Chapter Text
The summer is finally over. Three months of hectic moving, disoriented routines and finally settling into the new place.
Jeno and his family had just moved from the bustling city to the country, a place completely opposite from his home of 5 years.
Jeno preferred it that way, out in the country he felt more alive, he felt free.
The bustle of the city gets to you, it seems that society's rules and judgements judge harder in the city.
Their new home was amongst rich fields, with mountains far back in the horizon.
It was a modern, sleek house which at first, seemed pretentious, but the green trees that surrounded it and the way it beckoned him, made Jeno take a liking to his future home.
They had settled on the outskirts of a small town with a population no larger than ten thousand.
It had a garden and way too many rooms for their small family, but Jeno didn't complain he was lucky that his family was well off and could afford such things.
The large amount of rooms brought on a tiny bit of anxiety that lulled in the back of his brain, he knew that he would get used to the rooms as soon as he got to know the house.
There was a large garden behind the house.
Jeno liked gardens, he likes anything to do with nature or being outside. Sports, cycling...anything to distract him from his thoughts.
He was in his last year of high-school, the future looked blurry but that didn't worry Jeno in the slightest, he is the "go with the flow" kind of person. He would figure something out. The high-school he would be attending was a small local school with no more than five hundred students. It was a 20 minute walk away from their house, which presented itself as a perfect opportunity to cycle.
"Maybe you should walk Jeno, it's your first day. What if you fall or ruin your hair, you want to make a good impression. Right ?" His mother commented as Jeno grabbed for the keys to the garage.
"Hmm" Jeno mumbled. "I don't really want to make an impression"
"Alright dear, be safe and have fun" She kissed his forehead and carried on preparing the food for the cat.
Jenos stomach flipped as he left the house. He felt the electricity zap through his body as he felt the adrenaline kicking in.
"Alright class, settle down. We have a new student joining us this year"
Jeno skimmed the class, his brain was a fuzzy mess. He hates confrontation, and this is exactly what this "introduction" felt like. It felt quite intruding to say the least, the "new kid in town" everyone would stare, everyone would try to be his friend and ask him one too many personal questions.
Thoughts were racing through his head and he didn't notice how...
"my mother told me not to cycle because it would ruin my hair and that wouldn't make a good impression" slipped from his tongue.
He stood there dazed, having realized what he just said. He didn't have enough time to process what had happened, as he heard...
"The messy hair makes one look sexier" a sweet voice shouted across the class.
The glass exploded in giggles, which softened the blow of the embarrassment.
Jeno looked into the direction from where the voice was coming. He was met by one of the prettiest boys he had ever seen.
Honey skin, slightly curly, messy hair that framed his face. His lips were smeared in lip gloss and he was looking right at Jeno with eyes full of amusement and a dainty smirk plastered on his face.
"Alright Mr. Sexy messy hair, take your seat, and hyuck don't intimidate our new student like that" said the teacher with an amused expression.
Jeno blushed profusely and made his way to the seat that was allocated to him.
"The left row right at the back".
Jeno recalls the teacher saying.
Jeno's stomach flipped, right behind the pretty boy in lip gloss. He shuffled to the back of the class.
The boy was sitting sideways, with his legs lazily strewn outwards. As Jeno got closer the boy tucked his legs away to let him pass and looked up to give him a small smile.
Jeno's heart fluttered a little.
He sat down in his new seat. The lessons began, the teacher was rambling about math at the desk.
Jenos thoughts started to wander.
Birds chirped outside, the morning sun gently warmed the earth.
His thoughts were interrupted by a whisper.
"Pretty boy what are you thinking about ?" Whispered the boy named…"Hyuck" he recalls.
"Hm" Jeno blinks twice rapidly in confusion.
"Won't you introduce yourself to your neighbor ?" he whispers cheekily.
"Ah sorry, Jeno my name is Lee Jeno, my family just moved here" that was easier than expected.
"Yep, we've heard, it's a small town, my name is donghyuck but please call me haechan"
Jeno nods. Haechan turns around in his seat to face the board. Jeno decides that it's best to pay attention on his first day.
The bell for break goes.
"If you'll excuse me Jeno, I have some business to attend to. It was nice meeting you" Hyuck says and runs off before Jeno can say anything.
As Jeno predicted at break his bombarded by questions, he notices a short boy walk up and break up the crowd.
"Come on guys, you wouldn't like to be crowded like this on your first day, have some compassion and get the fuck away" he states unimpressed.
Jeno is taken aback but is grateful for the intrusion.
The boy sits in Haechans seat and introduces himself.
"Hey my name is Renjun, if you need any help with getting around the school or anything I can help"
Jeno feels grateful. The boy is collected and calm which makes Jeno feel safe around him.
"Thanks, my name is Jeno"
"Yep I know, I heard you whispering with hyuck" he giggles.
"Hyuck is a bit of a rascal, beware of him"
"Hmm?" Jeno tilts his head in confusion.
"I'll explain later, he's just...very unique. Let's go introduce you to some more normal people, are you fine with that ? "
"Yes, of course" Jenos eyes turn into two half moons as a smile spreads across his face.
Renjun was head of the class. He was a little feisty but a great companion and very smart. Which aided Jeno who had bad habits of zoning out during class.
Haechan didn't return to class that day. Jeno assumed that he had a family emergency or felt sick.
~ He didn't appear for 3 whole weeks ~
During these three weeks Jeno got really close to Renjun and with his help got to know some more classmates
The class was small but a collection of the most interesting people Jeno had ever met.
Maybe the air in the country was different.
Renjun helped him explore the village, they went to karaoke and played games till 3am on a school night once.
"This is a really bad idea" Renjun sighs.
"It's exciting, you'll be tired but it's like two days merge into one, it's crazy" replies Jeno.
While completely destroying his opponent in the game. Jeno checked his phone and it was approaching 4am.
Maybe they should get some sleep, he thought to himself.
"Remember hyuck, he'll be back again tomorrow, well, today"
"Oh is he alright he was away for a while" Jeno asked. He tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.
He had in fact wondered where this pretty boy was nearly everyday. The small interaction in class wouldn't leave his mind. He recalled the smirk, and how close the boy's face was to his, and his heart fluttered.
"He had some family emergency and had to leave for the city, I think his mother fell ill. I'm not really sure"
"Are you guys friends"
"Hyuck is friends with everyone, we are close I guess, but he never really shares much"
"Hmm, you called him 'unique', what did you mean"
Renjun giggled.
"You remember"
Jeno blushes slightly.
"Well, you'll find out tomorrow I guess"
The boys get 4 hours of sleep and rush to school with messy hair, untucked shirts and loose ties. Barely making it on time.
Jeno slips into his seat.
A surprisingly familiar curly head slowly turns it head.
His heart fluttered a little.
He's back.
Jeno really doesn't know what this feeling was, he barely knew this boy. Yet he looked forward to seeing him again as if he was his greatest friend.
Haechan's hair is messy. He is wearing some thin eyeliner and a smear of lip gloss.
"Missed me, pretty boy ? " he whispers cheekily.
Jeno stares for a little too long.
"Like the eyeliner ?"
"Mhm, you look really good, " Jeno whispers back.
Haechan smiles, looking proud of himself. He turns back around to face the front, leaving Jeno blushing to himself.
"HES BACK"
Chapter 1 - END