Almost Paradise [2/3]
Title: Almost Paradise
Pairing: Kaibaek
Genre: Romantic-comedy with a dash of crack
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The first thing Baekhyun does is blush, remembering the bold way he had kissed the dark-skinned boy that night on the beach almost a week ago. It must have been the adrenaline working, or the magic of the night sky, because Baekhyun has never been that forward. He also never expected to see Jongin again. Yet, here he is, standing in front of the handsome boy with the smoldering eyes.
A/N: If you squint, you see High School Musical. < Part 1>
II.
Jongin’s soccer coach is not amused when two of his key players arrive two hours late to practice.
“Laps,” he barks, pointing Jongin and Minseok down the field. “Go.”
Minseok groans. “We’ve already been punished enough by Professor Lim,” he whines. “We had to paint sets for the stupid musical for two whole hours.”
“Laps,” Coach repeats, unphased. “I expect my star players to be at practice every day after school leading up to the big game. That means being on their best behaviors and not using cellphones in class.”
As they take off jogging around the field, Jongin feels a little bad. It was more or less his fault that Minseok had missed practice for detention as well.
Instead of telling him that, Jongin pokes his best friend. “Yah, Seok, you should learn to keep your mouth shut.”
Minseok just glares.
After practice, Coach pulls Jongin aside. “It’s not like you to miss practice,” he says, eyeing Jongin closely. “Is something going on? Family? School?”
“No, sir,” Jongin replies.
“Semi-finals are next week, and I need you on your top game and focused,” Coach adds. “We just need two more wins for that title, Jongin. Semi-finals, championships, trophy.”
“I understand.”
Baekhyun wants to try out for the spring musical. In his ideal world he would have the guts to get up there on stage and sing his heart out. But no, this is reality, and Byun Baekhyun hates being in front of so many people.
The kid with the round face, Jongin’s friend, probably wishes that he was not in front of so many people right now, Baekhyun thinks. Professor Lee is glaring at Minseok, waiting for him to answer the question on the whiteboard.
The limit does not exist. The limit does not fucking exist.
The other boy squirming in his seat does not receive Baekhyun’s telepathic message. Baekhyun sighs, and feels bad for the kid. He scribbles the answer in his notebook and tilts up, giving Minseok a clear view of it over his shoulder.
There is another few seconds of awkward silence and glaring from Professor Lee before Minseok finally sees the notebook.
“The limit doesn’t exist,” he answers finally, slumping down in his seat.
Professor Lee looks surprised at the correct answer and he lets Minseok pass without having to explain why.
“Thanks,” the athlete whispers, leaning forward.
Baekhyun just nods. Some people are meant for math, and others are meant for the soccer field. Similarly, Baekhyun is meant for the classroom, and not for the stage.
The bell rings, and Baekhyun jumps, having been lost in his thoughts. He looks up to find a boy with dark hair and big eyes staring at him, nervously tapping a pencil on the table.
“Hi?”
“My name is Kyungsoo,” the boy says bluntly, “and you’re really good at calculus. Welcome to the Mathletes Team!”
It’s Wednesday, and the semi-final game is less than two days away. Sometimes, Jongin gets excited thinking about it. Other times, he feels sick to his stomach because what if they lose?
All he really wants, however, is to ask Byun Baekhyun out on a goddamn date.
But how?
He doesn’t see Baekhyun much during the day, except in Theater Arts and at lunch. Baekhyun eats with the smart kids near the windows and never even looks his way.
“Stop staring at the new kid,” Minseok hisses in the middle of stuffing his face with samgyeopsal. “It’s embarrassing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You are Kim Jongin, okay? Kim Jongin. Kim Jongin does not pine over mathletes. Kim Jongin should focus on soccer and maybe date someone not completely nerdy.”
Jongin frowns, and looks over at Baekhyun again. The object of his affections is laughing at something Kyungsoo, the captain of some math club, has said.
“Probably laughing at derivatives or something,” Minseok mutters. “I bet they like math jokes.”
Jongin thinks that math jokes can sometimes be funny. Sometimes.
However, as he logs in his mandatory hour of nightly workouts, Minseok’s final comment sticks to his mind. Stick to the status quo, man. But Jongin doesn’t want to stick to any status quos. He wants to ask out pretty Byun Baekhyun, whom he hasn’t kissed since that night ages ago and would very much like to kiss again.
“It’s okay,” Minho tells him when they are the only two guys left in the locker room. “I like to bake cookies; fuck the status quo.”
Jongin fails to see the relevance, but thanks him anyway.
Baekhyun is so surprised by the text from Jongin that he gets on Monday that for a moment, he stops walking in the middle of the hallway. Kyungsoo is three steps ahead before he realizes that Baekhyun is no longer by his side.
“Baek?” Kyungsoo backtrack, voice nervous. “Everything okay?”
“I just - yeah,” Baekhyun replies dumbly. He stares down at the phone in his hands, and bright lights flash back at him.
Let’s go grab coffee after school today, neh? Are you feeling brave today? ^-^
Baekhyun remembers the kiss and blushes.
“Does that say from Kim Jongin?” Kyungsoo asks, glancing down at the screen. “As in the Kim Jongin? Mr. Soccer star?”
Baekhyun nods. His fingers hover over the keys for only a brief moment before he types back.
Sure ~ meet you out front after last bell
“But we have a Mathletes meeting,” Kyungsoo whines. “Baekkie, the competition is in less than a month away and we need to practice! ”
“I’ve practiced every day for the past week,” Baekhyun interrupts, patting his friend on the back. “One meeting without me is going to be just fine.”
Jongin is in front of the school five minutes early. He’s not excited, he tells himself. No, he just had extra time after class; that was all. He has definitely not spent all weekend anticipating his first date with Byun Baekhyun.
When the shorter boy rounds the corner, Jongin can’t even begin to hide his grin. Baekhyun is dressed in skinny jeans and a faux leather jacket, and looks even better than ever. Jongin has to cough to get the knot out of his throat.
“Ready to go?” he asks, smiling nervously.
Baekhyun glances around, noticing the other students giving them furtive glances.
“Uh...”
“Ignore them,” Jongin mutters. He gathers up his courage, grabs Baekhyun’s hand, and starts down the street. Nobody is going to ruin his first date today, no way.
Jongin’s hand is smoother than Baekhyun remembers or expects. It’s warm in his own and Baekhyun feels his heart beat pick up. Oh my god, Baekhyun thinks, Kim Jongin is holding my hand.
“I’m not in a coffee mood,” Jongin announces suddenly, turning around to glance at Baekhyun. “How about some ice cream instead?”
“Sure, ice cream sounds good” Baekhyun replies, eyes still fixed on his intertwining fingers. Jongin’s dark skin contrasts brilliantly with his own pale hand, and Baekhyun gulps.
Seeing his gaze, Jongin interprets it as discontent and starts to pull his hand away, but Baekhyun tightens his grip.
“Let’s go get ice cream,” Baekhyun repeats.
Jongin gets strawberry sorbet and Baekhyun orders two scoops of rocky road. They find themselves in a nearby park, sitting on swings side by side and spilling their life stories and deep dark secrets to each other without a second thought.
This is when Jongin realises how little he actually knows about Baekhyun as well as how much he wants to know about the other boy.
“I was telling the truth when I said that I’m normally not that brave,” Baekhyun confesses nervously. “I don’t know what I was thinking then. I’m not outgoing or daring or spontaneous or popular or athletic or good with words or - ”
“It’s okay,” Jongin interrupts, reaching out to stop Baekhyun’s swing from moving. He leans forward and kisses a surprised Baekhyun softly on the cheek. “I like you anyway.”
Baekhyun hears about the school’s win in the soccer semi-finals from a happy text from Jongin. The win is confirmed in the morning announcements the very next day.
“Captain Kim Jongin lead the team with two goals in last night’s spectacular victory! The championship game will be in a week and a half, students, so mark your calendars and come out to support our amazing and talented soccer team.”
A cheer erupts from Baekhyun’s homeroom, and even Kyungsoo, who gave no fucks about sports, looked a little proud.
“We have a busy schedule up ahead in school events! The auditions for the spring musical is today, after school, in the auditorium until 7 PM. You may drop by to try out even if your name was not on the sign-up sheet previously. All are welcome, with or without stage experience. Also, our number one ranked Mathletes team will be competing in the regional competition against our rivals in two weeks time.”
“We’re going to crush them,” Kyungsoo whispers, eyes glazing over.
Baekhyun scoots a few inches away, rolling his eyes at his overly competitive friend. Then, he remembers the tryouts. He wants nothing more than to be in the spring musical, but also wants to avoid another stage fright episode at all costs.
He tries, all day, to get auditions out of his head. However, he is unsuccessful. At the end of the day, he is still crouched behind a giant garbage can behind the side of the stage, watching the tryouts. Some were good, some were terrible.
Baekhyun signs, and rubs his eyes. What he would not give for more bravery and guts.
“The only people auditioning for the leads are Mr. Lu and Mr. Zhang, am I right?” Professor Lim asks.
“Of course,” Lu Han replies haughtily, ascending the stage. “Yixing and I are always the leads.”
“Just thought I’d ask,” Professor Lim sighs.
The student pianist starts to play from the side, and Baekhyun freezes. He knows that tune. As soon as Yixing opens his mouth to sing the first time, Baekhyun recognizes the song.
“Listen, it’s our song!”
Baekhyun jumps so much that he hits his head on a broom that had been attached onto the side of the garbage can. Jongin manages to catch it before it clattered onto the floor.
“I didn’t realize it was from Dream Heights,” Jongin continues, also crouching down.
“Dream High,” Baekhyun corrects. He wants to ask Jongin why he is here hiding, but he thinks that he knows. While Baekhyun avoids stage fright and attention, Jongin avoids judgement from his teammate and preconceived stereotypes. In a way, Jongin is more like him than he would never know.
Auditions end after Lu Han and Yixing’s dazzling performance, but Jongin thinks that Baekhyun could have done much better. He pulls the shorter boy up when the crowd leaves and heads up onto the stage.
“Are you guys here to audition? You’re too late,” the pianist says, surprised to see them.
“No, no. I just wanted to say that...you’re an amazing piano player,” Jongin confesses, shoving Baekhyun onto the middle of the stage.
“Thanks?” the guy replies.
“Can you play that song again? The audition song for the main roles.”
The pianist agrees, and sits back down.
“Come on,” Jongin says, tossing a mic at Baekhyun. “You already know the words, right? Sing with me.”
Baekhyun doesn’t hesitate the way he had on Jeju and goes right in, full power. His rich voice flows out, and he is confident, hitting every note with evident ease.
When the song is over, everyone in the room is smiling.
“I didn’t realize soccer players could sing,” the pianist says, teasingly. “You’re not all that bad, Kim Jongin, but your partner blew you out of the water.”
“I know,” Jongin replies, happily.
Baekhyun blushes, and returns the microphone.
“Mr. Kim.”
Jongin turns and freezes, because Professor Lim is back in the room, arms crossed and looking rather angry.
“Yes, Professor?” he replies nervously.
“Your friend is looking for you,” she answers, pointing down the hall. “Kim Minseok just went that way in search of you.”
“Oh, right,” Jongin exhales. “Thank you. I’ll...uh...see ya, Baek.” He jumps down from the stage and hurries out of the door. He needs to find Minseok before his best friend gets too suspicious.
As he turns the corner, he hears Professor Lim call out to Baekhyun. He hopes against hope that Professor Lim is telling Baekhyun how amazing his voice is, because Baekhyun is born to be on stage whether he knows it or not.
Baekhyun receives a note from Professor Lee in homeroom the next day. The whole class makes immature noises, thinking that he is in trouble, while Kyungsoo leans over his shoulder to read it as well.
Callbacks for Dream High are next Friday, in the auditorium at 5 PM. Please don’t be late this time, and bring that Kim Jongin.
-Professor Lim
“You auditioned for the musical?” Kyungsoo asks in surprise. “Wait, so did Kim Jongin? The Kim Jongin?”
“No - yes?” Baekhyun replies, confused. “Maybe?”
Kyungsoo is not amused. “The Mathletes competition is coming up soon, you should - ”
“I know,” Baekhyun interrupts “I should prepare. I am preparing.”
A study date is not quite how Jongin had hoped to spend his second date with Baekhyun, but the shorter boy is just really good at calculus and Jongin is just really bad at cross-sectional areas.
“It’s all very systematic,” Baekhyun explains, leaning over the table to point to his textbook. Jongin takes a peek down the plunging neckline of Baekhyun’s shirt and promptly forgets how to speak for a moment.
“I- what?” he replies, dumbly.
“Once you figure out how to do it, the integrals are set up in much the same way every time.It’s easy to predict these questions.” Baekhyun’s long fingers splay over the diagram and Jongin gulps. Nothing is going to get done today, that is for sure. Not as long as Baekhyun is being this distracting.
Just as Jongin is about to open his mouth to suggest pushing aside their school work, Baekhyun interrupts. “You need to study for your exam tomorrow, Jongin.”
Jongin sighs.
“Look, if you study, really study and try hard, I’ll give you a reward later,” Baekhyun says, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Jongin immediately sits up straighter in his seat and pulls his book closer.
The reward ends up being a low-key movie date at Baekhyun’s house. Baekhyun lets him pick the movie, and they curl up in front of the TV and watch Tokyo Drift with the lights dimmed. Baekhyun’s parents are both at work, and the house is otherwise silent.
“You know, Baek, I would be a straight A student if this was the type of reward I got every time I did well,” he whispers, arm wrapped securely around the smaller boy’s waist.
Baekhyun blushes and pokes Jongin on the chest just as Han’s car explodes into a colorful ball of flames on the flat screen.
They go out for ice cream again after, and Jongin holds Baekhyun’s hand on the walk there. He thinks that there is really no point in hiding his feelings toward the other because he is pretty sure that everybody at school has figured out by now that he kind of really likes Byun Baekhyun.
This time, Baekhyun tries Taro, and Jongin gets pineapple coconut. They end up at the park again, on the swings, and Jongin asks about college.
“I want to study math,” Baekhyun admits, a little embarrassed. “I know that’s kind of nerdy, but I like math and I’m really good at it. I think I might like to be an engineer one day.”
“That’s not nerdy,” Jongin insists. “I think that’s great. Besides,” he adds with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I know a college with a strong math program and a good soccer team.”
For a moment, Baekhyun is frozen. “Do you mean that - ”
His words are cut off by another kiss, this time on lips instead of his check. Baekhyun instinctively wraps his arms around Jongin’s neck to keep him close, and releases a sigh of content. Jongin’s mouth tastes like pineapple, and Baekhyun decides that he really really really likes pineapple.
Kyungsoo’s least favorite people in the world are the jocks. Ironically, one of them, Kim Minseok, is seated right across from him in the coffee shop. Kyungsoo’s nose wrinkles as he watches the soccer player scan the menu. He probably doesn’t even know how to do partial derivatives, ugh.
“Can we just get this talk over with?” he snaps briskly.
Minseok gives him the side eye. “Why are you in such a hurry?” he retorts. “It’s not like your kind has a social life.”
“Just like how your kind doesn’t have a brain,” Kyungsoo mutters under his breath. He coughs, and straightens up. “Anyway, I asked you to meet me here because I think I have an idea that might be beneficial to the both of us.”
“Yeah?” Minseok asks, not sounding very interested.
“It’s about Jongin and Baekhyun.”
At that, Minseok sits up. “Continue, please.”
“Look, you need Jongin to focus on the soccer championships and I need Baekhyun to focus on the Mathletes competition. Right now, all that they’re focusing on is each other.”
At that moment, the waitress returns with Minseok’s iced mocha, and they pause for a moment as she flirts non-discreetly with the athlete before moving away.
Kyungsoo rolls his eyes because flirting on the job is way unprofessional.
“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” Minseok asks finally.
Kyungsoo nods. “It’s for the greater good,” he says gravely.
Baekhyun is halfway into a delicious problem involving a snowstorm and rates at which the snow is being cleared from a driveway when Kyungsoo interrupts.
“Integrate,” he says over Baekhyun’s shoulder.
Baekhyun pouts at him. “I know,” he grumbles. “I needed a minute to appreciate the problem.”
Kyungsoo rolls his eyes, but starts pulling Baekhyun toward his own desk. “I have something that I need to show you,” he says.
“Can’t it wait?” Baekhyun asks, confused. “I’m in the middle of this problem and - ”
“It can’t wait,” another Mathletes member pipes up. “Come on, Baekhyun, this is important.”
Curious, Baekhyun settles himself into the chair in front of Baekhyun’s computer.
“We have something important to say to you today,” Kyungsoo starts, waving around a large meter stick. “No matter what happens, we just want you to know that we’re here for you. Always. Now, we are descendents from Neanderthals, there is little doubt about that.” He causes for a moment, before barreling on. “Once upon time, we were dependent on sticks and stones, and had no language of communication or higher thinking skills. Some people make this very easy to prove because they contribute very little to society.”
Baekhyun blinks slowly. “What?”
Kyungsoo sighs, and reaches for his laptop. “Here, just watch this.”
Jongin isn’t surprised when his team corners him after practice one day. He assumes it’s for a huddle, because they often do that after games. Instead, Minseok just grabs his arm.
“Our Jongin-ah is going to be world famous one day,” he coos to the rest of the team. A loud cheer erupts.
“Park Jisung’s got nothing on you!” Another teammate calls from the back.
“But I heard you were thinking of not paying soccer in college,” someone else asks.
Jongin frowns. “That’s ridiculous, of course I’m - ”
“I hear you were going to major in math to be with Byun Baehyun.”
Jongin opens his mouth to reply, but Minseok cuts him off. “You can’t be serious, right?” he asks, advancing toward Jongin. “You’re making college plans with the Baekhyun kid? You’ve known him for what - a few weeks! I thought it was just a phase, Jongin.”
The rest of the team makes similar complaints, and Jongin feels his face heat up.
“I mean, being distracted from practice and the game is one thing, we can handle that. But giving up on soccer and your future?”
“It’s - of course it’s just a phase,” Jongin replies desperately. He just wants them to all stop looking at him like he had betrayed them.
“I knew it,” Minseok exclaims.
“I have my dreams, and no one is going to get in my way,” Jongin mumbles, turning away. “Baekhyun is just some guy; he means nothing to me.”
Minseok reaches around and claps Jongin on the shoulder. “One day, you’re going to play for Chelsea and for Team Korea.”
Jongin lets out a noise of agreement. “Chelsea and Team Korea,” he repeats with much less gusto.
Slowly, Kyungsoo lowers the computer lid. Baekhyun’s gaze is still fixed in front of him, eyes not really seeing. His face feels hot and numb, and he wonders if it is as red as he thinks it is. So, he means nothing, huh? Jongin had been playing with him this whole time?
“We’re sorry,” Kyungsoo whispers, reaching out to pat Baekhyun in the back. “He’s one of them, Baekhyun. They never change.”
“I just thought...” Baekhyun blinks, willing the tears not to spill down his cheeks. “I just thought he was different,” he says softly. Kyungsoo is still studying him closely, so Baekhyun forces a smile onto his face.
“Are you okay?” Kyungsoo asks.
“Sure,” Baekhyun replies, turning away. “Let’s finish that calculus problem, shall we?”
Jongin is a little confused when Baekhyun doesn’t call after school like he usually does, but chalks it up to forgetfulness. Instead, he creeps up on Baekhyun when the latter is at his locker after school and wraps a hand around Baekhyun’s arm.
“Hey, stranger,” he says, flashing Baekhyun his best smile.
To his surprise, Baekhyun does not smile back. “Hey,” he replies shortly.
“Should we rehearse after school tomorrow for the callbacks?” Jongin asks. “I don’t have soccer practice tomorrow, and we can - ”
“Who are you trying to kid?” Baekhyun interrupts, slamming his locker shut with a resounding bang. “You don’t belong in my world and I sure as hell don’t belong in yours. Go win the championship, Jongin. We’re not going to any callbacks.”
Jongin watches as Baekhyun storms away and feels his heart clench. Although he is not sure what had just happened, he has a feeling that he was just dumped by Byun Baekhyun.
He gets to practice fifteen minutes late, but the coach is not there to scold him. Instead, he is surrounded by the other team members, who have never seen their captain arrive late.
“Where were you?” Minseok asks worriedly. “Is everything alright?”
Jongin shakes off his questions with a shrug. “I’m going to run laps,” he mutters, starting off across the field. Maybe laps can take his mind off the pain in his chest, because he is pretty sure that his heart has just broken in half.
>>>
[A/N]: Every teen movie you can think of rolled together because hey why not
Pairing: Kaibaek
Genre: Romantic-comedy with a dash of crack
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The first thing Baekhyun does is blush, remembering the bold way he had kissed the dark-skinned boy that night on the beach almost a week ago. It must have been the adrenaline working, or the magic of the night sky, because Baekhyun has never been that forward. He also never expected to see Jongin again. Yet, here he is, standing in front of the handsome boy with the smoldering eyes.
A/N: If you squint, you see High School Musical. < Part 1>
II.
Jongin’s soccer coach is not amused when two of his key players arrive two hours late to practice.
“Laps,” he barks, pointing Jongin and Minseok down the field. “Go.”
Minseok groans. “We’ve already been punished enough by Professor Lim,” he whines. “We had to paint sets for the stupid musical for two whole hours.”
“Laps,” Coach repeats, unphased. “I expect my star players to be at practice every day after school leading up to the big game. That means being on their best behaviors and not using cellphones in class.”
As they take off jogging around the field, Jongin feels a little bad. It was more or less his fault that Minseok had missed practice for detention as well.
Instead of telling him that, Jongin pokes his best friend. “Yah, Seok, you should learn to keep your mouth shut.”
Minseok just glares.
After practice, Coach pulls Jongin aside. “It’s not like you to miss practice,” he says, eyeing Jongin closely. “Is something going on? Family? School?”
“No, sir,” Jongin replies.
“Semi-finals are next week, and I need you on your top game and focused,” Coach adds. “We just need two more wins for that title, Jongin. Semi-finals, championships, trophy.”
“I understand.”
Baekhyun wants to try out for the spring musical. In his ideal world he would have the guts to get up there on stage and sing his heart out. But no, this is reality, and Byun Baekhyun hates being in front of so many people.
The kid with the round face, Jongin’s friend, probably wishes that he was not in front of so many people right now, Baekhyun thinks. Professor Lee is glaring at Minseok, waiting for him to answer the question on the whiteboard.
The limit does not exist. The limit does not fucking exist.
The other boy squirming in his seat does not receive Baekhyun’s telepathic message. Baekhyun sighs, and feels bad for the kid. He scribbles the answer in his notebook and tilts up, giving Minseok a clear view of it over his shoulder.
There is another few seconds of awkward silence and glaring from Professor Lee before Minseok finally sees the notebook.
“The limit doesn’t exist,” he answers finally, slumping down in his seat.
Professor Lee looks surprised at the correct answer and he lets Minseok pass without having to explain why.
“Thanks,” the athlete whispers, leaning forward.
Baekhyun just nods. Some people are meant for math, and others are meant for the soccer field. Similarly, Baekhyun is meant for the classroom, and not for the stage.
The bell rings, and Baekhyun jumps, having been lost in his thoughts. He looks up to find a boy with dark hair and big eyes staring at him, nervously tapping a pencil on the table.
“Hi?”
“My name is Kyungsoo,” the boy says bluntly, “and you’re really good at calculus. Welcome to the Mathletes Team!”
It’s Wednesday, and the semi-final game is less than two days away. Sometimes, Jongin gets excited thinking about it. Other times, he feels sick to his stomach because what if they lose?
All he really wants, however, is to ask Byun Baekhyun out on a goddamn date.
But how?
He doesn’t see Baekhyun much during the day, except in Theater Arts and at lunch. Baekhyun eats with the smart kids near the windows and never even looks his way.
“Stop staring at the new kid,” Minseok hisses in the middle of stuffing his face with samgyeopsal. “It’s embarrassing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You are Kim Jongin, okay? Kim Jongin. Kim Jongin does not pine over mathletes. Kim Jongin should focus on soccer and maybe date someone not completely nerdy.”
Jongin frowns, and looks over at Baekhyun again. The object of his affections is laughing at something Kyungsoo, the captain of some math club, has said.
“Probably laughing at derivatives or something,” Minseok mutters. “I bet they like math jokes.”
Jongin thinks that math jokes can sometimes be funny. Sometimes.
However, as he logs in his mandatory hour of nightly workouts, Minseok’s final comment sticks to his mind. Stick to the status quo, man. But Jongin doesn’t want to stick to any status quos. He wants to ask out pretty Byun Baekhyun, whom he hasn’t kissed since that night ages ago and would very much like to kiss again.
“It’s okay,” Minho tells him when they are the only two guys left in the locker room. “I like to bake cookies; fuck the status quo.”
Jongin fails to see the relevance, but thanks him anyway.
Baekhyun is so surprised by the text from Jongin that he gets on Monday that for a moment, he stops walking in the middle of the hallway. Kyungsoo is three steps ahead before he realizes that Baekhyun is no longer by his side.
“Baek?” Kyungsoo backtrack, voice nervous. “Everything okay?”
“I just - yeah,” Baekhyun replies dumbly. He stares down at the phone in his hands, and bright lights flash back at him.
Let’s go grab coffee after school today, neh? Are you feeling brave today? ^-^
Baekhyun remembers the kiss and blushes.
“Does that say from Kim Jongin?” Kyungsoo asks, glancing down at the screen. “As in the Kim Jongin? Mr. Soccer star?”
Baekhyun nods. His fingers hover over the keys for only a brief moment before he types back.
Sure ~ meet you out front after last bell
“But we have a Mathletes meeting,” Kyungsoo whines. “Baekkie, the competition is in less than a month away and we need to practice! ”
“I’ve practiced every day for the past week,” Baekhyun interrupts, patting his friend on the back. “One meeting without me is going to be just fine.”
Jongin is in front of the school five minutes early. He’s not excited, he tells himself. No, he just had extra time after class; that was all. He has definitely not spent all weekend anticipating his first date with Byun Baekhyun.
When the shorter boy rounds the corner, Jongin can’t even begin to hide his grin. Baekhyun is dressed in skinny jeans and a faux leather jacket, and looks even better than ever. Jongin has to cough to get the knot out of his throat.
“Ready to go?” he asks, smiling nervously.
Baekhyun glances around, noticing the other students giving them furtive glances.
“Uh...”
“Ignore them,” Jongin mutters. He gathers up his courage, grabs Baekhyun’s hand, and starts down the street. Nobody is going to ruin his first date today, no way.
Jongin’s hand is smoother than Baekhyun remembers or expects. It’s warm in his own and Baekhyun feels his heart beat pick up. Oh my god, Baekhyun thinks, Kim Jongin is holding my hand.
“I’m not in a coffee mood,” Jongin announces suddenly, turning around to glance at Baekhyun. “How about some ice cream instead?”
“Sure, ice cream sounds good” Baekhyun replies, eyes still fixed on his intertwining fingers. Jongin’s dark skin contrasts brilliantly with his own pale hand, and Baekhyun gulps.
Seeing his gaze, Jongin interprets it as discontent and starts to pull his hand away, but Baekhyun tightens his grip.
“Let’s go get ice cream,” Baekhyun repeats.
Jongin gets strawberry sorbet and Baekhyun orders two scoops of rocky road. They find themselves in a nearby park, sitting on swings side by side and spilling their life stories and deep dark secrets to each other without a second thought.
This is when Jongin realises how little he actually knows about Baekhyun as well as how much he wants to know about the other boy.
“I was telling the truth when I said that I’m normally not that brave,” Baekhyun confesses nervously. “I don’t know what I was thinking then. I’m not outgoing or daring or spontaneous or popular or athletic or good with words or - ”
“It’s okay,” Jongin interrupts, reaching out to stop Baekhyun’s swing from moving. He leans forward and kisses a surprised Baekhyun softly on the cheek. “I like you anyway.”
Baekhyun hears about the school’s win in the soccer semi-finals from a happy text from Jongin. The win is confirmed in the morning announcements the very next day.
“Captain Kim Jongin lead the team with two goals in last night’s spectacular victory! The championship game will be in a week and a half, students, so mark your calendars and come out to support our amazing and talented soccer team.”
A cheer erupts from Baekhyun’s homeroom, and even Kyungsoo, who gave no fucks about sports, looked a little proud.
“We have a busy schedule up ahead in school events! The auditions for the spring musical is today, after school, in the auditorium until 7 PM. You may drop by to try out even if your name was not on the sign-up sheet previously. All are welcome, with or without stage experience. Also, our number one ranked Mathletes team will be competing in the regional competition against our rivals in two weeks time.”
“We’re going to crush them,” Kyungsoo whispers, eyes glazing over.
Baekhyun scoots a few inches away, rolling his eyes at his overly competitive friend. Then, he remembers the tryouts. He wants nothing more than to be in the spring musical, but also wants to avoid another stage fright episode at all costs.
He tries, all day, to get auditions out of his head. However, he is unsuccessful. At the end of the day, he is still crouched behind a giant garbage can behind the side of the stage, watching the tryouts. Some were good, some were terrible.
Baekhyun signs, and rubs his eyes. What he would not give for more bravery and guts.
“The only people auditioning for the leads are Mr. Lu and Mr. Zhang, am I right?” Professor Lim asks.
“Of course,” Lu Han replies haughtily, ascending the stage. “Yixing and I are always the leads.”
“Just thought I’d ask,” Professor Lim sighs.
The student pianist starts to play from the side, and Baekhyun freezes. He knows that tune. As soon as Yixing opens his mouth to sing the first time, Baekhyun recognizes the song.
“Listen, it’s our song!”
Baekhyun jumps so much that he hits his head on a broom that had been attached onto the side of the garbage can. Jongin manages to catch it before it clattered onto the floor.
“I didn’t realize it was from Dream Heights,” Jongin continues, also crouching down.
“Dream High,” Baekhyun corrects. He wants to ask Jongin why he is here hiding, but he thinks that he knows. While Baekhyun avoids stage fright and attention, Jongin avoids judgement from his teammate and preconceived stereotypes. In a way, Jongin is more like him than he would never know.
Auditions end after Lu Han and Yixing’s dazzling performance, but Jongin thinks that Baekhyun could have done much better. He pulls the shorter boy up when the crowd leaves and heads up onto the stage.
“Are you guys here to audition? You’re too late,” the pianist says, surprised to see them.
“No, no. I just wanted to say that...you’re an amazing piano player,” Jongin confesses, shoving Baekhyun onto the middle of the stage.
“Thanks?” the guy replies.
“Can you play that song again? The audition song for the main roles.”
The pianist agrees, and sits back down.
“Come on,” Jongin says, tossing a mic at Baekhyun. “You already know the words, right? Sing with me.”
Baekhyun doesn’t hesitate the way he had on Jeju and goes right in, full power. His rich voice flows out, and he is confident, hitting every note with evident ease.
When the song is over, everyone in the room is smiling.
“I didn’t realize soccer players could sing,” the pianist says, teasingly. “You’re not all that bad, Kim Jongin, but your partner blew you out of the water.”
“I know,” Jongin replies, happily.
Baekhyun blushes, and returns the microphone.
“Mr. Kim.”
Jongin turns and freezes, because Professor Lim is back in the room, arms crossed and looking rather angry.
“Yes, Professor?” he replies nervously.
“Your friend is looking for you,” she answers, pointing down the hall. “Kim Minseok just went that way in search of you.”
“Oh, right,” Jongin exhales. “Thank you. I’ll...uh...see ya, Baek.” He jumps down from the stage and hurries out of the door. He needs to find Minseok before his best friend gets too suspicious.
As he turns the corner, he hears Professor Lim call out to Baekhyun. He hopes against hope that Professor Lim is telling Baekhyun how amazing his voice is, because Baekhyun is born to be on stage whether he knows it or not.
Baekhyun receives a note from Professor Lee in homeroom the next day. The whole class makes immature noises, thinking that he is in trouble, while Kyungsoo leans over his shoulder to read it as well.
Callbacks for Dream High are next Friday, in the auditorium at 5 PM. Please don’t be late this time, and bring that Kim Jongin.
-Professor Lim
“You auditioned for the musical?” Kyungsoo asks in surprise. “Wait, so did Kim Jongin? The Kim Jongin?”
“No - yes?” Baekhyun replies, confused. “Maybe?”
Kyungsoo is not amused. “The Mathletes competition is coming up soon, you should - ”
“I know,” Baekhyun interrupts “I should prepare. I am preparing.”
A study date is not quite how Jongin had hoped to spend his second date with Baekhyun, but the shorter boy is just really good at calculus and Jongin is just really bad at cross-sectional areas.
“It’s all very systematic,” Baekhyun explains, leaning over the table to point to his textbook. Jongin takes a peek down the plunging neckline of Baekhyun’s shirt and promptly forgets how to speak for a moment.
“I- what?” he replies, dumbly.
“Once you figure out how to do it, the integrals are set up in much the same way every time.It’s easy to predict these questions.” Baekhyun’s long fingers splay over the diagram and Jongin gulps. Nothing is going to get done today, that is for sure. Not as long as Baekhyun is being this distracting.
Just as Jongin is about to open his mouth to suggest pushing aside their school work, Baekhyun interrupts. “You need to study for your exam tomorrow, Jongin.”
Jongin sighs.
“Look, if you study, really study and try hard, I’ll give you a reward later,” Baekhyun says, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Jongin immediately sits up straighter in his seat and pulls his book closer.
The reward ends up being a low-key movie date at Baekhyun’s house. Baekhyun lets him pick the movie, and they curl up in front of the TV and watch Tokyo Drift with the lights dimmed. Baekhyun’s parents are both at work, and the house is otherwise silent.
“You know, Baek, I would be a straight A student if this was the type of reward I got every time I did well,” he whispers, arm wrapped securely around the smaller boy’s waist.
Baekhyun blushes and pokes Jongin on the chest just as Han’s car explodes into a colorful ball of flames on the flat screen.
They go out for ice cream again after, and Jongin holds Baekhyun’s hand on the walk there. He thinks that there is really no point in hiding his feelings toward the other because he is pretty sure that everybody at school has figured out by now that he kind of really likes Byun Baekhyun.
This time, Baekhyun tries Taro, and Jongin gets pineapple coconut. They end up at the park again, on the swings, and Jongin asks about college.
“I want to study math,” Baekhyun admits, a little embarrassed. “I know that’s kind of nerdy, but I like math and I’m really good at it. I think I might like to be an engineer one day.”
“That’s not nerdy,” Jongin insists. “I think that’s great. Besides,” he adds with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I know a college with a strong math program and a good soccer team.”
For a moment, Baekhyun is frozen. “Do you mean that - ”
His words are cut off by another kiss, this time on lips instead of his check. Baekhyun instinctively wraps his arms around Jongin’s neck to keep him close, and releases a sigh of content. Jongin’s mouth tastes like pineapple, and Baekhyun decides that he really really really likes pineapple.
Kyungsoo’s least favorite people in the world are the jocks. Ironically, one of them, Kim Minseok, is seated right across from him in the coffee shop. Kyungsoo’s nose wrinkles as he watches the soccer player scan the menu. He probably doesn’t even know how to do partial derivatives, ugh.
“Can we just get this talk over with?” he snaps briskly.
Minseok gives him the side eye. “Why are you in such a hurry?” he retorts. “It’s not like your kind has a social life.”
“Just like how your kind doesn’t have a brain,” Kyungsoo mutters under his breath. He coughs, and straightens up. “Anyway, I asked you to meet me here because I think I have an idea that might be beneficial to the both of us.”
“Yeah?” Minseok asks, not sounding very interested.
“It’s about Jongin and Baekhyun.”
At that, Minseok sits up. “Continue, please.”
“Look, you need Jongin to focus on the soccer championships and I need Baekhyun to focus on the Mathletes competition. Right now, all that they’re focusing on is each other.”
At that moment, the waitress returns with Minseok’s iced mocha, and they pause for a moment as she flirts non-discreetly with the athlete before moving away.
Kyungsoo rolls his eyes because flirting on the job is way unprofessional.
“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” Minseok asks finally.
Kyungsoo nods. “It’s for the greater good,” he says gravely.
Baekhyun is halfway into a delicious problem involving a snowstorm and rates at which the snow is being cleared from a driveway when Kyungsoo interrupts.
“Integrate,” he says over Baekhyun’s shoulder.
Baekhyun pouts at him. “I know,” he grumbles. “I needed a minute to appreciate the problem.”
Kyungsoo rolls his eyes, but starts pulling Baekhyun toward his own desk. “I have something that I need to show you,” he says.
“Can’t it wait?” Baekhyun asks, confused. “I’m in the middle of this problem and - ”
“It can’t wait,” another Mathletes member pipes up. “Come on, Baekhyun, this is important.”
Curious, Baekhyun settles himself into the chair in front of Baekhyun’s computer.
“We have something important to say to you today,” Kyungsoo starts, waving around a large meter stick. “No matter what happens, we just want you to know that we’re here for you. Always. Now, we are descendents from Neanderthals, there is little doubt about that.” He causes for a moment, before barreling on. “Once upon time, we were dependent on sticks and stones, and had no language of communication or higher thinking skills. Some people make this very easy to prove because they contribute very little to society.”
Baekhyun blinks slowly. “What?”
Kyungsoo sighs, and reaches for his laptop. “Here, just watch this.”
Jongin isn’t surprised when his team corners him after practice one day. He assumes it’s for a huddle, because they often do that after games. Instead, Minseok just grabs his arm.
“Our Jongin-ah is going to be world famous one day,” he coos to the rest of the team. A loud cheer erupts.
“Park Jisung’s got nothing on you!” Another teammate calls from the back.
“But I heard you were thinking of not paying soccer in college,” someone else asks.
Jongin frowns. “That’s ridiculous, of course I’m - ”
“I hear you were going to major in math to be with Byun Baehyun.”
Jongin opens his mouth to reply, but Minseok cuts him off. “You can’t be serious, right?” he asks, advancing toward Jongin. “You’re making college plans with the Baekhyun kid? You’ve known him for what - a few weeks! I thought it was just a phase, Jongin.”
The rest of the team makes similar complaints, and Jongin feels his face heat up.
“I mean, being distracted from practice and the game is one thing, we can handle that. But giving up on soccer and your future?”
“It’s - of course it’s just a phase,” Jongin replies desperately. He just wants them to all stop looking at him like he had betrayed them.
“I knew it,” Minseok exclaims.
“I have my dreams, and no one is going to get in my way,” Jongin mumbles, turning away. “Baekhyun is just some guy; he means nothing to me.”
Minseok reaches around and claps Jongin on the shoulder. “One day, you’re going to play for Chelsea and for Team Korea.”
Jongin lets out a noise of agreement. “Chelsea and Team Korea,” he repeats with much less gusto.
Slowly, Kyungsoo lowers the computer lid. Baekhyun’s gaze is still fixed in front of him, eyes not really seeing. His face feels hot and numb, and he wonders if it is as red as he thinks it is. So, he means nothing, huh? Jongin had been playing with him this whole time?
“We’re sorry,” Kyungsoo whispers, reaching out to pat Baekhyun in the back. “He’s one of them, Baekhyun. They never change.”
“I just thought...” Baekhyun blinks, willing the tears not to spill down his cheeks. “I just thought he was different,” he says softly. Kyungsoo is still studying him closely, so Baekhyun forces a smile onto his face.
“Are you okay?” Kyungsoo asks.
“Sure,” Baekhyun replies, turning away. “Let’s finish that calculus problem, shall we?”
Jongin is a little confused when Baekhyun doesn’t call after school like he usually does, but chalks it up to forgetfulness. Instead, he creeps up on Baekhyun when the latter is at his locker after school and wraps a hand around Baekhyun’s arm.
“Hey, stranger,” he says, flashing Baekhyun his best smile.
To his surprise, Baekhyun does not smile back. “Hey,” he replies shortly.
“Should we rehearse after school tomorrow for the callbacks?” Jongin asks. “I don’t have soccer practice tomorrow, and we can - ”
“Who are you trying to kid?” Baekhyun interrupts, slamming his locker shut with a resounding bang. “You don’t belong in my world and I sure as hell don’t belong in yours. Go win the championship, Jongin. We’re not going to any callbacks.”
Jongin watches as Baekhyun storms away and feels his heart clench. Although he is not sure what had just happened, he has a feeling that he was just dumped by Byun Baekhyun.
He gets to practice fifteen minutes late, but the coach is not there to scold him. Instead, he is surrounded by the other team members, who have never seen their captain arrive late.
“Where were you?” Minseok asks worriedly. “Is everything alright?”
Jongin shakes off his questions with a shrug. “I’m going to run laps,” he mutters, starting off across the field. Maybe laps can take his mind off the pain in his chest, because he is pretty sure that his heart has just broken in half.
>>>
[A/N]: Every teen movie you can think of rolled together because hey why not