Rhythm High was buzzing with energy as students moved through the halls, finishing up their practices and looking forward to the weekend. But for JL, the end of the day couldn't come soon enough. It had been a long, tiring week, and his mind was filled with everything - school, performances, and… well, his feelings.
JL tried to keep himself focused on his tasks, but there was something about Chih En's quiet presence that kept distracting him. Every time they practiced together, JL couldn't help but feel a pull - a magnetic force between them that he couldn't explain. Chih En never said much, but when their eyes met, JL's heart did a little flip.
Meanwhile, Chih En was struggling with his own emotions. The more he tried to ignore his feelings for JL, the more they grew. His usual aloofness was becoming harder to maintain, and every time he saw JL smile or hear his voice, Chih En felt his stomach flutter. It was like the world slowed down, and everything seemed to focus on JL. But Chih En didn't know how to express what he felt, so he kept his distance.
However, that didn't stop him from silently going around with the group, which only made things more complicated. He couldn't understand why he felt this way - why seeing JL with Juwon made him feel so… off. Every time Juwon wrapped his arm around JL, like today, Chih En's chest tightened, and he had to fight the urge to turn away.
--
"JL!" Shuaibo called out, slapping him on the back. "You've been looking a little… distracted lately. Something on your mind?"
JL blinked, surprised. He didn't realize he'd been so obvious. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Shuaibo smirked, leaning in conspiratorially. "Oh, come on. Don't think I didn't notice. You've been staring at Chih En more than usual. Is there something going on there?"
JL's face turned red. "W-what? No!" he stammered. "I'm just... practicing. You know, for the performances."
Shuaibo grinned mischievously. "Uh-huh. Sure, sure. If you say so." He leaned back, folding his arms and raising an eyebrow. "But seriously, JL, you gotta stop being so clueless. Chih En's been staring at you too."
JL's eyes widened. "What?! No way!"
"Oh, trust me," Shuaibo said, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You're making it obvious. But hey, it's cute. You two would be perfect together."
Before JL could respond, the door to the practice room swung open, and in walked Li Zhinuo, his usual grin plastered on his face. He immediately spotted Shuaibo and walked over with exaggerated steps.
"Ah, Shuaibo," Zhinuo said, rolling his eyes dramatically. "I heard you've been talking about love again. Please, spare me. We're in school, not a romance novel."
Shuaibo chuckled, unfazed by Zhinuo's comment. "You can't escape love, Zhinuo. It's everywhere. Even in the most unexpected places."
Zhinuo shot a playful look at JL. "Ah, yes. The most unexpected place - like JL's brain, where love has yet to make an appearance."
JL groaned. "Can we please not talk about this? I don't have time for any love drama."
Shuaibo grinned wider. "Oh, I think you do, JL. Don't be shy. Love will find you when you least expect it."
Li Zhinuo, still amused, tossed his bag onto the floor and sat down beside Shuaibo. "Let him be. He'll figure it out. But you, Shuaibo, you're the real expert when it comes to gossip. Who's your latest target?"
Shuaibo raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm not gossiping! I'm just a friendly observer of the world's beautiful chaos. And right now, the chaos is JL's love life."
Zhinuo laughed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright, alright. We'll let JL live in denial for a little longer. But let me know when he finally admits it."
JL buried his face in his hands, wishing he could escape. "This is too much. Can we focus on the practice, please?"
---
After practice, JL walked out of the school, feeling embarrassed and a little overwhelmed by the teasing. He needed to clear his head. He hadn't realized it, but he'd been avoiding Chih En lately - he just didn't know how to handle the tension between them. Every time Chih En looked at him, JL couldn't help but feel his heart race.
As JL walked down the street, deep in thought, he suddenly felt a warm presence beside him. He looked up to find Juwon grinning widely.
"JL!" Juwon said, his voice cheerful. "I've been waiting for you. Let's go hang out!"
Before JL could say anything, Juwon wrapped his arm around JL's left arm again, pulling him into an easy walk. JL couldn't help but smile at his best friend's carefree attitude.
"Juwon, you're always so energetic," JL laughed. "I'm glad we're hanging out today."
However, just a few steps behind, Chih En had been walking in the same direction, his hands in his pockets, his mind a mess of thoughts. He had wanted to give JL the earring he had forgotten at school, but seeing JL so close to Juwon made him feel uneasy.
As he watched them walk side by side, his heart tightened. He tried to ignore it, but his jealousy grew stronger. His fingers gripped the earring tightly, and he quickly dropped it as his thoughts spiraled.
Unknowingly, he turned to leave but found himself staring at the ground where the earring had fallen. He bent down to pick it up, not realizing that his emotions were affecting his movements. The feeling inside him was unfamiliar, but deep down, he knew something had changed. Was this what jealousy felt like?
---
As JL and Juwon continued walking, laughing, and talking, JL felt a sense of comfort in his best friend's presence. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between him and Chih En.
Little did he know, Chih En was still trying to figure out how to express the feelings he had buried deep inside, and it was only a matter of time before things became... complicated.