March 03, 2013

Chapter One: Friends & Housemates

There he was, standing in front of the big mirror that hung in the bathroom wall, fixing his jet-black raven color hair; styling it with gel and hairspray to give it a texture style, so it will not fall flat. When he was satisfied with the style that he desire, a small smirk grew upon the corner of his cat like lips. He liked how he looks. His hair matches well with his black and blue color school uniform. He loves body. He loves how it is very masculine, but not too muscular. It was very tone and fit perfectly in any clothing style he desires. He has spent many years training his body in wushu to gain his figure, in which he was thankful for it.

“Yah! Zitao!” a voice shout out from the other side of the closed door, fallow by loud pounding sounds. “What the hell are you doing in there so long?! You know that there are others who need to use the bathroom too!”

Tao rolls his eyes as he recognizes whom the voice belongs too. Taking one last look at his reflection in the mirror before unlocking the door and pull it open to revel the person on the other side of the door. Tao frown at the person. Stood in front of Tao was his one of his housemates, Kim Jongin, who likes to go by the name Kai.

“Get out.” Were the only other words he said to Tao as he walk into the bathroom, forcing Tao out, quickly close the door shut, and lock it.

A cocky egoistic Casanova was the perfect definition to describe Kai. Oh, how Tao despise him. Tao did not understand how someone like Kai exist in the same world he live in, nevertheless in the same house. Kai was younger than he was, only by a year, but the way Kai act sure is as if he was older then Tao. One thing that Tao was sure on was it was not Kai’s personality. Kai was the type of person who can make any woman falls head over heel for him— being a Casanova in all— without even trying. Everyday he will bring a girl to their house; most of them were older women, Tao could tell by their style of fashion— very clean elegant brand clothing with matching bags and shoes, and by their perfumes. They will come home with him late at night and leave very early in the morning. Sometimes, Tao can even hear moans coming from Kai’s room whenever he wakes up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water— not that he was eavesdropping or anything. It makes Tao wonder, what about Kai that girls finds so attractive?

Tao did not want to admit it, but Kai defiantly have ruined his mood and so early in the morning too. He needs to get his mind off that egoistic Casanova. Then as if on cue, the smell of eggs & bacon and sound of sizzling oil fills the hallway, putting a bright smile on Tao’s lips. He quickly made his way down the stairs to the hallway on the first floor of the house, passing the living room into the kitchen. The kitchen was probably his favorite place in the house—well, other than his room of course. The kitchen was where the wonderful smell of mouth-watering food being made by a certain someone, who had erases his thoughts of the person earlier. Tao quietly took a seat on a chair stool next to the center island countertop, resting his folded arms on it. His eyes close to let his other two senses take over as he waits.

“Eat.” The voice in front of him said, as the sound of plates was set down in front of him.

Tao open his eyes to see a plate with yellow scramble eggs cover with zigzags lines of red ketchup, two strips of bacons and strawberry pancakes cover with the thick goo of sugary maple syrup. Looking at the two plates of foods that lay in front of Tao made him all so very happy to have such wonderful housemate, who knows how to cook. Tao then turns his attention to the person standing on the other side of the center island counter opposite of him, who was now staring at him as if he was waiting for something.

Zhang Yixing is his name and a person of little words, he does not speak much, but Tao feels like he could understand him very well even if no words spoken between them. Yixing is two years older than Tao and is his seonbae. Unlike Kai, Tao loves Yixing very much— not in a romantic way, but in the sense of older brotherly feel. Yixing is the type of person, girls would wish to have as their boyfriend; the loving and caring nice guy type. A person like him would make such a perfect boyfriend or even husband. Even Tao had admitted to his friends before that if he was born a female instead of a male, he’ll probably fall in love with Yixing romantically instead. Too bad, he was born the same gender as him. However, it had always bother Tao why Yixing never got himself a girlfriend before. It was as if Yixing seems to be waiting for someone. Was he waiting for his perfect woman to appear?

“Thank you Yixing ge~” Tao sung happily, before picking up the fork that reside next to the plates and digs in. It was like heaven to his taste buds, so very good. He looks up at the pale, dark brown hair older boy and flashes a smile, showing him that he loves his cooking and it taste great. Yixing just smile at him before he turn back to finish his cooking, letting Tao finish his breakfast.

After finishing his breakfast, Tao would help Yixing with the dishes, so that the older boy could eat his share of food before they head off to their schools. It was the least he could do since Yixing always make him such delicious tasting food.  Like always, Tao would tell Yixing stories about his day at school and his everyday life. The older dark brown hair boy would nod his head occasionally to let Tao know that he was listening to everything he was saying. It was nice to have some like Yixing, who would just listen to him as he talks. Unlike someone, who was supposing his best friend who would always falls asleep whenever Tao wants to talk.

“!”

Tao eyes shot up to the ceiling above him and then divert his eyes to the digital clock hanging on the wall to his right side. 7:03 am it reads. He must have overslept again, Tao thought to himself. Tao listens to the sound of the footsteps from above him running down the stairs. He hears shuffling at the door before it was open and the shut close hard, making the house vibrate a little from it. Again, Tao has missed the chance again to meet him. Tao let out a sigh. He has always wanted to meet this housemate, but every time it never happens. They have different schedules it seems. It was either Tao home and he is out or Tao’s out and he has home. Then there are times when they are both home, but he would be in his room all day and never come out. Tao felt jealous that even his friends have met him. It made Tao a little jealous. They both go to the same school, yet Tao never sees him there too.  The only thing Tao knows about him was his name and that he is a years older, meaning he was a seonbae.

When Tao finish with the last dish and place it on the drying rack, he said his good bye to Yixing before leaving the house and heads to school. He wanted to leave early so he did not have to bump into a certain Casanova to ruin his mood again.

~~~~~~~

On the way to school, Tao made a quick stop at his favorite store call SweeTasty for a cup of coffee. Tao knows that drinking a lot of coffee is not good for his health, but he just love it. The flavor of the sweet caramel mix with the bitter taste of the espresso and creamy steam milk somehow makes him feels so rejuvenate in the morning.

“One ice caramel latte please.” Tao said, as it was his turn to order at the register.

“I wonder when you were going to show up.” The familiar voice caught Tao’s attention, which causes Tao to smile when he realize who it was. The short reddish brown hair and his small body frame combine with his short height; Tao would recognize him from anywhere. He turn around towards Tao with a smile also plaster on his lips. “Long time no see Tao.”

Stand on the other side of the counter from Tao was no other then Kim Joonmyun, who goes by his other name Suho. Suho was the former school president at Tao’s high school. Tao was sad when Suho graduated and became a college student. Tao really liked Suho because he was such a nice person. He remember the first time they met was two years ago, when Tao was in his last year of middle school—from another friend. It was hard for Tao to talk to anyone or make friends because of language barrier. Tao is Chinese, and still in the process of learning Korean, which was a little difficult for him. His broken Korean causes everyone to be frustrated with him, but not Suho. Even though Suho could not understand him during that time, he was patient and he tries his best to help Tao the best as he could. They became very close friends when Tao became a high school student.

“Yah, hyung, I didn’t know you work here?” Tao move to the side to could continue their conversation, and to let other customers behind him take their turn in ordering.

“Yeah, the owner is a friend of my dad,” Suho said as he continues to makes Tao’s ice caramel latte. “So he offered me the job here since he was short staff. Since I needed the money too, I took it.”

“Woah, you’re so lucky.” Tao was a little envious of Suho to get a job so easily. He also has been searching for a job, but all the places he had apply to have not called him back and he was running low on cash, since he was fire from his previous job.

Suho notice the way Tao was looking at him and smile. “If you want, I could ask the owner to let you work here.” He hands over the finish ice latte over to Tao. “We’re still short staffed and we’re really busy during the evening also.”

“R-really?” Tao’s eyes gleam at Suho happily, as he took the plastic cup that contains his ice caramel latte. Suho chuckles and nodded his head. Tao wanted to hug Suho right then, but the counter had separated them and he also did not want to spill his latte. So instead, he just took a hold of Suho’s hand and squeezing it tightly as he shook his hand, “Thank you hyung!”

“Y-your welcome Tao, but….can you let go?” Suho tries his best to hide his painful look from his face. “My hand is hurting.”

“Oh…” Tao quickly lets go and rubs the back of his neck happily. “Sorry hyung. I guess I was just a little too happy.”

“It’s okay.” He rubs his hand, trying to ease the pain a little. “I’ll call you. Still the same number right?”

Tao nodded before taking out his wallet and pay for his latte. He quickly took a glance at the clock hanging on the wall and realizes that he still have to go to school. Just as Tao was ready to bid his goodbyes to his hyung, he remembers something. “Ermmm…hyung could I also ask you for a favor?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“You remember my friend Kyungsoo?”

Suho thought for a moment, trying to remember the person of that name, and then a light bulb lit up in his head. “Ah, that cute wide eye boy, who always look like he’s surprise?”

“Yeah that’s him.” Tao smile upon hearing that his hyung still remembers his friend. “Would you mind asking for him also?”

“Sure. No problem.” Suho assured him with a smile. “Now hurry up. You know the punishment for being late to school.”

“Yeah yeah.” Tao laugh as he walks towards the door sipping on the straw of his ice caramel latte. “It’s been great seeing you again and thanks hyung.” He waves his free hand to his hyung, before stepping out of the store.

~~~~~~~

It took Tao about ten minutes to reach school from the store by foot. Just as he was about to enter into the school gate his cell phone vibrates in his pocket as the tune a song plays. Tao recognizes the song to belong to his text messages. Quickly, he took the phone out of his pocket, slides the button on his touch screen smart phone to unlock the phone, and taps on the message app.

From: XiaoBaoBao

Hyung ah, I miss you~  I wanna come back. :(

Tao laugh quietly to himself when he realizes who it was. He then clicks on the reply button and started typing.

To: XiaoBaoBao

Yah, you only been gone for two days, don’t complain.

From: XiaoBaoBao

I cannot sleep without my giant panda next to me.

To: XiaoBaoBao

Am I your stuff animal or something?

From: XiaoBaoBao

Yes~ you’re my one and only giant panda. I need you in my arms while I sleep.

Tao snickers when he read the message. He then thought about teasing him a little.

To: XiaoBaoBao

I have been having the best night sleep since you’re gone, so you should stay there forever and never comeback.

From: XiaoBaoBao

Hyung, you’re so mean~ :(

Just when Tao was about to reply back to the message, he felt an arm warp around his should and a weight pulling him down. “Who are you texting? Your secret girlfriend?” the familiar male voice said as he tries to peek at Tao’s messages on his phone. Luckily, Tao has quick reflex and he quickly move the phone away, hiding it in his pants pocket, from a nosy intruder who was slightly shorter than he was. His hair color was of a brown-black color and short, other than his bangs that was a little longer and style up.

“Chen stops being such a troll.” Another voice intrudes in as he pulls Chen off Tao, placing him in between the two. He had short wavy brown hair and was shorter then Tao also—about the same height as Chen.

“You’re such a spoiler Baekhyun. I just wanna see if Tao his secretly dating someone and not telling us.” Chen defends himself.

“Yah! It’s not your business to know.” Baekhyun scolds. “If Tao has a secret girlfriend, I wouldn’t blame him for not telling you. You’re just gonna scared her away.”

“It’s my business to know everything, especially Tao.” Chen pushes Baekhyun away so he could put his arm around Tao’s shoulder again. “It’s my job to protect his innocent heart as his hyung.”

“Yeah right,” Baekhyun pulls Tao away from Chen. He stood in between the two, blocking Chen to get any closer to Tao. “You must have picked a fight with another student again and you’re hanging around Tao so he could protect you, huh?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Chen said as he look away trying to hid away a smile.

Tao could not help but to laugh quietly to himself at the two as he listen to them bickers. Byun Baekhyun and Kim Jongdae—who likes to be call Chen—are two of Tao’s good friend, who are both a year older than him and third year students. Tao met them when he joined the dance club at school last year. Tao hit it off with Chen well, since Chen understand a little Chinese, so they could converse in the language. It was not long until Tao realizes that Chen is a jokester. He loves to joke around and treat everything as a game. Tao liked him and thought that Chen is an interesting individual since his mind is always so unpredictable. It took Tao and Baekhyun a little longer to become a little comfortable around each other, but after awhile he became a little more open with Tao and they become great friends. Tao sometimes thinks that Baekhyun is a little too serious and would often—with Chen’s encouragement—, in which most of the time would piss him off.

“I swear Chen, one day you’re gonna get yourself is serious danger and Tao won’t be there to help you. What are you going to do?” Baekhyun said with a very serious tone in his voice.

Chen just shrugs. “That won’t ever happen, because Tao will always be there. Right Tao?” He smile and wink at Tao.

Tao respond with a smile and a nod. “Right.”

“Serious, you two…” the older boy shook his head at the two and palmed his face. “Chen you’re such a bad influence on Tao.”

“No, I’m a great influence.” Chen gleam a bright smile. “Tao is doing everything perfectly.”

“Whatever, let’s just get in school before were late and Mr. Kwon make us do some weird punishments of his.” All three of them shudder at the thought what it could be. Remember the last how the last one was so embarrassing to even watch it happen to others. They hurried inside the school gates with Chen leading them in front while Baekhyun walk next to Tao.

As they made their way towards the school, Tao realizes that someone was missing; usually he will come together with Chen and Baekhyun, since all three of them live close by each other.

“Hyung, where’s Kyungsoo? He didn’t come with you two?” Tao ask Baekhyun, who was walking next to him.

The older teen shook his head. “He’d text me earlier saying that he wasn’t feeling well, so he’s staying home today.”

“Oh.” Tao expression saddens. He knows that Kyungsoo was not sick. If he were sick, he would have text Tao instead to get his homework for him since they have the same classes together. Kyungsoo is avoiding him for sure. He must still be mad at me, Tao thought. He sighs at the thought of Kyungsoo avoiding him. It has been almost a month already. 

To Becontinue....

Some character introductions in this first chapter to get a little feel to know about Tao's thoughts on them. I wasn't planning to post this up this soon, but since I have finish this chapter and since I have many awaited subscribers and readers, I couldn't help myself (I can't believe I writing this story instead of doing my essay, lol). Chapter two will come whenever I have free time to write it. If you have any questions feel free to ask below in the comment section. :D