-^* Are we clear? *^- | Haobin

*^- 3 -^*

I felt bliss once in my life.
Bliss was something undeniable at that time, I felt it every second I lived with every beat of my heart and breath from my mouth. As much as I felt that bliss at the time and loved it so, nowadays I'd rather it never happened at all.

We met in high school, me and that bliss. But I don't like to recall high school when I think about it too much. I prefer to think of it not so deeply and just reminisce on the memories where bliss wasn't the main emotion I felt.

-*^ Are we clear? ^*-

HANBIN POV

My phone buzzed, shuddering my nightstand as my ringtone echoed from its speaker.
My eyelids heaved open, the light penetrating my vision whilst I tried to focus on my phone which had begun to move itself along the table top with every vibration. I grasped onto it and held it before my face as I finally gained sight and stared at the caller id.

Incoming call from JIWOONGIE HYUNG

"It's 5 am..." I breathed as I pressed my finger against the green answer button.
"Ohh Hanbin! Sorry for calling so early!"
I smiled sarcastically as if we were talking face to face.
"Hyung, it's fine I was already awake,"
"That's good because Mrs Kim was wondering if you could come in an hour earlier today, so at about six-thirty?"
My mouth gaped, I began to scramble out of my bedsheets as I checked the time once more.
"Six-thirty?" I retorted.
"Yeah she said she needed some help with the new equipment delivery coming."
Standing up, I pulled my drawer open and grasped a pair of socks and some boxers.
"Ah, I'll be there. See you in a bit hyung."
"Yeah see you soon, thanks Hanbin."
Once the phone hung up, I dropped my head in defeat for a moment before I sprung up to get ready.

"Morning Hanbin-"
I raced past Matthew with my mouth full of cereal towards the door and chewed quickly, shoving my feet into my sneakers.
"Morning Matthew, this guy from work called and said they needed me early. I'll get groceries on my way home!"
"See ya later..." Matthew chuckled, watching me rush out of the door without my umbrella, jacket half on and hair still wet.

"Woah just in time Hanbin, I'm impressed~" Jiwoong giggled as I dragged myself into the locker rooms, my whole body dripping wet from the rain and my face sullen as an after affect of the fact.
"Yeah, I made it..." I laughed back with a dejected smile.
Jiwoong slowly looked me up and down, noticing my sodden clothes.
"Did you forget an umbrella?"
"Yeah I must've missed it in the rush..."
He sighed, pulling something out of his locker and handing it to me.
"They might be a little baggy on you but here's my spare gym clothes, just make sure to wash them before you give them back."
"Woah! Thanks hyung!" My eyes lit up with thankfulness. Jiwoong chuckled and patted my shoulder.
"I'll meet you outside in 5,"
As he left, the translucent glass door swung shut and I began to peel the wet clothes from my cold skin. In nothing but my boxers, I hung my clothes up on the coat pegs to dry and begun pulling Jiwoong's sweats up my leg.
As I stood there with one leg in the pants, propped up on the benches which sat in between the two rows of lockers with nothing else on my body but my underwear, the door swung open, the creak of its hinges echoing as it did.
Hao.
Once he noticed me, the two of us stood in silence, unsure what to do. Before I could say anything, Hao smiled and let out a small laugh.
"Why are you naked..." he shook his head, taking another glance at me before going to his locker. I quickly pulled the pant leg up and shoved my other leg in before I turned my body towards him, the pants falling down slightly to reveal my boxer band.
"I wasn't naked!" I pouted, grasping the shirt and slowly pulling it over my head. Hao turned to me and stared for a second before he cleared his throat and began to take his coat off.
"Either way, you need to go downstairs..." he trailed off, slightly pouting his bottom lip.
"And what exactly are you gonna be doing?" I retorted with efforts to cure my intrigue about him.
He glanced at me, his glance trailing from my head downward as if unconsciously.
"I have work to do."
His answer was plain and blunt. His bluntness reminded me of the Hao I'd seen the night before. His blushed cheeks, embarrassed smile and tired eyes. This Zhang Hao before me wasn't as funny as that one. Instead, I found myself drowned in more intrigue. The confidence I felt in front of his alternative self was a distant dream now, he'd caught me.
I finished changing into Jiwoong's clothes and slid my phone into the pocket of the sweats before I turned to Hao again.
"See you later." He interrupted before I could make my own farewell. I nodded with defeat and left him there, making my way to the car park.