A Highschool Thing - 03
Chapter 3
October Wishes
02 - 03 - 04
It was the middle of October already, and it's about time for the council to announce something very special. The school was having it's sports fest in less than a month. Minho's excited -he told himself he'll aim to become MVP -his drive to succeed came from the people who tried to push him down. This time, with friends to help him up he's even more determined. He kind of believes in himself now.
It was dismissal time, when Taemin runs up to him -something must be up. "Minho, can I ask you a favor?" Minho blinks then nods. "Oh yeah, sure. What's up?" Taemin says a brief thank you -he looked out of breath. Probably running around all day. ('He should take a break,' Minho thinks.) "We kinda need an extra hand on putting down the boxes. It'll be for the sports fest, if that's alright." Minho then looks at the guys, who were waiting for him. It was practice day. "You guys go ahead; I'll be kind of late!" He says, then he turns to Taemin, nodding. Taemin feels a little bad though. "Or maybe I can just ask someone else? You need to practice, it's okay Min-" Minho stops him midway. "It's fine. If it's for helping you out for the fest, it's fine."
Taemin feels a little special. In a really good, warm way. It felt like a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day, and it kind of felt like smelling new books, and the sheets when you just changed them. Or the morning sun raining down on him when he wakes up. ( He mentally punches himself for that, though. What the heck is he thinking!? )
A few hours later, half of the big boxes were out of the really high cabinets the school had. It was already kind of late though, Taemin told them to go home. He was picking up the pieces of bottles and trashes his members left. "I'm sorry I made you miss practice." Minho chuckles a little, and shakes his head. He was helping him clean up. "Nah, it’s fine. Coach will spare me." Taemin nods, and keeps quiet. After a few minutes of silence, Minho then asks, "Taemin," the boy turns. He didn't answer, Minho continued. "Where do you live? Like, not your dorm. Where are your parents? Just wondering." Taemin then answers, "City. Farther. Like, really far. So they kinda threw me in here. Dad felt I'd be alright. Mom too. So yeah." Minho nods.
Taemin, feeling kinda awkward, asks a question too. "Which sport are you joining?" Minho beams at the question. "I'm not sure yet... maybe everything? I want to be MVP." Taemin smiles, then rolls his eyes. "Impossible. You can't beat Changmin," he says. Minho then looks at him, a smirk on his face. "Oh really?" Taemin nods. "Uh... yeah really." The older of the two then nods, "Okay then. Let's make a bet! If I win, you're gonna treat me! Meat and everything." Taemin rolls his eyes. "And if you lose, you have to treat me. Meat and everything," he smirks.
Minho laughs, and they make a deal.
Sports fest rolls in quicker than everyone expected. The days were going through smoothly -with Taemin's utmost supervision. In those days, Minho had joined (and won) numerous games. Jonghyun joined a few too; Key sat through most of it (although he got pulled to do this stupid obstacle relay.) By the end of the week, everyone had hoarse voices already, with Minho becoming the MVP with flying colors. He had made some friends along the way too, friendly rivals and some people who he'll hang out with some other time. He quickly runs over to Taemin the moment he saw him, who was so busy screaming at one of his members to go and take the banners down already. Minho taps him on the shoulder, Taemin spins around, and pushes up his glasses as he looks up to find Choi Minho. He sighs, then smiles.
"I guess I have to treat you now, hm?"
The brunette said something else about he'll get to him when everything's cleaned up and everything. Minho didn't listen much, he was too busy thinking -they're gonna actually hang out. He feels happy, and proud. Or well, really, Minho just looked like a puppy who was about to get his favorite treat.
Minho honestly feels, he didn't do it for the bet or something. Actually fuck it, he honestly did it, he didn't feel it, no, he did it for that extra time with Taemin. Because whether he liked it or not, maybe he kinda likes Taemin. As a friend, he convinces himself.
Like a favorite friend. Something like that. ‘Whatever,’ Minho tells himself. He's having a little manly date with Taemin tonight, that's all that matters.
(Key looks from afar and thinks otherwise with a knowing smirk. Jonghyun pulls him again though. 'Jesus enough with the pulling!')
They're eating in a near restaurant, face to face and they're talking about mostly everything. That Taemin's a 16 year-old leaving alone in his dorm room, and Minho's 17 with a family of four, his older brother in the military. Minho asks some stupid questions, and Taemin happily answers them. The young man realizes also, that the brunette has a beautiful smile. His smile was somewhat addictive -and it makes him feel rather possessive. He makes this 'Prince' smile, and he feels proud of that, and maybe he doesn't want to share it. And Taemin realizes Minho is kind of a really giant puppy. He can probably see this imaginary tail wagging behind him as he eats. The boy feels comfortable around Minho -which was kind of a really big turn, from strangers who bumped into each other, then yelled at each other, he feels that maybe fate is fucking him up.
They start talking more about their family -jobs and everything.
Taemin then talks about his mom.
"She's actually kinda sick," he says. Minho then looks at him, concerned. The restaurant's almost closing, and they're half-way done with their beverages.
"Actually, maybe a little more than sick, " he adds quietly. Minho gulps.
"She'll be fine."
Taemin smiles at him again, grateful for being concerned and everything really. Minho's gonna lose it. Maybe in a few days, hours, minutes. He doesn't know -but he's gonna lose it.
"Thanks for the treat," The older of the two says, hands in his pockets as they walk the streets late at night. Taemin nods. "No prob," he replies. There's a silence, Minho finds himself staring. When the younger boy realizes this, he looks at Minho, who swiftly turns. The brunette, blinks then returns his gaze to the ground. The black-haired man breathes heavily. It was kinda cold, actually.
"Well, here's my building," Taemin then announces, a little awkward actually. Minho then nods.
"Well, see 'ya then. Thanks again," Minho says, smiling.
Taemin nods, not knowing what to say.
Minho then gulps, and puts his hand on the back of his head.
"So uh... good night?"
Taemin's lips curve a little bit, "Good night." He turns and goes inside.
Minho stands there for a few more seconds, lingering on today's events for a second, before going away himself.
One afternoon, while Taemin and Minho walk from the counter of the cafeteria, Key confronts them, crossed arms and everything. Jonghyun was busy munching down his burger on their table.
"What are you two? Friends, best friends... dating?"
He stresses the last word. Taemin's eyes widen, Minho groans -if he wasn't holding his tray he'd facepalm himself. (Or try to strangle Key for creating such an awkward atmosphere.)
"We're not dating, Key. We're just..."
Key urges Minho to go on, but Taemin finishes the sentence.
"We're just us, I guess," and he looks at Minho, with that 'Right?' face. And Minho looks at him, blinking. Then, he smiles, nodding.
"Yeah... we're us."
(Key rolls his eyes with a silent 'boring' and returns to his seat shrugging. Taemin and Minho go ahead and take a seat as well. With Minho helping around, Taemin's been a little free. He can eat with people now -with new friends, actually.)
Classes are starting to get more and more comfortable each day. Minho honestly feels like this year will be really good. It started a little rough, but things are looking great. He's passing classes, Cs and Bs, and he has awesome friends, being Key and Jonghyun (and the dudes of course), and then there's this 'something' with Taemin.
No, he doesn't even know what to call it. He's lying around in their house one Saturday, nothing to do, and it's too cold to go outside for a walk, (for him anyway.) Besides, he'll be out for practice in a few minutes. He's been thinking a lot lately. That he feels good. He feels good about being himself. A big difference, really. But a good one definitely.
And then Taemin's in his head again. He sits up, he's been in his head a lot more than he should.
Minho rubs the bridge of his nose a little bit. Could it be?
Maybe?
He flops back down to the carpeted floor, his feet on the couch. He stares at the clock. He seriously doesn't want to go out, but practice starts in an hour. He should probably get ready -so he does. The first game of the season will be in a week or something. Minho's kinda excited, and kinda nervous. He pushes off his earlier thoughts -he needs to get his head in the game, and to just. Calm down. He needs to stop thinking for two seconds, and he'll be alright.
(But he gets a little serious about it while he washes his face. Maybe?)
As practice ends that Saturday, Minho's left alone in the locker room. He's changing -the guys have plans that night, so they went off early. He's left with the keys, and he hears something. A beat. He wonders, ’What was that? ‘He looks around, no one was there? So he gets dressed quickly and locks the door behind him. He slings his bag over his shoulders and try to follow the sound. It had a nice beat, pop and all. The music was getting louder -he reaches the dance studio of the school. He peeks at the door that was half-open.
And there he sees, dancing and twirling with the beat, Lee fucking Taemin.
Sweat dripping, face a little red and breathing deeply. He's got his glasses off, and he's in loose pants and a baggy sweater, with the neck hole kind of a little too big so it's slipping to reveal Taemin's shoulder. He pokes his head more, and the door creeks -Taemin turns to the door quickly and blinks to see Minho, fresh from the shower.
"Oh. Hey," Taemin greets.
Minho's speechless. Because he just saw this little asshole-turned-something dancing amazingly. (He tries to get the image of Taemin sweaty and huffing out of his head.) He gulps and smiles awkwardly.
"Oh, yeah, hey. Practicing?"
Taemin turns off the music and reaches for his towel and water bottle.
"Nah, it's a..." He pauses, looking for the right word. "... some form of a distraction."
Minho nods at that.
In the dead of the night, the two teens are walking side by side. It feels a little familiar, but it was colder now. He looks at Taemin's empty hand -and imagines how it'd feel in his. Maybe it was cold too? He could warm it up, he tells himself. But more than that, in the dead of the night, Minho realizes. Taemin shines... no. It's more like, he glows. With a radiance similar to the moon. Maybe that was a little cheesy, but it was true. To Minho, Taemin was beautiful, in a way which was different. It was not the kind of beauty that everyone would see. It's not the long eye-lashes, or the perfect nose. Taemin's lashes are normal, his nose' got a little bump and he had a few marks on his face. Just like the moon, with imperfections shaping it, to become what everyone knows. Taemin was no prince, he was something else.
He was charming, a little rough on the edges, and had flaws. Flaws that made him stand out. He was a little clumsy, and he kind of pisses him off. But he's fun too. Minho's one of the reasons he smiles, and that makes the older boy proud of himself. More than anything. Taemin has him. He has him, and being beside the boy, Minho is happiest.
But what Minho hates so much, is that Taemin lied a lot. About himself; about how he feels. The young man wishes the boy would just be honest.
If it’s too cold for his sheets to warm him up.
If being alone in his dorm room gets to him, and is pulling him down.
If waking up with no one to greet him; no one to say ‘Good Morning’ to him, drags him down.
He wished Taemin didn't put this invisible wall of his, that even though they're close now, closer than anything else, he still can't figure the boy out. He'd get into moods Minho has no idea how to understand.
Even just once, it'd be fine.
Taemin turns to him, and looks at how serious Minho looks.
"You alright?" He asks him. Minho steps out from his thoughts and nods.
"Yeah, just thinking."
It was during the game, did Taemin see who Minho really was. He was actually like a tiger. He had fierce eyes -eyes that spoke something else. Surely, it'd make his opponents think otherwise. When he was so focused, Taemin thought he looked beautiful. How Minho glistened in that afternoon. He shone brighter than anybody else, and Taemin knows he's not the only one who thought of that. Actually, Taemin thinks, Minho was more like the sun. How he was so bright, and how his looks just...
Taemin smiles to himself. He's getting a little weird now. He's thinking about how beautiful Minho was.
That that lanky tall kid, with the big eyes, black curly hair was actually pretty nice. And was kinda like, a light of hope -if that wasn't too cheesy. Because he truly was. Taemin thought, in his seat -with everything going slow motion as the crowed screamed and yelled. He thought how Minho had saved him. Although, maybe he had put more walls around him, because he's still a little scared. That showing his scars, his faults, his everything to Minho, what if he leaves him?
That frightens Taemin.
Now that Minho is part of his life, of his being, if he leaves because Taemin finally tells him who he really is; what he’s really made up of -he would hate himself.
Taemin had tried denying it, but he knows he had fallen down into this again.
He smiles, Minho scores a touchdown. The team celebrates with their first win for the season.
Everyone flooded the field immediately, Taemin was trying to get through, but he was getting pushed and shoved by students, excited and trying to get a hold of their favorite players and their boyfriends and whatever. A hand pulls him to the side, and just like he expected it, it was Minho. The man had hugged him, sweat, dirt and everything. He hugged back and patted Minho.
"You did great." Taemin said. Minho grins at him, he hugs Taemin again.
And there it was again.
Taemin's world was in slow-motion, he could only hear himself. He then realizes.
That was it.
He can't deny himself anymore. He shuts down -he can't. He wasn't ready. This… this thing that he knows too well. He can't get too attached. It'll hurt him. Again and again it'll hurt him. As his hand clutch unto Minho, his mind was responding differently. He needed to get away -build another wall, shut off everything, even this ray of light.
There was only one thing to do. Again, Taemin repeats this cycle. Of fear; of anxiety; of coldness.
After that, Taemin ignores him. For three days now, as Minho counts. He just blatantly ignores Minho. No matter how many times Minho calls out for him, Taemin turns away, does his 'work' and goes off.
October Wishes
02 - 03 - 04
It was the middle of October already, and it's about time for the council to announce something very special. The school was having it's sports fest in less than a month. Minho's excited -he told himself he'll aim to become MVP -his drive to succeed came from the people who tried to push him down. This time, with friends to help him up he's even more determined. He kind of believes in himself now.
It was dismissal time, when Taemin runs up to him -something must be up. "Minho, can I ask you a favor?" Minho blinks then nods. "Oh yeah, sure. What's up?" Taemin says a brief thank you -he looked out of breath. Probably running around all day. ('He should take a break,' Minho thinks.) "We kinda need an extra hand on putting down the boxes. It'll be for the sports fest, if that's alright." Minho then looks at the guys, who were waiting for him. It was practice day. "You guys go ahead; I'll be kind of late!" He says, then he turns to Taemin, nodding. Taemin feels a little bad though. "Or maybe I can just ask someone else? You need to practice, it's okay Min-" Minho stops him midway. "It's fine. If it's for helping you out for the fest, it's fine."
Taemin feels a little special. In a really good, warm way. It felt like a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day, and it kind of felt like smelling new books, and the sheets when you just changed them. Or the morning sun raining down on him when he wakes up. ( He mentally punches himself for that, though. What the heck is he thinking!? )
A few hours later, half of the big boxes were out of the really high cabinets the school had. It was already kind of late though, Taemin told them to go home. He was picking up the pieces of bottles and trashes his members left. "I'm sorry I made you miss practice." Minho chuckles a little, and shakes his head. He was helping him clean up. "Nah, it’s fine. Coach will spare me." Taemin nods, and keeps quiet. After a few minutes of silence, Minho then asks, "Taemin," the boy turns. He didn't answer, Minho continued. "Where do you live? Like, not your dorm. Where are your parents? Just wondering." Taemin then answers, "City. Farther. Like, really far. So they kinda threw me in here. Dad felt I'd be alright. Mom too. So yeah." Minho nods.
Taemin, feeling kinda awkward, asks a question too. "Which sport are you joining?" Minho beams at the question. "I'm not sure yet... maybe everything? I want to be MVP." Taemin smiles, then rolls his eyes. "Impossible. You can't beat Changmin," he says. Minho then looks at him, a smirk on his face. "Oh really?" Taemin nods. "Uh... yeah really." The older of the two then nods, "Okay then. Let's make a bet! If I win, you're gonna treat me! Meat and everything." Taemin rolls his eyes. "And if you lose, you have to treat me. Meat and everything," he smirks.
Minho laughs, and they make a deal.
Sports fest rolls in quicker than everyone expected. The days were going through smoothly -with Taemin's utmost supervision. In those days, Minho had joined (and won) numerous games. Jonghyun joined a few too; Key sat through most of it (although he got pulled to do this stupid obstacle relay.) By the end of the week, everyone had hoarse voices already, with Minho becoming the MVP with flying colors. He had made some friends along the way too, friendly rivals and some people who he'll hang out with some other time. He quickly runs over to Taemin the moment he saw him, who was so busy screaming at one of his members to go and take the banners down already. Minho taps him on the shoulder, Taemin spins around, and pushes up his glasses as he looks up to find Choi Minho. He sighs, then smiles.
"I guess I have to treat you now, hm?"
The brunette said something else about he'll get to him when everything's cleaned up and everything. Minho didn't listen much, he was too busy thinking -they're gonna actually hang out. He feels happy, and proud. Or well, really, Minho just looked like a puppy who was about to get his favorite treat.
Minho honestly feels, he didn't do it for the bet or something. Actually fuck it, he honestly did it, he didn't feel it, no, he did it for that extra time with Taemin. Because whether he liked it or not, maybe he kinda likes Taemin. As a friend, he convinces himself.
Like a favorite friend. Something like that. ‘Whatever,’ Minho tells himself. He's having a little manly date with Taemin tonight, that's all that matters.
(Key looks from afar and thinks otherwise with a knowing smirk. Jonghyun pulls him again though. 'Jesus enough with the pulling!')
They're eating in a near restaurant, face to face and they're talking about mostly everything. That Taemin's a 16 year-old leaving alone in his dorm room, and Minho's 17 with a family of four, his older brother in the military. Minho asks some stupid questions, and Taemin happily answers them. The young man realizes also, that the brunette has a beautiful smile. His smile was somewhat addictive -and it makes him feel rather possessive. He makes this 'Prince' smile, and he feels proud of that, and maybe he doesn't want to share it. And Taemin realizes Minho is kind of a really giant puppy. He can probably see this imaginary tail wagging behind him as he eats. The boy feels comfortable around Minho -which was kind of a really big turn, from strangers who bumped into each other, then yelled at each other, he feels that maybe fate is fucking him up.
They start talking more about their family -jobs and everything.
Taemin then talks about his mom.
"She's actually kinda sick," he says. Minho then looks at him, concerned. The restaurant's almost closing, and they're half-way done with their beverages.
"Actually, maybe a little more than sick, " he adds quietly. Minho gulps.
"She'll be fine."
Taemin smiles at him again, grateful for being concerned and everything really. Minho's gonna lose it. Maybe in a few days, hours, minutes. He doesn't know -but he's gonna lose it.
"Thanks for the treat," The older of the two says, hands in his pockets as they walk the streets late at night. Taemin nods. "No prob," he replies. There's a silence, Minho finds himself staring. When the younger boy realizes this, he looks at Minho, who swiftly turns. The brunette, blinks then returns his gaze to the ground. The black-haired man breathes heavily. It was kinda cold, actually.
"Well, here's my building," Taemin then announces, a little awkward actually. Minho then nods.
"Well, see 'ya then. Thanks again," Minho says, smiling.
Taemin nods, not knowing what to say.
Minho then gulps, and puts his hand on the back of his head.
"So uh... good night?"
Taemin's lips curve a little bit, "Good night." He turns and goes inside.
Minho stands there for a few more seconds, lingering on today's events for a second, before going away himself.
One afternoon, while Taemin and Minho walk from the counter of the cafeteria, Key confronts them, crossed arms and everything. Jonghyun was busy munching down his burger on their table.
"What are you two? Friends, best friends... dating?"
He stresses the last word. Taemin's eyes widen, Minho groans -if he wasn't holding his tray he'd facepalm himself. (Or try to strangle Key for creating such an awkward atmosphere.)
"We're not dating, Key. We're just..."
Key urges Minho to go on, but Taemin finishes the sentence.
"We're just us, I guess," and he looks at Minho, with that 'Right?' face. And Minho looks at him, blinking. Then, he smiles, nodding.
"Yeah... we're us."
(Key rolls his eyes with a silent 'boring' and returns to his seat shrugging. Taemin and Minho go ahead and take a seat as well. With Minho helping around, Taemin's been a little free. He can eat with people now -with new friends, actually.)
Classes are starting to get more and more comfortable each day. Minho honestly feels like this year will be really good. It started a little rough, but things are looking great. He's passing classes, Cs and Bs, and he has awesome friends, being Key and Jonghyun (and the dudes of course), and then there's this 'something' with Taemin.
No, he doesn't even know what to call it. He's lying around in their house one Saturday, nothing to do, and it's too cold to go outside for a walk, (for him anyway.) Besides, he'll be out for practice in a few minutes. He's been thinking a lot lately. That he feels good. He feels good about being himself. A big difference, really. But a good one definitely.
And then Taemin's in his head again. He sits up, he's been in his head a lot more than he should.
Minho rubs the bridge of his nose a little bit. Could it be?
Maybe?
He flops back down to the carpeted floor, his feet on the couch. He stares at the clock. He seriously doesn't want to go out, but practice starts in an hour. He should probably get ready -so he does. The first game of the season will be in a week or something. Minho's kinda excited, and kinda nervous. He pushes off his earlier thoughts -he needs to get his head in the game, and to just. Calm down. He needs to stop thinking for two seconds, and he'll be alright.
(But he gets a little serious about it while he washes his face. Maybe?)
As practice ends that Saturday, Minho's left alone in the locker room. He's changing -the guys have plans that night, so they went off early. He's left with the keys, and he hears something. A beat. He wonders, ’What was that? ‘He looks around, no one was there? So he gets dressed quickly and locks the door behind him. He slings his bag over his shoulders and try to follow the sound. It had a nice beat, pop and all. The music was getting louder -he reaches the dance studio of the school. He peeks at the door that was half-open.
And there he sees, dancing and twirling with the beat, Lee fucking Taemin.
Sweat dripping, face a little red and breathing deeply. He's got his glasses off, and he's in loose pants and a baggy sweater, with the neck hole kind of a little too big so it's slipping to reveal Taemin's shoulder. He pokes his head more, and the door creeks -Taemin turns to the door quickly and blinks to see Minho, fresh from the shower.
"Oh. Hey," Taemin greets.
Minho's speechless. Because he just saw this little asshole-turned-something dancing amazingly. (He tries to get the image of Taemin sweaty and huffing out of his head.) He gulps and smiles awkwardly.
"Oh, yeah, hey. Practicing?"
Taemin turns off the music and reaches for his towel and water bottle.
"Nah, it's a..." He pauses, looking for the right word. "... some form of a distraction."
Minho nods at that.
In the dead of the night, the two teens are walking side by side. It feels a little familiar, but it was colder now. He looks at Taemin's empty hand -and imagines how it'd feel in his. Maybe it was cold too? He could warm it up, he tells himself. But more than that, in the dead of the night, Minho realizes. Taemin shines... no. It's more like, he glows. With a radiance similar to the moon. Maybe that was a little cheesy, but it was true. To Minho, Taemin was beautiful, in a way which was different. It was not the kind of beauty that everyone would see. It's not the long eye-lashes, or the perfect nose. Taemin's lashes are normal, his nose' got a little bump and he had a few marks on his face. Just like the moon, with imperfections shaping it, to become what everyone knows. Taemin was no prince, he was something else.
He was charming, a little rough on the edges, and had flaws. Flaws that made him stand out. He was a little clumsy, and he kind of pisses him off. But he's fun too. Minho's one of the reasons he smiles, and that makes the older boy proud of himself. More than anything. Taemin has him. He has him, and being beside the boy, Minho is happiest.
But what Minho hates so much, is that Taemin lied a lot. About himself; about how he feels. The young man wishes the boy would just be honest.
If it’s too cold for his sheets to warm him up.
If being alone in his dorm room gets to him, and is pulling him down.
If waking up with no one to greet him; no one to say ‘Good Morning’ to him, drags him down.
He wished Taemin didn't put this invisible wall of his, that even though they're close now, closer than anything else, he still can't figure the boy out. He'd get into moods Minho has no idea how to understand.
Even just once, it'd be fine.
Taemin turns to him, and looks at how serious Minho looks.
"You alright?" He asks him. Minho steps out from his thoughts and nods.
"Yeah, just thinking."
It was during the game, did Taemin see who Minho really was. He was actually like a tiger. He had fierce eyes -eyes that spoke something else. Surely, it'd make his opponents think otherwise. When he was so focused, Taemin thought he looked beautiful. How Minho glistened in that afternoon. He shone brighter than anybody else, and Taemin knows he's not the only one who thought of that. Actually, Taemin thinks, Minho was more like the sun. How he was so bright, and how his looks just...
Taemin smiles to himself. He's getting a little weird now. He's thinking about how beautiful Minho was.
That that lanky tall kid, with the big eyes, black curly hair was actually pretty nice. And was kinda like, a light of hope -if that wasn't too cheesy. Because he truly was. Taemin thought, in his seat -with everything going slow motion as the crowed screamed and yelled. He thought how Minho had saved him. Although, maybe he had put more walls around him, because he's still a little scared. That showing his scars, his faults, his everything to Minho, what if he leaves him?
That frightens Taemin.
Now that Minho is part of his life, of his being, if he leaves because Taemin finally tells him who he really is; what he’s really made up of -he would hate himself.
Taemin had tried denying it, but he knows he had fallen down into this again.
He smiles, Minho scores a touchdown. The team celebrates with their first win for the season.
Everyone flooded the field immediately, Taemin was trying to get through, but he was getting pushed and shoved by students, excited and trying to get a hold of their favorite players and their boyfriends and whatever. A hand pulls him to the side, and just like he expected it, it was Minho. The man had hugged him, sweat, dirt and everything. He hugged back and patted Minho.
"You did great." Taemin said. Minho grins at him, he hugs Taemin again.
And there it was again.
Taemin's world was in slow-motion, he could only hear himself. He then realizes.
That was it.
He can't deny himself anymore. He shuts down -he can't. He wasn't ready. This… this thing that he knows too well. He can't get too attached. It'll hurt him. Again and again it'll hurt him. As his hand clutch unto Minho, his mind was responding differently. He needed to get away -build another wall, shut off everything, even this ray of light.
There was only one thing to do. Again, Taemin repeats this cycle. Of fear; of anxiety; of coldness.
After that, Taemin ignores him. For three days now, as Minho counts. He just blatantly ignores Minho. No matter how many times Minho calls out for him, Taemin turns away, does his 'work' and goes off.