TAT (12/?)
12
Mir’s big move
Kibum slunk out of the living room and into the kitchen. His mother was making eggs-watch out for the pesty shell pieces.
“So I’m guessing we won’t be seeing Jonghyun around for a while.” She speculated.
Kibum nodded drowsily. He firmly recalls reading a short, but hurtful text a few days back when they were doing a movie night at Minho’s.
Taemin was right. I am a monster.
It’d be better if we pretend like nothing happened.
This is me saying goodbye.
I love you Kibum-ah.
His eyes still stung from the weeping he did and his eyes were like puffy clouds. He cracked a smile when his mother attempted to flip the eggs. He pushed her aside and took the spatula. He expertly turned it and turned the stove’s fire to a lower heat notch.
“I’d better get ready for work.” He groaned, looking at the digital clock installed on the microwave.
“Right!” she clasped her hands together,” You tell that Mir how much you appreciate him getting you a job, okay?”
“Sure.”
*
He sat on top of the trash can waiting for a customer that needed his assistance. He wore his uniform t-shirt and a pair of white skinnies. His Converse was navy blue and worn with age-he finally looked like a normal teenager.
Mir was filling up gas at pump seven and trying to keep a conversation with the girl in the car. He always said he got tips that way. Kibum rolled his eyes at how the girl giggled, poor oblivious soul… don’t you see he just wants your weekly allowance?
Soon enough the girl drove away and Mir was shoving a few bills into his back pocket.
“She told me to do what makes me happy. Girls are great tippers.” He was being smug. He squeezed Kibum’s hand,” Cheer up. Our break is in a few minutes.”
Kibum started swinging his feet into Mir’s hands. Kibum couldn’t help but feel small tingles in his stomach for his friend. His mouth was a natural pout just like his, his eyes were round and curious, and his body was much like… Jonghyun’s. He sighed a little.
Mir moved in between his legs, rolling his thumb over the hem of Kibum’s polo. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
“Nope…”
“Don’t lie. Watch, when you find someone else it’ll all be better. He’ll regret ever losing you. I mean, come on, and look at how cute you are. You’re a sweet little darling.” He kissed the back of Kibum’s hand and watched a tint of pink crawl onto his high cheekbones. But Kibum wiped the remaining saliva off and swallowed his pout.
He yearned for Jonghyun. He wanted his touch, his scent, his small kisses and little pet names. He was perfect. He believed that they would be stronger than that. He thought that they would fight until the end. There was so much that people didn’t know about them, so much they never talked about.
And now they oppose their relationship when they know absolutely nothing about it?
Pathetic.
But what’s more pathetic is that Jonghyun left him because of one person. One person that did everything to break their walls. He broke their boundaries and burned down their house of love. He ripped their pride in two and sliced it to pieces.
Taemin killed them both.
Mir looked at the clock from the car wash building. He grinned and pulled the boy off the tall can and onto the ground. Kibum looked confused for a moment and he retracted his hand.
“Break time, break time, everybody break time!” Mir singsonged, getting a soft grip on his hand once again.
Kibum reluctantly swayed into the store with his friend. They entered the tiny store and moved towards the back, where the beverages were free for staff. Mir plucked a cup off the stack and handed it to Kibum.
“Isn’t strawberry Fanta your favorite?” Mir asked.
“How did you know?”
“Just a guess.” The sound of slurring soda filled his ears.
“Twenty on pump eight, please.” A soft voice said.
Kibum turned around. Jessica. If Jessica was around shouldn’t there be a Krystal nearby?
“Kibum?” Jessica’s face brightened as she stuffed her change into her backpack. “What are you doing here?”
“I work here now. And you?”
“Just getting some gas. Hey, how are you?” she was obviously referring to the party.
“Things happen.”
She glanced at Mir’s protective hand around his waist. Kibum cleared his throat and she looked up.
“Listen,” and he did. “If you need anyone to talk to, here’s my number.” She pulled out a business card, ready.
“Thanks.” Kibum fingered the corner of the card before sliding it into his pocket.
“Actually… when do you clock out?”
“Six-ish. Why?”
“Want to go out? You know, for dinner as friends.”
Kibum was shocked. “Sure, noona.” When did the Korean come in?
“Great! I’ll pick you up then.”
Kibum didn’t turn around quick enough to see the ultimate glare Mir sent her.
*
“Everything here is so expensive… are you sure it’s okay to eat here? I’m fine with burgers.” Kibum said, his voice wavering.
Jessica waved him off, putting the menu down. “It’s fine, my treat.”
“Really… I can’t let you pay this much.”
“Stop your yapping and hurry up and choose what you want to eat.” Jessica laughed,” I might have to shovel stuff down your throat at this pace.”
“Violent…”
“You seem really skinny nowadays, Kibum.”
Kibum’s face warmed up. “I’m fine.”
“I don’t really believe that…” Jessica sighed. She started feeling like a real noona to Kibum. “Listen, Kibum, if you need anything, at all… you can come to me. Anything you need, I’ll make sure you’ll get it. If you need help you can call me. Anytime. Understand?”
Kibum felt a warm sensation spread over his body. His lips curled into a considerate smile. He nodded, gradually getting happier. Sure, he wasn’t at all happy about Jonghyun, but maybe it didn’t mean he should shut everyone out. He could let one person in. That person, Kibum suspected, was Jessica.
“Thank you noona. I will.” He whispered.
“Promise me. I don’t want any crap.”
Jessica held her pinky out. Kibum connected them, feeling them mold together and thumb pads collide.
“I promise.”
Jessica grinned as she sat back in her chair. She cleared her throat professionally and picked up the menu once again.
“Shall we?”
Kibum copied her, a clear mirrored effect. “We shall!” They both laughed and began talking about school and the gossip they missed.
A/N: The chapter is short but I'm planning on writing more. This chapter was just a filler. I'll be posting soon!