try-hard •sunki au•

six

this is like, a free chapter because I woke up with a good news today. I hope everyone receives great news too. Trust in Him. He hears, He provides.

+++

“Hey.”

Heeseung stopped walking and looked back to the person who called his name.

There stood the student he always meet outside the university. Heeseung traced his gaze down on his hand, the student held a very familiar envelope.

“Jungwon, hurry up!” Someone from somewhere shouted, making the student in front of him look back to an specific building.

The student looked back at Heeseung, handing him the envelope.

“You dropped this,” the student said.

Heeseung stared at it for quite a while.

“Thanks,” Heeseung said.

He took the envelope from his hand. The student didn't even utter anymore words as he turned around and walked away.

Heeseung stared down at the envelope in his hand. It was the invitation from yesterday, the same envelope he purposedly dropped somewhere in the university to make it look like he lost it.

He sighed. Is it a sign to attend the party?

In the end, he crumpled the paper and throw it inside the trashcan on his way to his class.

+++

Jay stood before the railings on the second floor, watching as visitor comes inside the rented hotel. The formal introduction will happen anytime soon but Riki isn't showing up yet.

It was not the first time, though. Jay have already seen this coming, but he still hopes Riki will attend. If not to meet their parents, at least for Jake who's celebrating his birthday tonight.

“Still waiting for Riki?”

Jay looked at the person standing before him. He looked presentable in his suit but the usual smile in his face isn't there.

“I'm sorry about him, he just didn't want to meet Dad here,” Jay apologizes, feeling ashamed that his half-brother would rather skip this party for that reason.

Jake nodded, eyes trailing at the same exact door. His eyes trying to find a familiar face even though he knew it is impossible for him to attend.

Jay noticed the sudden silence of his friend. He knew he is waiting for someone to arrive as well. A person that's been skipping all their invitations eversince last year. A person that's been obviously avoiding Jake even though they live in a same house as them.

“You should come inside now, your party is about to start,” Jay said.

He gave Jake a comforting tap on the shoulder before he turned around to leave him alone.

Jake remained looking at the entrance door. He was sure Heeseung received the invitation, he even saw him reading it in his locker. They were already in good terms and they talk casually now, unlike the past months. He hoped Heeseung will finally show up in a very important occasion like his birthday, but maybe he was wrong.

“The party is about to start.”

Jake breathed deep, he gave the entrance one final glance before he turned around to face Sunghoon.

“Let's get inside, then,” he said, faking a smile.

He walked past Sunghoon, who followed from behind him.

“Heeseung called me saying he's still in the clinic. He has to take an overtime to comply the remaining hours of his training before the finals,” Sunghoon said.

“We all know that's a lie, he finished his training last week,” Jake said.

Sunghoon sighed, “You should smile a bit more, everyone is looking.”

Jake's eyes roamed around the room. All visitors have been staring at him, some smiling and whispering. Jake faked a smile, taking hand shakes to some of his Dad's business friends. He has a title of a good son and he doesn't want to ruin this night.

Every year, Jake's parents would throw a business party to celebrate his birthday. They were introducing him to everyone, telling them all about his achievements. They were boasting about his incredible talent, his intelligence and his kindness.

He was known as the son every parent would dream to have. Jake kept on exceeding everyone's expectation and never did disappoint his parents.

Jake is happy to see his parents supporting him in anything he liked. However, he was too afraid to give disappointment in them. He is an only son and it pressured him too much.

That's why he rejected Heeseung's confession before, even though he feels the same love towards him. He has to sacrifice his privelege to love whoever he likes, afraid that it would disappoint his parents.

tengyu_