2.One For Me - Jongkey

"Key!" Jonghyun called after. Kibum was already speed-walking on his way home. He walked fast for someone with such skinny legs. Jonghyun was too lazy to put any pep in his step, Kibum knew, which was why he kept his pace. It was unclear to Jonghyun what ticked his friend off but after classes were done, Kibum stormed out of the building. They were supposed to see a movie at his place but now he was being ignored. The only times the other behaved like this was when the reason was Jonghyun. If anyone else bothered him, he'd only cry about it for hours and hold a grudge for weeks. Aish, that's right. He holds grudges. Better figure out what I did wrong, Jonghyun thought.
"Key," Jonghyun cooed. He was walking with his hands in his coat pockets. Kibum glanced over his shoulder and saw Jonghyun grinning like an idiot. I hate that grin, he tried to convince himself, but it was a lie.
"If you don't stop being mad at me, I'm not giving you your birthday present," Jonghyun teased. Normally Kibum would cry out in a shrill girly voice and jump up and down until he got his gift. This time, he didn't even slow down. Jonghyun was running out of ideas. He let out a audible sigh that alerted Kibum to his friend's failure. Kibum thought that maybe Jonghyun would get frustrated with him and go home. He wasn't sure why he was being this way, pushing away his best friend. He was upset because Jonghyun wasn't spending time with him. Such a convoluting way of showing his anger. This is the same as what girls do. Kibum suddenly realized, I'm acting like a girl.
He intended on turning around and apologizing but something else caught his attention. He felt a pinch where he shouldn't have. On instinct alone, he spun around to slap his attacker, who dodged effortlessly. He should've known it was Jonghyun, who started to laugh in that annoying voice of his. Kibum didn't see the humor in his actions but it wasn't like this was the first time it happened. Aside from his friend, Kibum had been almost-molested a few times in the past before of his feminine figure.
"Key, you're blushing," Jonghyun laughed.
"What?" Kibum exclaimed putting his hands on his warm and red cheeks.
"You're such a girl," Jonghyun said the words he should not have said.
"Don't pick on me!" Kibum shouted and started in a dash down the street. Jonghyun cursed at himself and against the norm, he chased after Kibum. He never felt so out of shape before. Using all the energy he could muster, he managed to snatch onto the bottom of Kibum's long knit sweater, forcing the other boy to stop. Kibum and Jonghyun went at it for a moment, screaming back and forth at each other. Their tussle was the center of attention among bystanders. The argument ended with Kibum walked with arms crossed in step with Jonghyun, hands in his pockets and head arched up in triumph.
"I can't believe you're lonely," Jonghyun snorted.
"Shut up," Kibum hissed.
"It's not like the Almighty Key to be down in the dumps over something like this. I didn't think you could be lonely."
"That's because we're always together."
"I'm not abandoning you, you know. We're still best friends. We're still gonna hang out. Besides, you act like me and her are gonna get married or something. We're just kids in high school. Don't get so worked up. You're acting like a diva."
Jonghyun must of had a lot of courage to call Kibum a diva. That was a secret nickname never spoken in his presence. A name shared among the students of Shin High School to refer to Kibum behind his back. A name that was once overheard by the subject in question and that student who dared utter metaphorically lost his ear in a scream fest. Jonghyun was the only one to ever say it and get away with a playful punch to his arm. Kibum, this time, didn't resort to violence. In fact, he agreed and hated himself for acting this way. Jonghyun was right, he would always and forever be his hyung.
"So what movie do you wanna see?" Kibum asked.
"Oh~ A scary movie. Let's watch Gaau Ji. I heard you bought it but was too afraid to watch it alone," Jonghyun chuckled.
"I wasn't afraid. I just wanted to see if you would get scared," Kibum retorted.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The lights were off and the two boys sat mouth agape on Kibum's bed. Jonghyun had a handful of popcorn ready to be put into his mouth but the content of the film was too gruesome to think about food. Instead, he sat frozen, hand still up and full. Kibum was also frozen in place, eyes wider than normal. The only movement the boys made was to blink. The climax, and worst part of the movie, came on and Kibum had enough. He quickly rose up and manually shut off his television. Jonghyun dropped the popcorn into the bowl. They couldn't wrap their minds around the disturbing footage in that film.
"I'm never eating dumplings again," Jonghyun finally said.
"Maybe that's why we should read the back of the DVD case," Kibum pointed out.
"Don't look at me, you bought it."
Jonghyun's phone went off. It played an unfamiliar ringtone to Kibum. He pretended not to care as he returned the DVD to its case. His back was turned to Jonghyun who proceeded to answer the phone. Kibum's eyes narrowed as he listening to some Chinese greeting. His dark eyes moved to the corner as if he could hear better if he could see his friend using his peripheral vision. It was her. Everything was fine until she had to call and ruin it. Kibum tossed the movie angrily into a draw with other movies. The call was short. It seemed Jonghyun hurriedly rushed her off the phone. He noticed Kibum was being bothered though, to him, there was no reason to be. He wanted to make his friend understand that and hoped that the other would be supportive in the future.
"Tomorrow's the last school day of the week. So, you know, I'm taking her to the movies. You have plans right? Are you sure you don't wanna come. Maybe you'll feel different if you meet her, hm?" Jonghyun suggested.
"I already said-"
"Please," Jonghyun asked with his infamous puppy dog eyes and outstretched bottom lip.
"Alright I'll go," Kibum grumbled grabbing a pillow. He hit Jonghyun in the face with the pillow. Jonghyun reached for the popcorn bowl and rose off the bed once it was in hand. He ran back against the wall and starting tossing the junk food at the other. Kibum swung the pillow around in attempt to deflect incoming popcorn projectiles. His previous anger was forgotten. He will always have the most memories with Jonghyun and will always be the one who knows him best. If he meets this Zhang woman, he could tell her, without telling her, that Jonghyun was his first and she would always be second.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is the guy I've told you about," Jonghyun introduced. Jonghyun was dressed as cool as ever. He wore a brown leather jacket over a black T-shirt and bleached-style jeans with some brand name white sneakers. His hair was bleached two-toned of brown and blonde was started to push forward as his roots grew back in. He was standing beside Zhang, who gave a shy smile. She wore a pink beret and let her long black hair free fall upon her shoulders. The rest of her outfit was equally as humble. She wore a cute brown sweater that hung off her shoulder on the right side and a pink shirt that went to her knees. Underneath, she wore white stockings and finished off the outfit with brown suede boots. She did look cute, one would have to admit. Much cuter than she did in her school uniform.
"Oh you must be Key," Zhang said with a bow, "I'm Zhang Liyin."
"Kibum. And you don't need to bow. I'm younger than you," Kibum stated while thinking, stupid noona, don't call me by my special nickname. Kibum dressed his usual self, in clothes only idol groups wore. He stood, arms crossed beneath a big back poncho and black skinny jeans. He was also wearing boots, but more of a manly kind to keep from looking to girlish. Hair fell over one of Kibum's eyes and that part of his bangs had colored streaks in it. The colors changed day to day.
"Alright, so let's go in. The movies gonna start soon. You two go ahead and grab seats, I'll grab some snacks," Jonghyun said with a smile and departed with a peace sign.
Kibum rolled his eyes and gave a heavy sigh. He followed the way silently and led Zhang to the front of the theater, about three rows from the screen. Zhang voiced her concern about being too close but was ignored. Kibum shrugged off her complaint with a "we always sit here" bit. He wasn't going to pretend to be nice to her but he was trying not to seem mean. The last thing he wanted was for her to cry to Jonghyun calling him a bully. Kibum had faith that Jonghyun would take his side anyway.
The previews were starting and Jonghyun was finally making his way down the row. His hands were so full, it was a wonder how he didn't drop anything. Kibum noticed and made extra effort to jump over the seats, and Zhang, to get to his friend. He helped with the load and walked together back to the seats. Jonghyun was probably okay by himself, but Kibum was making sure to get the message through to the girl.
They sat arranged so that Jonghyun was in the middle. The movie was some chick-flick that Kibum had no interest in. Instead, through the corner of his eye, he watch how Zhang reacted. At first, everything was normal. On the funny parts, she would laugh all cutesy and cover her mouth whereas Jonghyun was openly annoying about it. Then when the sad parts came, Zhang would do an overly cute pout and lean her head on Jonghyun, who would look at her and smile. Kibum rolled his eyes. He watched how, near the end of the film, she wrapped her arm around Jonghyun's and rested on his shoulder. So it's war you want, Kibum thought to himself.
"Hyung, doesn't that girl look like Taemin with a wig?" Kibum pointed out.
"Who? Oh," Jonghyun stared and then burst into laughter, "It looks just like him."
His laughter and motions forced Zhang to pull away and sit up. Kibum's plan worked and gave a triumphant expression. Jonghyun always showed his amusement with his body. He was a weird guy but whereas he laughed at actual funny things whereas Kibum would be the only laughing at nothing in particular. It was usually to something Jonghyun had said.
The rest of the film passed without anymore skinship from Zhang. The three walked out the theatre and discussed the movie. Kibum pointed out vague parts he happened to take note of while Jonghyun and Zhang talked actively. Kibum was afraid to be left and was thinking of a way to insert himself once more. Just then, his phone rang. Saved by the bell, he thought and quickly answered it. His conversation was brief and he hurried off the phone. He shook his head at Jonghyun and said, "It's my mom. I have to help her with things. Catch you later."
Jonghyun and Zhang gave waves as Kibum ran in some direction from the theatre. Once he was out of sight, Zhang's expression changed from cheery to sad. Jonghyun noticed immediately and inquired.
"I don't think he likes me," Zhang admitted.
"What? That's silly," Jonghyun said, shrugging it off.
"And, that way he looks at you, You find it strange?" Zhang asked.
"We're real good friends. That's all," Jonghyun said and started to walk.
"It's the same as me," Zhang said to herself and skipped to catch up to Jonghyun. She took his hand and they walked together to her house, where she was to be dropped off before the other would head home himself. He was sure Kibum didn't hate her. He just didn't like the idea of being alone but they cleared that up the other day. Besides, Kibum openly displayed his disdain for other individuals with no regard for their feelings. That's right. If Kibum disliked Zhang, he wouldn't have even come. Jonghyun gave a smile and whistled on his way home. It was the same attitude Kibum gave as he returned to his own home.
"Score one for the Almighty Key," he said out loud to himself.