Chapter 7

"The Future is Now"

Taehyun let out a sigh while he read the message he had received from Eric one more time. 

Try creating situations where you and Yoo Jin can be alone together.

How am I supposed to do that now that I'm back in school? thought Taehyun to himself. 

Summer holiday seemed to be over in a flash and all of a sudden, Taehyun was finding himself in the all too familiar setting of his classroom. Absolutely nothing had changed between Yoo Jin and him and he didn't see how anything would be able to change now?

Taehyun's all too depressing thoughts were interrupted when their homeroom teacher entered and all the students looked up from their seats.

"Welcome back from summer holiday, everyone," said Mrs. Kim while walking to her desk, "I hope you all enjoyed your break, but I also hope you spend some of your time on studying." A wall of silence hit the teacher, but she simply shrugged it off and continued to talking.

"You're third years now, that means you will have to start thinking about your future. So it's only right for us to start out the semester with everyone filling out their career plan. Since this is your last year in High School, you need to know what you want to do next, in order to work towards that goal."

Mrs. Kim gave the pile of career plans to the student in the front row and the boy immediately started passing it on to the rest of the students. The classroom quickly got filled with the sound of people rustling through their backs and pencil cases to find their supplies. Taehyun just watched in awe when he looked around at all his classmates who were filling out the form like it was second nature to them. 

To his left he looked at Kai who just filled out every column with a smile on his lips. As if he didn't have to think twice about anything, as if he didn't have a single fear for the future to come, he was writing it down without any second thoughts.

"Taehyun?" Taehyun looked up when he heard Mrs. Kim speak out his name and he gulped as he looked at the middle aged woman hovering over him.

"Is something wrong? You aren't writing anything?"

"I... I just haven't given it much thought," said Taehyun, "I mean... there's still an entire year left."

"That is true," said Mrs. Kim, "but depending on what future you want to pursue, you will have to start working towards it now." Taehyun just lowered his head, having no comeback for her comment.

"Take it home," said Mrs. Kim then and made Taehyun lift his head again, "take the career plan home and fill it out after giving it some thought. Talk to your parents about it too."

"I... I will, Mrs. Kim!" said Taehyun in a firm voice and Mrs. Kim just let out a slight chuckle before she continued walking around the classroom, checking on every student.

***

Taehyun slammed his back against the chair when he sat down at the table in the Cafeteria next to the rest of his friends.

"You seem down," said Soobin while munching down the food on his plate.

"Why do the future have to be here so fast," said Taehyun while looking at the ceiling, making his friends eye him in confusion.

"What on earth are you talking about?" asked Beomgyu and Taehyun finally sat up straight in the chair, turning his head to look at his friend next to him.

"Did you fill out your career plan?" asked Taehyun, looking all serious.

"Yes," replied Beomgyu, "didn't your class have to do it too?"

"We did," said Kai, who was sitting across from Beomgyu, "I wrote down 'Music Conservatory' as my first priority."

"Really? I thought about writing that too," said Beomgyu, "but my parents wouldn't allow it, so I just wrote down 3 of the best Universities."

"Well, if someone at this table has a chance of going to a good University, then it's you," said Soobin.

"What did you write down?" asked Kai and looked at Soobin, "from your comment just now, I'm guessing it wasn't University."

"No, it wasn't," said Soobin, "I am so done with school. So I just wrote down I would go work at my dad's company."

"Seems like a good plan," said Beomgyu, "what about you, Taehyun? You're the one who brought it up."

"I didn't write anything..." The three boys at the table all stared at him without saying a word, their stares piercing through Taehyun's skin.

"Don't look at me like that," said Taehyun annoyed, "not everyone has a clear vision for their future."

"But you must have something in mind," said Beomgyu, who was still looking confused.

"Nothing."

"But-"

"What are we talking about?" said Yeonjun who came running with his tray and sat down next to Kai.

"Where have you been?" asked Taehyun and looked at Yeonjun.

"Ah," said Yeonjun and rubbed his neck, "I had to stay behind and talk to my teacher... since I didn't fill out my career plan."

"YOU TOO?" said Beomgyu loudly, "what is up with everybody?"

"Who else didn't fill out the form?" asked Yeonjun, while Beomgyu was having a mental breakdown in the background.

"I didn't..." replied Taehyun, "so Mrs. Kim asked me to take it home and fill it out."

"Mr. Lee told me the same," said Yeonjun with a sigh before he started digging into his food. 

"But Yeonjun, I know why I didn't fill out my form, but why didn't you fill out yours?" asked Taehyun, making everyone's eyes shift to Yeonjun, "I thought you knew what you wanted."

"It's not that... It's just..." stuttered Yeonjun, "it's complicated." The atmosphere at the table suddenly turned darker and more quiet with no one saying a word.

"Let's talk about something else," said Kai quickly, "we haven't seen each other since last semester, we should all hang out soon!"

"That sounds like a good idea," said Beomgyu, "are you guys free this weekend?"

"I'm free," said Soobin.

"Me too," said Kai.

"Same here," said Taehyun.

"Yeah, I think that works," said Yeonjun.

The boys' conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the bell echoing in the Cafeteria, making Yeonjun look at his food in distress, quickly muching down a few more bites, before getting up from the table alongside the rest.

"Then let's message each other about the details," said Beomgyu while the five boys were walking together down the Cafeteria.

"Deal," said Taehyun and sent everyone a smile before putting his tray on the drop off and leaving the Cafeteria.

The rest of the day seemed to move by at the speed of a snail. After months of summer holiday, it was hard going back to school. But when the day finally ended and Yeonjun came by Taehyun's class, asking to cycle home together, Taehyun's mood seemed to be lifted.

Even though the summer was coming to an end, the weather was still great and the boys enjoyed the ride home in silence. Only when they reached their parting point and they both stopped and looked at each other, did they speak.

"Good luck on your career plan," said Yeonjun with a smirk.

"Same to you," answered Taehyun, "and Yeonjun, just write down what you really want." Yeonjun looked at the ground with a huge sigh.

"You don't understand, my mom will kill me," said Yeonjun while looking at Taehyun in distress.

"Is it that bad?" asked Taehyun and Yeonjun nodded, "what is it? I mean, if you don't want to tell me, then it's totally fine, but if you want to, then-"

"I want to become an idol." Taehyun went silent when he heard the response from Yeonjun and just stared at him in shock.

"I... I'm surprised..." said Taehyun, "but... that's great! I'm sure you would be amazing as an idol."

"Thanks for being supportive," said Yeonjun with a chuckle after seeing Taehyun's awkward behavior, "but it doesn't really matter unless my parents allow me to pursue my dream."

"At least you have a dream to pursue," said Taehyun, the distressed look now on his face instead of Yeonjun's, "I wish I had something I felt passionate about."

"You will find a dream of your own someday," said Yeonjun encouraging.

"I hope so too," said Taehyun.

"You will, and when you do, at least you know your parents will support you no matter what," said Yeonjun with a smile, although his voice showed a hint of envy.

"Your parents will support you too," said Taehyun, but he quickly received a glare from Yeonjun, "maybe not at first, but when they see how passionate you are about your dream, I know they will come around. You have to go for it!"

"Maybe you're right," said Yeonjun, "I will give it some thought at least."

"FIGHTING!"

"Yeah yeah... shouldn't you be heading home?"

"I have some errands to run first, but I should get going," said Taehyun, "I'll see you in school tomorrow."

Yeonjun and Taehyun waved goodbye to each other before hopping onto their bicycles again, moving on in opposite directions.

As Yeonjun entered the house, he heard the familiar sound of Dramas playing in the background and he yelled out a greeting to his sister, to which he only got a slightly annoyed response.

"Noona," said Yeonjun when he walked into the living room and got Yoo Jin's attention, "how did your interview go?" Yoo Jin turned around at the speed of light, staring at Yeonjun as if he was a ghost or an alien from another planet.

"What? What's wrong?" said Yeonjun while looking back at Yoo Jin, trying to read her expression, "no... oh no, you didn't! Noona!"

"I can still make it!" yelled out Yoo Jin while turning off the TV and running to the hallway, "it's not that far away, if I just run, then I can-"

"Noona, you can't go like that!" yelled Yeonjun and Yoo Jin looked down at her grey sweatpants and fluffy pink socks.

"UGH!" yelled out Yoo Jin before she ran up the stairs and slammed the door behind her. A sound of rustling and cursing was heard, Yeonjun standing at the bottom of the staircase, biting his nails in anxiety, until finally, Yoo Jin came running out of her room. 

"I WILL MAKE IT!" she yelled while running past Yeonjun, her previous attire switched with a pair of blue pants and a white shirt.

"What about a jacket?" asked Yeonjun while Yoo Jin had one foot out of the door.

"There isn't time, I'll see you later!" said Yoo Jin in response before slamming the door behind her.

Running like her life depended on it, Yoo Jin passed by several of her neighbors and only her imagination sat boundaries of what they would be thinking. But she just pushed away the thought and kept running.

The sound of a bicycle suddenly became audible and Yoo Jin moved out of the way, expecting to be overturned by the bicycle any time now. When it didn't happen, she looked back and her eyes widened when she saw the boy behind her.

"Noona, what's going on?" asked Taehyun, who was riding his bicycle behind her.

"Magic boy, I don't have time right now," answered Yoo Jin while panting, "I'm late for my job interview."

"Where is it?"

"It's in the other end of the town." In the same moment, Taehyun stepped harder on the pedals and moved in front of Yoo Jin, blocking her way as he got of the bicycle.

"Get on," said Taehyun while looking at Yoo Jin who was trying to catch her breath.

"W... what?"

"I said, get on!" said Taehyun firmly, "you can tell me the exact location on the way, but we have to get going."

"My pride wants to say no," said Yoo Jin, "but there really isn't time." After saying those words, Yoo Jin walked up to Taehyun and hopped onto the luggage carrier, whereafter Taehyun quickly started stepping on the pedals again.

After explaining to Taehyun exactly where she needed to go, she felt like she could finally breathe again, sitting behind Taehyun, watching him work hard while she could relax.

"Thank you," said Yoo Jin while leaning forward, resting her forehead on Taehyun's back, making the young boy's heart beat even faster, "you... really are a lifesaver."

"It's... no problem..." said Taehyun, trying hard to calm his heart and breathing, so he wouldn't burn out before they reached the destination. 

All the way, Yoo Jin held onto Taehyun's shirt, her warmth spreading to his body. He had to gather all his strength to keep his sanity on the trip, which felt a million times longer than it was.

Then, when they finally reached the destination and Taehyun pulled over, Yoo Jin let go of his shirt and quickly hopped off his bicycle.

"Thank you, Taehyun, thank you so much!" yelled Yoo Jin while running backwards towards the building, "I owe you one!"

Taehyun just sent her a tired smile while watching her run inside the building, disappearing from his sight. 

Everything around him suddenly felt more empty, more quiet. The places where her touch had warmed his body, now felt even colder than before. And his head, which had been spinning like crazy, seemed boringly sane.

After standing in the same spot for more than a minute, Taehyun finally pulled himself together and got back up on his bike. After looking at the building one last time, he whispered to himself; "Good luck, Noona," before beginning his journey home. 

Hello everyone!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Remember to stay warm and eat healthy and take care of yourself. Stay safe.

Also, don't forget to leave a comment down below.

Love, Annalise~