Chapter Text
The lights were sentimental, at least for the eyes of Sunoo. It was purple decorated with a touch of white, showering the area a beautiful place to be; a magical moment for those who have loving hearts, and mingled breaths that came as sweet as the beating of their chest.
He was alone. One and only, sitting at a table with a drink in his hand. His eyes scanning the bodies of the people swaying slow as if the moment will personify the thing they called content and love. He had no one to share though, the love, that everybody was having right now. "Ah, it's boring," he muttered under his breath and took a sip from his glass of grape juice, swirling and smelling its scent before chugging it whole. Not classy.
The music that was playing was good, but he was not having it. It was cheesy, at least for Sunoo's irritation. It was near summer, and February, and as much as Sunoo like the idea of loving and to be loved; he was jealous of those who are experiencing it. He could not remember how many times he had to ignore the precious moments of other couples around when Valentine's Day came. Every place was adorned with hearts and sprinkled with glowing eyes and blushing cheeks. He is happy for them, that's for sure, but he could not stop wondering how does it feel to share a lingering moment when he himself haven't experienced a first kiss.
Ah, first kiss. He hated the way it came to his mind. Sunoo badly wanted to experience that kind of first time, a single touch that will change his view about kisses, maybe, if the first person would be a good kisser. But who would be a good kisser if it was their first, though? He can only see those in the movies, in the dramas, on the stories, and around the school. Oh my God, the day after Valentine's was hectic for him. He had to hear how his schoolmates was feeling giddy and squealing telling how their first kiss felt. How the hand of the other caress their neck, pushing their faces together to clasp their pillow-soft lips. How it was a tingling feeling, with something boiling inside their stomach, dancing uncomfortably, and being embarrassed.
He should stop thinking, because Sunoo it getting more jealous when the mood changes again to a much sweeter tone, everyone embracing, holding hands, and giving assurances— Sunoo knows nothing of them, and never know he will experience them when.
Sighing, he strutted out of the area. Breathing in the air of the night. Outside, it was darker, dim light embracing the shadows to show the path designed with balloons and flower petals. There are few people around too, having small talks and shared laughter while holding a glass of drink in their hand, some smoke, too. Turning to the left, Sunoo arrived in an area wherein it is much more plain. The marble floor looked so simple, the plant still with no strong current of air swaying them, the light on the wall lit the hallway so no one would stumble with the reason of being blind. Also there, he found a familiar person.
"Why are you here?" Sunoo questioned, slightly surprised. "I thought you won't come?"
"I thought you won't come too," replied Jungwon, who was sitting on the marbled floor, alone and with a plate of food placed next to him as well as a can of soda. "But here you are, and here I am." Taking a bite of his buttered bread, Jungwon offered Sunoo a space to sit with him.
There he sat, thinking of what to say to Jungwon. A few days ago, the talk around the school of having a prom after years of not having one, spread. Someone from the council had leaked it, and everybody was cheering and happy hearing the news. Sunoo, having no partner nor other friends to have and attend at a gathering like this, had decided to not go. Jungwon too, saying he has nothing to do in a place like this, which is true because he was alone eating just now. But Sunoo was convinced by his sister: "It is only a one-time moment!" his sister told him, with a wide smile. "You never know, maybe you'd meet someone there." With her eyebrows wriggling, Sunoo only rolled his eyes. He did go anyway, for the hopes of actually meeting someone. But who? Or like...how? He is shy to approach one, and none had approached him too.
Sunoo started to even think that maybe he was not interesting and pretty enough to be asked out. None in the years of his high school, when he should be experiencing his first kiss anytime during this period. There he is again, the thought of having a first kiss. "Jungwon," he called. "Have you ever had your first kiss?" Sunoo asked. The younger's eyes darted on him, surprised of the unexpected question. It was adorable how his friend's eyes were round and sparkling. So cute. Sunoo was brought back to the day he met the younger, it was Jungwon's eyes he first noticed.
Jungwon was a year younger than Sunoo, in terms of age and grade level. This year would be Sunoo's last year of high school, and Jungwon will be working for another year before graduating. But they promised to stay in-touch even if Sunoo will be busy in the university. Nevertheless the age, which is only a small amount of months and nothing to be accepted as a large gap, Sunoo and Jungwon dropped the honorifics, like close friends, because they were indeed close friends. Sunoo firstly met Jungwon at the pool area of the school, underneath a big tree that gives shade to those who are enemies with the ray of the sun. For Sunoo, it was a perfect spot for resting. And for the first time, he saw another person who was using his spot, his perfect favorite spot.
Turns out, Jungwon was a new student, a transferee. Their family moved in this province after their home in the city was demolished because of the road widening project that will occur. And so, Jungwon had no one that day. He was a shy person, almost timid. Sunoo approached Jungwon, who was eating his lunch, a cute pastel blue lunchbox in his hand. The round pupils of Jungwon looked up to Sunoo, and Sunoo wondered how a person have such pretty and round eyes, he was almost like enticed and being sucked. "I'm sorry, I took your spot." Bowing and picking up his belongings, Jungwon apologized. Sunoo did not realize he was staring down at him for so long that Jungwon thought he was upset that he was there at this favorite spot.
"No!" Sunoo said, unconsciously holding onto Jungwon's arm, stopping him from leaving. "It's okay! It was just me using this spot anyway. I have no one to share..." Jungwon blinked, unsure if he should sit back and eat again, until Sunoo offered him to have a meal together under the shade of that tree. From then on, Sunoo and Jungwon grew close. That spot at the tree became their shared place, witnessing and hearing different stories from them. Sunoo is sure that this spot would be sentimental for him in the future, if he'd visit this school again after being successful—if that would happen.
Swallowing the bread, Jungwon quipped; "Why do you ask?" It was not unusual for Sunoo to ask these kind of things, Jungwon was used to his bestfriend being so random. But Sunoo had not talked about anything that includes romance in these past few weeks. Jungwon did not know why, but Sunoo was a bit bitter on things about romance lately. He'd scrunch his face secretly when there's a couple displaying affection in public. Sunoo, on Valentine's Day, stayed at Jungwon's house and just played anything there because—as Sunoo said—everyone around is so cheesy and he can't lay an eye on them. Their home not a safe place because the boyfriend of his sister visited, he don't want to witness anything lovey-dovey between them too.
As far as Jungwon know, Sunoo is excited to experience things that couples do because he'd only see them in the walls of fiction. He'd talk endlessly about a romance drama for days and tell him that he'd like to reference the dramas for experiencing it for the first time. Weirdly, Sunoo has stopped talking about it, and settles with discussing about something plain like games and how their day went so far.
Jungwon misses that side of Sunoo, being excited and happy about seeing the precious thing called love. Maybe he'd turn out like that again tonight.
"Nothing," Sunoo replied. "I'm just curious if my bestfriend experienced something that I haven't," he reasoned. "Maybe you're not sharing something with me." Sunoo looked at Jungwon, suspecting eyes staring at him. Jungwon panicked inside, his chest pondering fast, and his brain thinking whatever. Has Sunoo knew? Is this a trap and a notice that Sunoo discovered about it?
"I'm sorry, hyung, for not telling you sooner—"
Sunoo's eyes widened so big at what he's hearing. "You had?! Who took your first kiss?"
"—I was planning on revealing it on the day of the trip..." In a second, Jungwon is puzzled. "Wait, what? It was a genuine question?"
They fell quiet for a moment, both blinking in confusion.
"What trip?!" Sunoo is the first one to speak. Jungwon gulped, it was a mistake to mention about it, he thought Sunoo knew his gift for him. Well, Sunoo's birthday is still far from now, but this time is the perfect time to give Sunoo this trip, because his graduation will be held next month. Jungwon had planned this special trip, because it will serve a special purpose for the both of them, at least for Jungwon, it will be.
Jungwon looked away, biting his lower lip for his mistake. "That would be a secret," he cleared his throat. "As for the kiss, I haven't, hyung," he shyly confessed, blushing. It was the first time they have opened a topic that focused on his love life. He is also nervous about what further questions will Sunoo throw at him.
Although still curious, Sunoo did not bother to ask more about the trip Jungwon had mentioned. He will just ask it another time, he decided. "Well, me too," Sunoo pouted slightly. "Here we are, inexperienced and trying to fit in a prom that was only meant for people who have partners." Sunoo laughed a little, their situation seeming to be funny for him. "And probably had their own first kiss too."
"Sunoo hyung," Jungwon called. "Given that we're bored, should we kiss?"
Sunoo's head snapped toward Jungwon. "Are you crazy?" To his shock, Sunoo's mouth dropped open because of how unbelievable Jungwon had said just now. It's as if someone unknown had possessed his friend and it was scary hearing it from him. "Don't joke like that."
"I'm not joking." Sunoo is even more shocked at how serious Jungwon's face was. Sunoo had to step back when Jungwon stood up, shaking his hands in front of him, telling Jungwon not to step further close to him. But Jungwon took confident steps toward Sunoo.
"Ya," Sunoo warned Jungwon, eyes sharp to his friend. And there Jungwon showed a soft smile, and started to laugh. Sunoo could not believe this is happening, he punched Jungwon on his shoulder.
"Ow!" Jungwon caressed the part Sunoo punched. "I was just kidding," he said. "I won't steal your precious first kiss from you," Jungwon smiled and sat down again on the marble floor, resuming the meal he's having before Sunoo arrived and shared the moment with him.
"You be better be," Sunoo remarked before joining him again on the floor. They stayed there talking about other stuffs, both avoiding to fall into the topic of first kiss again because it may be awkward for the second time tonight. Their schoolmates continued on being intimate inside, and Sunoo and Jungwon however had entered the spiral of thinking, somewhat like a crime of curiosity, but could not stop at the thought that if they were on different terms...would they actually kiss at that moment, though?