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For any other person in this room, it was a normal Friday. Students are impatiently waiting for the lunch break because of the boring physics class, as well as for the day to end because a few more hours and it’s already the weekend! Some paying attention to class; some are randomly doodling on their notebooks; and some are sleeping on their desks while hiding behind their classmates’ backs.
But for Choi Beomgyu, it was not. Today, he was extremely sensitive and very observant with his surroundings — he scrunched his nose as the smell of mixed scent of fruity colognes and sweat lingers through it. He’s usually not reactive to anything loud because he is naturally loud himself, but today, everything startles him — the dragging of the chairs, and even the ring of the bell indicating that a class period is over. Beomgyu was overly distracted, though that’s not unusual as he isn’t the attentive type of student. Actually, he is dreading to get over with this day.
Constantly tapping and drumming his fingers on his desk, Beomgyu is definitely not nervous. Maybe it’s the caffeine? He thought. He was on his second cup of iced americano and it’s only 11 in the morning. Deep down he knows why he is trembling on his seat. He looks two rows in front of him and there he sees Kang Taehyun — all-star football varsity player and top student, Kang Taehyun — sitting on his desk with his blonde hair being slightly blown by the wind coming from the window. Beomgyu stares and takes his time appreciating Taehyun’s beauty. He is captured by Taehyun’s perfect jaw sculpted by the gods, his round hazel eyes that holds the universe, and his dimples that Beomgyu is trying so hard not to poke. And maybe that is why Beomgyu has a crush on him.
Actually, this is why Beomgyu is so distraught and uneasy today, knowing that it is a Friday and he must be really overjoyed because he hates school (he is just excited to attend his classes because of a specific fine, young man). After two years of being classmates, he has decided to confess to Taehyun. What convinced him to do so? Nothing. He literally just bought a box of chocolate yesterday and randomly thought ‘Oh, should I finally confess?’ It’s not as if he would lose everything. Him and Taehyun were not that close, but they weren’t strangers either. They have worked on a few group projects together, but that’s it. Taehyun, he must say, is very formal in terms of schoolworks, and that is very expected to their batch’s top student.
Beomgyu is not bad at all. He might be lazy, but his grades lie between A’s and B’s. In terms of friends, well, he interacts with his classmates, but he prefers being alone and going home straight from school to play computer games (nope, he is definitely not sneaking through the football field after class and watch Taehyun practice on the bleachers), or stay at the music club, where he casually plays the guitar with the other members. For Beomgyu, nothing is that special with him. He is just a random student who is occasionally noticed by anyone to validate his existence.
He peeked through his bag and sees the gold box of chocolates. He checked if it already melted but then he realized it was Ferrero, his favorite, it probably won’t melt. A lot of people, schoolmate or not, are professing their love to Taehyun on a daily basis. That is how attractive and popular he is. If Taehyun is to reject him like any other people he turned down, then it is fine (read: not fine). He is just going to go home with the chocolate and eat it while sobbing. It was his comfort food, after all. He really likes Taehyun despite their small interactions, and it is really going to break his heart if he is going to be rejected coldly (he is already anticipating the rejection but still has like five percent hopes).
The bell rang again for the second time and it’s already lunch time. Okay, this is it. Beomgyu silently encouraged himself. He arranged his bag and made sure that the box of chocolate is not deformed, because that would be a shame to give an ugly box to Taehyun. He tried to look at Taehyun’s seat, but he is already at the door with his best friend, Huening Kai. Bad timing. Maybe at the cafeteria. So, he walked through the noisy halls of their building and proceeded to the cafeteria. It was already packed, but he still looked for the blonde guy. Looking at the sea of heads made his head ache, but he sees Taehyun and Huening Kai at their usual table, laughing with their senior friends, Yeonjun and Soobin. He slumped his shoulders at the sight. Not that Beomgyu is not fond of Huening Kai nor the two seniors, trust him, Huening Kai is an angel and he treats everyone as his friend, but Yeonjun and Soobin? Beomgyu finds them scary because they always play jokes and pranks, and Yeonjun is the football captain. That is enough reason why he not-so fears them.
I still have an hour before afternoon classes. I might still see him alone after lunch.
And so Beomgyu rescheduled his confession into 4 hours later. He ate alone on a single table he found just 10 meters away from Taehyun and his friends’ table. He would occasionally glance and stare at Taehyun when he has the chance to, and starts imagining all the possible scenarios that would happen once he finally confess.
He was deep in his thoughts (still staring at Taehyun), when he felt like someone was staring back at him. Beomgyu went back to reality and he saw Taehyun’s gaze directly at him. His eyes turned round in panic and tried to look at the other way, but Taehyun flashed a smile on him, emphasizing his dimples. Oh my god. He was flustered but still returned a small smile to him, and proceeded to finish his food as fast as he could.
There’s five minutes left before their English class and Beomgyu hurried to their classroom. Passing through the lockers, he saw Taehyun getting his books alone. Maybe this is the right time, Beomgyu thought. He took a deep breath and stepped forward to talk to Taehyun.
Oh my god. This is it.
“Taehyun-ah,” Beomgyu started. Taehyun was a bit startled as his eyes got rounder. Beomgyu did not think Taehyun’s eyes would get rounder as it already is.
“Oh, Beomgyu hyung,” Taehyun greeted with a smile. What the fuck, his smile. “Why are you still here? Class is about to start.”
“Uhm,” what the heck, just say it Choi Beomgyu. “I—“ The school bell started ringing, which means it’s already class hours. Damn it.
“Hyung, let’s go now. Miss Park is giving a quiz.”
Taehyun dragged him going to their room. He looked down as he started blushing because what the hell! Kang Taehyun is holding his wrist right now! His wrist! Seconds later, he realized what Taehyun has said. Miss Park is giving a what now?
“Wait. We have a quiz?” Beomgyu asked. Actually he is panicking because he studied nothing? He doesn’t even know what the quiz is all about. All he did last night was think about what to say and what to do during his confession.
“Yeah. You didn’t know?” Well, obviously. Would I ask if I did? Beomgyu wanted to reiterate but he realized it was Taehyun who he is talking to. As he was about to respond, they are already in front of their room. Beomgyu sighed. He’ll try again later.
English and Biology passed and the school is finally over. He did well on the quiz despite not studying. He forgot how it literally is his favorite subject. Today was tiring. Beomgyu lost his energy and will to confess to Taehyun. Maybe fate is Beomgyu-phobic. Or maybe it’s just preventing him from his first heartbreak because it knows how Taehyun will reject him. The sun turning gold is peeking through the window— its rays shining on Beomgyu’s face. It’s 5:00 p.m. already and everyone is going out of the room one by one. Am I still gonna confess? And that’s when it hit him: Taehyun has a football practice, and oh, he’s definitely going to watch.
It’s been almost an hour of practice and the team decided to finish early. Finally. Beomgyu thought. He has been practicing his lines the whole duration of the training while tapping his right foot. Beomgyu is almost shitting himself on the bleachers. He decided to just wait for Taehyun to go out of their locker area and boom! He will pour his feelings out to the younger.
The athletes are slowly going home now and it seemed like Taehyun (and his friends) is the last to go out. He is so excited and nervous at the same time, his hands wouldn’t stop trembling while holding the golden box.
Until he saw Taehyun going out of the locker room.
With his friends following and laughing.
Great. Beomgyu is waiting and leaning his back against the wall about seven meters away from where the boys are standing. Why do they have to tag along? I just wanna talk to him alone and be rejected peacefully. God, do you hate me? Beomgyu is internally screaming and having a crisis as to where or not he should continue with his plan.
“Fuck it,” he whispered to himself. Let’s get this over with. I already spent the whole day anticipating for this. And with that that, he waited for the four guys to pass by him.
Taehyun spotted him with a questioning look written all over his face, because why the hell is Beomgyu standing outside of the locker rooms. Beomgyu felt the confusion so he decided to give Taehyun a smile to cover his nervousness.
“Beomgyu hyung, why are you here? Are you waiting for someone?” Taehyun approached him. Beomgyu understood what the latter asked, but he can’t bring himself to speak. Not when The Kang Taehyun is standing in front of him with his fresh look, holding a white towel to dry his wet hair that is still dripping. Oh my god, why is he not my boyfriend?
“I– I’ve been wanting to talk to you...” Beomgyu responded while trying to maintain an eye contact with Taehyun. He’s really flustered right, most especially because his friends are behind him and are obviously listening to their conversation right now. But never mind them; it was his and Taehyun’s moment right now. He couldn’t care less about them.
“Oh, what is it about? Did you miss anything from class?” Taehyun really is oblivious. Why would Beomgyu specifically wait for him for an hour just to ask for notes when he could have texted or asked their other classmates?
“Uhm.. No.. No. Not that.” Beomgyu keeps on stuttering. How could he not when a very hot Kang Taehyun is looking at him intensely. He took a deep breath and, “I just wanna say that I like you,” Beomgyu quietly said, though it was loud enough for them to hear it, then offered the box of chocolates that he has been holding the whole day.
Taehyun stilled with a very confused look evident on his face. “You- what?”
This is so embarrassing . Saying it once was already torture for Beomgyu. There is no way he would say it again. That was already his one hundred percent. But this is Kang Taehyun. Beomgyu is totally whipped for this man and he’d do anything, even if he wants the ground to swallow him already.
“I said.” Beomgyu stopped and contemplated whether he should just run for his life or continue this confession leading to rejection. “I said, I really like you Kang Taehyun. I liked you since freshman year when you accidentally spilled that orange juice all over me. I really like you like I’ve been wanting and trying to talk to you for the past two years but I can’t even last a second not blushing everytime I look at you. And I took this chance out of nowhere to confess to you because why not, even though I know you’re going to reject me. I just want to let you know of my feelings because I extremely admire you. You’re so kind and smart and handsome. Oh my god, I can’t even believe I’m talking to you right now. But yea, I like you so much and this is not even on my script and I’m just rambling here. I’m sorry.”
Beomgyu is now panting after he finished his spontaneous love confession. He looked down because of the painful silence. I might have really fucked up.
After a moment of silence, he heard Yeonjun trying to stifle a laugh, but he failed to do so and now he is bursting his lungs out of laughter, followed by Soobin and Huening Kai. Why are they laughing? Beomgyu slowly looked up and saw the three tearing up as if he cracked the funniest jokes ever, while Taehyun remained speechless. He felt mocked and his tears are starting to well on his eyes, threatening to fall. He is about to cry now for real. Beomgyu retracted and lowered his hands and took a step back out of embarrassment, indicating that he is about to blast off right then and there.
“W-wait. Don’t go yet.” Taehyun finally spoke. What for? To reject me in front of your friends? Beomgyu stood still, still avoiding Taehyun’s gaze.
“Hyungs, Kai, you guys could head home first. I’ll just talk to Beomgyu hyung. Alone.” Beomgyu heard Taehyun say to his friends. Yeonjun, Soobin and Kai nodded and patted Taehyun’s shoulder as they left.
Taehyun can’t believe it. Choi Beomgyu is talking to him right now. Scratch that, he is confessing to Taehyun right now. THE Choi Beomgyu. The same Beomgyu who has been fluttering his heart since freshman. The Beomgyu who he accidentally spilled his orange juice on because he wanted to talk to the guy, and got scared to approach him ever since because of what happened because that is humiliating as heck. Since then, Taehyun just admired Beomgyu from afar. He purposely listens outside the music room everyone Beomgyu is there alone, singing and playing his guitar. He easily gets motivated to play football because hell, his inspiration is always watching their matches, plus the fact that they’ve been classmates since first year. Wow, he must be God’s favorite.
Beomgyu has always been so pretty. He first had a crush on him the moment he stepped into their homeroom late. Beomgyu is naturally loud and talkative, but Taehyun notices that everytime they work on a project together, Beomgyu is always quiet and never spoke to him other than for schoolworks. And that is how he came up with a conclusion that he has no chance with Beomgyu and that he does not like his guts.
But damn, how lucky he is that Beomgyu actually telling him that he likes him a lot. Definitely god’s favorite, Taehyun thought.
Taehyun opened his bag and pulled out a box that is similar to what Beomgyu is holding. Scratching his head out of awkwardness, he gave the box of Ferrero Rochers to Beomgyu with a blue sticky note saying “I like you, Beomgyu” (he knows it was his favorite; he have seen Beomgyu secretly eating it a lot during class). Beomgyu looked up and saw the same chocolates he was offering earlier. He looked at Taehyun with a very shocked and confused look.
Taehyun, this time, took a deep breath because he was actually planning the whole day how to ask Beomgyu out. Truthfully, he has been wanting to talk to Beomgyu, but everytime he gets the chance to, he always chickened out. Now that Beomgyu unexpectedly confessed first, it is now time to return his feelings. “Choi Beomgyu, I like you.”
Beomgyu gasped. He pointed himself and said, “You? like ME?” emphasizing the word ‘me’ as if he cannot believe that the Kang Taehyun he has been having a crush on ever since the world began, likes him back. “You’re not kidding, right?”
Taehyun nodded. “I liked you first during freshman because you’re really pretty and attractive, even up until now. I even actually thought that you hated me. But I really, really like you. I was actually, uhm, going to confess to you today, too.” Taehyun ended up saying only a few words. He is not the type to be vocal with his feelings towards someone, and he’s afraid no one would want him for that. But he’ll take this risk for Beomgyu.
Beomgyu is speechless. He is blushing like crazy, but words won’t come out of his mouth. He did not expect Taehyun’s response to be like this. Honestly, all he imagined was: him confessing, gets rejected, run back to his dorm, and eat his rejected chocolates while hiding on a large blanket with a sad playlist blasting on the background. Not even once did he think of Taehyun liking him back. Beomgyu does not know what to think nor say. Happy is an understatement; he is ecstatic like on cloud nine.
And so he didn’t say anything. He just... accepted the chocolates (He wouldn’t pass his favorite chocolate!) and gave Taehyun a sweet smile.
Meanwhile, Taehyun, he does not know what to do either. Beomgyu’s lack of verbal response was scary but he accepted the chocolates, so it means something, right? Now, what’s next?
Silence and awkwardness filled the hall. Both Taehyun and Beomgyu do not know what to say.
Taehyun cleared his throat. “Are you heading home? I’ll walk with you, it’s quite dark already.” Taehyun asked, hoping Beomgyu would agree because he still wants to spend more time with the older despite of the painful awkwardness.
“Yeah, let’s go home.” Beomgyu gave Taehyun a small but sweet smile. He still cannot believe that he is not going home crying today. And now, he is walking back home with The Kang Taehyun, the love of his life. If this is a dream, he’d never want to wake up.
He surely is just going home with his box of chocolates, but oh, he is definitely not sobbing...