Curiosity it’s one of the most primitive feelings of human beings. I dare to say it’s the ‘starting point’ of the world we know today. What could have happened if the first man alive didn’t come out from its cave and start to interact with the environment around it? What could have happened if that fist man alive didn’t communicate with the other of its same species? What could have happened if the first astronomer didn’t look up at the night sky and wonder if the Earth it’s the one moving or if it’s the Sun? Or giving an example coming from the field of Physics, what could have happened if Sir Isaac Newton ate the apple instant of thinking about what had just occurred? Just like that, basically, the History had surged, the world had formed, and everything we know now had born.

So being the smart boy he is, being the future Physicist Major in Theoretical Physics, Taeil has a lot of curiosity. Even since he was a child, long before his father give him his first Physics book, baby Taeil had a lot of curiosity… like that time when he was 4 and ate a few roses his dad had given to his mom because he wondered why flowers are not meant to eat but yes to give away and make perfumes. Although he learn in a hard way his lesson, because roses taste horrible in his sweet palate used to chocolate ice-cream, baby Taeil learn something. He had an idea, he supposed what could happen, he made the test, he had the result and finally he had his respond; and since then he didn’t stop. Baby Taeil kept wondering and making ‘experiments’ just like any little kid… until his father introduced him to Physics.

Since that day everything changed for Lee Taeil: his way to look the world, his way to look things around him, the way to look at the persons around him, the thoughts in his mind, the structure of the facts he knew, the Universe was suddenly too small for all his questions and he loved it. Time had pass, he had grown up, his brain is full with the beauty of knowledge and he still has a lot of curiosity, he still loves it, and it’s precisely because of that he can’t quite understand why he  doesn’t want to understand what had happened the last weekend with his step brother, bully and archi enemy. So you can say Taeil is curios of not wanting to understand what he do feel curios about ... Is it clear?

Day by day pass again, and his ‘relationship’ with Jihoon had come back to normal: jokes coming from the gang and a sharp, intelligent answer coming from him. But there have been changes in the ‘routine’, like Jihoon chuckles, now those are soft and nice. Jihoon’s eyes seem to be clearer and warmer when they are looking at him. Jihoon’s tone when he talks to him sounds secretly gentle. Jihoon’s smirk had lost the mockery and now its replaced with iness. Jihoon’s touch, in the odd times they touch, feels so soft but at the same time burns slightly his skin… and Jihoon’s ‘good night’ every single night before going to bed, is so tender yet so seductive in his ears. He feels a bit anxious every time Jihoon gets close to him, but there were no more kisses, though: not in his cheek, not in his neck, less in his lips.

Considering all these facts, plus to what happened in the weekend, Taeil’s mind should be, in rough words, a ing mess. But no, that’s not the case here. Obviously, the smart boy doesn’t understand what happened, or why their ‘relationship’ changed at some points; but he feels he doesn’t need to understand. Why should he? This feels good, this feels alright. He likes it, he likes it very much. There’s no need to understand if nothing is not wrong, right?. I mean, yes, he had blush like crazy when Monday morning came along with his logic and rationality and the reality hit him like cold water; but even in that moment he didn’t wonder anything. Even in that moment, feeling all embarrass and nervous, he didn’t questioned those events or his feelings… he even wondered if Jihoon will kiss him again or he should kiss the monkey boy. So the only question in his mind, the only thing he feel curios about , is why he feels like he doesn’t need to understand what happened.  

A smile curves in his face, thinking in how amusing his complicated mind sounds; as his black eyes danced reading that old Physics book which in its cover you could read in beautiful golden letters ‘Quantum Physics’, but something different call his eye. There, under the shadow of a big tree in the backyard, right in front of him, legs are entering his range of vision. Distracting legs of a distracting someone. The brunette slowly lift his gaze, finding a certain blonde boy looking at him with that nice smile which years ago looked so fake but now looks so cute in this monkey boy.

Taeil blinks as Jihoon doesn’t say anything, he just remains there staring. -Do I owe you money? Because I don’t remember if I do.- he asks with some slight amused tone, making the older boy chuckle.

-No, but it seems you don’t remember the talk we had on Sunday night.- the tall boy answer as amused as him, taking the liberty of sitting by his side on the table. –I’m here for your first lesson of social interaction.-  Jihoon announced curiously jolly, so jolly that the small boy wonders why his bully could be so excited about this.

So Taeil chuckles, closing the book and leaving it aside as he look back at the blonde boy, fixing his glasses before taking the word again. –How innocent, monkey boy, you really thought I was talking seriously.- he mocks a little, a small playful smirk forming in his lips.

And Jihoon smirk as well. –How innocent, little nerd, you never should take my word so lightly.- he comments casually, as a serious tone rings in his voice… sounding somewhat y in the brunette’s ears.

But Taeil rolls his eyes. –Okay, I’ll give you the honor to try to teach me something.- he mocks again, smirking one more time. –So, how do you start the class?- he wonders then, half curios half amused, seeing how the other boy just smirks even more.

-I’m so glad you ask, they are arriving just in time.- Jihoon answer in a mocking but nice tone, confusing the short boy a little.

-They…?- Taeil mumbles as a small frown forms in his puzzle face.

But when his bully turn the gaze away from him, Taeil only had to look right there where the older boy is looking… finding the rest of the ‘gang’ standing in front of them, the four  smirking mischievously at him. -Hi, nerd!- they ‘greet’ him so falsely polite that our brunette can’t believe what his step brother is proposing.

So Taeil’s black eyes look back at the boy sitting by his side, ignoring the other four like always. –Explain this in a reasonable way.- he says, almost demanding, really unbelieving.

And Jihoon just chuckles. –Your first lesson of social interaction is making friends. So, to make things faster, I bring my friends so they could be your friends too.- the monkey boy explains his idea simply, sounding so proud and slightly excited.

But Taeil has a totally different opinion about it. -Are you kidding me? You want me to be friends with the people who bullied me all this time?- he ask incredulous, at some point even sarcastic.

-You have to give us a try, nerd.- Jaehyo comments, not really trustworthy for the short boy, showing his best charming smile which make Taeil cringe a little.

So the brunette’s eyebrows frown a bit more. –I’m sorry: You want me to be friends with the people who still bully me all this time?- he ask again incredulous, maybe a bit exaggerated.

-Come on little nerd, you are the one who wants to knows to ‘who’ I was singing right? So you know this is what you have to do.- Jihoon says to him in a soft but clear voice, looking straight into his eyes as he feels a tiny shiver running down his spine.

So Taeil sighs, crossing his arms and frowning a bit more. –Okay, I’ll do it…- he accepts finally, seeing the monkey boy smiling at him. –…But only if Jiho is with me.- he adds then, finding quite interesting how Jihoon’s expression changed severely just for a few words.

-Why only if Jiho is with you?- the blonde boy wonders somewhat displease, a confuse frown growing in his face.

-Well, you are five against one… if I have Zico then we’ll be match.- Taeil smile cutely, finding really funny the way Jihoon is frowning so much.  

-How dumb are you, nerd? If Jiho comes then we’ll be still be five against two.- Kyung’s voice echoes in the brunette’s mind boringly along with that stupid comment.

So his black eyes are seeing those big ones now, a mocking smirk begging for curve in his mouth before words slid off his lips. -How dumb are you, cucumber? You can’t see through my words, can you? I mean if I have Jiho, then I don’t need anyone else. He is my only friend for some reason, don’t you think?- Taeil asks in a fake wondering tone, knowing how much this boy hates him because of Zico.

Kyung’s big eyes look at him so directly that Taeil can swear this boy is digging holes in his body… but it’s really funny, though. –I won’t be friend with this stupid nerd. No way, no how.- Kyung states then in a clear angry voice, turning his gaze  to his tall friend.

And so Jihoon sighs deeply. –Little nerd, you have to be nice with people if you want them to be your friends.- he comments somewhat tired, placing his clear orbs in the small boy by his side.

-He called me ‘dumb’; obviously he doesn’t want to be my friend.- Taeil pouts a little, feeling kinda immature but Kyung did call him dumb first.

-Kyung wants to be your friend, don’t you, Kyung?- the blonde asks then, looking straight into his friend’s eyes with the coldest gaze he ever give to the young boy. 

And the red hair boy just rolls his eyes. –Sure, I’m so excited…- he answer boringly but the sarcasm it’s so audible in his voice.

But Taeil didn’t miss the little scene between the ‘gang’, he didn’t miss the sarcastic and a little displease tone in Kyung’s voice; and so Taeil wonders why this boy hates him so much. Of course, it’s for Jiho… but why exactly? So the smart boy forms a smile on his lips, a nice one, and places his eyes back to those big, angry ones.

-Kyung , why don’t we have a little talk?- he ask him, standing up and taking a few steps closer to the red hair boy.

And just when Kyung was about to answer that idiotic question with an insult, those brown eyes of Jihoon stares at him intensely, telling him that he should talk with the brunette if he doesn’t want to meet the tall boy’s anger. So he sighs deeply, sliding his hands into his pants pockets. –Come on, nerd… let’s have that little talk you want.- he mumbles obviously bother, starting to walk away.

So Taeil just follows the red hair boy in front of him, finding a quiet place near the school’s gym; far away from the rest of the gang. The summer air blows softly between them, caressing their hairs in a nice cool touch as the sunlight seeps through the green leaf of the tree under which they are standing. They just look at each other, not a single word were said in almost 5 minutes since they arrived and the brunette feels a bit uncomfortable because of those big, sharp eyes staring at him almost without even blinking.

So the small boy sighs, deciding he’ll be the one who take the first step. –So… Park Kyung…- he mumbles somewhat unsure, searching for the right words in his brilliant mind. -Why do you hate me so much?- he asks then curios, although he already knows but not entirely.

The boy in front of him just chuckle sarcastically. –Because I don’t like you, nerd.- he answer, emphasizing the adjective in such a despicable tone.

-Yes, I know, but why? I never did anything to you.- Taeil comments in a slightly confuse voice, looking straight into those big eyes to find the truth.

But Kyung just remains there, without saying anything, just staring… and the smart boy starts to feel that maybe his hypothesis is correct and Kyung does feel attract d to Jiho. –It could be, perhaps, because of Jiho?- he wonders, raising his eyebrows to put a twinkle of innocent in his stated.

And when the red hair boy expressive eyes open a bit wider than usual, Taeil knows his hypothesis is now a powerful theory. –Perhaps, because Jiho is my best friend? Because Jiho is always with me? Because Jiho only looks at me? Because I’m the one who hug him? Because Jiho loves to play with my hands and ears?- he wonders, biting back a mocking smirk as he sees clearly how the fury burns in those black eyes.

-This is exactly why I hate you…- the red hair boy mumbles between his clenched teeth, feeling his blood boiling with anger at each word the other boy say.

-This? Can you be more specific?- Taeil asks in a fake confuse but nice tone, tilting his head to one side to look even more innocent.

-You know what I’m talking about, nerd…- Kyung says sharply, his fists clenching strongly at both sides of his body.

-Do I?- the brunette asks faking surprised.

-Don’t play dumb with me…- the red hair boy hiss dangerously low, his big black eyes darker than ever.

So Taeil bits his lower lip hard, barely holding back the laughs. -Maybe… it’s because… you like… Jiho?- he wonder ‘clueless’, giving the other boy a falsely cute smile.

And so Kyung takes a step closer to him, a dangerous step closer. -If you know, why the are you asking me?- he wonders in a deep, bother tone; his eyes almost melting the glass of the older boy’s eyeglasses.

-Just to make sure…- the brunette answers simply, smiling wide as he feels proud because, again, he is right.

And Kyung chuckle sarcastically. -Do you think I won’t punch your ugly face, nerd? Because I’m more than glad to do it.- he comments in a rare mix between mockery and angriness.

But the small boy just roll his eyes as he chuckle as well. –I know you will, you are a wild animal after all; I know how your simple mind works.- he says faking nice, enjoying how the other boy frowns. –And like I know your simple mind, I can guess you had being jealous of me, right? So I just want to tell you that your jealousy has been in vain all this time.- he tells calmly, like if this wasn’t a big deal.

There’s a short moment of silent as the summer breeze keep blowing between them, until Kyung’s mind is finally able to process those words. -What do you mean?- he asks confuse, trying to understand it.

-What do you mean what do I mean?- Taeil answer back with a slightly mocking voice, finding delightful playing mind-games with this clueless boy.

-Stop playing! I’m asking you seriously!- the red hair boy exclaims irritated, his dark eyebrows frowning showing how bother he feels.

So the brunette leaves a small laugh seep from his lips. –I mean, exactly that, your jealousy was and it is in vain: I don’t like Jiho in that way, and I’m sure neither does he. We are just best friends, he is just my only friend and you, Park Kyung, have nothing to worry about.- he explains as nice as he can be, but still this is so funny to him.

But Kyung’s sharp eyes look at him still so angry. –I can’t trust you, Jihoon told us you and Jiho kissed.- he tells, and Taeil seems to hear some hurtful tone on those words.

So he sighs. –That was just an experiment, and I didn’t like it at all… it felt just so wrong.- the brunette comments, biting his bottom lip as he kind of feels guilty because he kissed his best friend; but it was in the name of Science.

There’s another moment of silent as Taeil’s words float in the air around them -How can I know you are not lying to me?- until Kyung asks, a curios and doubtful tone ringing in his soft  voice.  

And Taeil just smiles at him, an honest nice smile he never thought he could give to this particular boy. –You can’t, Park Kyung… You’ll just have to do it if we are going to be friends.- he answers softly, with all the honesty a human can put in words.

And so Kyung smile as well, and just for that grin the brunette thinks that maybe this boy isn’t so cruel and cold. –It’s gonna take a long time till I would call you my friend, Lee Taeil.- he tells in a jolly but mocking voice, smiling so friendly that Taeil wonders how he never saw Kyung smiling if it is so nice.

-I bet you anything you want that by the end of the month you’ll be calling me ‘Taeillie- he mocks as well, smiling wider as he finds the other boy’s smile amazingly contagious.

And the red hair boy just chuckles. -Why are you so confident, nerd?- he wonders, although the tone when he said the adjective didn’t sound insulting or negligible at all; thing which surprised him a little.

-Because I’m adorable, Kyung!- Taeil pouts, even though he looks just too funny than actually adorable. And when the red hair boy laughs a little more loudly, is then when he smirks mischievous. –And plus, I’m Jiho’s best friend and I have information you can find… quite interesting.- he adds, seeing the new spark in those black eyes.

-Oh well, in that case, I’m Jihoon’s friend and I have information you can find quite interesting too, Taeil.- Kyung tells him mischievous, erasing the smirk in his face and making him tremble slightly.

The monkey boy couldn’t have told to the gang about what happened between them… right? Well, Taeil on his side did tell Jiho about it but that’s completely different because Jiho is his only friend and he knows Zico could never open his mouth. But Jihoon can think the same about his friends, so… does that mean Kyung and the others know?

He swallows slowly, trying to fake a smirk and pretend he is not nervous at all. -Why could I want to know information about the monkey boy?- he wonders incredulous, although there may be one or two things he may want to know about his step brother, though. 

And Kyung just shrugs like if he didn’t know. –Who knows? You have to know your enemy, right?- he ask him, a little playful smirk curving in his plump lips.

Yet Taeil just sighs, feeling just a little more calm. –I know my enemy, I live with him; trust me when I say I know him.- he comments with confidence, but yeah, he practically doesn’t know anything about his bully.

And Kyung smile wider once again, like he knew something. –If you say so, nerd…- he says in a soft but mocking tone.

So the brunette rolls his eyes in a comical way –Cucumber, what happen with ‘Taeil? I was starting to think you were nice.- he mocks as well, seeing how the other boy imitated his previous action.

-Come one, nerd; let’s go back with the hyungs and see what we’ll do tonight.- the red hair boy tells him calmly, hugging him by the shoulders and taking him back with the rest of the gang.

And it was just in that moment, when Kyung’s touch felt so friendly and warm, when he saw his step bother smiling at him when they arrived that Taeil felt that maybe and just maybe he can call these boys his friends in a near future and care about them in the way he cares about Jiho… but he wonders if he’ll be able to do the same with Jihoon.

That’s if he want to be just friends with Jihoon.