❝will this look good on me?❞ chenle turned around after checking himself out from the body mirror and couldn't help but furrow his brows when he saw his mother crying from his laptop screen. ❝mom?❞

"my son is growing up." she said with matching cracking of voice and fake tears falling down from her eyes.

❝you act like i'm getting married.❞ chenle rolled his eyes and took another suit he bought a while ago.

the mother tilted her head to the side with a confused smile on. "are you not?"

❝mom!❞ chenle groaned in frustration as he ruffled his hair before unbuttoning the pink dress shirt he is wearing. ❝i am attending the school's grand ball not my wedding.❞

"let me guess." the mother sent him one teasing smile along with her brows going up and down. "your prince charming is—"

❝i have no date mom, just saying.❞ chenle said while removing the dress shirt and getting another suit from the bed and trying it out.

the woman gasped, very shocked to hear that. "then what about that cheesesung guy?"

❝cheesesung?❞ chenle snorted as he fixed himself by the body mirror. ❝jisung, mom. and no, he's not going to be my date.❞

turning around, the mother shook his head at the suit chenle is wearing. first of all, it was green and she doesn't like green. chenle heaved out a sigh and went to take another suit, he actually came prepared knowing how picky his mother is with clothes. "did you guys fight?"

they did and a lot has happened over these past weeks, but there's no way chenle would tell that to his mother. ❝he'll be picking me up later though and go to the venue together. he, too, has no date.❞

that worried look on the mother's face then disappeared and eas replaced with a knowing smile. "you still have each other."

❝this looks good.❞ chenle turned his body to the side and checked himself out before showing himself to his mother that squealed like a high school teenage girl.

"my son looks like a prince!" she screamed. "cheesesung will surely drool."

the way his mother pronounces jisung's name never fails to amuse chenle. chenle's eyes then went to the clock and saw that it's almost time for jisung to come and get him. passing by his phone that he placed on his bed, chenle slightly opened the curtains of his window and peeked to jisung's house only to he surprised at the very jaw dropping sight.

jisung was still in the middle on wearing his while tuxedo and chenle just happens to come across him being half naked. his upper body was showing and chenle visibly gulped at that body jisung owned. his eyes trailed to every part, admiring every detail, and appreciating what god has made.

but before he could be so obvious and be caught by jisung, a voice echoed around his room that snapped him away from his thoughts.

"chenle!" the mouth called out. "i can't see you anywhere, did you die my son?"

❝i'm right here mom.❞ chenle blinked and closed the curtains back, eyeing jisung for a few more seconds before walking infront of his laptop to show himself for his mother not to be worried anymore. ❝should i wear this?❞

"do you like it?" the mother questioned. it was honestly her favorite among the fifty suit and ties chenle tried but if isn't chenle's cup of tea then of course he should force him to wear it. after all, it's her son attending the grand ball and not her. "i personally find it perfect for you."

❝this will be final then.❞ chenle said, leaving the clothes scattered down the bed and some on the floor. he planned to clean the mess he made later since it's already time to leave.

"use protection when you come home with cheesesung!"

chenle's eyes widened while combing his hair and turned around to face his mother on his laptop screen with the comb stuck on his hair. ❝what!?❞

"i don't want to be a grandmother just yet." she laughed in a joking manner.

not knowing that it affected chenle so much. he should have expected for this to happen, to be a disappointment in his family, and especially to his mother. ❝you don't?❞

seeing the long face chenle is making made the mother stop laughing like a dolphin and showed a worried look. "it was a joke, lele. you're already eighteen, you can do anything you want. just be responsible in everything."

he's accepting what is happening to him right now, is that considered being responsible? pulling out a smile, chenle went to sit down on the bed and place his laptop down to lap. ❝mom, i'm going to sing later at the grand ball.❞

"what!? oh my god! honey, did you hear that? our son is going to show everyone how talented he is—" but the mother paused upon recalling that one time when chenle sang in front of everyone, it didn't go well. "chenle.."

and seeing how his mother's mood changed, chenle shook his head in reassurance. ❝it's fine mom, trust me. nothing bad is going to happen today, okay?❞

trusting her son's words, she nodded. "you'll do great lele."

❝i'm zhong chenle!❞ the chinese screamed while raising his fist up in the air. ❝i'm a legend.❞

just as the mother was about to say something, more like to complement her son for him to gain more confidence, a knock from the front door was heard that made chenle shot his head up.

it must be jisung.

chenle looked back down to his mother on the screen and felt all warm when his mother gave him one small smile.

"take care okay?" soon enough, sniffs were heard from the laptop but not from his mother. "your father is crying— no i'm not!"

chenle chuckled when he saw his mother  pulling his father down to sit next to her. ❝just got home from work dad?❞

"chenle, you the man." the father said, still sobbing at the thought of time passing by so fast. it was as if chenle was trying to learn how to walk yesterday. the next second, the mother hit her husband's shoulder. "he's a rainbow."

❝please keep each other alive.❞ chenle said while laughing, fixing his hair for the last time before checking himself out to see if he was ready. ❝i need to go.❞

"tell cheesesung i said hi!"

❝will do mom.❞ chenle smiled through the laptop. ❝bye bye!❞

"wait! chenle, if you're mom is not ready to be a grandmother then i'm the opposite." the father then wiggled his brows up and down. "i'm ready to see a little dolphin when i visit you."

and again, he received another smack from his wife.

chenle only giggled, just hoping that they won't honestly be disappointed when they find out about the truth. ❝i love you.❞

"bye lele!"

with that, chenle ended the video call and went to panic mode. he felt like the way groomed himself is not yet enough. what if jisung would feel embarrassed having him as a date? wait. he isn't jisung's date neither is jisung his date. what should he feel nervous about? they are just going together, no feelings attached, just going as friends.

taking one last look of himself, chenle took a deep breath before making his way out of the room and taking nervous steps towards the front door.

❝i can do this.❞ chenle nodded at his statement and gathered the guts to open the door and he isn't joking when he say that he was greeted by a bright light. he even closed his eyes at how bright the light it.

❝smile!❞ jisung giggled after taking a picture with flash.

chenle pouted. ❝hey!❞

jisung looked up from his phone and he couldn't help himself but stare at the meal in front of him. wait, no. innocent thoughts. but honestly speaking, chenle looked amazing. like a princess disguised as a prince, he looked magical. jisung could see sparkles around his body and isn't even shocked about how he's seeing things.

❝jisung?❞ chenle waved his hand in front of the younger male that's just staring at him. ❝do you find me weird wearing this?❞

jisung aggressively shook his head. ❝you look beyond beautiful!❞

the older's cheeks then heated up at the compliment. ❝t-thank you. you don't look bad yourself.❞

jisung snorted. ❝don't even start with me. i didn't put effort, i honestly just want to eat there.❞

❝seriously jisung.❞ chenle said, looking straight to jisung's orbs. ❝you look amazing.❞

looking away, jisung didn't want to be caught blushing. ❝shall we go?❞

with a nod on his head, chenle made sure to turn all the lights and pull all plugs inside the house and locked it before leaving. just as as he step foot outside, chenle had his mouth wide open when he saw a black limousine waiting outside his gates.

❝jisung did you—❞

jisung groaned as he slapped his forehead. ❝fuck, i told jaemin to leave us alone. but no, he just had to get a limousine to pick us up.❞

a smile was formed on chenle's lips, finding everything cute and romantic for some reasons. it felt like jisung is really his date, and this feeling is already enough. ❝come on, free ride.❞

❝wait.❞ jisung stopped chenle from sprinting towards the limousine and then went in front of the chinese with his hand out and a perfect smile on his lips. ❝i'm not your date but i just feel the need to do this.❞

tilting his head to the side clueless, chenle stared at the hand that's being held out for him. ❝what are you doing?❞

❝shall we go, park chenle?❞ jisung said in a most romantic tone you have heard in movies.

snap out of it, chenle said to quickly be back to his senses. he could feel his heart beating fast and stomach being bombarded with dozens of butterflies but he reminded himself about the situation and what relationship they had.

they are friends, and that's all.

placing his hand on top of jisung, chenle smiled. ❝let's go or we'll be late, zhong jisung.❞

but just for tonight, can chenle treat jisung more than a friend?

🐋

sipping the water from his glass, jisung watched everyone dancing along to the music. he was just glad that there's no romantic slow songs out yet, or he'll really feel lonely and regret not asking chenle out.

everyone was looking their best. putting all effort to their gowns and suits, making jisung disappointed at himself for not even trying. but then again, why would he even try? not like he's trying to impress someone.

❝how's your time being alone, my beloved cousin?❞ jaemin greeted the boy and sat down next to him.

❝it's amazing jaemin! i feel so free!❞ jisung said with that sarcastic smile on his face.

jaemin laughed at his cousin and slapped his thighs, earning a hiss from him and a glare. ❝you know, there are a lot of girls waiting for you to ask them out to dance.❞

❝i'm not interested.❞ jisung said, sipping on his glass of water for the nth time today.

after being separated from chenle the moment they arrived at the venue, he was feeling down and empty. chenle had to go backstage to get ready and jisung can't do anything about it. even with everyone complimenting him about how amazing he looked and how he stood out from the crowd with his white tuxedo, he still had a frown on his face. being asked out by girls ruined his mood more, it was annoying. he just wants to sit and eat and not that he had done his goal, he wanted to leave the place. but something was stopping him, and that is the need to see chenle perform in front of everybody.

❝how about you leave me and go to your beloved little spoon and butcher knife?❞ jisung said, just really wanting to be alone for the whole night. ❝enjoy your night. you're going to graduate!❞

❝yeah right, i'm still seeing you in school next year.❞ jaemin replied, clinging to jisung as his eyes scanned the dance floor that's now filled with couples dancing slow when a slow song finally came up.  ❝college and highschool are neighboring buildings as you can see.❞

❝right.❞ jisung said, trying to sound like he was getting bored seeing jaemin's face over and over again. ❝but still, look at mark and donghyuck.❞

their eyes then went to a specific couple that's standing out dancing in the middle of a lot of couples dancing around them. it was romantic at first, with those loving stares they are giving at each other, and it even made both jisung and jaemin sigh in a proud accent but then, it shortly turned into a hot make out session for them and the two watching scrunched their faces at the sight.

❝don't tell me you three are going to be like them.❞ jisung pointed.

❝how do we three even make out at the same time?❞ jaemin asked curiously, already thinking of scenarios inside his head.

jisung wanted to say how he's already weirded out by jaemin but then two looking fine boys were already making their way towards them. jisung knew this as a sign to leave jaemin alone, giving him to those fine looking boys namely renjun and jeno.

tapping the older's shoulder, jisung only pointed where the restrooms are located. ❝i'll go.❞

jaemin was still into his thoughts on how three people make out that he only nodded his head without understanding what jisung just said and not knowing where he'll be going.

when jisung finally left jaemin alone, he made a curve and just let his feet drag him to wherever it takes him. the next moment, he was already making to backstage where everyone from the theater arts club were busy preparing for the performance. he went pass by them without messing up with things and went to a specific room that had a familiar name posted on the door.

zhong chenle.

a smile curved to jisung's lips and twisted the door knob without even knocking. he was then greeted with chenle who's practicing with his earphones on and back facing him. jisung closed his eyes and listened to the older's voice as he leaned by the door, not wanting to disturb him.

but then, chenle turned around and stopped singing as he saw jisung with his eyes closed. surprised, he didn't expect for jisung to know where he was.

❝jisung, you're still here?❞

jisung opened his eyes and gave the older a small smile. ❝i told you, i'll be watching you perform.❞

❝jisung!❞ chenle then started to whine, his hands going everywhere as his legs were shaking. ❝i'm so nervous right now, i feel like melting!❞

approaching the short male, jisung cupped chenle's face. ❝you will do well, i just know it.❞

breathing in and out, chenle had thought to stop practicing for a moment. ❝what are you guys doing?❞

❝well, they are dancing outside.❞ jisung breathed out as he went to sit on one of the chairs provided in this room chenle is staying. ❝you know waltz? those type.❞

the chinese showed a frown. ❝must be amazing.❞

❝do you also want to dance?❞ jisung asked.

answering with pure honesty, chenle nodded his head. sitting to a chair next to jisung and placing his phone down the table in front of them. ❝but i'm stuck here and i don't have partner for it.❞

chenle didn't mean to give out a sign for jisung to make a move but that's probably is what he's trying to do. not really expecting anything though, jisung looked like he hated those slow dance. meanwhile, chenle finds it very romantic and would love to dance with someone one day.

someone that goes by the name of park ji—

❝who says you can't dance here?❞ jisung stood up from his chair and took his phone out from his pocket, finding a perfect playlist in chogitube for this situation. ❝and who says you have no partner?❞

chenle looked up and saw jisung placing his phone down the table with music starting to play and slowly walked in front of him. chenle doesn't know if jisung really is moving slowly or it's just him and his own world moving slowly.

bending down a bit, jisung placed his hand out for chenle. ❝can i have this dance, my chenliet?❞

chenliet.

why should he say no? after all, chenle did tell to himself to push aside their friendship for tonight. friends who? he and jisung aren't friend. chenle smiled, he and jisung are more than friends.

❝sure thing, my jimeo.❞ being pulled up carefully, chenle was dragged in the middle of the room.

with the music still playing and filling up the four corners of the room, jisung guided chenle's hands and and same thing with chenle guiding jisung with his steps. the two stared at each other with their eyes sparkling and loving tension surrounding them. no one but them, they only thought of each other. problems aside, school aside, they relationship aside, just thinking of each other.

their steps moved along with the music and it was like a fairytale feeling for chenle meanwhile jisung felt like he had just jumped into those greasy romantic movies. but he loved it, jisung loved this.

and to think nothing can get better than this, the moment they came to a stop just to adore each other and cherish the moment, they were getting closer and closer. chenle's arms around jisung's neck tightening and jisung's arms around chenle's waist pulling chenle even closer.

magical, that's how they can describe the moment along with spongebob's imagination meme.

❝chenle!❞ someone opened the door. ❝you are about to start—❞

the person who just had to ruin the moment they have froze from her place when he saw the position of the two, feeling guilty and embarrassed for disturbing a very special moment.

❝oh.❞ she chuckled nervously and pointed a finger that lead back to the ballroom. ❝y-you're next.❞

disappointed, nothing happen. the two quickly pulled away from each other and moved five feet away from each other. chenle let out a forced chuckled and nodded his head at the student who called out for him. ❝thank you, i'll go later.❞

❝s-so.. i'll uhh.. leave now.. yeah.. you two continue.❞ she said, moving back and running away from them and not forgetting to shout ❝i'm sorry!❞

and the awkward tension came back.

❝i guess i have to go now.❞ chenle said, getting his phone and putting it inside his pocket. ❝wish me luck?❞

jisung was still looking away, not having the courage to look at chenle but he did nod his head and wished him good luck. ❝everything is going to be fine. you're going to do well, good luck.❞

chenle smiled, walking towards jisung and tiptoed to settle a soft kiss on his cheeks. ❝thank you for this jisung.❞

and jisung was left there with his cheeks heatin and having the feeling of blowing up like a cherry bomb.

⚊ t b c ⚊