Between Moments (1/1)

Kris is Baekhyun’s nightmare. Or at least he is when he’s being all cuddly and brotherly.“Baekhyunnie!” Kris coos and hugs his brother from the back who was studying the “Wonders of Kinetics”.“What do you want?” He replies without much enthusiasm, eyes trained on the chapter he was reading.“Why would you think I want something? Can’t I just be a loving brother who wants to show his love?” If Baekhyun was born yesterday sure, he might have believed it.“No, you can’t. What did you do this time?”“Such a party pooper. Anyway, I have a proposal. And please close the book.” Kris sits up from the bed and pulls Baekhyun up.“See, I have a friend.”“Chanyeol.”Kris gasps and widens his eyes. “Are you a mind reader?”“No, you only have one friend who always gets in trouble by himself or by you.”“That is not true! So Chanyeol asked this guy out to the winter dance.”“Should I dread the next part?”“This is the greatest story you’ll hear.” He says with a straight face. “So he asked him out but the guy says he’s not interested. And now, my dear friend is totally heartbroken.”“Oh great, end of story. Now go.” Baekhyun makes a move to get his book back but gets pulled up again by Kris.“Don’t interrupt my story, bro. So, I sort of promised him that you’d help him land this guy.”“Why would you do such a thing?” Baekhyun gapes at his brother, his evil brother.“Because Jongin, the guy Chanyeol asked out, apparently likes Kyungsoo, your one friend who talks, acts likes you do and sometimes makes me think he’s your brother and not me, Kyungsoo aka your lost twin.”“I don’t care about idiocies between you and your friends and you know better than to suggest such a thing!”Kris rubbed his chin as if in thought. “You know, mom and dad still doesn’t know why there’s a dent in the car.”Baekhyun’s eyes widened. “OMG! You’re blackmailing me! I’m already paying you 50,000 won each month for it!”“How about you keep that 50,000 won and help my friend, you get to keep your money, mom and dad wouldn’t know about the car and my friend gets the love of his life, everyone’s happy.”“That is suspiciously nice of you, what’s in it for you?”“Nothing but the joy of helping someone this Christmas.”“Bullshit.” Bullshit turned out to be 500,000 won for Kris if Jongin says yes. Which might be why he’s so desperate he asked Baekhyun again and even offered 20% of what he will get.“So 20% is all I’m offering, it isn’t so bad I mean you get 20% and I won’t ask for any 50,000 won ever again and my lips are sealed about the dented car. That way we’ll both be happy.”“Wow, you’re desperate. How about no?”“How about yes because I’m calling mom and dad now. Hello?” Kris holds his phone up to his ear which gets Baekhyun to get up from his seat and grabs the phone. He shuts the phone down and gives in.“Fine, fine you win. I’ll help the man but you have to promise me that whether or not Jongin says yes, you are not to tell mom and dad.”Kris shouts a yes and hugs Baekhyun. “You are the best brother ever. Woohoo! I’ll look at that new Wii game at the store!”Baekhyun sighs and puts his head in his hands. What did he even agree to? He doesn’t even have a date to that darn dance, now he’s going to coach someone? How is that? “Baekhyun! Baekhyun!” Kris hollered from below.Baekhyun, who just woke up, groaned. He looked at the clock, 7:00am on a Saturday morning. Really?“Baekhyuuuuunie!!!”“Shut up!” He shouted.“See, we’re so close.” Kris said to Chanyeol who was standing awkwardly at the Byun’s kitchen.  A stomp indicated Baekhyun’s arrival, welcoming them in his bed hair, pajamas and a scowl on his face.“WHAT?”“Hello sunshine! This is Chanyeol, who I’m sure you’ve met before.”Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol and assessed his subject.He’s tall, he’d give him that but the hair on top of his head looks like a nest that had been used for years. He has thick glasses that covers most of his face Baekhyun can’t tell where his nose is. His clothes are all the wrong sizes, maybe he was going for the hiphop look but got confused. He was wearing a shirt a size bigger than what he really is, a size or two probably and beige corduroy pants, which is just wrong.“Well at least you wear normal rubber shoes.” He comments.“See told you he’s good. So I’ll leave you two alone to figure this out.” Kris walks away with a wink to Chanyeol.Chanyeol turns to Baekhyun. “What do you mean? Everything else is not normal?” Chanyeol looks hurt and Baekhyun felt some pity for the guy. He’s nice, it’s just that niceness won’t get him Jongin or anybody.“Well, I mean…did anybody tell you, you need to wash your hair everyday?”“I do wash it everyday!” The tall guy exclaims.“Then why is it like that.”“Oh, we were from basketball practice and I was kind of in a hurry so I didn’t get to comb my hair.” Chanyeol looks down shyly.Oh how cute! What? Baekhyun, what?“Uhm, well ok. What do we do first?” Baekhyun was mumbling to himself after that weird thought disoriented him.“Oh yeah! Hair! Ok we need to cut your hair. I go to this dresser near the school, cheap and they cut well.” Baekhyun smiled at Chanyeol. He told Chanyeol to sit first as he walked from the kitchen to his room to take a quick bath. He then went to grab his wallet and phone and went back to the kitchen.“Let’s go?” Before Baekhyun got his keys and to the door, Chanyeol stopped him by grabbing his arm.“Hey, uhm. I know you’re not actually happy with this but I just, I just want to thank you for doing this. I really like Jongin and look at me, he’ll never like me back. But when Kris said you’ll help, I thought yeah maybe there’s a chance.” Chanyeol looked so sincere and so low in confidence that Baekhyun thought Kris is such a shitty friend making his friend into a bet without considering his feelings and how now Baekhyun is also such a shitty person for agreeing to do this.“Ok, first, yes I was dragged into this against my will. But since I’m already here, I’ll do what I can. Second, I cannot guarantee Jongin will say yes so no need to thank me yet. I can’t handle the pressure.” Baekhyun added the last as a joke because Chanyeol’s face fell and there was a frown on his face and Baekhyun just felt shitty all over again.“Now, stop being so dramatic and let’s go fix your hair or whatever that is on top of your head.” “Hey B!” The hairdresser greeted Baekhyun with a hug.“Hey J! I tried the hair gel you told me and it was awesome.” He looked behind him to indicate Chanyeol shuffling on his feet clearly uncomfortable. “I brought my friend with me, Chanyeol this is J, he’s the best hairdresser in town, or in Seoul.”“Stop it you!” J jokingly pushed Baekhyun on the arm. “What do you want done with him?”“Well, I want his hair short. I’ll leave you to decide on the hair color.”“Short? I don’t want short hair!” Chanyeol whined.“Why not?” Baekhyun had his arms on his hips indicating Chanyeol to challenge him.“Just, I don’t want to.” He looked down with his hands on his pockets.“If you’re not going to die with short hair then we’re going with short hair.”“But…”“No buts Chanyeol! Do you want Jongin to notice you or not?”Chanyeol sighed and said “Fine!”“Good!” Baekhyun clapped and went outside to wait for Chanyeol. An hour and a half after, Baekhyun was pacing on the lobby of the salon.Oh god, what if he has gills that’s why he wants them long? What if he is actually balding on the sides? What if his face is not proportioned? Oh my god!“B! He’s finished!” Baekhyun closed his eyes and turned around. He felt Chanyeol walk near him and he slowly opened his eyes, widening when he saw the result.Holy guacamole!“You!”“It’s awful isn’t it? My ears are too big.” Chanyeol ruffled his short now red hair. Baekhyun reached up to take Chanyeol’s hand away from his hair, still speechless over the new hair.“I…when I thought of short hair I mean I thought…”“He looks good right?” J broke into his stammering.“Yeah, oh god. This is going better than I thought!” Baekhyun smiled up at Chanyeol who was rubbing his nape still unsure of what to make of Baekhyun’s reaction.“You look good! Your ears are cute! Now, let’s pay and get out of here so we can buy you new clothes!” Baekhyun grabbed Chanyeol by the wrist shouting a thank you to J who was waving and smiling at them. “What is wrong with my clothes?”“Please don’t ask such hard questions.”Chanyeol stood his ground. They were in the middle of going to the mall and everybody was getting pissed at them stopping in the middle.“What?”“I don’t see what’s wrong with my clothes. Really.” Chanyeol crossed his arms across his chest. A chest that looks a bit muscular. Hmmm maybe fitted shirt will define it better, oh wait he was asking something.“Seriously though you wear grandpa pants and hiphop top. I don’t think a model could even pull it off.”“Grandpa pants? These are comfortable and durable.”“That’s why grandpas like them. Ugh fine! They are durable, yes. Comfortable, yes. Pleasing to the eyes, no.”“I’m not out to be pleasing to the eyes.”“You are now! Remember you want Jongin to like you. Jongin who is probably the hottest dancer in school and everybody wants to be his friend or more. So you have to look like someone who he can take out and let the world see. And those pants are not that someone.”Chanyeol deflates at the explanation. “Alright, you’re right.”“Don’t worry, we’ll find something durable and comfortable.” Baekhyun dragged Chanyeol from store to store, finding the right fit and the right design. Chanyeol felt that everything looks the same, blue jeans, bluer jeans, light blue jeans. They’ve found two jeans from a famous store that Baekhyun liked very much. After buying the jeans, they went to find shirts. Chanyeol felt tight in all of them but if Baekhyun likes them then it must look good. After all the shopping, Chanyeol dragged Baekhyun into a café.“I’m hungry and tired and we need rest.” He reasoned when Baekhyun gave him a look asking why they were there.Chanyeol ordered and paid for their meal saying it was the least he could do with what he’s doing for him. “So,” Baekhyun decided to break the ice when their food came. “Can I ask you why you like Jongin? Not that I know don’t know that he’s hot but it seems that you’re not the kind of person who only likes guys because they’re hot.”Chanyeol’s eyes got a faraway look as if he was remembering the moment.“I was late for practice once and was asked to stay and clean up after.” He started. “So, while I was cleaning up, I heard music from the dance room beside the court. I was curious to know who was still in school so I looked and there I saw Jongin dancing for his life. He’s…it was just awesome.”“So yeah, there.”Baekhyun felt a twinge of jealousy. He hoped someone actually looked at him and dreamt of having him like Chanyeol does to Jongin. Not Chanyeol of course but just someone who will see him and thinks he’s awesome.“Yeah he’s awesome.” Baekhyun answered flatly.“Do you…do you like someone Baekhyun?” Chanyeol asked.“Me? No, no. I don’t have awesome moments like you did.” He laughed.“Are you going to the winter dance then?”“No, probably stay at home and study. Finals are the week after.”“Oh right, ok.” “Do you have contact lenses?” Baekhyun asked the next time Chanyeol came over.“I do. Why?”“Then why the hell are you wearing those awful glasses?”Chanyeol laughed. “You’re not going to like the answer.”“Let me guess, durable and comfortable.”“Ding ding! Correct!”“You’re exhausting!” Baekhyun sighed against the homework he was trying to do while giving Chanyeol tips on wearing what shirt to which pants.Chanyeol bumped his shoulder with Baek’s shoulder. “Sorry. I will find my contacts.”“Yes please and wear them next Monday then wear the clothes we bought.”“Yes, sir!”“Now shoo, I’m doing my homework.”“You’ve been on that question for an hour, need help?”“Yes but you’re on a different year than me, you probably forgot these.”“Let me see. Oh, I know these.” Chanyeol took the pen from Baekhyun’s hands and solved the problem on a piece of paper. Baekhyun, amazed, asked Chanyeol’s help for the rest of the questions. Surprisingly, Chanyeol was a good tutor, explaining everything in detail and with ease.“So if I add this to this and divide this to this, I’ll get…hmmm…” Chanyeol laughed at him biting his lip in concentration and poked his cheeks.“Hey! I was close wait…4! Right?”“Yes.”“WOOHOO!!! I got it!” Baekhyun jumped up and down in glee. “I’ll treat you to lunch if I get an A in my exam!” Chanyeol ruffled his hair, which earned him a glare.“Sure, I’ll have to choose an expensive restaurant then.”Baekhyun slapped his shoulders. “Ugh! Mean!”Chanyeol laughed and took off his glasses to wipe them with his shirt.“Chanyeol?” Baekhyun called him to ask if he wanted juice from the kitchen but was taken aback when Chanyeol’s face looked up.Without his glasses, Chanyeol looked really good. Chanyeol’s eyes were a nice shade of brown, Baekhyun was drowning in his orbs. He looks down at his cute nose then further down to his lips. Oh god, he has pink lush lips. Baekhyun thought of how it would feel against his. Is it soft? He didn’t realize he was leaning in. Just a feel, he just wants to know how it feels…“Hey! I’m home!” Kris slammed the door startling the two and they jumped away from each other.“I brought chinese take outs!” He dangled the plastic containers but looked at them, puzzled. “Something wrong?”“Yes, you stink where the hell did you come from? The dump?” Baekhyun mumbled dispelling the awkward tense air around them.Chanyeol put back his thick ugly glasses and stood up. “Hey man! I was about to go actually. See you at practice tomorrow!”Chanyeol left and Baekhyun thought, what the hell happened? Monday morning, Baekhyun went to school without sleep, excited and a bit nervous. Today would be the first day Chanyeol would be seen wearing his new clothes, having the new awesome hair and without his glasses. Jongin would be completely blown off his mind. Somehow the thought is depressing to him. He shook it off, passing it off as nervousness and loneliness that no one asked him to the winter dance. Yes, yes, that’s it.He was fidgeting near his locker. He hasn’t seen Chanyeol around yet. He’s seen his idiotic brother along with the other varsity players but no Chanyeol.A crash behind him startled him. He looked around and saw Chanyeol on the ground with his books around him.“Oh my god! What happened?” He run to him and helped him up. He took some of the books and handed it to Chanyeol.“I didn’t see the stairs.”“How the hell did you not see the stairs? You’re wearing contacts.”Chanyeol was silent.“Unless you’re not.” Baekhyun concluded. “OH GOD YOU’RE NOT! What the hell!” “You were so adamant on me wearing my contacts and I found them, I did! But this morning I opened the case and all there is are the solution. It might have melted or something.”Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol who has a frown on his face trying to explain. This boy is trying so hard, right then his anger just melted.“Then why didn’t you just wear your glasses.”“But you said they’re ugly.”“They still are but at least you won’t die because you didn’t ‘see’ the stairs.”“I’m sorry.” Chanyeol’s face fell and Baekhyun felt bad.“Now, where’s that durable glasses of yours.”Chanyeol patted his pockets and produced the glasses. He put them on and smiled up at Baekhyun who suddenly felt breathless.“Good as new! See, they are durable!” Chanyeol laughed while patting off the dirt from his pants.“Yeah, they are.” Baekhyun helped Chanyeol up, his heart still accelerating.“Thanks Baek!” His heart somersaulted at the nickname. He put a hand against his heart and felt his cheeks heat up. What is happening?“I have to go. Bye, I’ll see you later ok?”Chanyeol looked disappointed but Baekhyun didn’t see because he was running far from his locker. Baekhyun concluded that Chanyeol must be bringing out the lonely Baekhyun who wants someone. But he avoided Chanyeol throughout the day and the next day. Only sending text messages telling him about his contact lenses. The next day, Chanyeol said he got his contacts and was wearing them to school. Baekhyun messaged him good luck because he should definitely ask Jongin again today.“You really think so?” Chanyeol said through the phone. Calling the second Baekhyun mentioned about asking Jongin.“Yes, I mean we’ve already covered everything. He’ll take one look at you and say yes. I swear.”“You haven’t even seen me. How could you swear?”Because I’ve seen your eyes, and that’s enough to get the hottest, most beautiful person in the whole school.“I was the one who bought those clothes and had your hair done. I’d know.”“Sure?”“Yes. Are you doubting me Park Chanyeol?”“No. Of course not.” His voice softly said.“So I guess this is it?” There was sadness in his voice but Baekhyun can’t understand why he’d be sad.“We’ll still see each other at school. And Kris is your friend, he’ll come up with more shits for you.” Baekhyun laughed through the receiver.  “Promise me then?”“Promise what?”“Promise we’ll see each other at school because I haven’t seen you lately.”Baekhyun’s heart pounded, was Chanyeol looking for him?“And I even thought you were avoiding me, but then why right?” Chanyeol whispered and Baekhyun is now convinced of the sadness in his voice.“I…I wasn’t. I wasn’t avoiding you, I was just busy.” Baekhyun lied. He doesn’t understand the twinge he felt when he heard the hurt in Chanyeol’s words.“Ok then, I’ll go now. I have to prepare to ask Jongin again.”“Good luck.”“Yes. Thanks!” Baekhyun hung up the phone sad and confused over the phone call. The next day, Baekhyun was waiting in the corridors waiting for Chanyeol to come and hopefully see him ask Jongin to the dance so that he could dispel the confusing thoughts he was having, the confusing feelings.He won’t be jealous he was sure of that.“Hey!” Kris put a hand on his shoulders which caused him to shriek.“Don’t do that. Ever. Again.” Baekhyun has a hand on his heart.“So I heard my boy is going for it today! And I’m here to watch my 500,000 won come.”“You’re such an ass. He’s your friend, haven’t you considered that he also has feelings?”“Of course I did. I mean he’s going after the guy he likes and the money is just a bonus.”“For you.”“Yes, for me. Cause I encouraged him.”Baekhyun was about to retort when he heard a commotion from the entrance. He looked and saw Chanyeol in his new hair, new clothes and new contacts. He was breathtakingly handsome. He was surrounded by girls flirting with him and he looked uncomfortable. Baekhyun narrowed his eyes on them, get away from him, he’s mine.What?No, no. He’s Jongin’s.And why did that thought depressed him. “Hey Baekhyun!” Chanyeol called distracting him from his thoughts. He waved with a smile on his face, replacing the uncomfortable look on his face. Baekhyun waved back.“Hey! So big day huh?” Baekhyun tried to smile but somehow he find it hard to.Chanyeol rubbed his nape while trying to explain. “Yeah about that actually, I…”“Yo Chanyeol my man! My brother had quite done a good number on you huh? “ Kris sling his arms around Chanyeol.“Yes, he did.”“Oh look there’s Jongin! Jongin my man! Come!”Jongin looked and saw Chanyeol and his eyes widened at what he saw. He walked towards Chanyeol and winked at him. He took his hands in his and dragged him somewhere.Baekhyun felt his heart drop and break. And there’s really no denying it anymore. He likes Chanyeol. He liked him ever since he went to their house and he saw his corduroy pants. He laughed. Oh god he must be crazy liking a guy who wears all the wrong clothes. But he’s so adorable and even with the wrong clothes, he was cute and that was charming. But he likes Jongin and Jongin is hot and a great dancer and all those ‘awesome’ things Baekhyun aren’t. He can’t dance for the life of him.Baekhyun saw Jongin and Chanyeol still talking over lunch. Chanyeol must be so happy now that Jongin has given him attention. He took his lunch over to the back of the school building. He clutched his heart.“We’ll be alright.” After his recent mind blowing epiphany, Baekhyun had cut communications with Chanyeol. Chanyeol however had kept on messaging him. Asking him where he is and telling him he needs to talk to him. Over what, he doesn’t want to know. Maybe he just wants to thank him on getting Jongin and that would just drive the nail more into Baekhyun’s heart. A week after the school population’s discovery of the hot Park Chanyeol, he overheard a few students talk about Jongin and Chanyeol going on a weekend trip together. An impromptu trip since Jongin’s parents are out of the country.“Bro, you ready to get your 100,000 won?” Kris rubbed his hands together. “I’m itching to get that Wii game.”“Yeah yeah, whatever. Can you go?” Baekhyun was in his room reading again. The weekend is in a few hours and he’s so depressed over Jongin and Chanyeol that he’s been reading the same page over and over again.“Fine. I need to go and surprise Chanyeol at his house anyway. That boy’s been taking his time asking Jongin out.”Baekhyun almost dropped the book he was holding. “He hasn’t asked him yet?”“Yeah, probably getting cold feet or something.”“Huh, I see.” Baekhyun closed his book. His heart was beating fast. Why hasn’t Chanyeol ask Jongin yet? Maybe Chanyeol doesn’t like Jongin anymore. But he keeps seeing Chanyeol hanging out with Jongin at lunch. But what if he likes Baekhyun too? Or is he really just having cold feet?   “Must be cold feet, yeah.” He responded even though Kris was already out of the room.He saw his phone ringing with Chanyeol’s name flashing on the screen. He turned his phone off and turned to his side. The sound of his beating heart slowed as he drifts off to sleep. There was an increasing sound of bells ringing. Baekhyun slowly opened his eyes and looked at his bedside clock. It was 10pm and the one ringing their door was insistent. Maybe Kris forgot his keys again. He reluctantly stood up.“Yes! Coming! Oh my god don’t destroy the freaking doorbell!” He lazily walked up the doorway.He was surprised to open the door to a panting Chanyeol.“Hey! Uhm Chanyeol hi!” He nervously greeted. After a week of not talking to him, he was there at his front door.“Uhm hi!” He was still panting as if he went from doing a sprint.“Kris isn’t here. He went to see you actually.”“I’m not here for Kris.” Chanyeol looked up and he was wearing those awful glasses that Baekhyun loved and he was trying hard not to giggle because Chanyeol before his transformation was so adorable. Sure he was hot and gorgeous now but the dorky looking Chanyeol was whom he liked.  “I came here to talk to you actually.”“Oh.” Baekhyun let him inside and let him sat on the sofa.“You promised me.” Chanyeol started. “And you broke that promise.”Baekhyun gave a confused look, frowning at Chanyeol who wasn’t making any sense. “I promised what?”“You promised we’d see each other in school. But everytime I look for you, you aren’t there. I called and texted but you never responded.”“I…I was…” Baekhyun can’t think of an explanation to his behavior because everything would just eventually lead to another question. But the truth would be heartbreaking.“Did I do something wrong? Do you really hate hanging out with me? Was I really just a burden that after doing your part you drop me?” Chanyeol sounded so pained that Baekhyun almost, almost wanted to tell him the truth.“No! What are you talking about? We…we were almost friends. I like…I liked hanging out with you. I just… I needed to…I wanted to be alone for a few days.” Baekhyun stopped his stammer. How can he tell Chanyeol that everytime he sees him it hurts. It hurts because he helped him, he helped him get Jongin and now he just wants him for himself.“I see. I see.” Chanyeol still looked confused and pained and Baekhyun wanted to hug him.“Chanyeol, why are you really here? Aren’t you supposed to be with Jongin?”“I…I was with Jongin.” Baekhyun’s heart shattered again. Maybe he was here to tell him the good news. That he’s finally asked Jongin and he said yes. It hurts but he can’t open his mouth to stop Chanyeol. “I was with Jongin and I thought, yes I’m going to ask him now. I was so close. I was so close to asking him, he was just right there. He was actually urging me too. Flirting with me, touching me. I was so close but I can’t do it.” He sounded like he was talking to himself and not to Baekhyun.“Why?” Baekhyun managed to croak out. He was so close to crying. Chanyeol getting Jongin leaving Baekhyun with a broken heart and a promise not to help anyone every again.“Because everywhere I look I see you. I see your face. I see your smile and even when Jongin touched me, I didn’t feel even half as happy as when I spent time with you. I like you.” Chanyeol looked up straight into Baekhyun’s eyes and Baekhyun must have heard it wrong because he thought he heard Chanyeol say he liked him.“What?”“I like you. I like you Byun Baekhyun  and I was so slow to realize that Jongin was just a crush. I liked him as a dancer but I don’t like him as Jongin.” Chanyeol stood up to walk near Baekhyun and took the other’s hands in his. “Please say something.”“I…I like you too.” Baekhyun looked down shy all of  a sudden. But he was happy. So happy he wanted to laugh. They were idiots weren’t they?“I like you a lot.” Baekhyun reached up to play with Chanyeol’s ears before going on his toes to press a chaste kiss on Chanyeol’s lips. Chanyeol wrapped his arms around Baekhyun to kiss him back.Chanyeol breaks off the kiss to lean back a little arms still around the other. “Would you like to go to the dance with me?”“Awww come on man! 500,000 won!” Kris whined at the door, staring at them.“Sorry Kris. But I’m taking this cute guy to the dance.” Chanyeol leaned his forehead on Baekhyun’s.“He hasn’t said yes yet.”“He will.” He countered then turned to Baekhyun. “Right?”“Yes.” He reached up again to kiss Chanyeol.“Eww oh god that’s my brother. I’m going out again.” Kris slammed the door shut.“What about studying for the exams on the winter dance day?” Chanyeol teased.“I lied. The exams aren’t in two weeks. I got lots of time to study.”“Good, I’ll help you then.”“Are you really? Because I think you’ll be a distraction instead.”Chanyeol kissed him again. “Hmmm well, good thing you’re smart then.”“Yes, good thing.” Baekhyun said before pulling Chanyeol down by his ears and kissing him. kei, please don't kill me HAHAHA