A Single Word - Chapter Five
Title: A Single Word - Chapter Five
Pairing: JongKey. Also some Minkey. Could be more, depending on whether or not this develops the way I intend :)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst, mentions of abuse.
Summary: The night a strange new person enters his life, everything changes for Key.
Word Count: 1,530
Notes: This chapter is a little short, but I promise the next one will be good! And different. Kekeke. I hope you'll look forward to it! :D
Spot For: hurryupthecakes and ryotanfan29 :D Always feel free to ask me for a spot on a fic if anyone would like one ^_^
01| 02| 03| 04
Everything inside of Key felt like it was wound up so tightly that he might get sick. No, he was pretty sure that if his nerves were any more active, then he would be puking in the nearest bathroom. This was not how his first day back at school was supposed to be. It just wasn't! Stupid mother for taking unnecessary actions to get Jonghyun into school. Stupid father for being a good Samaritan and taking him in in the first place. And stupid Key for agreeing to look out for him. Not that he could have said no anyway. How could he say no to those puppy eyes, and to his parents who had done so much for him? It just wasn't fair.
Because Jonghyun had to get some paperwork filed in the office, Key left his mother and the boy at the front door. He felt so tense as he walked away from them, scared not only for Jonghyun, but for the responsibility of him as well.
Just like he expected, not many students were in the room yet when he arrived. He was actually kind of thankful that they had to get there a little early. That way he didn’t have to be surrounded by people who knew him when he walked in with his mother and Jonghyun. That way he would have some time to collect himself before the day began. Sitting down at what he preferred to be his desk, Key sighed loudly.
"Key, you're here!" Jinki said loudly as he strolled into the room. "I thought that was you in the hallway. I got here early to do some stuff in the band room."
Key attempted a smile as Jinki sat in the seat in front of him, but it was obvious that something was off, and Jinki seemed to notice quickly.
"What's wrong?"
But then Minho was walking in the door and Key didn't have a chance to answer before he came over too. "Back at school!" he boomed, raising his arms into the air, and Key knew he was thinking about soccer. He pouted and Jinki dropped the question, probably assuming he was being moody about Minho.
The trouble didn't really start until more kids started to arrive, until Jonghyun was done in the office. Key watched with wide, horrified eyes as the boy was lead down the hallway by one of the teachers. He looked like he was about to jump out of his skin, his big brown eyes full of uncertainty.
"Who's that?" Minho asked, and Key couldn't blame him because everyone in the class was looking.
Key didn't say anything because he felt like he might get sick. He watched as Jonghyun was lead down the hall to the room directly across from him. Jonghyun looked so scared and it made Key almost feel regretful that they weren't in the same room. It made sense though, that they'd be at different levels. The students in Key's class seemed to lose interest fairly quickly, going back to talking about their plans for the semester. Key continued watching the room across the hall from his convenient spot by the window.
A couple of students went to talk to Jonghyun, and he looked up at them warily before his eyes seemed to lock onto his desk, and Key wondered what they were saying to him. Then more students started gathering around him and Key lost sight of the smaller boy. He straightened a little in his seat, almost standing to try and get a better look. Then he realized Minho's eyes were deadlocked on him. He smiled a little awkwardly and sat back down.
"Do you know him or something?" Minho asked, but before Key had the chance to explain, one of the kids from the other class came into the room, someone he recognized but didn't know so well.
"I heard he's Key's new adopted brother. Is it true Key? He won't answer us."
Another kid walked in. "Is he a mute or something, Key?"
“Maybe he’s deaf,” the other one suggested. All of the students in the class looked expectantly at Key, their interest renewed slightly.
Key stared into Minho's narrowed eyes with a sense of hopelessness. This had not been a good idea.
It was after class that Key had the first chance to really explain himself. Minho and Jinki both looked shocked by the fact that his parents had taken some kid in. Key quickly corrected them when they referred to him as an orphan. They didn't know yet if his parents were alive or dead. Key hoped they were alive, hoped that Jonghyun would have a good home to return to sometime soon. Key couldn't give Minho and Jinki a whole lot of details as to why he was staying with them, just that they would be taking care of him for a little while and that his social skills weren't all that great, but he was actually really nice.
Then Jonghyun's eyes locked onto him through the window in his classroom. He had still been in his seat, avoiding the other students as much as he could. Key gave him what he hoped was an encouraging smile, but was pretty sure his nervousness couldn't be hidden. Jonghyun just stared at him for a moment before Key looked back at his friends. By the time they had to get to their seats again, Key was incredibly tired of answering questions about Jonghyun, especially some of the more wild rumors that had managed to spring up during the short time period. Honestly. Asking if Jonghyun's parents has been eaten by cannibals and if he was found being raised by animals were both completely ridiculous.
When it came time for lunch, the students all went to find their respective places to eat, a great majority of them heading first to the cafeteria. Key walked out into the hallway feeling both responsible for Jonghyun and kind of bleak about having to give up his normally carefree lunch to take care of someone else. Jonghyun was the last person in the classroom to move from his seat, and Key walked closer to the door. He smiled slightly and waved. Jonghyun lips turned up into the first small smile he'd seen all day and Key felt a little better.
After leading Jonghyun to the normal spot outside, where Minho, Jinki, and him would eat when the weather was nice. Both of the other boys attempted friendly demeanors, but also watched him uncertainly. Jonghyun barely looked at them, instead sitting close to Key and focusing on the food he'd been given to eat.
“This is Jonghyun, guys,” Key attempted an introduction. “Jonghyun,” the boy looked up when Key addressed him, “this is Minho and Jinki.” he gestured to each in turn.
Minho and Jinki both nodded, the later smiling easily. “Nice to meet you.” Minho looked a little more uncertain, but Key knew he was a little shy towards new people. Jonghyun nodded back at both of them, but didn’t say a word before looking away again. Key thought that he really had a long way to go.
The school day seemed to drag on for an eternity, but eventually it was over. Usually Key would just walk home on his own, but since Jonghyun was there, he had to wait for him. His mother had offered to leave work early and pick them up, but Key was insistent that they would be okay. He didn't want his mother's job to be affected. As they walked home, Jonghyun was silent, but that wasn't unusual. He stared off into the distance, and Key looked at him out of the corner of his eyes. The way he looked with a book in hand, school uniform hanging on him in a cut that was slightly off for his body type, Key couldn't help but think he actually looked kind of normal. But he wasn't, and that was something that anyone could see upon looking closer. It made Key feel angry and frustrated, because it wasn't fair that being different had to define who he was. Key knew all about those sorts of feelings, about being afraid of being different, but he could hide how he was. It was impossible for Jonghyun to hide how the things he’d been through affected him, how they made him unlike the majority of other people. Even though he didn't know much about Jonghyun, Key knew he was a lot more than just abnormal.
When they got home, Jonghyun went to his room and sat on his bed. Key stood in the doorway and watched as Jonghyun scooted back against the headboard and pulled his legs closer to wrap his arms around his knees. The book he'd brought with him was sitting on the bed beside him. He felt guilty that he hadn’t been able to do more, that he couldn’t make the transition back into school seamless.
"It will get better after a couple of days," he said, trying to sound encouraging. He didn't know that what he said couldn't be farther from the truth though, for either of them.
Chapter Six
Pairing: JongKey. Also some Minkey. Could be more, depending on whether or not this develops the way I intend :)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst, mentions of abuse.
Summary: The night a strange new person enters his life, everything changes for Key.
Word Count: 1,530
Notes: This chapter is a little short, but I promise the next one will be good! And different. Kekeke. I hope you'll look forward to it! :D
Spot For: hurryupthecakes and ryotanfan29 :D Always feel free to ask me for a spot on a fic if anyone would like one ^_^
01| 02| 03| 04
Everything inside of Key felt like it was wound up so tightly that he might get sick. No, he was pretty sure that if his nerves were any more active, then he would be puking in the nearest bathroom. This was not how his first day back at school was supposed to be. It just wasn't! Stupid mother for taking unnecessary actions to get Jonghyun into school. Stupid father for being a good Samaritan and taking him in in the first place. And stupid Key for agreeing to look out for him. Not that he could have said no anyway. How could he say no to those puppy eyes, and to his parents who had done so much for him? It just wasn't fair.
Because Jonghyun had to get some paperwork filed in the office, Key left his mother and the boy at the front door. He felt so tense as he walked away from them, scared not only for Jonghyun, but for the responsibility of him as well.
Just like he expected, not many students were in the room yet when he arrived. He was actually kind of thankful that they had to get there a little early. That way he didn’t have to be surrounded by people who knew him when he walked in with his mother and Jonghyun. That way he would have some time to collect himself before the day began. Sitting down at what he preferred to be his desk, Key sighed loudly.
"Key, you're here!" Jinki said loudly as he strolled into the room. "I thought that was you in the hallway. I got here early to do some stuff in the band room."
Key attempted a smile as Jinki sat in the seat in front of him, but it was obvious that something was off, and Jinki seemed to notice quickly.
"What's wrong?"
But then Minho was walking in the door and Key didn't have a chance to answer before he came over too. "Back at school!" he boomed, raising his arms into the air, and Key knew he was thinking about soccer. He pouted and Jinki dropped the question, probably assuming he was being moody about Minho.
The trouble didn't really start until more kids started to arrive, until Jonghyun was done in the office. Key watched with wide, horrified eyes as the boy was lead down the hallway by one of the teachers. He looked like he was about to jump out of his skin, his big brown eyes full of uncertainty.
"Who's that?" Minho asked, and Key couldn't blame him because everyone in the class was looking.
Key didn't say anything because he felt like he might get sick. He watched as Jonghyun was lead down the hall to the room directly across from him. Jonghyun looked so scared and it made Key almost feel regretful that they weren't in the same room. It made sense though, that they'd be at different levels. The students in Key's class seemed to lose interest fairly quickly, going back to talking about their plans for the semester. Key continued watching the room across the hall from his convenient spot by the window.
A couple of students went to talk to Jonghyun, and he looked up at them warily before his eyes seemed to lock onto his desk, and Key wondered what they were saying to him. Then more students started gathering around him and Key lost sight of the smaller boy. He straightened a little in his seat, almost standing to try and get a better look. Then he realized Minho's eyes were deadlocked on him. He smiled a little awkwardly and sat back down.
"Do you know him or something?" Minho asked, but before Key had the chance to explain, one of the kids from the other class came into the room, someone he recognized but didn't know so well.
"I heard he's Key's new adopted brother. Is it true Key? He won't answer us."
Another kid walked in. "Is he a mute or something, Key?"
“Maybe he’s deaf,” the other one suggested. All of the students in the class looked expectantly at Key, their interest renewed slightly.
Key stared into Minho's narrowed eyes with a sense of hopelessness. This had not been a good idea.
It was after class that Key had the first chance to really explain himself. Minho and Jinki both looked shocked by the fact that his parents had taken some kid in. Key quickly corrected them when they referred to him as an orphan. They didn't know yet if his parents were alive or dead. Key hoped they were alive, hoped that Jonghyun would have a good home to return to sometime soon. Key couldn't give Minho and Jinki a whole lot of details as to why he was staying with them, just that they would be taking care of him for a little while and that his social skills weren't all that great, but he was actually really nice.
Then Jonghyun's eyes locked onto him through the window in his classroom. He had still been in his seat, avoiding the other students as much as he could. Key gave him what he hoped was an encouraging smile, but was pretty sure his nervousness couldn't be hidden. Jonghyun just stared at him for a moment before Key looked back at his friends. By the time they had to get to their seats again, Key was incredibly tired of answering questions about Jonghyun, especially some of the more wild rumors that had managed to spring up during the short time period. Honestly. Asking if Jonghyun's parents has been eaten by cannibals and if he was found being raised by animals were both completely ridiculous.
When it came time for lunch, the students all went to find their respective places to eat, a great majority of them heading first to the cafeteria. Key walked out into the hallway feeling both responsible for Jonghyun and kind of bleak about having to give up his normally carefree lunch to take care of someone else. Jonghyun was the last person in the classroom to move from his seat, and Key walked closer to the door. He smiled slightly and waved. Jonghyun lips turned up into the first small smile he'd seen all day and Key felt a little better.
After leading Jonghyun to the normal spot outside, where Minho, Jinki, and him would eat when the weather was nice. Both of the other boys attempted friendly demeanors, but also watched him uncertainly. Jonghyun barely looked at them, instead sitting close to Key and focusing on the food he'd been given to eat.
“This is Jonghyun, guys,” Key attempted an introduction. “Jonghyun,” the boy looked up when Key addressed him, “this is Minho and Jinki.” he gestured to each in turn.
Minho and Jinki both nodded, the later smiling easily. “Nice to meet you.” Minho looked a little more uncertain, but Key knew he was a little shy towards new people. Jonghyun nodded back at both of them, but didn’t say a word before looking away again. Key thought that he really had a long way to go.
The school day seemed to drag on for an eternity, but eventually it was over. Usually Key would just walk home on his own, but since Jonghyun was there, he had to wait for him. His mother had offered to leave work early and pick them up, but Key was insistent that they would be okay. He didn't want his mother's job to be affected. As they walked home, Jonghyun was silent, but that wasn't unusual. He stared off into the distance, and Key looked at him out of the corner of his eyes. The way he looked with a book in hand, school uniform hanging on him in a cut that was slightly off for his body type, Key couldn't help but think he actually looked kind of normal. But he wasn't, and that was something that anyone could see upon looking closer. It made Key feel angry and frustrated, because it wasn't fair that being different had to define who he was. Key knew all about those sorts of feelings, about being afraid of being different, but he could hide how he was. It was impossible for Jonghyun to hide how the things he’d been through affected him, how they made him unlike the majority of other people. Even though he didn't know much about Jonghyun, Key knew he was a lot more than just abnormal.
When they got home, Jonghyun went to his room and sat on his bed. Key stood in the doorway and watched as Jonghyun scooted back against the headboard and pulled his legs closer to wrap his arms around his knees. The book he'd brought with him was sitting on the bed beside him. He felt guilty that he hadn’t been able to do more, that he couldn’t make the transition back into school seamless.
"It will get better after a couple of days," he said, trying to sound encouraging. He didn't know that what he said couldn't be farther from the truth though, for either of them.
Chapter Six