chapter 26: letting them know

The sound of the alarm telling me that it's time to wake up from a good nap for school. I have never used an alarm to wake me up, it is always Han the one who wakes me up for school. I rubbed my eyes to get a more clear image of an angel who is sleeping pillowed by my naked left arm, not even bothering that his left cheek is skin to skin with my arm. Thankfully I remembered to wear deodorant last night. Even his back is beautiful, my eyes move from top to bottom, appreciating every single inch of him.

The sound of alarm once again sounded. I tried to reach it with my right arm but Han already reached it first to hit snooze. Huh? Han never snoozes as far as I remember. He always gets up the second the alarm sounds, even if it's very early.

I wrapped my right arm onto his waist and pulled him closer. I gave him a small peck on the cheek before resting my head on it.

"What happened Han? You don't want to go to school?" I asked with my freshly awake husky voice. Although he didn't say anything in reply, he shakes his head suggesting that he still will go to school, it is just that something is bothering him.

"Tell me what happened, I'm your boyfriend, we should help each other out."

"It's just a bad dream..."

"Huh? What was it about?" I asked.

Han took a deep breath before starting the description of his dream.

"I had a dream that I was Dua Lipa!" My horizontally rested head quickly tilted vertically a little bit.

"Interesting... What's the problem then?"

"So there was like a Barbie watching reunion between the cast. I was doing my thing at another place, I didn't have any plans to attend the event, until I was called by my manager, who told me that I'll have to perform 'Dance The Night' for the cast at the very last minute! I quickly ran to the event and I managed to arrive right after the film ended. They asked me to perform but since it was unexpected, my outfit is hideous! I can't perform in that outfit! So they asked me to go backstage to beautify myself but also to hurry. Long story short, I went very aboard, even in that dream I can feel that I took a very long time to finish. The moment I left backstage ready to perform, I opened the curtain and there was no one! Everyone goes home because I took a very long time to get ready! America Ferrera even shouted madly at me for taking so long. Then I woke up in disappointment because I really want to perform the song!" He cried.

I felt like laughing because of his adorable complaint. I thought it would be something like ghosts or people making fun of him. The cute story got me smiling like a fool while he's looking sour in disappointment. As his boyfriend, I need to make him feel better. I brushed his hair with my hand and kissed it.

"Han... You're so cute..."

"Why are you saying that? I'm disappointed right now! I could have performed in Dua Lipa body! Even if it's only in a dream!" It seems like this boy is really disappointed. Suddenly came an idea to help him feel better.

"Han, get up" I pulled my left arm which made his head rise.

"Go perform the song for me, you're Dua Lipa now!"

Han looked at me with a slightly opened smile and pushed my shoulder a little. He gets off the bed and stands in front of me with a water bottle in his hand. I grabbed my phone to open Spotify and play the song, the performance started.

He sings, he dances, he interacts with his fan who is on the bed with his flashlight on. Little did he know that the phone is not only used for the flashlight, but also recording. If it wasn't because he's wearing a very short top that whenever he raises his arms, his abs will be visible. Not only that, but also how short his sleeping pants are, it only covered half of his upper seducing thighs. I don't focusing on his skills, I'm focusing on his outfit. If this was the outfit he told earlier in his dream, then, it would be unfortunate for them not able to see this beautiful, alluring scene.

*

(Han POV)

After I finished performing, we both went back to sleep while cuddling. Turns out I set the alarm too early than usual, I hit snooze not because I'm feeling upset with my dream, but because I'm still sleepy. Aiden and I had a really fun date last night when we arrived home late. The performance was so exhausting, I went straight to sleep right after I could feel the comfort in Aiden's cuddle.

*

While at the backseat, me and Aiden hold hands without my dad knowing. Even if my parents already know about my sexuality, It's still embarrassing for me to admit to them that I am dating someone, even if it was a girl. Few times I quickly pulled my hand off Aiden's whenever my dad turned his head to the back while talking with me.

When we entered the lobby, people started to whisper to themselves. Probably because this is the first time Aiden and I arrived at school together, at the same time, ever since he "dated" Karina. Before this Aiden went to school with Karina's car. Their whispers and eyes got me nervous. I started to pop my fingers to ease up a little, that's when suddenly my hand was grabbed and held. A warm smooth palm kissed my cold nervous palm, his fingers hugged the exposed side of my hand. He didn't say anything, he just held my hand and walked to our block, dragging me with him. I can hear people gasping, their whispers becoming even more heated.

Once we arrived at the hallway, Aiden let go of my hand. Stuck between being disappointed or glad that he lets go, but I decided to just go for the positive path. He gave me a little nod and smile, telling me that it's okay and let's walk to the class.

It's the same hallway, same people and same notice posters stuck on the notice board. But it felt so different today, and it's in a good way. It's Monday, but has Monday been this lovely and pink before? It felt like the air was filled with the scent of sweet cinnamon, was it his perfume? I don't know. All I know is, he's the cause of this. I'm feeling so happy right now, and I know Aiden is too judging from his still showing smile. However, it's still the same hallway with the same people, the same thing will happen everyday and this 'same thing' might drop his shiny smile.

"Han, will you accept my letters? I like you so much Han! I dreamed about us kissing with our tongues entering each other's mouths. You were moaning my name, begging for more... I thought I could just ignore my feelings but I get more miserable everyday." Excuse me? Okay you like me! But do you have to describe your wet dream about me, to me?! My face shows a visible disgusted expression if you really saw it. My mouth is opened a little with my eyes squinting as if I'm the elder who forgot where they put their glasses but their grandchild asked them to read their story quickly.

"W-woah... Amazing dream... Amazing kiss I guess." I really don't know how to respond. This guy looks at me with his eyes shimmering in faith that I will date him.

"Yeah it was. But did you know? We also fuc-"

"YEAH GREAT LETTER GOTTA ACCEPT IT BYE!" I snatched the letter from his hand and dragged Aiden with me. I stopped him before he described the dream vividly.

When we arrived at the stairs, I let go of Aiden's wrist and stopped to catch a breath. It feels like it's only me who is exhausted, probably because it has been very long since the last time I jogged. I look at Aiden who is not even looking slightly out of breath, he just stares at the wall next to me with his cold face. When I was about to turn my body to the stairs behind me, Aiden suddenly talked.

"Amazing dream huh... You like it?" He turned his eyes towards me, looking at me with a serious expression.

"I don't know what to say... Honestly I am disgusted with his description." If it was you the one I'm doing it with, then of course I'll be over the moon."

"You're still accepting letters even after you knew that it pissed me off."

"I have no choice... He has already come to me. You should at least be thankful that I didn't accept all the letters. There were at least three boys that I didn't accept their letters to just now." Aiden returned to look at the wall instead of me with a sulking face. We just started dating and everyday was amazing. I don't want us to fight just because of this.

I let out a sigh, thinking of ways to cheer this giant baby. I pinched his cheek a little and shook them.

"Don't be like that Aiden... Those letters won't change my love for you." Aiden turns his head to me with his lazy eyes and mouth closed, his coldness is really showing. He didn't look at me first, he looked at the something above before changing his expression to a teasing.

"So you like me? You love me?" The right corner of his mouth is slightly upwards than the left. The question put a smile on my face. I cupped his chin with my left hand and caressed his hairs with my right hand.

"Yes... I love you. Do you love me too?" Aiden then put his left hand on the top of my right hand and dragged it down to his lips before bringing it to his left cheek to be palmed.

"We're dating... Of course I love you."

'I love you'... Why it's so beautiful? How can these three words make your heart beats like a hummingbird? Why does this phrase make you smile before you sleep? It's crazy...

"Let's go to class." I suggested. Aiden's smile became even bigger. I let go of both of my hands from his face and turned to my back before climbing up the stairs. When I looked at the above, at the end of the stairs, there were three boys standing with surprised expressions, eyes widened and hands covering their wide opened mouths. One of them shows a disgusted expression, his eyes are squinted small with wrinkles on his forehead. One of them nonstop slowly shaking his head in 'no' and the other one was too shocked to react, he just covered his wide opened mouth with his hand. All three stood frozen, not only them, but also me. I am frozen in this picture of my right foot already on one stair while my left foot is still below.

Not even a word coming from our mouths, all four are too shocked to say anything. If it's not because of Samuel nonstop head shaking, people would have thought that the time has frozen. It made me forget that Aiden is still behind me, probably purposely letting my best friends watch our sweet moment. Fuck Aiden!

It feels like we stayed like that for about a minute until Aiden made his next selfish movement. He came closer to me and hugged me from behind. He wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me a little peck on the cheek. The book that Kim was holding is now falling to the ground. Thanks to that reckless act, the three are finally able to talk, or shout.

"WHAT THE FUCK HAN!"

"THAT'S SO WRONG HAN! HE'S SOMEONE BOYFRIEND ALREADY! YOU'RE SO DISGUSTING!"

"YOU'RE A FUCKING BOYFRIEND STEALER HAN? THAT'S SO NOT COOL!"

I quickly ran up the stairs and covered their mouths. I looked around in panic just in case the students heard their loud voices. My panic is at its peak, I can feel the cold air passed by.

"Shh! You guys are loud!" I let go of my hands from their mouths.

"I'm not a cheap stealer like what you guys thought... It's complicated..." I scratched the back of my neck, not sure on how I should be explaining this situation. I turned my head to Aiden who is still below and signaled him to come upstairs. He climbs the stairs with a satisfied smile on his face, hands inside his pockets, head facing in front, looking so cool because his revenge did work. The view did irritate me but I have no choice other than to explain to my best friend what happened between Aiden and I.

He put his arms on my shoulder with his legs looking so relaxed. I tried to brush his hand off my shoulder but he purposely hardened it. I just sighed and gave up.

"Aiden... Can you explain it to them?" I asked

"Umm.... Let me think... Only if you say please and kiss my forehead." He ended with a wink. Samuel's eyes become bigger than before, as a head prefect, he should have stopped Aiden, but funnily, that rule is not applicable if you're his best friend. I closed my eyes, considering his offer, I'm so fucked. I'm so disgusted to explain what really happened between me and Aiden, I will do anything just for Aiden to be the one who explains.

I opened my eyes and turned my head to him. I took a deep breath before tiptoeing my toes. He lowered his head so it would be easier for me, my lips touched his forehead. The smooch sound produced after I released my lips from his forehead.

"Please..." I said, right after the little kiss. I stayed close my eyes, unbearable to look at them three. Even with my eyes closed, I can see that their face is filled with wrinkles. I can imagine their faces expression changing as words of explanation left Aiden's lips.

Throughout the whole explanation, Aiden's hand is still on my shoulder. He pulled me even closer in the middle of his explanation, to comfort me.

"... and now we're dating." He tapped my shoulder, signaling that he's done explaining. I slowly opened my eyes, the blurry figures of three boys in front of me slowly getting clearer.

"Hey it's fine... Now that we know, we're not going to judge you." Samuel comforts

"I'm more surprised that you're willing to date Aiden."

"Cute"

Smile formed on my face. I looked up to Aiden with a relieved smile. It felt so nice.

*

I was lost in thoughts, so torn in between to let it out or just keep it inside until I had the courage to do so. I sit in silence, staring at the open window of a moving car. I'm not aware of my surroundings, I didn't even realize that we had arrived home, until a soft palm touched the surface of my hand. I turned my head towards him, who was already looking at me with a warm smile on his face, forming a soft red shade on my cheeks.

"Is something bothering you Han?" That soft tone will forever melt me. I replied to him with a weak smile and nod.

"If you feel uncomfortable telling me now then you can tell me later in the room." He left the car before me.

After I finished showering and changing my clothes, I sat on the bed while waiting for Aiden. My head turned to the door as I heard it being knocked. It was then opened by someone who I have been waiting for. He came closer to me and sat right next to me. I rested my head on his lap while he was playing with my hair. It was silent, the only sound that was hearable was the cold air coming from the ac, but it felt so pink and calm. Unfortunately I have to break it.

"Aiden... Can I ask you something?" I looked up to him who's already looking at me. Even in that angle he's still handsome.

"Are you planning to apologize to your parents soon?" The smile on his face just now is now slowly gone. The eyes that are looking at me are now looking at the wall.

"Why do you ask?"

"I don't want you to spend your whole life avoiding them, after all they are your parents. They have the right to be upset with your exam results..."

"You think it's necessary to kick me out just because I failed my exam?"

"Aiden, I know what happened between the moment you gave them your report card and you being kicked out. Stop with the ego and apologize to your parents for your mean words."

I was once in his situation, it's not that bad until I was kicked out, but my allowance was cutted, I can't hang out and my parents refuse to talk with me. It was because of my careless and mean words I let out, at that time I was at the peak of rage. I have a really high ego, but I'm tired of them ignoring me so I finally apologize to them. I thought that I would get embarrassed by them but instead, I feel relieved that I did it. We hugged for good seconds, a hug that I missed, thankfully I did apologize to them.

I know Aiden misses his parents, his home, but his ego is high just like mine. I don't want him to regret not apologizing so before it's too late, I better force him.

"... That's what happened to me... I know you miss your parents Aiden, let's apologize to them tomorrow, okay?" I get up from my lay to sit and look deeply into his eyes. He was lost in thoughts, his face shows it all. The way his lip below is bitten by his front teeth, staring at the floor, finally, he nods in yes.

"But you have to accompany me... I'm scared." His concern expression as we locked eyes. I smile and brush his hairs with my hand.

"But what if they refuse to acknowledge me as their son anymore? What if they refuse to accept my apology? What if they make fun of me, Han?!"

"Then I will defend you. I will make them accept your apology, not in a threatening way."

An adorable and warm smile formed from his tightly closed lips. He grabbed my hand that is on his head and the one on the bed, and held them tightly. He closed his eyes and leaned his head closed to me until it landed on my chest.

"Let's stay like this for a while... I want to sleep like this for an hour, can we?" He asked. I laid my body on the bed while holding his head on my chest. We fell asleep in that position until we awoke to the sound of my door getting knocked by my parents, thankfully we managed to get up and change position before they entered.