Chapter Text
DAY 1
“I'm not going Daehwi. How many times do I have to tell you.” Jihoon had repeated for what he thinks is the 5th time today.
The boys were walking slowly towards the bus stop, something they did everyday after school. They needed to pick up the pace but all of Jihoon’s attention was on his friend.
“It's going to be fun. C’mon why are you being like this?” Daehwi asked with a pout.
“Maybe because I already know why you want to go… Plus I also know you. You're just gonna leave me alone and if that's the case, why bother wasting my time and energy.”
Jihoon knew exactly why Daehwi was persisting to go to this house party. He assumed Jinyoung, Daehwi’s crush, was going as well so he needed an excuse to hang out with him. Not only that but Daehwi occasionally drank and he needed someone to take care of him. That, he didn't mind but ditching him for someone else? He can pass.
Daehwi didn't denied this accusation which meant there was some truth it.
“Plus you don't even know who's hosting the party! Are you crazy or something?” Jihoon shouted impatiently.
“He's a new kid! His name is Daniel, I talked to him once… He seemed nice and I think he might be rich too.” Daehwi responded right away.
Rich? As if that made a difference. He must be a stuck up kid then.
“ We're gonna get on this bus and I swear Daehwi if you ask me one more time, we're no longer friends.”
“But-”
“No buts.”
Daehwi pretended to zip his lips, and did as he was told.
Jihoon believed it was finally over until his mother's words surprised him during dinner.
“Jihoon, Daehwi called me earlier. He said you refused to go over to his house to study. You have a really important exam next week and he's just worried for you. He begged me to let you stay over for the night.”
Jihoon almost choked on his food.
He wasn't sure what surprised him more, Daehwi being this stubborn enough to call his mom and lie or the fact that his mom believed there was an exam on the first week of school.
“What?” Was all that seemed to come out.
“After dinner, I'm taking you to his house okay.” His mom answered with a strict tone. “Unless you had different plans for tonight?”
Plans? If she meant playing video games till I passed out then yes I had different plans.
But Jihoon knew better than to reveal that Daehwi was lying. Who knows how that would end up backfiring, so he had no choice then to go. In the end Daehwi had won.
------
The two boys were wearing black, it was not planned but they ended up matching. The difference is that Daehwi claimed his outfit was “sexier” while Jihoons was more casual.
Daehwi knocked on the door three times after making sure they were at the right address. Although it was obvious by the music playing.
Surprisingly a girl had opened the door for them. Jihoon didn't know who she was, but he could have swore he had seen her around school.
They quickly greeted her and walked inside the house.
There wasn't as many people as Jihoon had expected. Around 20 people? Although it was mostly people he didn't recognize. Some even looked older than high schoolers.
Daehwi and Jihoon looked around until they saw any familiar face. Woojin who was wearing a bright red sweater stood out from across the room. They made themselves over to him and were surprised by the loud reaction.
“YOOO! I didn't think you guys were coming!” Woojin was holding a red solo cup, Jihoon assumed he was at the least tipsy.
“I was forced here.” Jihoon said with a fake smile.
“Typical.”
Jihoon looked around again, for nothing in particular but to inspect his surroundings. The house seemed nice, besides the mess on the tables, it had a fancy feeling to it and was larger than most homes.
And then His eyes locked with another boy’s across the room. The slender boy was having a conversation with a girl. He noticed him laughing, which irritated him a bit
Oh it's Jinyoung, what a surprised he thought to himself..
Jihoon slightly bumped his elbow on Daehwi to grab his attention. And then pointed with his eyes towards the taller boy.
“Your Jinyoungie.” Jihoon whispered.
He must have noticed them staring since he left the girl alone and walked towards them.
Jinyoung gave them a smile way too big for a normal greeting.
“Daehwi! Jihoon! I haven't seen you guys in so long! How was the break for you guys?” Jinyoung asked.
He asked us both but for some reason he was only staring at Daehwi. Did he forget I existed too. Either way I don't care.
“It was fun, I missed you though.” Daehwi spoke gently. Making sure his voice sounded cute enough.
Had he practiced that line?
Truly Jihoon wanted nothing more than to leave..
He checked his phone, 8:42 pm.
And then he checked it again, 8:51 pm. Except this time Daehwi was gone, and Jihoon was left alone.
Aish, Seriously this kid. Why are we even best friends. Best friends aren't supposed to do this. I'm stuck at a party where I know no one and now I'm just supposed to pretend I want to be here.
Woojin was past drunk, surprising since the night was still young. So hanging out with him was crossed off his list. Everyone else in the room were people who Jihoon didn't feel comfortable enough to talk to or simply did not know at all. With no other choice Jihoon walked over to the kitchen to try and find something to drink but was faced with only alcohol.
As tempting as it seemed Jihoon didn't drink, plus he was with Daehwi he needed to stay sober. So he scattered through the fridge and eventually found some apple juice. He poured it in the red cup hoping no one had caught him in the act.
He noticed someone had lowered the music and once he sat on the couch half of the people were gone.
He didn't think much of it and brought his attention to his phone. He had just downloaded a game and was happy to have the chance to finally try it out.
9:23 pm. Jihoon decided he'll stay one more hour. He looked up from his phone and realized there was only 5 people in the room. 2 of which were passed out in the couch across him. Woojin, Daehwi and Jinyoung were nowhere to be seen. But more surprisingly why was this party so lame?
He looked around the room, hoping someone he'd recognized would come to rescue him and knew where the hell his friends were. But instead a tall boy with a muscular frame, and black hair began to walk towards him.
Who is that guy? Is he walking towards me? Oh no…
“ Hey.” He sat right next to Jihoon, casually as if they knew each other beforehand.
“Hey.”
“I've noticed you been playing games on your phone the entire night. It must be fun huh?” The boy chuckled which made Jihoon more nervous.
“Do you want me to tell you truthfully?”
“Please.” with a smile plastered on his face as if he was dying to know.
“Well… in reality I’m just bored. And I wish I was in my bed right now. But you know my friend forced me to come to this lame party and left me alone so now I have no choice but to play games on my phone and steal apple juice from whoever lives here.”
The boy left out an airy laugh. His sharp eyes instantly becoming softer as he smiled.
“Ha. You're funny.”
And then he looked at Jihoon, his face reminding him of a lost puppy. “Wait did you really steal apple juice?” he asked curiously.
Jihoon picked up his cup and shook it softly. “Do you want some? Only if you promise you won't tell on me.”
“I promise.” The puppy like boy stole the cup from his hands and took a sip.
“But seriously…. Why does this party suck? There's like no one here and the music isn't loud enough… I expected more of a rich kid.”
“Rich kid?” The boy raised his eyebrows a bit taken back from the comment. “But you're right and they also need more juice options. I want some orange juice.”
“Orange juice sucks in my opinion.”
“Your opinion sucks.”
Jihoon turned to check on the other surprised by the childish comeback and was faced with a smile.
“I'm joking. I'm joking.” He lifted his hand in defense. “What's your name by the way.” his face now resting on his palm.
“Jihoon. And you?”
“Daniel.”
Daniel. Why did that sound familiar? Daniel. Daniel. Daniel.
Oh. OH.
The sudden realization had hit him, the guy he was talking to about the lame party is actually the host himself. And now Jihoon wanted nothing more than to crawl into a ball and disappear. This showed him to never talk behind anyone's back.
His face felt a bit hot but he was too embarrassed to fan it.
“Oh my god. I'm so sorry. I didn't know that you were… you.” Jihoon began explaining.
“Oh so you do know who I am.” Daniel was smiling, not showing any sign of being offended but more surprised of Jihoons reaction.
“I didn't mean to be so mean. I'm just- My friend always does this and I have no choice but to be alone and suffer and I'm sorry I called your party lame. It's not that bad.” Jihoon tried to fix the situation.
“It's okay. Really I don't care.” Daniel chuckled at his flustered response. “I do have to agree the party is kind of lame.” he frowned.
“It's fine. It's way better than anything I could plan.” Jihoon tried to relax himself.
“I lowered the music, I just moved here and I'm not sure how the neighbors feel about it. I figured it's better than them calling the cops on us.”
That made a lot of sense.
“As for the lack of people, they're actually all upstairs playing games. Most of them are drunk and the room is empty so less ways for them to hurt themselves.” Daniel laughed to himself.
That explains why no one is down stairs.
“The energy though yea… My friend couldn't make it. He's usually the one who makes it more fun. I also moved schools so I was hoping this party would make people like me but I guess that didn't work well with you.”
“What? No… of course I like you.” jihoon awkwardly laughed.
“If you say so.”
There was a small silence when Daniel examined Jihoon’s face making him a bit nervous.
Why is he staring? Do I have something on my face? Impossible I haven't ate anything.
“Oh.”
“What is it?”
“You have really pretty eyes.” Daniel was looking deeply into his eyes and for the first time Jihoon questioned whether to get up or not.
Wow your eyes are so beautiful, so pretty. He's heard that plenty of times but never from another boy before which is why he was taken aback.
“Oh.. thank you..” he said shyly.
Daniel moved backwards. “Sorry was that weird”
Yes that was a bit weird.
He rarely got complimented by total strangers.
“No it's okay..” he said.
and another silence. 9:40 pm.
40 more minutes and I’ll be able to leave.
Jihoon felt the awkward tension creeping up so he came up with something.
“What did you do for fun at your old school?”
Daniel pointed as himself, as if there was another person in the room for Jihoon to ask.
“I dance mostly.”
Jihoon’s face lit up. “Me too!”
Daniel nodded happy that they finally had something in common in case the conversation awkwardly ended again.
“I was also in a gaming club.”
Jihoon wanted to laugh.
That's so nerdy and unexpected of him.
“I play games too. Isn't a club too much though?”
“Are you making fun of me Jihoon? Aren’t you the one who played games all night. I’m actually really good by the way.”
A smile worked its way across Jihoon’s face.
“What no? I'm being serious.”
“Do you play any sports?”
“Not really..”
No? seriously…. A nerd stuck in a popular boys body. Ha. I guess the rich don’t have it all.
“I work out for myself and you?.” he said with a cheeky grin.
He pushed his black hair up, revealing his toned (non existent) biceps.
Are you flexing? Are you trying to show off. I wish i could roll my eyes right now.
“I play most sports, but I'm not in anything official.” Jihoon revealed.
“We should play together one day. I don't know? Basketball if you teach me anyway.” Daniel considered.
“You don’t know how to play basketball?” Jihoon’s mouth was open.
Daniel was laughing. It was true Daniel didn't know much about sports but it wasn't his fault. Jihoon tried his best to explain the rules, and Daniel nodded pretending the information was sticking to his head. The boys continued to argue which sport was the most fun. At the end Jihoon decided Daniels opinion didn't even matter if he had never played any of the sports.
Daniel revealed more about his personal life, about his family. Like how he wasn't rich as rumor claimed. He actually grew most of his life poor but his mom got a great job and now were living a more luxurious life. That and his dad was finally sending them help after years of disconnect.
Jihoon began to feel comfortable and before he realized it they were talking as if they knew each other for a long time. They had a lot in common and at one point he thought he had more in common with Daniel than with Daehwi.
10:30 pm.
Had he been talking to Daniel for that long?
“Oh I should get going! Daehwis mom is going to kill us if she finds out we're not in his room.”
“You sneaked out?”
“Your mom lets you go to parties in the middle of the night?”
“True.” But actually Daniel’s mom would but he didn’t say anything.
“Do you need a ride? I can drive you there.”
“What? It's fine, really. I'm probably more sober than you anyway. I'll just call a cab for us.”
“Really it's no problem for me.”
“You're funny Daniel. Do you think leaving drunk guests at your house when everyone thinks you're rich is a good idea?”
He was right, he'd completely forgot about that. Especially since he had people over he never really met before.
Daniel took his phone out and handed it to Jihoon.
“Here save your number.”
Jihoon was a bit hesitant but figured there was no real problem.
Daniel typed something out and sent it to Jihoon.
“It's my address in case you forget it. You'll need it for my next party. I promise it won't be lame next time.”
Jihoon nodded.
Next time?
“ Text me back.”
“I will.”
“Do it right now.”
Jihoon took his phone out, and opened the new conversation with Daniel.
“You are so impatient.” he hits sent.
“No you're just slow.” he received.
Is Daniel forgetting they're right next to each other in real life.
----
Jihoon tried his best to drag Daehwi out of the room. It didn't take much to notice the alcohol was talking for him.
Daehwi yelled loudly. “No, I don't want to go.” He was holding on to Jinyoung for dear life.
“You have no choice. You know you're mom is gonna kill you if she notices we’re gone. No offense, but i will blame it all on you.”
“I want to stay here. You're so boring Jihoonie, I'll just stay here for the night with my new friend Daniel.”
Where was he pointing? Daniel was downstairs the entire night.
“I don't mind.” Daniel added.
“What? no. That's not possible.” Jihoon grabbed Daehwi’s hand and pulled his body with him. Yes, they were causing a scene but none of them would remember it by Monday.
Jinyoung was pulling Daehwis hand. “Hey leave him alone.”
Jihoon completely ignored him and turned to Daniel.
“Now him…. He's the one that should stay for the night.”
The cab Jihoon had called 15 minutes earlier was waiting patiently in front of the house. Daniel offered to help carry Daehwi to the car but he declined.
“It's fine. Plus Daehwi can walk right Daehwi?”
“What's going on?”
Okay . Well at least he's conscious.
What was the proper goodbye for someone you met at a party who you aren't sure if they consider you a friend or not.
Goodbye. Thanks for the apple juice sorry again for insulting you.. See you later?
Doesn't that imply we're meeting again though?
“Have fun without me, okay? Bye.” Jihoon and Daehwi waved goodbye and started to walk towards the cab.
Daniel waved back. “See you.”
Both boys slouched on the back seat of the cab. Jihoon gave the man the directions and in a few seconds they were gone.
“He likes you.” Daehwi laid his head on Jihoons shoulder.
“Who likes me?” Jihoon went along with his friend’s drunk talk.
“Daniel.”
“Are you that drunk? He didn't even say anything.”
“Only a little.... But it didn't matter what he said, it's the way he was looking at you.”
Looking at me? None of it seemed off or strange. Daehwi was seriously drunk and babbling about his love scenarios.
“What happened with Jinyoung? Did you finally confess.”
“What! Of course I didn't.” he came to his senses at the sound of Jinyoung’s name. “Who would ever do that….”
“Tell my crush I like them? I would.”
“You’re only say that because you’ve never been in love. It's different when you are. You know sometimes being “just friends” is worth not ruining the friendship.”
“Whatever you say. But who knows? If you just confessed, you could be dating right now.”
Daehwi was right, he had no valuable relationship experience so he didn't know much. But it seemed easy to him.
then again he would be lying if he knew for sure if Jinyoung liked Daehwi back. They flirted a lot but…. did he mean any of it?
Did jinyoung even like boys to begin with? Maybe you're right Daehwi. Don't confess just yet, but also fuck it do it anyway.
His phone vibrated. he looked up praying it wasn't any of their parents and was surprised to see a new text from Daniel.
“You're right it is boring without you.” with a tiny crying emoji.
He smiled to himself thinking of a clever reply.