people? One of your friends? I'd like to know that side of the Wu Yi Fan."

 

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, that'd be, uh, cool. I'd like t-that." Curse these teenage hormones.

 

-    -    -    -

 

“Hola!”

 

“What the fudge, Chen? You’re so weird.” Both males laughed and walked side by side away from the school.

 

“So… What should we do first, get costumes or the project?” Chen furrowed his eyebrows and Xiumin giggled unceremoniously. He was just so happy that he could causally spend time with his crush that he didn’t mind looking like a total fool.

 

“Uhm, how about we go to a cafe near the costume store and work on the project first?” Jongdae nodded and walked down the cement sidewalk with Minseok by his side. He unconsciously whistled a song that had been in his head for the whole day. The male beside him pulled on his arm to stop the latter from walking any further and wore a puzzled face. “How do you know that song? Me and my friends wrote that and no one has heard it besides ourselves. Have you… perhaps watched us perform before?”

 

“Maybe?” Chen shamefully looked in the other direction and suddenly became interested in the tree behind him. Minseok forcefully turned him around and the said boy felt electricity run through his veins at the touch of the former. “Yes, Minnie?” He tried to use his best aegyo and pouted cutely. Having a hard time controlling his facial expressions, Xiumin finally managed a sentence.

 

“T-That’s not g-going to work on me.” Min averted his eyes and avoided looking at the other male’s face.

 

“W-What was t-that?” Chen mocked him and stuck his puppy eyes in front of the baozi boy’s line of sight.

 

“O-Oh, would you look at that! We arrived at the cafe, let’s go inside!” He hurriedly walked into the small corner cafe and stood in line, pretending to be contemplating between a chocolate cake or a chocolate chip cookie. Jongdae chuckled at the other’s cuteness before getting in line behind him.

 

“I suggest the chocolate cake, I hear it’s moist and sweet.” He whispered into his ear, creepily towering over the other. Minseok flinched before he realized it was just his friend.

 

“Don’t do that! I might actually scream!"

 

Jongdae lifted his hands as if he were saying 'I didn't do it'. "Just trying to help, that's all."

 

"Sure. Whatever." Minseok turned back to line and ordered the cake much to Jongdae's delight. The latter ordered a simple vanilla iced coffee. They sat down at a corner booth across from each other and stared at the table in a comfortable silence.

 

"So, what do we do now? I mean, we already finished our organizer so we can't really do anything else."

 

"We could start writing." Minseok took out his phone and opened Google Docs. "What should we name it?"

 

"Hmm. How about Shining Star?"

 

"Hey, my band made a song named that!" Jongdae pretended to not know about the band and inquired the other for more information.

 

"You're in a band?" Xiumin nodded.

 

"Yep. There's Lu Han, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, Tao, and of course, me. I play all the instruments, Tao raps, and the rest sing." Jongdae nodded as if he understood and continued sipping his straw. "Shining Star. A tale of two souls that want to have a forever love."

 

"Yeah." Chen commented although he was more focused on the speckle of chocolate that lie at the left corner of Minseok's mouth. "You have a little, uh, something right there." He motioned to his own mouth and sighed when the other wiped the wrong side.

 

"Here?"

 

"No, over there." Jongdae pointed his fingers to the other's left side but the latter just ended up with his fingers on his chin. "Here," Chen leaned over the table and cleaned Xiumin's mouth with his thumb before wiping it on a napkin. Minseok's eyes few large and he transformed into a statue that did not dare look into his companion's eyes. "Min?" He snapped.

 

"H-Huh? O-Oh, Chen. S-Sorry, I just got a little distracted."

 

"So anyways,” Jongdae continued casually, “we could write a couple paragraphs, and then we could go costume shopping. How’s that?”

 

“Sounds like a plan.” Minseok smiled before he started typing. “Far away from the city, past the paved roads, and over the tall mountains, lay a small town named… Uh, named stuff?” Chen laughed but all he earned was a smack on the arm.

 

“What? It’s funny!” After receiving a glare, Jongdae became serious. “How about…” He looked around the small cafe and saw a picture of a planet. Under was the word, ‘exoplanet’. “EXO?”

 

“EXO?”

 

“Yeah, EXO. It comes from the word exoplanet, which means a planet that revolves around a star, besides the sun. It’s sort of like the small town.” Jongdae smiled at his explanation.

 

“How?” Minseok furrowed his eyebrows.

 

“Erm… I don’t know, it just does!”

 

Minseok raised his hands in surrender. “Okay okay! They’re related!”

 

For the next hour, the pair worked on their myth in harmony. Bouncing off ideas from each other, they used their organizers to create an exciting story.

 

-    -    -    -

 

“Min, it’s already 5:00PM. Maybe we should start shopping now.”

 

Sighing, Xiumin started to pack up his stuff. “I sort of want to write more…”

 

“It’s alright. We have LA in two days so just be a little more patient, okay?”

 

“Fine. Lead the way.” He held out his arm, inviting Jongdae to go in front of him. They walked out of the cafe and onto the bustling streets of Seoul. Nearing a costume store that was just around the corner, they traveled inside. "Wow, it's so... big!" Chen chuckled.

 

"Yeah. C'mon, let's ask the store clerk if they have any Mario and Luigi costumes." The pair headed to the checkout center and politely asked where the Mario and Luigi costumes were.

 

"They're right this way." The store clerk lead them to a corner of the shop where the costumes they were looking for were located. She pointed out the changing areas and then headed back to the counter.

 

"Min, what do you think?" Jongdae stepped out of his dressing room as did Xiumin. "Woah! You look so adorkable!" The former commented on the latter’s costume before he could even reply.

 

Minseok cocked his head to the side out of curiosity. "Adorkable?"

 

"Adorable but dorky. Duh. So what do you think of my costume??"

 

"It suits you." Showing off his eyesmile, Minseok headed back to the changing room to transform back to his self. Jongdae did the same and then they went back to the clerk.

 

"We'll take these." As Jongdae was about to pay for the costumes, Minseok put a hand on his wallet.

 

“Stop. I’ll pay.” Obeying his statement, Xiumin took out his wallet.

 

“No, I will!” Jongdae asked what the price was before pulling some money out of one of the pockets.

 

“I’m older, let me pay.” Chen smiled playfully.

 

“Oops. Too late.” Before he could react, Min took the bag and walked off.

 

“Since you paid, I’ll carry the bags. And don’t you dare say no.” Putting his hands up in defeat, Jongdae obediently followed the elder male.

 

“Look at who we’ve got here! It’s Jongdae and - hold up. The ?!” A tall guy with broad shoulders walked into the shop with two other males behind him. “Well if it isn’t our little Minseokkie? Whatcha doing here with Jongdae? Shouldn't you be out and about, being a and all that sh*t?” Minseok’s fists clenched but he just silently stood there.

 

“How dare you say that to Min?”

 

“Min? Jongdae, in case you haven’t noticed, he’s gay. As in he’s a loser. As in he hangs out with other faggots and doesn’t deserve to live on this Earth with his sick mindset.”

 

“No. I have not noticed he’s gay. As in it doesn’t matter. As in gay people are like any other person in this whole entire universe. As in I will punch you in the face if you say that one more time.” Min’s eyes widened at the sudden comeback the defended homouals but he didn’t dare say anything.

 

“What? You could become a too is you’re around him too much! If I were you, I would stop hanging out with this retard.”

 

“I don’t want to become a b*st*rd like you, Jaejoong.” Chen felt a pull on his sleeve.

 

“Stop, Chen.” Minseok whispered quietly as if he didn’t want to break the tense atmosphere. Only the said male could hear the soft plead but he did not listen.

 

“Say that one more time. I dare you.” Jaejoong pushed Chen’s chest. “Come on, say it one more time, .”

 

“You’re a sick b*st*rd.” A punch landed itself on Jongdae’s jaw. “I’m not going to fight you.”

 

“Why, are you scared? I’m quite disappointed. I really expected more from you.” A kick was delivered to Chen’s gut but the he didn’t do anything. “Why are you letting me beat you up, huh? C’mon, it’s not fun if the other person isn’t cooperating.”

 

“Just hit me. Hit me all you want. I hope you can let out all of your hate so you can stop bullying others and just accept.”

 

“Suit yourself.” The males behind Jaejoong grabbed both of Minseok's arms before he could go help Jongdae. “Although, I won’t be surprised if you do turn out to be a by hanging out with this loser. You’ve always been on the feminine side.”

 

"Dae!" A tear slipped from his watery eyes. He didn’t even realize that he unconsciously made up a new nickname for his crush whom he was calling so affectionately.

 

"Don't cry, baby! I'll be done with him very soon and you guys can go home and be the faggots you are!” Jaejoong smiled viciously with a cold glint in his eyes before sending a left hook that slammed full force into Jongdae’s nose.

 

“You know, you’ve always looked like a girl. If the stereotype was correct, everyone would think you were gay too.” A bloody, lopsided grin found its way to the victim’s split lips.

 

“You sure are asking for it!” With an enraged face, Jaejoong knocked Chen on the floor before pummeling his fists into the latter while he was pinned onto the floor. “You’re gonna pay for saying that, you homo!” He stood up with a strong and powerful push of his legs before kicking the beaten up male that lay on the ground. With one flick of his wrist, the two other large teenagers let go of Minseok and followed Jaejoong outside the store.

 

Quickly, Minseok went to Jongdae’s side and help his in his lap. “Stupid. You’re so stupid, Chen! What were you thinking? Do you know how worried I was?” He hit the said boy weakly on his chest.

 

Chen just chuckled. “You’re not supposed to hit an injured person.” Minseok just rolled his eyes at the playful smirk that placed itself on Jongdae’s mouth.

 

“You’re impossible.”

 

“I know. Can I just… lay here for a bit?” Jongdae closed his eyes slowly and his breathing grew raspy and uneven.

 

“Dae?! Chen?! Wake up!” The store clerk was still in the backroom as Minseok tried to shake his crush awake.

 

-    -    -    -

 

A groan escaped Jongdae’s mouth. He ran his slender fingers through his soft, brown locks to only find that their were bandages and ointment all over him. “Ugh. What happened?”

 

“You were being an idiot. That’s what happened.” Minseok came in with a tray of hot porridge, a glass of water, and a two painkillers. The memories came rushing in as the baozi cheeked boy set down the silver platter on the living room table.

 

“Wait a sec. Dae?” Minseok flushed as Jongdae sat up from the couch and smirked. “What was that all about?”

 

“I-It just came out naturally.” The former looked away as if the wall were more important than the injured boy in front of him.

 

“Look at me.” Unlike his goofy self, Jongdae became serious. When Minseok refused to spare him a glance, he forcefully turned his head by placing his cold hands on the other’s warm cheeks. “I… I really like you, hyung. At first, I wasn’t really sure about my uality. I kept wondering if the feelings I felt for you were just friendly or if they were something more. I know that it was stupid of me to provoke Jaejoong but he was insulting you and he kept saying these awful things about homoual people and I just got so mad that-” Jongdae’s eyes widened as Minseok placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

 

“Shut up. I forgive you, alright? Just… Just don’t do it again, got it?”

 

Jongdae nodded his head. “Does that mean you like me too?” Minseok just rolled his eyes and blew on a spoon full of porridge.

 

“Eat this before it gets cold.” He held the spoon near the other male’s lips until he swallowed it.

 

“Wow! Minnie, you sure can cook! Can you be my boyfriend?”

 

“Because I can cook?” Minseok pouted playfully and crossed his arms.

 

“No, of course not just that! Although, it’s definitely a plus side… But I really do like you hyung! I didn’t know it before, but ever since that day on the bus, you’ve always captivated me. It’s like… you’re a magnet and you’re pulling me in.”

 

“That’s so cheesy…” Minseok blushed a light pink.

 

“I know, but it’s true. Everything feels so right with you. We talk like old friends and there’s almost never an awkward silence. It’s so comfortable with you. It’s like you’re my second home.” They smiled at each other at Jongdae’s sudden confession.

 

He patted the space next to him on the couch, indicating Minseok to sit with him. Chen laid his head on Xiumin’s lap and played with the latter’s fingers before lacing them together. “Yes, I’ll be your boyfriend. But did you really have to get yourself beaten up to ask me this?”

 

“This-” Jongdae help up their connected hands, “-was worth it. I’d do anything for you, my Xiumin.”

 

“Anything?”

 

“Anything.” Minseok pointed to his lips and smiled sinfully. They laughed before Jongdae kissed his lips and they smiled, satisfied with the day’s events. “By the way, where are your parents?”

 

“At work. Which means we have the whole house to ourselves for a couple more hours.” Minseok wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

 

“Let’s just cuddle. I wanna hug my baozi.” The said baozi chuckled before lying down in Jongdae’s open arms. “Hyung.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice.” Is it too soon to tell him I love him?