─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

❝ If it means getting burned and wrapped up in the golds of flames, or embarrassed, I would rather take this dance and light up this floor. Except, I don't know how to dance ❞

🎼

C H A P T E R F O U R T E E N

KEVIN AWKWARDLY SITS AT A TABLE, watching Sunwoo and Eric dance to the beat of the music, neon lights from the ceiling shining on them. Playing the conversation earlier about his best friend's situation in his mind, a gentle smile tugs on his lips.

Eric allowed Sunwoo to act as if he was his boyfriend for the night. Looking closely, Kevin notices the sparkle in the blonde's eyes glitter.

He knows from how comfortable he is with the auburn, that there's more than physical attraction. It could be unrequited love, which breaks his heart, knowing Sunwoo has feelings for Chanhee.

Was Eric lying about his feelings for Juyeon, or was Sunwoo, his first love?

Hearing a voice call out his name, the brunette turns around, slowly standing up.

The red cup in his hand plops to the floor, water spilling, and the beat of his heart echoes, registering the boy in front of him.

Kevin doesn't move, doesn't speak. He doesn't know what to do and the night he confessed to Jacob rewind in his mind, a heartbroken playlist with sullen melodies. He needs to run away, to get out, to escape-

Kevin begins to make his escape but stops, freezing as if he's been caught in a lie.

"Can we start over?"

Kevin closes his eyes and opens them, turning on his heels to look at Jacob with a flat smile.

He simply answers, "I've got somewhere else to be, sorry. Maybe next time?" He walks away in runaway model fashion, mentally cursing at how stupid his words sound, and accidentally bumps into Juyeon.

The drink in the cup he was holding knocks over and Kevin panics, eyes widening as an arm wraps around his waist, shielding him from the wine splashing over him.

And suddenly the music in the room fades out.

And everyone is looking at them. At the boy with dark brown hair, sharp chocolate eyes darkening, turning to face him. The lights from above hit the sliver of the collar around his neck, clad in a jean jacket, and jeans hugging his legs.

"Can I have this dance?" Changmin says, voice soft. There's a hint of certainty and the smile blooming on his lips resembles the softness of cherry blossoms.

"I don't know how to dance," Kevin says, his heart beating fast.

Changmin takes a step forward and envelops an arm around Kevin's waist. He pulls him close, holding Kevin's gaze spiraling of a universe somewhere called home, and all its stars. "Just follow my lead and keep your eyes on me, okay?" he whispers.

Something about the way he pulls him closer, the amount of reassurance twinkling in the brown of his eyes sends Kevin's heart exploding like fireworks. Kevin hears fireworks explode, literally.

In the next second, the music switches its pace from slow to fast, powerful, rhythm ecstatic.

When the beat of the drums drops in the background, he feels himself spin before twirling back swiftly into Changmin's arms, holding him steady. They're so close now, brown eyes holding brown, noses almost touching. Kevin's breath hitches from the proximity and shyly interlocks his hand with Changmin's, fingers weaving.

All the memories of his parent's slow dancing are no longer memories, but reality as he plants his hand on the center of his waist. And he's positive he's blushing, cheeks the shade of cherry.

His eyes peel away, focusing on their feet, and the floor beneath them.

"Hey, look at me. I got you."

Kevin lifts his head to lock eyes with Changmin as if it's only them, the rest of the people at the party don't seem to matter. The lyrics fade in and they begin to move, tentatively at first, swaying with music picking up pace after the first two sets of lyrics.

Oh, baby, I can feel the rush of the adrenaline

I'm not scared to jump if you want to

"Do you trust me?" It's the same lines again and despite the repetition, he doesn't mind it.

Kevin can't help but grin, a glint of mischief glowing in his eyes, mirroring the younger boy's.

Kevin knows it's safer to play by the rules, but right now, he's willing to play with fire.

Even if it means getting burned.

Because he's making the choices. Kevin isn't letting the past catch up to him.

Letting go of Changmin's hand to dash across the dance floor at his cue, the lights shine on them. The song continues and cheers spread throughout the room are inaudible to them, catching each other's gazes, beaming.

Let's just fall in love for the hell of it

Maybe, we'll just keep falling

And then they're recreating the famous dance scene from Zorro just because.

Except it's their dance, their first, and maybe last.

He catches Jacob's gaze, a heartbroken one perhaps before disappearing behind the bodies swaying under neon lights. It causes Kevin to lose his balance. Changmin notices Kevin's knitted brows, and where he was looking with concern and grabs his arm.

He tugs him forward, maybe a little too roughly that their noses brush lightly. Kevin stumbles back and his heart races, ripping his gaze away.

Kevin looks at him, ignoring the way his heart flutters either from excitement or astonishment. Shocked would be the right word at this moment. "Why is it always you?" Kevin voices, determination flickering in his coffee eyes.

The light cascading down his face makes him shine as if all the darkness around him makes him stand out, instead of taking away his brightness. Changmin just grins and takes another step forward to lean and whisper by his ear, "Because even the moon needs a star."

Kevin stands still for a heartbeat and then leaves, flustered, trying to calm the beating of his heart. He's not sure where he's going, but he lets his legs take him through the heat and the booming music, slipping his phone to quickly text Eric.

Kevin: Where are you? I want to go home

Eric doesn't reply for a couple of minutes and Kevin figures he's with Sunwoo.

"Kevin?" a pause.

Kevin's heart drops, all the way down. Shatters into a million pieces he's positive won't be fixed, or mended in time. The golden-haired boy sitting on the red bar stool turns around, and he's wearing a confident grin, gingerbread eyes trailing up to meet his mocha eyes.

"I never liked Jacob. He led me to you and here you are. It's crazy how fate works, isn't it?"

Kevin's heartbeat thumps, listening to Hyunjae. The words dawn on him and his feet shift to possibly run at the right time.

Why couldn't it have been Jacob?

Why is Hyunjae with him and telling me this in front of him?

I never know what to do when it comes to Jacob.

"No. I've already told you. I will never be yours," Kevin says, tone cold, taking steps back, hoping this isn't a repeat of last time. Especially, not in front of Jacob.

He must feel so torn right now like a sailship against a thunderstorm, losing its direction, speed, and the main seal tearing from the aggressive wind. Or it's his heart as his. Kevin decides that's not the case and he knows it can't be, yet the concern glowing in his honey brown eyes, mouth parted to say something, raises his hopes.

Hyunjae walks toward Kevin and before he takes his hand, another hand appears and envelops Kevin's hand. Changmin interlocks his hand with Kevin's, fingers weaving, and tightens the grasp. He raises their clasped hands and shoots Hyunjae a death glare. "He's already taken."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A U T H O R ' S N O T E

I decided to update the next chapter regardless of releasing it later than planned and it does make me a little upset, but honestly, it's okay because, in the back of my mind, I thought I wasn't going to complete this chapter.

Your thoughts?

I took three days to write this chapter and I'm happy with how it turned out. Also, apologizes for any mistakes. I don't know if anyone's noticed, but yes, there's inspiration from "Love Alarm" and the last scene from "Assistant of Superstar."

As always, thank you for reading. If you enjoyed reading, don't forget to vote, and leave a comment. I read every comment and try my best to reply to each one. You guys mean a lot to me, and I hope you will stick with me till the end, as well as for my future projects.

ALSO, GO STREAM "WHISPER" BY THE BOYZ 💖