I.

It was one of those crispy spring afternoons where the sun hung low and tired in the sky. The faint rays made their way through the skewed blinds and onto the tall lanky youth laying face down in an un-made bed.

The sheets were mismatched and soft; creased from the constant napping that studies demands. Not far off in the petite kitchen corner of dirty dishes a faint dripping could be heard from the old tap and close by the refridgerator was buzzing low.  

Posters, vinyls, school literature and computer cords; video game consoles and scattered clothes, guitars, jackets and post-it notes. In the small bathroom damp laundry hung in rows on white strings tied to whichever handle could be found; like a spiderweb of underwear. 

Chanyeol knew he was trespassing laying there with his nose safely tucked into the softness of his roommate’s pillow. The mild scent of their shared detergent mingling with the scent of the Do household was not his to inhale. He knew it well yet he drew long sighs through the pillow again and again. His wide hands traveled over the sheets and soothed the folds slowly. His thoughts already far away.

Yes, Chanyeol was madly in love; hurting in ways only teenagers do with their awkward fumbling. How long had it been? He was not sure anymore, one part of him was convinced it was since forever ago; written in the destined stars. It was nearly borderline obligatory once his eyes landed on doe eyed boy standing there with snowflake still clinging to his jet-black bangs. 

It was inevitable, he knew that now laying there defeated in the said male’s bed with a growing pain in both his boxer briefs and heart chambers. What a pity his feelings ought to never to be outed. What a pity one-sided love was.

A rustle of keys interrupted his daydreaming and in a split of a second he hastily got up and with frantic hands evened out the awkward traces he had created. He then leaped upon his own unmade bed and grabbed the nearest magazine and clumsily opened it. His body was still somewhat swaying by the time Kyungsoo had swung the door open. 

The younger’s eyes scanned the peculiar pose of his roommate before kicking off his shoes and making his way into their cramped two room apartment. He dropped the backpack he carried at the end of his bed before collapsing onto it himself. He shifted and sighed.

Upon laying there he couldn’t help to notice a scent lingering; a certain cologne that sure wasn’t his.

”How was your day?”

Chanyeol’s low baritone voice interrupted his thoughts from forming into bigger wonders. He drew another sigh before sitting up. The bed creaked.

”Nothing special. Gonna watch a movie with Minah.” He glanced down at his wristwatch. ”She’ll be here soon.”

Chanyeol closed the magazine and tossed it onto the floor before following suit and sitting up. He rearranged his snapback and nodded. 

Minah, Kyungsoo’s girlfriend.

”That’s nice.”

Kyungsoo looked up. He examined the features of his friend before agreeing through a hum. ”I guess. How was your day then?”

Chanyeol folded his long legs and leaned against the poster covered wall. ”It was alright. Class ended earlier so I had an hour to spare.”

The two males chatted for a bit but were as predicted soon interrupted by a knocking on the door. Chanyeol’s heart sank as it so often did when he examined the couple exchanging chaste kisses. She was a cute girl but awfully dominant and self-centered in the taller’s eyes. Kyungsoo deserved better.

”I’ll be back later.” Kyungsoo said as he buttoned his jacket, missing the way a sparkle died Chanyeol’s eyes.

”Yeah.” He mumbled and forced himself to smile back at Minah as she wrapped an arm around Kyungsoo’s. Like that the couple left. 

And like that Chanyeol returned to Kyungsoo’s bed. This time he clutched the fabrics hard; desperate to steal the warmth the latter’s body had left.

Yes, what a pity one-sided love was.