Minho couldn’t get the boy out of his head. Sure, he knew that Jisung was his soulmate and that it would make him feel things stronger than anything else, but still. The boy was breathtaking and cute on top of that as well. He wished he could take a picture of him and look at him forever… which made him sound somewhat creepy, but he told himself it would just be out of adoration. He had already mentally cursed at the books back up in Heaven a couple of times, them saying you wouldn’t fall head over heels for you soulmate was a big, fat lie. When he had walked into that classroom, he had to hold every ounce of his being back just to make sure he wouldn’t continuously stare at the younger, Minho just wanting to be close to the boy already.
“So Minho, where did you transfer from?” Chan asked, sparking a conversation between them as he brought Minho back to reality. Right, he was going to hang out at Seungmin’s place. His mind easily went back to the ‘fake’ memories he had as he easily answered Chan’s question.
“Ah, I came from Busan! I was studying communication, but I felt like my major wasn’t what I really wanted to do. So, I moved here in hopes of following my dreams, which is dancing. I’ve been dancing since I was little, so it only made sense to do something more serious with it.”
“I’m glad you decided to do what felt right for you. I hope it all works out!” Chan said, giving Minho the most earnest smile he had seen all day, or maybe even ever. He already knew him and Chan were going to be great friends as the older of the two just seemed to be the biggest sweetheart around.
“Yeah… I just hope it works out, too.” Of course, Minho was refering to Jisung here. He had felt so strongly about coming back to Earth. He was scared why Jisung needed him so much though. The boy seemed to be very closed off and it worried Minho to no end.
Not long after that small conversation, the four arrived at Seungmin’s house. They went into the living room where they quickly made themselves comfortable on the couch whilst Seungmin asked what everyone wanted to drink before dissapearing into the kitchen, Chan strolling behind him to help Seungmin. Changbin owned a Switch himself, so he turned it on and quickly set up Super Smash Bros, the three boys waiting for the other two to return.
The boys played for 3 hours before Minho and Changbin decided to head home. They had found out the both of them both lived in the same dorm complex which was on the edge on the campus’ grounds. They’d bid Chan and Seungmin goodbye as they made their way back to their homes together. “Thank you for inviting me and making me feel welcome, I really appreciate it.” Minho began.
“No biggie. I know what it’s like to be the new kid. I transferred schools during middle school. It really sucked not knowing anyone, but luckily it’s easier to make friends when you’re kid. I also met Jisung back then and we’ve been stuck together like glue ever since.”
“Yeah, Jisung seems really nice. Hope he gets to talk more to me soon, he seemed a little shy. I hope it’t not because I seem intimidating or something, I really want to get along with him.”Minho didn’t know how much those words made Changbin feel relieved. As Jisung’s closest friend, he often worried for his dongsaeng. The kid had a lot of issues and if he was given the opportunity, he would close himself off completely. Changbin was never going to let that happen and Jisung knew that, but it still caused the older to put all of his attention on Jisung. Changbin always involved him in everything and whilst Jisung didn’t always tell him how grateful he was, the older of the two didn’t need to hear it. He knew what it ment to the lonely boy.
“I’m glad you like him. He’s the goofiest guy on the planet, once he starts to open up.” Minho didn’t notice Changbin’s sad little frown, he was instead taken aback by that statement. The shy, quiet, Jisung? A goofball? Minho couldn’t wait to find out more. He didn’t get to ask more about it as the two had already arrived at the large building that they called home. They quickly exchanged phone numbers, making sure they would be able to get to know each other better when it wasn’t during school hours.
“I’ll add you to our groupchat!”
“Thanks, I’ll talk to you later, Changbin!” Minho got in the elevator whilst Changbin took the stairs. Changbin lived on the first floor and deemed it unnecessary to take the elevator, telling others taking the stairs ‘kept him in shape’. It wasn’t like he needed one flight of stairs to keep him in shape, but everyone played along with it regardless.
Minho couldn’t stop smiling to himself once he entered his home. The notification of being added to the chat already showing on his phone. He quickly sends a short message, announcing that he is in fact Lee Minho and not some random dude. He adds everyone back and whilst adding Jisung’s contact, he hovers over the ‘send message’ button. He decides against it, getting his homework out of his bag to do that instead. He didn’t want to creep the younger out too much, it was only his first day after all.
Jisung had just ended his shift and was closing up the flower shop, when he noticed the messages flooding his groupchat. A quick glance over the notifications on his homescreen showed the whole conversation, as he let out a sigh in response.
‘Minho hyung was added, huh?’
Darn you Seo Changbin. He couldn’t believe he was best friends with such a social extrovert when he himself was the polar opposite. He sighed agaim as he put the phone in his pocket, quickly making his way towards his second job. He hated the second job at the convenience store so much more than the first. The flower shop was all peaceful and quiet. Usually, old people would come to buy flowers, or men that had to apologize to their partners for some reason or another. It was a nice job to have, for someone as introverted as Jisung. He didn’t have to talk to too many people and generally, tbe customers were very nice. His boss also wasn’t that much older than him, so he didn’t feel too awkward around them. The only downside was that it didn’t pay as much as the convenience store job did.
Jisung usually arrived at the convenience store at 6:30 pm. If it was for any other employee, they would never show up half an hour early. For him though, it ment he had half an hour more to earn money. His manager had tried to get him to just come on time, but failed when Jisung kept showing up early. To him, it was way easier than to go home inbetween his two jobs. It would mean he’d have to go home, sit still for maybe ten minutes, before going to his other job.The flower shop closed at six every day, and Jisung’s shift at the convenience store would start at seven. He didn’t want to spend money on public transport, so he would walk the way there. He told himself that it kept him healthy and fit. Not that he needed it. It basically ment that he skipped dinner any day he worked these specific shifts, which was at the very least four times a week.
Jisung had arrived at the supermarket just a little before his usual timing. He took the extra time to change into his work uniform and chug a glass of water. When coming back to the front, he immediately took over the shift from his coworker and with that, his shift until midnight started. He worked in a 24 hour convenience store, which was perfect for his lifestyle. It was usually quieter during the late hours of the evening which helped with his anxiety. It also ment he could continue to work two jobs at the same time.
If it wasn’t for this store to be open at all hours, Jisung would’ve probably become a stripper. He brushed the thought away as his first customer made their way to the counter. After almost messing up the change, the customer made a rude remark before leaving angrily.
It’s going to be one of those days, huh?
The shift ended up not being as dreadful as Jisung thought. He left at 12:05 and quickly made his way down the usually bustling streets of Seoul. Whilst the nightlife was certainly very active in the city, Jisung wasn’t met with a lot of people on the streets. It is a monday after all. Not that that fact would stop alcoholics or addicts, either way. If they wanted to drink or do drugs, they would do it whenever they felt like it and not because it was the weekend.
When Jisung arrived home, he heard soft talking coming from the television in his living room. He found his dad, passed out on the couch again. He shook his head in dissapointment, upset he had to find his father like that again. It wasn’t that it shocked him and he couldn’t even get angry anymore, but the dissapointment was always there.
“Come on dad, work with me here.” He said as he flung his dad’s arm over his shoulder. A soft grumble was heard and after much effort, Jisung got his father off the couch and up the stairs. As he helped his father get into bed, the adult said something to his son. ” …’m Sowry, Ji. I shud, be theone… to help ya.” His son couldn’t help but look at his father in pity. There were no words he could say that would he appropriate. His father was right, he shouldn’t have to take care of him like that. But it was his father. His stupid, dumb father that made stupid, dumb mistakes.
But he still loved him.
“Get some rest dad, you need it.”
Just like that, Jisung left the room, letting out a soft sigh as he rested his back against the door before making his way to his own room. He was exhausted and in dire need of some sleep. The day had been excruciatingly taxing on his mind and all he wanted was for his body to hit the soft mattress. He contemplated not showering then, especially since he had already done so that morning. However, he couldn’t help but feel disgusting. So, one short shower later, his body finally was allowed to make contact with the mattress.
And just like that, he fell asleep, but not before wishing that tomorrow would be a better day. He told himself he needed to take better care of himself as well, seeing his father was taking all that care away from himself. He completely forgot that the only thing he ate that day, were a few pieces of Changbin’s bibimbap. He needed to turn his life around quicker than he seemed to realise.
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don’t worry, the stripper thing wasn’t foreshadowing x)
This chapter was a little shorter than the last two, I’ll make sure the next one is longer! Thanks for the support, let me know what you think. (this is the shortest update in the entire story that I’ve written so far, sorry 😀 )
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