𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 norenmin

9: a much anticipated conversation

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HUANG RENJUN.

I can't believe it.

All this time I thought I really was invisible and it turns out the one person who can see me has been this close to us the whole time?

"Can you... actually see me...?" I ask cautiously.

I'm still convinced this is a dream I've somehow fallen into.

"Yep, clear as day." He responds, with an expression that says I'm not amused.

It's liberating, and all of a sudden maybe hope can resurface. I realise I've just been staring at Chenle, who still looks displeased, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind...

"Well thank god, it's only been three flippity-flapping years!" Flippity flapping? See, this is what happens when you have no one to talk to.

Chenle's expression changes in an instant, his disinterest replaced with a wide grin that threatens to leave the sun jobless.

"So it really is you? I thought I'd finally lost the plot, but wow!" He chuckles to himself quietly.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" I ask, slightly curious now.

"Huang Renjun, you're the only person I've ever known who would rather use something as ridiculous as "flippity flapping" than say a curse word. You really haven't changed one bit."

If ghosts (or whatever I happen to be) could blush, I would be red with embarrassment right now.

I can almost feel my cheeks heat up, as if it's muscle memory. Our small conversation comes to an abrupt end when the sound of running water can no longer be heard.

Moments later, Jaemin reappears, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist.

"Who were you talking to Lele?" He asks, furrowing his brows in a confused manner.

"Oh, Junhui was just on the phone! I wanted to let him know you're at least still alive, after all."

Jaemin fails to notice Chenle fidgeting with the ends of his shirt - a telltale sign of when he's lying. He visibly relaxes once Jaemin shrugs, evidently believing the white lie. He's saved himself for now, at least.

Chenle looks right at me, his expression signalling that we're not done talking. Maybe I can communicate with Jaemin someday by using Chenle as a mediator, just to let him know I've been with him the whole time.

I feel like he might freak out... or he might get better.

I wish I knew how to help.

In a perfect world, I wouldn't be in this scenario. Not in a million years.

But all it took was one accident to make me realise just how far from perfect the world can get.

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