.fourteen

                                    

                                          
Jisung sat on the floor against Minho's bed and waited for the boy to return. He had gone to wash the clothes they'd worn swimming. He could hear the washing machine rattling down the hall, and he waited for Minho to come back. It should've only taken five minutes, but Minho still wasn't back after 15, and Jisung grew worried. 
                          
He wandered out into the hallway and down the stairs. "Hi, mama Nayeon," he said, "Do you know where Minho went?" 
                          
She looked around the living room and paused the TV. "Chris stopped by, I think. Pretty sure they're talking out on the porch, if you'd like to join them," she answered. Jisung looked down the hall and saw Minho with Chan through the screen door, talking and laughing. 
                          
"Oh. Thank you." Jisung sighed. "No, I'll let them talk. But whenever Minho comes back in, can you please remind him I'm waiting for him in his room?" Nayeon nodded and Jisung retreated back up the stairs, slightly dejected. 
                          
After another 20 minutes or so, Minho finally came back. He was smiling wider than Jisung had ever seen, and he fell down onto the carpet next to the boy. 
"Where'd you go?" Jisung asked, trying not to reveal he already knew. 
                          
Minho smiled at the ceiling. "I was with Chan," he whispered to himself. He suddenly sat up and his smile faded. "Dude, he's so cool. He's got it all. He's kind, he's talented, he's super good looking, he's easy to talk to – like, sir, please save some good qualities for the rest of us." 
                          
Jisung patted Minho's shoulder and said, "You're all those things too, Minho. Don't compare yourself to Chan, just be you." 
                          
With a snort, Minho placed both hands on Jisung's shoulders and looked him dead in the eyes. "I'm not jealous, Jisung honey, I'm gay."