Baekhyun waited nervously in the hallway between his dorm and Chanyeol's. It was 8:30 and the nova tests were to start at 10, giving them just enough time to eat and head to the forest entrance. The orders were already predetermined and all you had to do was wait for your name to be called. In a school of less than 400 students, it wasn't too difficult for the exams to finish by the afternoon.

Kyungsoo had left first to visit Jongin, explaining that his boyfriend was probably trembling with fear. Baekhyun only nodded, his mind already elsewhere, when his roommate waved hurriedly before making his way down the hall.

Baekhyun stared at the wooden door in front of him. Just behind that surface was Chanyeol, the person he'd come to like after coming to this school.

"But I did. Don't try to stop me, because if you do, I'll kill you too."

He tried to shake off the chilly feeling on his arms and the restless beat in his chest. He had had another dream but this time, it wasn't as horrific or frightening.

"You have to run away." A voice called out.

Baekhyun turned around, looking for the speaker, but there was no one around. His feet stood steadily on the hard ground under him. He could feel the wind blowing through his hair and the wet air filled his nostrils. There wasn't anyone in sight.

"R-Run away from what?" Baekhyun asked, not to anyone in particular. The leaves of the trees rustled as a breeze blew by.

"You must give it up." The voice echoed again, causing Baekhyun to turn in circles. Still, he could see no one.

Baekhyun took a step forward but his legs froze. Looking down at his feet, he felt paralyzed.

"Baekhyun...?" Chanyeol's voice snapped the shorter male out of his thoughts.

"H-Huh?" Baekhyun blinked, suddenly becoming aware that Chanyeol had come out of his room and was waiting with him in the hallway.

"You've been staring at my chest without saying a word." Chanyeol chuckle before reaching over and pressing Baekhyun's hand to his left chest.  Baekhyun's eyes widened and his cheeks went red at how firm Chanyeol's body was. Immediately, he attempted to pull his hand away.

"W-What are you-"

"Do you feel that?" Chanyeol asked.

"Feel what?" Baekhyun looked away avoiding his gaze. Chanyeol held his hand tighter before using his other hand to gently caress Baekhyun's cheek. His fingers lifted his chin.

"Baek, look at me." Chanyeol spoke softly Hesitantly, Baekhyun lifted his eyes to meet Chanyeol's. The second their eyes met, Chanyeol's lips curled into a smile.

Baekhyun's cheeks went red. "W-What are you-"

"My heart," Chanyeol started. "is beating so rapidly right now. Because of you."

Baekhyun blinked.

"Because of you, right now, my heart is so excited that it feels like blood is going to burst from my veins."

Baekhyun made a face but Chanyeol continued on.

"My heart is going to keep beating for you no matter what. I don't know how you manage to wiggle you tiny self into the spot next to me but I'm never going to let you leave. You're never going to be away from me and I'll never let you be hurt. I'll do everything I can to protect you." Chanyeol confesses.

Baekhyun felt the beat of Chanyeol's heart pumping under his palm. "It's..really warm."

Chanyeol's ears were red. "O-Of course. Did you think my heart would be cold?"

Baekhyun laughed. "At first it was. So cold I would have thought Minseok used his nova on you. But ultimately fire wins."

Chanyeol brought Baekhyun's hand down and laced their fingers together. The embarrassment Baekhyun felt before was beginning to fade. All he needed was Chanyeol by his side.

"Let's go." Baekhyun says with a smile. He took a step forward but just when he was about to take another, Chanyeol pulled on his arm. Baekhyun swung around and found himself pressed to Chanyeol's body. Now, his face was redder than it was before. Chanyeol's eyes searched his.

"You forgot something."

 Baekhyun narrowed his eyes. "Hm-"

Chanyeol swooped down and pressed his lip to Baekhyun's, loving how their lips fit so perfectly with each other's. Chanyeol then pulled away with a smile that reached his eyes.

"Ok! Let's go!" Chanyeol's cheeks glowed with happiness and a faint blush. He swung their hands between them as they made their way down the hall. Baekhyun's eyes were wide from surprise but he would be lying if he said he hated it.

-

"Ah, Chanyeol-ah! Joonmyeon waved his hand once he spotted the giant and his boyfriend making their way into the cafeteria.

Everyone was already seated except that Luhan was no where in sight.

"Hey!" Jongin says with a smile, greeting the couple with his own boyfriend by his side. Baekhyun smiled back.

"Are you guys ready for the exam?" Jongdae asked, taking a sip of soup.

"I don't think anyone can be ready for this" Kyungsoo said with a quiet sigh.

"I'm going to go get food." Baekhyun said, standing up and making his way downstairs. Chanyeol watched his boyfriend go down.

"You seem to be happy today." Joonmyeon comments, looking at the junior beside him.

Chanyeol's lips widened and the ends of his eyes crinkled.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Where's Luhan?" Baekhyun asked as he came up with two trays of food. He set them down in front of him and Chanyeol's seat.

"Went to visit Sehun." Jongdae explains.

They ate normally and chatted about what they wanted to do next weekend after exams were over. However, it was obvious that the nova test was stuck in the back of their minds. 

They began to clean the plates and get up from the table when Baekhyun's head began to hurt.

"C'mon, let's go Baek." Chanyeol says, getting up from his seat and making his way with the group.

Baekhyun nodded, standing up and pushing his chair out. Jongin and Kyungsoo made their way down first, followed by Jongdae and Joomyeon. Baekhyun' eyes fluttered weakly and before he knew it, his body had fallen to the ground. Unknowingly, his legs weakened and were unable to support his body.

"Baekhyun!" Chanyeol called out, catching the others' attention, as he rushed over to help the shorter male up.

"Baekhyun?" Joonmyeon and Kyungsoo quickly came over, concerned over their friend's state.

"Are you okay?" Jongdae asked, kneeling down. Baekhyun blinked and nodded.

"Y-Yeah.. Sorry, I'm fine. I was dizzy just for a second." Baekhyun explained, slowly getting up from the ground. Everything was normal again and his body didn't feel any pain or ache. 

"Are you sure? Do you want us to take you to Yixin-"

"No, I'm good." Baekhyun reassured Joonmyeon with a small smile.

--

"Who has gone so far?" Jongdae asked as he approached his friends. They had all been waiting in the forest entrance for half an hour now. Staff, including Kris, surrounded the waiting area where they could sit around and talk while waiting for their turn. Once you have completed the test, you were ecorted to another building for the dimension spell to wear off.

"Well, from what I've heard, Min Yoongi, sleep nova, went first. Then you know that Jackson kid, also a strength nova, from China? He went. Then a few earth novas went in." Joonmyeon explained. He already seemed bored from waiting for his turn.

"Any news on Minseok and Sehun?" Jongin asked.

Jongdae sighed and shook his head. "No..at this rate, I don't know what's going to happen. Will this test actually change anything?"

"We'll have to see. We can't doubt Yixing and Kris now."

The speakers buzzed, signifying that another student would enter the examinations.

"Do Kyungsoo. Student 13485675, Do Kyungsoo. Strength nova."

Jongin's hand tightened around his boyfriend's and his face showed fear. "H-Hyung, that's you."

Kyungsoo ran his hand down Jongin's head and slowly pulled his hand from the sophomore's. He knew Jongin would react his way. They both had prayed that Jongin would go before Kyungsoo because at least Kyungsoo would be with him until he took the test. But now that Kyungsoo was called first, Jongin would have to wait without his lover until he was called.

"I'll be done soon. I believe in you, just be yourself Jongin. Imagine teleporting to me and your nova will take you to me." Kyungsoo pecked Jongin's lips so fast Jongin had leaned in to nothing.

"But what if-"

"Don't think about something that won't happen." Kyungsoo smiled. "I'm going!"

"Good luck you muscular penguin!" Jongdae cheered.

"Good luck, Soo!" Joonmyeon called out, Kyungsoo just waved over his shoulder. The teacher at the forest entrance gave Kyungsoo a spell band before motioning for him to walk in. Within seconds he was out of their view.

"Finally, one of us are going in." Baekhyun frowned.

"Yeah.." Jongin sighed.

"Kyungsoo will do just fine. It's Minseok and Sehun I'm worried about." Joonmyeon says, folding his hands on the table they sat at.

"And Jongin." Jongdae added.

"My condition isn't as bad as Sehunnie or Minseok hyung's." Jongin says.

"But still, has your nova worked at all recently."

Jongin bit his lip. "Well, the other day I woke up on the bathroom floor when I clearly had slept in my bed."

"And you're sure it wasn't sleep walking?" Chanyeol asked raising an eyebrow.

"Hm." Jongin frowned. "Maybe you're right."

There was another buzz, catching their attention.

"Kim Jongdae, Student 13527641, Kim Jongdae, Lightning nova."

Jongdae ran a hand through his hair. "That was fast.."

"Good luck." Jongin sighed.

"Shock 'em." Baekhyun smiled and Jongdae laughed

"Sure will."

-

Luhan sighed, watching Sehun rest peacefully. Yixing had been changing and washing his clothes for him. Sehun didn't really look like a sick or dying person, but simply asleep. Numerous times, Luhan couldn't help but comb his hand through Sehun's hair and hold his hand. Sehun was beautiful to him, no matter how stubborn or cold the younger male was to him.

"Sehun, you can't keep sleeping. You have to take the exam. You have to protect your nova.."

The room was silent. Yixing was at the forest as a emergency nurse, giving Luhan the privacy to visit and speak to Sehun as he wished.

"I.."

Luhan's eyes widened when Sehun's eyes flickered to his lips.

"I...I like-"

Luhan put his hand gently over Sehun's.

"What did you want to tell me that day?" Luhan felt his heart being pulled. Curiosity filled his mind and frustration sank like a rock in his chest.

It would have been easier to pry into Sehun's thoughts but he promised to never do so. If Sehun wanted Luhan to know, he would tell him. However, part of Luhan wished he had just used his nova. It had been several days since Sehun became unconcious and it made Luhan more upset and uneasy than ever.

"Why are doing this to me? All I wanted was for you to return my feelings but if you're like this," Luhan sniffed, feeling his eyes well with tears. "I can't understand you. I don't want to see you like this. I'd rather have you hate me for the rest of your life than have you lay in front of me, leaving me alone like this.."

Luhan's thumb caressed the back of Sehun's hand.

" Please, wake up." Luhan begged, despite knowing that Sehun could't hear him. 

-

"How many studens have gone by now?" Jongin frowned, staring at the crowds around him. The amount of students seemed to never decrease. There had to be at least 100 who had already went. An hour and a half passed and they haven't seen Kyungsoo or Jongdae since they left to take the exam.

"I heard from Kris, at least 5 classes. The waiting room is filling up quick." Joonmyeon sighed.

"Kim Minseok. Student 14726539, Kim Minseok, Ice Nova." 

They all looked at each other and Jongdae looked down at his hands.

"He's not going to take this test.."

"There's no way for them to be excused?" Baekhyun asked, looking at Joonmyeon before turning to the forest entrance. Kris had walked over to the other staff and they could all assume he was going to explain Minseok's state. 

"It's up to the principal. She has control over everything, with the help of staff inputs." Jongin said softly.

"Then-"

"Kim Jongin, Student 14752933, Kim Jongin, Teleportation Nova." Jongin froze.

"Kyungsoo hyung made it right? All I have to do is get from one place to another.." He mumbled, taking deep breaths.

"Hey, calm down, Jongin-." Baekhyun reached over to pat his back but Jongin flinched away.

Baekhyun frowned.

"I- Sorry Baekhyun, but I need all my nova energy." Jongin said rushed, before getting out of his seat and making his way through the crowded line to the forest entrance. The junior couldn't help but feel a stabbing pain. It wasn't that he didn't expect Jongin to act that way towards him, after all it was his fault, but the younger male had been so indifferent about it till now.

"Don't let it get to you, Baek." Joonmyeon says with a tight smile. It was only the three of them left. Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol, who only bumped their heads together. As much as Baekhyun loved Chanyeol's subtle affection, his stomach was uneasy and his mind was running in circles.

"LET HIM GO!"

Baekhyun sat up, eyes wide. The voice inside his head sounded strangly familiar. It dripped with desperation and fear. 

"What's wrong?" Chanyeol asked, noticing the way Baekhyun's hand was trembling and his breathing was uneven. His worry caught Joonmyeon's attention as well.

"TAKE IT AWAY!"

Baekhyun turned around to the forest entrance. Other students were still walking in.

"Who-" he cut himself off abruptly, trying to hear the voice again. 

"Baek!" Chanyeol, pulled his shoulder but Baekhyun was too lost in his own thoughts.

Joonmyeon looked at Chanyeol with confusion. Neither of them got an answer.

Baekhyun stood up and before he knew it, he was already running towards the forest entrance. 

 [ 3 more chapters left ]

Leave a comment! What will happen to Minseok and Sehun? Will Jongin pass the test? Who was calling Baekhyun?