Chapter 2: Joshua Yoon

~Five minutes before Kai came outside~

Erin sat on the stone rim that surrounded the courtyard scrolling through her phone. Her dyed red hair covered her eyes a little as the wind pushed past. “So, are you going to talk to him this time?”

“No. My mom said it’s not the best during this period. He’s going to get scouted by everyone now that I’ve seen some from SA.”

“Dear god. You’ve found any and every way to avoid Kai since junior year. What the hell happened during that weekend?” Joshua felt a blush brush over his cheeks. Joshua sat up from where he was laying and covered his ears that were turning the same color red as his cheeks.

Erin threw her head back laughing as Joshua tried to calm his racing heart. “Things happened.”

“Yeah, ever since then, you guys have gained more sexual tension, but you haven’t talked much.”

“That’s not my fault. . .” Erin glared at him. “Okay yeah, it’s my fault.” Joshua sighed and took a bite out of his sandwich. “I just, I don’t know how I can talk to him again.”

“You two were the best of friends when we were in middle school. We are waiting for that to happen again.” Erin looked up and saw Kai exit the cafeteria as a great idea swept through her brain.

“Yeah, that was then. I want to be like that. . .More than that.”

“Great.” Erin gave Joshua a hard push making Joshua almost fall. What saved him from falling was a tall 6’2 guy with wavy black hair.

“O-Oh, uh, h-hi Kai.” Joshua’s hazel eyes met Kai’s deep brown ones.

Joshua smiled softly trying to get his heartbeat to calm down. ‘I’m going to get you, Erin.’

Kai looked down at Joshua’s smile. That smile could melt his heart in five seconds.

Joshua blinked a couple of times. He shook his head before getting a better footing and moving a foot away from Kai. “Hey Kai. Awe, hey Hobi.” Joshua’s attention immediately changed to Hobi’s so he wouldn’t blush so badly. He kneeled down and pet Hobi over the ear as Hobi’s tail wagged fast against the concrete.

Erin came behind him and leaned over looking at the dog. “Awe, you two look so cute with Hobi. Hi Kai.” Kai whistled making Hobi come back over to his side.

“Hi Erin.” He said calmly. Kai’s eyes matched Joshua’s again, it almost felt like he could barely talk. “W-Well, we’ve got to head back. I’ve got to take this one back before 5pm hits.” Joshua nodded and turned to Erin.

Erin elbowed him in Joshua’s side. Joshua let out a yelp that made Kai turn around concern covering every inch of his face. Joshua moved from side to side trying to form words. “C-Can we t-t-talk later?”

“Sure. Just make sure to wear protection.” Kai winked trying to seem more calm than his heart was letting on. Joshua choked on air as Kai held back a chuckle.

“U-Um, n-not that kind of talk. I swear.”

“But I thought you would like that kind of talk.” Kai said as he almost pinned Joshua between him and Hobi.

“Make this sexual tension leave please and get together already!” Erin yelled over her shoulder as she walked away towards the library to let the two have a moment.

“So, why did you want to walk with me?” Kai asked, taking Hobi’s leash in his hands. His demeanor changed drastically. Now that there was no one to hold impressions for, he had no clue how to act in front of Joshua.

Joshua clasped his arms behind his back and smiled. “Well, I wanted to spend some time with Hobi-” Something was mumbled under his breath, but Kai couldn’t hear him.

“I’m sorry. Can you say that again?” Joshua’s cheeks flared up and he quickly walked ahead of Kai and took Hobi from him.

Joshua sighed, looking Kai dead in the eyes, he said “I wanted to____”

“I still can’t hear the rest of that, Josh.”

Joshua sighed and turned around looking at the tall man and said “to spend time with you!” before quickly turning around and letting Hobi drag him back to Kai’s apartment.

Kai rolled his eyes knowing he had no say in this anymore. Hobi led Joshua back to the apartment, which was strange because Hobi never liked strangers.

Kai got Hobi when he moved into the apartment, and no one has been at his apartment since he moved except two people. Kai was left there dumbfounded as his loveable dog led his crush towards his apartment.

Kai pulled at his hair as Hobi got closer and closer in record time. Kai paled drastically as he tried to push every single memory pushing their way up into his subconscious as Joshua came in and started to play with Hobi on the couch. Kai threw the leash back onto the rack and moved to his room saying he needed to change.

When the door closed, Kai was breathing hard. He was very close to pulling out his phone, but he heard a calming voice. ‘Just breathe. Remember, you need to talk to Joshua. He’s the one thing you’ve always mentioned.’

Kai opened the door after he had a minute not realizing Joshua looking over the couch in his direction. Joshua swallowed hard before trying to talk. “Let’s spend more time together.” Joshua’s voice broke and he cringed at it, but he continued. I miss seeing you. You barely talk to me.” Joshua wouldn’t look Kai dead in the eyes. He kept his eyes on his intertwined hands. “Ever since Orlando, you’ve been so distant. Did I do something wrong? I’m sorry if I did. I just thought it was best for me to come and-.” Kai chuckled, ruffling his hair a bit as he stared into Joshua’s eyes for the longest he has since he learned he had feelings for the blondie back in 7th grade.

“I’ve just been busy, you know, school and my job and finances and shit.” Kai lied through his teeth.

Joshua sighed, barely buying it, but he didn’t push. “I told you my family is willing to help you since you turned 18 last month.”

“I can’t impose on you and your family.” ‘Not after what he told me.’

“The offer is out there no matter what.” Joshua put his hand on top of Kai’s closed fist trying to convey something he just could not say out loud at the moment.

Kai stayed there trying to find a way to keep the conversation going. Hobi definitely helped with that. Hobi saw that Kai was sitting close to someone and decided it was the best time to jump onto the couch.

Hobi laid across the two boys making Joshua laugh at the needy puppy. “Hi Hobi, it’s nice to see you, too.” Hobi looked at Kai with a ‘don’t give me that’ look and somehow made Kai move so that Kai and Joshua’s bodies were forced to overlap. “W-W-What are you doing?” Joshua stuttered through his sentences as he tried to stay as still as possible and stop his leg from shaking into Hobi’s body.

Kai sighed as Hobi made a sort of shit-eating grin. Kai laid his head on the back of the couch, which meant it was also on Joshua’s shoulder. Joshua tensed up a lot. “Wake me when it hits 1:15 and we’ll go back then.” Joshua nodded as Kai fell asleep in less than ten minutes. Joshua sighed and slouched into the couch locking gazes with Hobi.

Hobi tilted his head almost asking ‘what’s wrong?’ “What am I going to do, Hobi? I - how do I even tell him how much I like him?” Hobi placed his head on Joshua’s knee and whimpered. “Thanks baby boy. Hopefully one day some kind of miracle will happen.” Joshua looked at the clock and it read 12:30. He set an alarm before leaning back and falling asleep himself.

The dreams that plagued him were ones he wished he wouldn’t wake from. Staying this close with Kai felt like a dream.