The only person present was the maknae of Exo m. The young boy stirred with in the sheets of a very cotton like bed. 

 

Tao spent an hour preparing himself for another day of hard work. Exo was preparing to have a grand comeback soon and that meant every member was either recording, practicing choreography or brushing up on a second language. He left the apartment right after making sure he looked more than presentable. 

 

The only thought that filled Taos mind  as he made his way to a large building in the heart of Seoul was whether his new red hair looked better or worse than his previous black style. 

The second he entered the building he was attacked with hugs and happy birthday wishes.

 

In the middle of the SM lobby stood eleven sincere faces, one large cake, countless balloons and multiple SM employees and idols. Tao  was shocked and confused. What was going on?

 

 

Oh yeah... It was his birthday.

 

 

*****

 

 

Taos smile was genuine... The first few hours.

 

He was beyond touched when the other member surprised him that morning. It was nearly impossible for him to not smile. For the first time in years he felt truly loved. The last time he had a real birthday party was when he turned 15 years old. 

 

His mother spent weeks planning every detail for each of his birthdays. She was almost more excited than he was. She was proud to see her son becoming such a handsome respectful man. She always invited every relative and friend. She wanted the world to see what an admirable son she had raised. His father was no different, always bragging about his tall son that has nearly mastered the art of wushu.

 

Although it may have seemed as though they were only flaunting their gifted son, they did truly love him.   They constantly showered their precious child with more love than he felt he could handle at times.

Any one could see that both of his parents loved and adored him. You could see it in their eyes or in the way they held him.

 

But the gazes of adoration and the tight embraces quickly became less frequent after a certain high school incident.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was only a few months into the school year when Tao was assigned a science partner. A good looking Korean boy by the name of Minhyun. The relationship between the two was rocky at first.  Both were just as nervous as the other. Every science period was filled with shy glances and failed attempts of conversation.

 

Eventually the atmosphere that was once awkward became one of comfort.  As the months passed the two boys slowly built a strong relationship. They spent countless nights on the phone talking about anything and everything when they were supposed to be discussing scientific equations and formulas. There was never a quite moment between the two, unlike the first few weeks they were paired together.

 

Tao tried to convince himself that his feelings for Minhyun were not romantic. He tried to make himself believe that it was normal to feel this way about a close friend. 

 

Every hidden feeling was exposed the night  Minhyun slept  at Taos house.

 

They spent nearly the whole night sitting on the hard carpeted floor at he end of Taos bed working on the final science project of the year. They were required to pick one unit from the last semester and create some sort of model to represent what they had learned.  The project counted for have of their final grade. 

The two studied and worked all through the night. Refusing to stop until they were sure they would pass science with flying colors. As the clock crept closer and closer to 2 AM both Tao and Minhyun were more than willing to sleep for days. 

 

The second they finished and the light were turned down, Tao collapsed on his bed feeling half alive.  From the corner of his eye Tao could see Minhyun laying on a single blanket next to the bed trying his hardest to find a comfortable position on such a stiff floor. 

 

Feeling guilty, Tao timidly offered the other half of his queen size bed to the Korean boy. Minhyun eagerly accepted. Most teenage boys  would've been creeped out that their best friend seemed so earnest to sleep next to them, but this only excited Tao. Minhyun gingerly lay on the opposite side of the bed. Tao, too anxious to face the other, turned toward the wall.

 

As the minutes passed he could feel Minhyun's eyes on the back of his head. The odd Sensation seemed to arouse the hairs on the back of his neck. As the feeling grew stronger Tao felt compelled to face the latter. He hesitantly turned from one side to the other, facing Minhyun.

When their eyes finally met they both knew the feelings were mutual. 

 

And then it happened. Taos first kiss. The moment he realized he wasn't like other boys. He knew he couldnt lie I himself anymore. He liked Minhyun. And not in the way he knew he knew he should

 

Both boys were scared. 

 

The kiss was soft and gentle. They were too afraid to take it any further. Both knew this was not normal. It was amazing and they both couldnt deny it.Although the kiss sent shivers down his spine, Tao couldn't help but feel that this was wrong. What would happen if anyone found out?

 

And as if on cue, his mother happened to creep in. She had woken up in the middle of the night feeling dehydrated and wanted to get something to quench her thirst. On her way to the kitchen she decided to check on the two teenage boys. The two hadn't noticed her presence until they heard the loud slam of a door and the quiet sobs of small Chinese woman.

 

Tao was devastated. Nearly shaking with fear. What will his life be now? He had disgraced his parents. Everything was going to change and he knew it.

 

The next day the atmosphere was tense. His parents hardly talked to him. Only exchanging simple greetings. There was no affectionate gazes and the tight embraces became quick meaningless hugs. Eventually it all just disappeared. And just as quickly as his parent's affection had vanished so had Minhyun's presence. It was as if they were strangers again. They never discussed the kiss they shared, almost like it never happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The years passed and Tao and his parents relationship only seemed to worsen. There  was no glances, hugs or words exchanges what so ever. They no longer bragged about their successful son. As far as their colleagues were concerned they never had a son. The only time they ever acknowledged their only child was on his birthday. No his mother didn't plan extravagant parties like she did when he was younger, but at least they seemed to notice his existence. May 2nd was the one day he felt like more than just burden to his parents. Tao would usually find  gifts like a simple watch or a new pair of shoes left on his bed when he would return home from school. They were always accompanied by at least a birthday card. And if he was lucky he might receive hug from one of his parents. It wasn't much, but at least they noticed him.

 

 

 

 

When Tao left for Korea to become a trainee it seemed as if his parents could care less. They didn't beg for him to stay or even say they were proud. They were just indifferent.

 

The first 2 years Tao would receive at least a phone call. Each year he was gone Tao began to notice that the birthday phone calls became shorter and his parents seemed less and less interested. Sometimes they wouldn't even call, only sending short text messages.The puny messages meant the world to Tao.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But this year was different. He spent the whole day constantly checking his phone for any new text messages. 

 

By the time the day had come to an end his smile was no longer authentic. The dazzling grin gradually became an act and one he felt he was pretty good at. No one seemed to notice his unhappiness. 

 

And now here he was. Left alone in his cold bed to sulk over his misfortune. No fake smile graced his face, only tears.

 

 He knew his parents didn't Care for him much, but he thought they would at least send him a happy birthday text. He was their only son after all.