“I love you!” Minho heard the same words for the millionth time in his 2 years of high school. He was tired and immensely annoyed by it, but he didn’t show it and instead, smiling, he responded.

“Sorry.” And without as much as a glance in the girl’s direction, that started crying the moment his lips formed the shape of “S”, he left as quickly as he could. His face was distorted immediately when he was out of sight and he let out a sigh as he put his back against the wall, slowly sliding to a sitting position.

It’s not like he hasn’t dated anyone at all, but he learned his lesson after a few not-so-nice incidents. Girls and guys alike confessed to him, however, he now knew better. They didn’t like him for who he was, they only liked his outer appearance. He was sick of such people, he also came to despise his handsome looks, which everyone ogled at. He’d rather be ugly, bullied and hated than handsome, ogled at and loved only in sense.

The very first girl that confessed to him was cute and petite one, a year older than him. He didn’t really think much before he said “yes” to her. He liked her appearance and conduct, her cheeks that were tinted pink from shyness despite the fact she was older. The first week was okay, they were just innocent couple going on dates and holding hands shyly. Everything went downhill the moment she introduced him to her friends. She was bragging about his good-looking face, handsomely proportioned body (mind you, she was drooling… Minho shivered when he remembered it…) and then was about to let the other girls feel him up. Minho ran there and then, but his mind still innocently thought she was just joking. Yeah, right. After that, she became full-on molester, it was especially traumatizing when she felt him in the presence of other people, whoever that may be.

Minho decided to break up right away, but who would have thought she’d become a stalker and go even as far as invading into his house and attempt to take a picture of him in a shower, while her nose bled so much he was afraid she’ll die of blood loss. That was the last straw for him and he sued her, for the time being avoiding all girls like a plague.

Then there was one boy, third year, who confessed to him sometime after all this fiasco. Minho came to an amazing realization at that, if girls are after his body, why not go out with a guy instead. The boy was handsome, not as much as Minho was, but handsome nonetheless, he was also manlier than Minho was. He thought it was admirable of the other to confess to a guy in a society that didn’t really approve of it. He immediately rose in his good books.

He had to admit the first two weeks were great, just two guys hanging out, playing and secretly being romantic. However, when it escalated and the manlier boy pinned him down and almost took his ity, while Minho struggled desperately, he couldn’t help but shake uncontrollably in his friend’s embrace when Kibum kicked that bastard unconscious and swiftly called the police.

After that, he also started avoiding boys, while he still avoided girls but not as much. Thankfully because of Kibum’s efforts, he was able to normally interact with others again but he still flinched when he got touched by other’s sometimes.

He’s never dated anyone after that, just one look into the other’s eyes and he could tell, they only were into his body. If there was anyone who didn’t look at him with thirsty eyes, he would worship that person. He really longed to be ugly, really ugly, short stature and face so bad people would want to spit on it.

“Min, someone again confessed?” Minho looked up at the person who saved him countless times and was his only friend. Kibum wore a concerned expression on his face at the taller who was now crouched which highlighted his mother senses.

They were almost the same age, Kibum only slightly older by few months. Still, he loved the other as a younger brother, ready to protect him whenever and wherever. He couldn’t resist the other’s big pupils that reminded him of a puppy and so he opted to hug Minho.

The other didn’t resist and leaned comfortably into the hug. His scars still remained deep in his heart and Kibum always could soothe his hurt soul. He regarded him as his older brother and loved him as such, they knew each other since they have been born, their parents great friends, having a get-together at least once a week.

•◘•

“We decided to let you live on your own.” Minho was shocked. Why? Did he miss something? Suddenly telling him he was going to live on his own. What was the purpose of such an action?

“Since you are already eighteen, your mother and I came to a conclusion that letting you live on your own in a totally different city will let you forget about all the happenings here.” Mother Choi watched her son as she bit her lips, she didn’t want this but after meeting with a fortune-teller with a great reputation, even her friends vouched for him, she made this hard decision of sending her son far away. She had to persuade her husband with reason which took her few months but she couldn’t just go and say “One fortune-teller, amazing one at that, said it would benefit our son greatly if we sent him to another city all alone.” He would just scoff at her and never comply. It took this long because he loved Minho too much, and after the incidents became a little too protective.

“I promise it will help you a lot, Minho.” She tried to coax her child, barely holding the chokes that were ready to burst out any moment. Looking at Minho’s confused and hurt expression, she couldn’t help but tear up.

Minho was shocked, confused but most of all, hurt. Why were they sending him from home? Didn’t they love him anymore? His doubts dissolved however when he noticed the tears in both, his mother’s and father’s eyes. They still loved him, but why would they need to send him away?

“Mom, dad, why? Is this necessary?” He questioned them, while he was ready to break down and cry. He didn’t want to leave his parent’s side yet, nor did he want to be away from Kibum. He didn’t particularly love this town but still, it held all his memories of his childhood. He wasn’t ready to live by himself, he was scared of the new city and new people and he wouldn’t have Kibum there to protect him.

“Minho, we really don’t want to do this, really don’t,” his mother spoke gently after she managed to stop her tears, “but believe me, you won’t regret it and you’ll be able to turn over a new leaf, I know this.” Minho was startled by her words, she said it so convincingly and without a doubt in her voice, he wasn’t able not to believe what she said.

“… Okay, when do I move?” He came to terms with it after a while, he knew it was because his parents wanted the best for him. Despite being a little reluctant and apprehensive, he decided to do as they wished.

“In a week?” It was a little earlier than he’d thought but at least it wasn’t that early. The only thing that weighed on his mind was Kibum, he really didn’t want to leave the other.

•◘•

“You’re transferring?!” Kibum bellowed sitting up from the laying position. He turned to look at Minho who was laying on the floor beside him astonished. He opened his closed eyes and locked eyes with the other.

“Yeah, my parents said so yesterday.”

“When?” Kibum laid back as he stared at the blue sky mindlessly. Minho also turned his head to look straight up.

“In a week.” This time the older male didn’t sit up but his head still turned to look at Minho with a shocked expression.

“What?!”

“Yeah, earlier than I thought…” Minho replied, still staring at the sky without a single cloud, he prayed such would be his next part of his life. Cloudless.

“Where to?” Kibum calmed and returned to staring at the sky, his mind on overdrive.

“… Forgot to ask…” Minho realized and replied after a long silence. He looked guiltily at the other, while Kibum also turned to look at him, hitting his arm with his elbow. Minho winced and soothed the arm that the shorter male mercilessly hit.

“Blockhead.”

•◘•

Finally, the day of the move came. He went over all his things once again, making sure there was nothing he forgot. Minho for the last time looked at his room that was now just only an empty space. His eyes replayed all the times he spent here, playing, sleeping, and doing nothing important, occasionally studying and other things. He would miss it.

“Minho, you ready?” His dad spoke from behind him. He turned around and resolutely nodded. There was no turning back now, he really was moving out. His dad nodded and went to load the last things into the truck while his mother waited at the entrance, pacing back and forth.

“Minho, come here.” He complied and she hugged him, almost suffocating him. He respondent to her by hugging back, it was the last hug from her for a while. Her warmth and safe feeling wouldn’t be beside him every day now.

“I’ll miss you.” And she pulled away, looking at her son for a while before she pecked his cheeks, both of them. And she hugged him once again.

“Me too, mom.” He said while few tears escaped his eyes. When they finally tore off each other, Minho came outside while his mom went back to her room, silent tears streaming down her wrinkled face.

Outside was Kibum kicking the lone twigs on the pavement, looking mindlessly as they moved from one side to another. Minho slowly approached his unsuspecting friend, and with a smile, suddenly scared the other with a loud “Boo!” Kibum shrieked a little and jumped, quickly turning his head and smacking his friend in irritation on his head.

“You ! Scaring me as your goodbye?!” Kibum hollered and the taller only laughed softly. He’d miss these little things as his eyes teared up just a little. But that didn’t get unnoticed by Kibum who hit Minho’s back without mercy, making the younger groan in pain as he shot the shorter male a glare saying, ‘What are you doing?!’

“Don’t start crying on me, pal,” Kibum started, and with a grin added, “We’ll visit each other when we can, it’s not even two hour’s ride away.”

“… You’re right, Kibum,” Minho said after a moment of silence, “but I’m gonna miss you still.”

Kibum smiled only and hugged the other, patting his back comfortingly as if to say, “I’ll always will there for you, so if anything happens, let me know. I’m going to fly there immediately.”

•◘•

He collapsed on the bed that had yet to be covered with sheets after painstakingly saying goodbye to his father for what seemed to be a half an hour. Minho sat up on the bare bed with only a mattress and looked around. There were dozens of boxes for him to unload and things to arrange. He would start going to his new school on Monday, exactly five days from now on.

“Sigh…” It was only about seven o’clock in the evening, the time he would normally play some games, but now he felt tired. Tired of knowing what he had to do and tired from worrying about his life in new school and city he was unfamiliar with. Having no friends here, nor parents he could lean on.

After a while of contemplation, he stood up wearily and slowly and searchingly walked to one box, and after opening it finding what he wanted. Sheets and other things that would from his bare bed make one that was cozy, ready-made for sleeping. When he was done, he tiredly and longingly looked at his newly changed bed, as it beckoned him to lay in it and sleep away his worries and problems. However, he turned his head eventually and walked to another of his boxes that were waiting for him to open them and put all the things in their designated places.

He was almost done by the time it was around ten, thankfully his father has helped him with few of the things that were either too heavy for him to carry alone, or just something random in an attempt to delay seeing Minho off. While the taller male was annoyed a little at the time, wanting his dad to just go home, he felt thankful now. If not for his dad’s help, he would still be opening and shuffling things here and there even now.

When the last box was finally cleared and empty, he kicked it tiredly to the side, planning to deal with it the next day. He shuffled his legs that were heavy as logs to the bathroom to clean himself a little, too tired to take a bath or shower, and after changing into his pajamas he plopped onto his bed that he customized earlier today, falling asleep almost the moment his head hit the pillows.

The first chapter is out! The next chapter will be out probably next weekend, it's already written (maybe, if I don't make it longer) but I still have to work on the other ones. Hope you enjoyed it! :D

I feel like this chapter is more poetic than any of my other ones... Seems like the influence of novels hit me hard. :D
Also here is my first blog post so go read it if you want! :)

Until next time, bye! <3 *waves*