Chapter 7.

It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this? It was only a kiss. It was only a kiss.

Johnny smiled kindly. “I can take that chore, Soohyun, if you hadn’t noticed we’re not on good terms with the other team and es-”

  “We need to make this work.” Soohyun stated. There was no arguing against him. “Let’s try it out for one day, if they make enough fire wood then we won’t need this chore team and I’ll put them to do other chores.” Soohyun looked down on his paper and then on Jaehyun who was trembling. “I’m beginning to doubt my choice, Jaehyun are you okay?”

Ten looked at him and Jaehyun heard Hansol mutter. “Jaehyun will be okay it’s Taeyong I’m worrying about since Jaehyun will have an axe.”

Ten and Johnny were assigned to wash the dishes and clean up after dinner. Mark and Jaemin were assigned to wash the dishes and clean up after breakfast and other chores like this were given to the team and Jaehyun forgot to listen because he was sweating and feeling like he was going to throw up. He didn’t want to be alone with Taeyong and with an axe in his hand… Hansol was right, you couldn’t trust Jaehyun.

Jongin smiled kindly and wrapped an arm around Jaehyun’s shoulders, Jaehyun could smell Jongin and scrunched up his nose, but still accepted the kind gesture. He laughed when Jongin spoke about the fact that if girls had been there they would swoon over them.

Taeyong was leaning against his axe, listening to Jackson talk when he looked up and met Jaehyun’s gaze. Taeyong nearly fell and Jaehyun turned his head away. There were a lot of wood that they had to cut into smaller pieces just beside the North hut. The sun shone down upon them and Ten came to them with sunscreen which Jongin lent the other two. Jaehyun didn’t speak a word while chopping wood. He just swung the axe and swung it again after placing another piece upon the tree stump he used cut the wood on. Taeyong grunted in exhaustion and Jackson and Jongin shared a small conversation. Jongin was shy but kind and Jackson was very open-minded. He hadn’t been at the party because he’s known for having friends at another nearby High School.
Jaehyun stepped away from the trunk and put down the axe. He looked over and watched Taeyong swing back the axe, his biceps flexing and sweat on his skin glistening as he moved in the sun’s rays. After splitting the wood he ran a hand through his hair, raising his gaze and Jaehyun looked down. Why did Taeyong still leave him breathless?

Jaehyun frowned and took more wood. What had they been talking about on the bus? He raised the axe and grunted before letting it fall. He had to work so that he could get on another chore team.

  “Jongin, stop talking and work.” Jaehyun said and the other three looked up in surprise.

Jongin blinked. “We’ve been working an hour straight Jaehyun.” Then Jongin bit his lip, Jaehyun didn’t dare look up when he couldn’t hear the others work. Jongin sighed. “You’re right.” He then said and Jaehyun thought he heard a different tone in his voice, a tone of understanding.

Another hour passed. “Jaehyun take a pause.”

Jaehyun’s axe slipped and he just avoided it hitting his leg. Taeyong had spoken to him. Jaehyun looked up and glared at the other. “Mind your own business.” He snapped and grabbed his water bottle, taking a few gulps before continuing his work.

Taeyong raised his hands and his axe fell, Jaehyun looked up at the sound. Taeyong was looking at him. “Fine, I’ll leave.” He said. “Take a pause.” He added and then started to walk in the direction of the other team’s hut.

Jackson released a sound of exhaustion. “I could use a little break too.” He said and Jongin nodded understandingly and waved the other goodbye.

Jaehyun dropped to the ground, leaning against the tree stump he placed the wood he cut on. Jongin walked over and pulled Jaehyun up, bringing him into the shadow. “Rest for a bit, I’ll go get water.”

Jaehyun rubbed his chest. He didn’t understand Taeyong, what did he expect? That Jaehyun would gladly spend his time with him?

Soohyun was following Jongin and Jaehyun got up on his feet. “This looks nice!” Soohyun said and eyed the stacks. “That’s enough, I’ll make new teams when we need more. Great work.”

Jaehyun sighed in relief and he and Jongin started gathering the wood. Jaehyun just wanted to get out of there before Taeyong got back. Just as he turned to walk into his hut he heard a voice behind him. Soohyun and Jongin vanished when the door to his hut shut and Jaehyun froze.

  “Was it enough?” Taeyong’s voice sounded and Jaehyun turned around to look into Taeyong’s piercing gaze. There was something in it, something awfully close to hurt.

Jaehyun didn’t trust his voice and with a clenched jaw he nodded. Taeyong smiled a little. “You worked hard.” He said and then he walked towards the North hut, to gather the fire wood he had cut.

Jaehyun thought back to the time Taeyong held his hand and then he jumped as if something had stung it. He couldn’t give in, he couldn’t let himself be a fool.

 

Jaehyun hurried inside and went into the kitchen. He washed his face, arms and neck. Then he looked out the window and noticed Taeyong gathering the wood. He watched the other straighten his back, running a hand through his hair and sighing. He looked pitiful. Jaehyun watched the other’s chest rise and fall then it stopped. Taeyong stood frozen with one hand in his hair and he was just looking down. Jaehyun frowned and then Taeyong exhaled deeply and let his hand drop down to hang by his side. His lips moved as if he was talking to himself and Jaehyun liked to just for a moment be able to watch Taeyong. He then remembered how Taeyong had acted right after the game ended, as if promising that he would tell him what was happening. Jaehyun was curious, but his pride wouldn’t let himself give in just yet.

  “Did you survive?” Ten appeared in the kitchen’s entrance and Jaehyun turned his back to the window.

Jaehyun nodded. “He… he told me to take a break.” He said and his forehead furrowing. “When I didn’t he left, telling me to take a break. As if he knew I was working even harder to spend less time with him.”

Ten crossed his arms over his chest. “He’s odd.” He said eyes focused on the table in the middle of the kitchen.

Jaehyun looked over his shoulder to see Taeyong sit in the grass, head hanging low. Jackson was gathering fire wood and their coach Jongsuk was talking to them. Jaehyun hummed in reply. “Yeah…” He said and then looked back at Ten who was looking at him. Jaehyun felt startled by the intense stare but Ten’s expression changed.

  “You like him?” He asked and Jaehyun swallowed.

  “I do.” He admitted and Ten sighed.

  “It’s not easy.” He said and looked behind Jaehyun, but from where he stood he couldn’t see Taeyong.

Jaehyun looked down and sighed. He remembered Ten and him sitting in Ten’s bedroom. They were sitting on the bed, the covers of his comforter white and the white curtains blowing in the summer breeze. Ten had reached out to push Jaehyun’s hair away from his face, a different look in his eyes and Jaehyun had sought it. Ten did something none of them really spoke of until Jaehyun finally had the courage to look into Ten’s eyes again. It had been an innocent touch. A kiss Jaehyun wouldn’t trade for anything.

Ten was older now, his shoulders broader but he hadn’t grown much taller since then. His jaw was more defined and his gaze less innocent than it had first been. The torture his parents had brought upon him had done its work. Jaehyun knew that Ten always thought that pretending was better, but he couldn’t help but sometimes wish for Ten to just seem a little bit affected by what had happened to him.

Ten smiled and Jaehyun couldn’t help but smile back. Ten’s smile was healing and even though they now had enough distance between them, he sometimes wished to go back to what it was before. Then Johnny stuck his head into the kitchen and Ten’s eyes moved to look at Johnny’s face. Johnny gave the smaller a nervous smile before looking in Jaehyun’s direction.

  “The water tanks to the bathroom needs filling, you’ll do that every day and help where help is needed.” He said with a smile and Jaehyun nodded. “I think one of the food teams would love help.” He said, then he gave the other a smug look. “Sehun and I have filled the water tanks for now so they don’t need too much filling each morning.”

Jaehyun smiled. “Thank you.”

Johnny glanced at Ten who didn’t move out of the way, standing close to Johnny. “No problem.” He said and then turned his head towards Jaehyun. Ten chuckled. “Let’s go out and explore!”

Jaehyun really liked to see Johnny and Ten interact. They really fit well together. Mark and Hansol joined them as they went out and found different good hanging spots in the woods. There was a place used for training and Hansol showed off his muscles by doing lifts. On a map they figured out that there was a small village close where they could go some time. Near the village was a basketball field and there also was a basketball goal attached to the hut South. Following the sign saying river it was leading them towards a calmer part of the river where they could bath.

Jaehyun liked finding all these places, because he really wanted to also find good places to hide. They ended up relaxing by the river and Ten and Mark found it funny to spray water at the tall boys who rested in the shadow.

  “Stop!” Hansol yelled and pointed warningly at Mark who smiled back at him.

  “You sure?” He asked and Johnny sat up.

  “I’m gonna throw you in there!” He said and Mark just grinned while taking a handful of water and scooping it up and hitting three of the boys. Jaehyun gasped and Ten laughed as Johnny and Hansol got up to attack Mark who ran for his life.

They had a great time until they suddenly heard voices. Ten stood and Jaehyun backed off. Johnny went forward and pulled the two with him behind some bushes and Hansol covered Mark’s mouth before hiding with them.

  “Ah! Finally!” Someone said and Jaehyun recognized the voice, Doyoung. “A place without those Tigers.”

  “And of course it’s by the river, what a pun!”

It was Doyoung and Jinyoung. Jaehyun lifted his head and noticed Yuta who had an arm around Taeyong. Jaehyun’s jaw clenched.

  “How did you survive being with that , Taeyong?” Yuta asked and Doyoung laughed.

  “Yeah he didn’t jump on you as soon as you flexed biceps?”

Taeyong didn’t laugh, much to Jaehyun’s surprise, he just shook his head. “He didn’t.” He said and went near the water, washing his face.

  “Yah, by your actions I’m beginning to think that you actually liked the kiss.”

Taeyong glared at him. “I didn’t.” He said and Jaehyun had to stop himself from audibly wincing in pain. “It felt like nothing.” Jaehyun’s breath left him. Taeyong was looking away, so he couldn’t see his expression. “Now let’s talk about something else, shall we?”

  “Oh but it’s interesting though.” Jinyoung said and patted his face with his wet hands. “Our rival basketball team has a member who’s got a liking for one in our team.” He laughed. “Not surprised that it’s you, actually.”

Yuta caressed Taeyong’s face while cooing. “Our Taeyong is too handsome!”

Taeyong slapped the other’s hand away. “Stop it.” He muttered and turned his side to the other three.

  “Does his team know?” Yuta then asked and Taeyong’s eyes shifted to look at Yuta. He looked cautious. Yuta though, looked interested.

Doyoung mused over this. “I don’t think so.”

  “Ugh, he showers with them!” Jinyoung shuddered. “I don’t think I could.”

Taeyong’s gaze was fixed on the ground. Jaehyun didn’t want to be there, he started getting up when Yuta spoke.

  “We should tell them.” He said. “That would create a lot of drama.”

Taeyong’s expression dropped. “How?” He asked almost breathlessly.

  “By showing the picture.” Jinyoung said and looked at Taeyong who looked like he had eaten something sour. “Come on we want to see it too, just say what happened. It was a dare and that actually fell for it.”

Taeyong’s gaze dropped and Doyoung smiled. “Oh sweet revenge.” He said.

  “They should never have come with us on this trip.”

Jaehyun couldn’t move, but he knew his friends were looking at him. The boys from the other team left the place and Jaehyun raised his gaze to see Mark look at him, a different look in his eyes. Jaehyun couldn’t stop himself, his body shook as he tried to hold in the sobs and then he stood and stormed off.

Ten followed him.

A/N:

Hey everybody! Suddenly got so many subscribers, where do you all come from? haha
Thank you though for subscribing and I hope you enjoy the story! <3 I'm at chapter 15-16 I haven't divided them yet, so don't be afraid of having to wait. ^^

*re-reads the next chapter to be sure of what'll happen* Oh you'll like the next chapter, hehe. No, there won't be not yet. I'll see if it fits into the story. ( always fits, though)

Now I have a life to attend, unluckily haha! It's too hot outside I'm dying, Denmark isn't supposed to be hot. ;A;

See you guys soon~! Comments are always appreciated~! <3

Love,
Emma. <3