Yunho’s POV

Lee Junki was long forgotten. As curious I was about the guy, I didn’t dare ask about the guy, seeing how Jae doesn’t really want to talk about him. That time we went taking care of Suri helped in easing, if not completely removed the awkwardness I’ll always feel when Jaejoong’s around. And I still don’t have the courage Yoochun had when he confessed to Junsu. If I only knew what will happen, I wouldn’t be feeling this way.

School works, projects, reports including ours we’re submitted. Exams were given and soon we’ll found what the result of what we worked for will be.

I was getting really anxious about how we did. If we made it pass our professor’s high standards. If I’ll get the grade I need to keep my scholarship since that report is for a major subject and will surely make a huge effect on our grades.

I waited outside a classroom in which Jae’s in, his last period for the day. Announcing that he (our Professor) will have the final results of our entire grade posted in the bulletin board of our homeroom, we decided to go see the result together. And that’s why I’m standing here.

Just when I took a peek inside the room, Jae looked up from taking his notes and saw me. Smiling apologetically, he whispered “Just five minutes more.” in the air. He was supposed to be out 5 minutes ago but his Professor asked them to stay for another ten minutes to finish whatever they were discussing. I nodded. I wouldn’t mind if I’ll have to wait for another hour.

Five minutes quickly passed and true enough, Jaejoong’s class was finally dismissed. I shook my head in amusement as Jae pulled his backpack over his shoulder. Doing a hopping motion, he finally came out of the room.

“Let’s go?” Jaejoong nodded and so we headed to the 2nd floor where we’re our homeroom is, a bunch of student where already in the room, some of them greeting us as we walked in.

Not wanting to get squeeze in among the crowd, Jae and I decided to step back and just sit down first. Soon, some of the students started to leave and that’s when we decided to finally have our turn to know the result of all our hard work for the past few months. Jaejoong leaned forward about as he run his fingers on the list of names on the paper posted on the bulletin board. After a while, he turned to me. “Yunho-ah, I found yours.”

The tone of his voice and the look on his face made worried. Did I fail? “Did I…pass?”

His gloomy face soon turned happy. “Of course, you did! Look here…”

Truth to be told, I did a pretty good job and meet the average grade I needed. I even scored higher that what I expected.
Feeling happy, my hidden feelings strike in, my heart reacted before my mind did and found my own lips on Jaejoong’s.

*********

Jaejoong’s POV

I couldn’t help but smile at that look of happiness on his face. I know how important this is for him and that’s why I wanted to . I made sure I looked sad when I faced him again after seeing the result. And that look of disappointment on his face broke my heart more that what I’m ready to admit, I couldn’t keep the sad face any longer. He jumped off of his seat and took a look for himself. I shook my head, smiling as he made a half jump, punching in the air. And then something I wasn’t expecting happened.

Yunho had pulled me, my palm landed on his chest at the slight impact. My eyes grew wider as I found his lips on mine. I felt light headed at the feeling of our pressed lips. I could feel my face had turned a very deep shade of red once the unexpected kiss was over. Murmurs of “Oh, my God!”, “They make such a good couple!” and others can be heard from some of the students who saw us.

Yunho and I stared at each other’s eyes as he stepped back from the closeness of our body. He looked as shocked as I am at the moment.

“Jaejoong-ah… I ah…” He started. His voice “woke” me up from the dazed state that he just put me through.

I took a step backward, grabbing my bag. “I… need to go.” I said, turning to Yunho before I left him standing at the center of everyone’s attention.

********

I ran as quickly and as far away as I can from Yunho. The fast beating of my heart tells me that the kiss affected me more ways than I wanted it to be. And no matter how hard I tried, the jolt of electricity I felt ran through my whole body was undeniable. I knew I hurt Yunho I turned and ran away from him and that alone pains me. I didn’t want to hurt him but I don’t want to get hurt again, too.

I ignored the continuous ringing of my phone knowing that it’s probably a call from Yunho. Reading hasn’t been a big interest of mine but I decided to enter a small bookstore I’ve passed by, feeling relieve that my phone had stopped ringing. Scanning through some books, the bell hanging by the door rang as customers come and go. I didn’t see any book that caught my attention, instead I saw two familiar figure headed towards my direction. I’m just glad they did’t seem to notice me, giving me the chance to move and hide myself behind a big shelf. Not wanting to have an unnecessary and unwanted reunion with Lee Junki and Kim Heechul, I quickly made my way out. Just as soon as I was out of the store, my phone started ringing again making me almost jump out of my skin. Knowing for a fact that I won’t be able to keep ignoring calls, not even Yunho’s, I flip my phone open and answered the call, not even bothering to look at the screen.

“Yoboseyeo.”

“Ah. Jaejoong-ssi?” I recognized the soft sweet vice of Mrs. Lee right away, replaced by Suri’s voice right away. I can only assume that the girl grabbed the phone away from her mom.

“Oppa! When are you going to come to our house? You and Yunho-oppa promised. I really miss you. Can you visit me now, huh?”

I don’t know how to say “no” to Suri now. How can I not give in to a young girl’s simple wish?

“Mianhe, Suri-ah. How about Oppa visit you today.”

Suri clapped her hands; I can hear the sound of her clapping as she happily tells her mom that “Jaejoong-oppa is coming!!!”

Mrs. Lee’s voice came again. After confirming if I got the right address I said goodbye to Suri, hailing a cab soon after. It took me half an hour ride to get to their house. The cab driver sent me a grateful look when I handed him more money than the amount I should’ve paid. Closing the door, I spun around only to be greeted by Suri who ran up towards me when I stepped out of the cab.

“Oppa!!!” I laughed as I placed my hand on her head, her small arms wrapped around my waist. I bowed at Mrs. Park as we reached her on her spot by the gate.

She ushered me inside, welcoming me to their home. Looking from the outside, their house looks like that of an average family. From the inside, now that’s a different story. There’s no way you’ll say that the Lee’s are your average earning family. Just by looking at the paintings hung on the living room’s wall and some vases/ figurines, some of which are probably antiques, you can tell the difference.

“She’s been bugging us to call you and Yunho.” Mrs. Lee started, asking the maid to bring us something to eat. I looked away from the paintings, making myself comfortable on the sofa. “And she completely dragged me out of the house to wait for you when you told her you’re coming.”

“Ah! I’m sorry for the trouble.” I muttered apologetically. Suri hasn’t let go of my hands. Her small form comfortably seated on my lap.

Mrs. Lee waved her hand, emphasizing her point when she spoke again. “No, Jaejoong-ah. I should be the one apologizing that Suri keeps on bothering you.”

“Oppa, let’s go to my room. I’ll introduce you to Richie?” Mrs. Lee can only shook her head as she watch Suri pulled me up towards the second floor where her room is. And I soon found out that Richie is her puppy, a gift she received from her father on her last birthday.

Their vast garden served as a huge playground for Suri, her dog and me. The hour passed without me noticing it as any thoughts of Yunho was temporarily set aside. Moments later, Mrs. Lee came out from their house with a tray of food, a snack she prepared for us.

Once again Suri pulled me, asking me to sit on the chair opposite hers. She handed me a sandwich and poured a drink for me.

Smiling, I thank her.

“Oppa… did you and Yunho-oppa fight?” Her sudden question almost got me choking on the orange juice I was drinking.

Wiping the side of my moment, I forced a smile on, stumbling over my words. “No, of course not. Why did you think that?”

Taking a bite on her own sandwich, Suri chewed the food on before she spoke again. As innocent as her question was, it still made me feel uncomfortable.

“Jae-Oppa looks sad, that’s why Suri thought like that. When Yunho-oppa was with us you’re smile was big like Garfield.” She made a gesture with her hands.

I rubbed at her head, messing up her hair as a response. “Suri’s thinking too much then, huh. Why don’t we finish our sandwich so we can go back playing with Richie?”

She nodded, her attention back on the food her mother prepared and left me thinking. Did I really look a lot happier with Yunho?

A tugged on the hem of my shirt’s sleeve and my eyes went back on Suri. She was holding up a phone to my face. “Call Yunho-oppa, Jae-Oppa… so Suri will believe you did not fight.”

“Damn!” I thought. Just thinking of talking to Yunho’s already making me feel nervous. I don’t even understand it myself.

I took the phone from Suri, praying hard that some miracle will happen so Yunho won’t pick his phone up. I can see my fingers trembling as I dialed his number. I took a de breath as I heard the first ring and a few more ring.

“The number cannot be reached or out of coverage area…” a sigh of relief escaped my mouth as I heard the voice from the phone. “ Suri-yah, I don’t think Yunho-oppa has his phone with him.” I said to the young girl standing beside me, anticipation was on her face. She asked me to try again until she finally tried to call herself only to have the same answer. Placing the cordless phone down, she grinned up at me, saying she believes me now when I said Yunho and I didn’t fight.

We continued playing, ending up drawing and coloring books when she soon got tired. Soon, darkness fell and I would’ve stayed for dinner if not for Junsu’s constant calling. Apparently, the guys decided to go out for the night, a newly opened bar chosen as the place for us to meet up. Junsu said it was actually Yoochun’s idea to have a little sort of celebration that we managed to pass a difficult stage in our life, which is only the exam week, as Yoochun dramatically puts it.

“Madam, a cab is already outside waiting for Mr. Kim.” One of the maids informed us before disappearing again towards the living room after Mrs. Lee said “thank you.”

“Come here now, Suri- yah. Oppa needs to go how now.” Instead of doing what her mother asked, Suri clung tighter to me. When I told her I’ll have to leave soon she started crying and didn’t want to let me go. I only manage to make her stop after promising to visit her again…with Yunho. My words were sealed with a pink promise. Waving my last goodbye, I finally got in the cab, the very same cab that’ll take me where Yunho is.

********

Yunho’s POV

The group decided to have a little celebration now that hell week, as Yoochun calls it, it over. Instead of Doing it in “The Tavern”, Junsu suggested that we go to a newly opened bar. With my mind on someone else, I let myself tag along to wherever we we’re going.

It’s already been a few hours since that happened. Few hours have already passed since Jae ran away from me. With my phone dying after trying to call him several times AND being ignored, I feel more and more frustrated.

I poured myself another glass of beer, a drink that when I ordered gained me questioning look from the others especially Changmin.

“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” I told myself repeatedly, at the same time banging my head on the smooth surface of the table. After trying so hard to control myself, I just let my feelings take over me, causing my body to take action instead.

“As much as I know for a fact that there’s a lot of precious stuffs in your head, I don’t think your brain getting scattered on this new table would look very appealing, Hyung.” A squeaky voice I knew so well spoke out loud, trying to beat the loud music the DJ’s playing.

I would’ve retorted at Junsu’s remark with a sarcastic one during ordinary days but today isn’t one of those days. I can feel his steady gaze on me, making me feel very uncomfortable. He looks as if he’s studying every movement on my face, trying to read whatever what’s going on in my mind. I shifted my body so I can face Junsu fully, and just as I did Junsu turned his attention on his drinks, a non-alcoholic one Yoochun ordered for him, pretending he wasn’t looking.

Not knowing what to expect, I chose to ignore them, bringing my focus back on the bitter tasting liquid I still have my glass half filled with. Sipping, I almost choke when Junsu just spitted his next words out.

“I heard about you and Jaejoong-hyung kissing.”

I’ve learned to know that Junsu can be so blunt sometimes but how can he just say that so casually like it’s nothing when I’ve been going crazy thinking about it and what my action had just caused me.

I wiped the side of my mouth choosing not to say anything. After all, what should I say?

Junsu stepped forward, circling the chair and sat across me. Leaning back, he stretched his arms up. “I’ve been hoping you’d finally do something like that for so long, Hyung.”

My browse furrowed at his words. What is he trying to say? It must have been the alcohol but I really don’t understand whatever he’s trying to imply. I was just about to ask the questions I have in my head when Junsu raised his hands to someone behind me.

“Jae-hyung, here…”

Jaejoong walked towards us. Quietly. And I froze on my seat. How about that. I felt hurt when he didn’t even throw me a glance as he came to join us at our table. I scooted over, making a room for him beside me only to felt like I have been stabbed when he still took the space beside Junsu.

A waiter came to us, getting Jae’s order, as Changmin and Yoochun joined us. Just as the waiter walk away to get our new order, Yoochun had pulled Junsu to the dance floor leaving only the three of us. Changmin talked to us receiving a nod or a shake of a head for answer. His face tells me that he doesn’t know about what I did to his brother yet, that enough should be a relief.

He stood up from his place on the single seated chair and occupied the big space that separating Jae and I. Giving the both of us a scrutinizing look, he finally spoke.

“I don’t know what happened between you two but whatever it is, I hope you guys work it out. Talk about it.” He placed an arm over my shoulder, at the same time casting a glance at the still silent Jaejoong. “So, I’ll leave you guys to talk now. The girls are waiting out for me.”

And we’re finally left alone in a deafening silence, a silence that doesn’t beat the music. Not knowing what to say or how to start talking, I played with the ice on my drink, shaking the glass lightly.

Jae’s eyes followed Min’s back, keeping his eyes on the crowd even after his brother had disappeared among the crowd. It’s probably his way of telling me that he’s not in any way interested to make a conversation with me right now.

“Jaejoong-ah…” I started but only his name came out. I can even feel my voice trembling.

He finally looked at me. Should I be happy? No. Because he only got up from his said and spoke in a cold tone.

“I have to go. Please, tell the other’s I’ve already left. I’m not really feeling well”

He was surely ready to leave but my hand on his wrist stopped him.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to take you home?” I automatically picked my jacket up, from the arms of one of the chairs. “I’ll go with you…”

“No.” Jae answered a little quickly…firmly.” I’m… I can take of myself, Yunho.”

“But…”

“Stay here. Don’t follow me. Don’t come near me. Please, Yunho.”

He pulled his hands away from me and left. Leaving me feeling lost.

I understood what he wanted. I understood what he was trying to say. But I know that’ll be something I’ll have difficulty doing, something I have to struggle with.