Park Seongheo, is an all-time idiot. All he knows is how to make fool of himself, nothing else. I agree he is good-looking and good at studies, tall which I hate personally, he is... what do you say? A whole package, yeah that's what he is. Me? Am the shadow, with the higher grades but less appreciation, average looks, "average" height too, but I do know that am more mature than he can ever be. I have known him for 6 years; we met at a basketball court outside the city.

I knew how to play, but lacked height; he lacked skills but had the perfect height. So, you can imagine how it went. He became my student, and I became his-

Seongheo kept his arm on my head and said, "Oi armrest".

I looked up at his annoying grinning face, shining like some pearl in sun, nope nothing good happened to him, he's always like this. I get so sick of this face.

Lies

I just let out a sigh and turned to him, fixed my glasses, but before I could say a single word Seongheo just ruffled my hair and ran ahead to greet his other friends. "Yah Jonghi! Wait for me monkey!" He said running u to this Jonghi, our other friend, well mostly his, am not so close with neither him nor do I want to be, he's more annoying than Seong.

Seong grabbed him by the neck as Jonghi just yelled and punched him for that, I just let out a sigh and followed them from behind.

Unlike Seongheo, I don't like people specifically. He just goes around making new buddies everywhere he goes, just like some human magnet. I just don't want some nuisance to roam and walk around me, Seong? He's different, he's not a nuisance to me unlike others, and he's just another thing, a friend actually.

Yes, a friend, as a preference, for me it's more like unrequited....crush? I won't call it love, cause it's just too simple, plus it's all temporary, after all, it doesn't make any sense at all. Does it? He like girls, plus it's not like I can be with someone like him, the chances are like counting stars, time-wasting and never-ending, once we go to our own separate paths, and stop seeing each other, it would fade away, it's no big deal. It's just how it should be.

Class hours just go by learning the same stuff every day, how is it that we never move on from what we actually learn, it's getting big trouble. Another bell rang when I finally had the urge to just lay my head on my desk and close my eyes, ignoring everything around me.

It's easy for me to forget the world exists, but hard to ignore this one.

Seongheo rested his own head on the desk, I tried to ignore it but I can feel his deep and hot breathes hitting the back of my head. Just him being this close can make my heart skip a beat or two, it's getting more dangerous each day, at this rate I might end up-

"I know you're awake, stop pretending now..." Seongheo whispers.

His voice, no matter how many times I have heard it before, just changes when he talks to me, maybe am the only one who notices this, maybe am just assuming things but it's all I can think about when it's just unrequited, it makes me happy somehow.

I pretended to sleep anyway, I don't want to eat lunch yet, yes I have a very small appetite, but Seong eats a lot, he eats three times more of what I eat...

All those thoughts drove me to real slumber, Seong's voice faded with my consciousness. I don't usually fall asleep at this hour, but the summer breeze and the silence just had me through.

Another bell rang when I finally opened my eyes to hear the class filled with all kinds of noises. To regain my eyesight I slowly rubbed my eyes, I looked behind to see his seat empty, he went for lunch why isn't he back yet, the teacher might show up before he can.

Seconds later, he entered the class through the back door, he was alone, now when I see that his other friends were already inside the class. He sat down as he saw me looking at him, he just flashed his usual smile and asked

"you awake?"

Why ask when he can clearly see my eyes wide open. I just gave him a nod and turned away. Not long after that, I heard a loud thud on my side of the desk that's when I saw the canned choco milk next to me. I just looked away and said.

"You shouldn't bother about this, I can't have it now"

He just shrugged and smiled.

"Then just have it when you can"

"This idiot"

Park Seongheo, how can I imagine us being apart if you keep on acting like this?

I just grabbed it and rolled it in under my desk and got back to whatever I was doing.

Literature, Mr.Cha our literature teacher entered and greeted the student before he grabbed his book and started to read out some phrases.

"Oh, my lover

who had pure eyes;

oh, the silver scales

that occupied your eyes.

Tonight snowfalls.

Oh, my poor lover

who wrapped my neck

with a white towel and washed my face,

a sacred quiet descends

upon the lonely planet.

I close my eyes

to remember the time

your hands washed my face"

I didn't hear what he said, I was lost in my own world, and I just heard the words.

"It's about love"

I turned my head back to see Seongheo lifting his right hand up, looking at the teacher.

Love..?

"True, it is about love, and I know you all are blossoming in the hearts of your loved ones right?"

One cheesy word from Mr.Cha and everyone started to whine and make disgusted voices and faces. Stop lying I know all of you enjoy this kind of talk.

"Ahhh~ what Mr.Cha that's too cringe who does that now anyway"

He just laughed it off, "I know, I know, I was once a teenager too, you can fall in love but no dating in school hm?"

"Now you're just being mean"

Everyone laughed at that and got back to the lesson we started.

Mr.Cha read it out loud again, now I can focus on its words.

Emotions and love, it's the last thing that Seongheo can ever care about, he cringes and makes weird faces when anyone talks about it.

Will he ever has someone he would actually like at this point?

"Yes, you"

I quickly lifted my head up to see Mr.Cha pointing his finger at Jonghi.

"Please read it out loud, Mr.Im"

He just let out a deep sigh and grabbed his book, and started reading the poem. What was I thinking...? I must be out of my mind?

Jonghi, with his clear and deep voice, started to read it out loud. His voice can be heard so evidently, even though we sit so far apart from each other.

You can clearly tell by the way he was reading it, that he was forced to do so. Am not in the position to judge him by his looks or what I hear about him but I heard he's bad news and it's the perfect reason for me to stay away from him.

He sat down once he was done, but before Mr.Cha could continue

"Mr.Cha Kyungsoo, your presence is required, at the office" we heard through the speaker.

"Guess I have to pay them a visit then, you all, stay quiet and don't step out, I will be right back, Class president I am leaving you in charge"

"Understood sir"

He left, leaving his stuff behind as if he will return. As soon as he left, Seongheo tapped on my shoulder and stated,

"Yah you can have that now, you know he never returns once he exits?"

I just gave him a frown and shook my head, he gave me a weird, what? Pout; tell me he doesn't look like a lost dog. I shook my head again. He tried to say something, but before he could, I just shoved some bundle of pages on his face. He grabbed them looking a bit confused, "a short study material, read it and stop bothering me" I told him.

"But I don't need this? Wait, hey come on! Have it!"

"No"

"You never listen to me"

"I don't need to"

"Unfair, here I always listen to you"

"Then listen to me now and read"

"I- OKAY fine"

Turning my head back, I saw him focusing on the script I gave him,

He does listen to me huh?

Whatever

Time passed by, and yes as predicted Mr.Cha never returned. School hours were over. We grabbed our stuff and started to pack. Bell rang, everyone started to exit the room. So chaotic, and loud, messy as well.

I stepped out too, turned my head to see Seongheo, with his friends, we usually don't walk back home together, not cause we live far away from each other but because he has other stuff to do after school, mostly its either basketball practice or club work. I never cross his path on my way back home, nor do I wanna, doesn't matter how much I like Seongheo, I don't want people to think am some stickup clinger that follows him everywhere.

Leaving the scene, I was on my way home, because that's what I do. I sat down on the bench at the bus stop.

I saw my bus arriving soon enough, it stopped, I boarded my bus. Just as I sat down I felt someone sitting down next to me. And it's the same jerk, Jonghi.

"Why are you sitting here?"

He turned his head with that cold expression of his. "Do you see any other empty seat?" He was right the bus was unusually packed today, "Okay, then" I said turning my head towards the window.

"You're quite stupid for a person with good grades"

What did he just say?

"Now, don't get flustered by that and glare at me"

"Am not"

He turned his head to me, "Your puckered lips and frowning face says something else"

Enough talking, I will just this big head. Soon, my station arrived, I got off the bus. I started to walk down the streets just to notice that, Jonghi was walking right behind me.

Without looking back, I stopped in my tracks and asked, "Now why are you following me?"

He walked past by me and stopped before he looked back and said,

"I moved into this neighborhood today, I wasn't following you, dimwit"

Yeah, he had to say that. We walked through the alley, far away from each other, don't wanna talk to this creature, nor he's someone who will stick up a conversation with just anyone. He has those piercings and crooked uniform, he's someone who causes a lot of trouble, huh, I don't like his kinds, and they are the real pain in the butt.

"Hey, that's your house?"

"I just said I don't like your kind!"

"huh?"

Ah, did I just that out loud? Of course, his face says I did,.... well.

"What are you saying? I don't want you to like me anyway"

"Shut up"

I walked past him.

"See you at school dimwit" He left.

I just entered.

I still remember, Seongheo telling me, 'it must be nice having a big house'. It's nice when it's empty and quiet, I am so glad they are away, far away for now.

Dropping my bag on the bed, I went in for a shower.

"I am hungry..."

Just after shower, I just grabbed my wallet and walked out of the house. No one is home to cook, mom and dad are always on business trips, and I don't know how to cook.

The convenience store has the best cup noodles. I just grabbed the smallest one and sat down at a random table. Peacefully, I was eating peacefully minding my own business until this creature came to interrupt me.

"Oi dimwit I thought you were filthy rich what are you doing here eating cheap noodles"

"Do I have to be poor to eat noodles?" I want him to leave.

"I am offended" he laughed it off.

I kept eating, while he stares the eyeballs out of me. Seriously, get out of here.

"You eat really weirdly"

I... chocked, on, my, noodles.

"Get out of here, leave me alone" Is all I can say while am still breathing for life, that creature just laughed at me.

"Come on you're eating cheap stuff, no wonder you're so thin"

I finally calmed down, took my cup, and walked away from there. He followed, of course. After I paid for it, he just grabbed my hand and dragged me out of there, I tried to brush him off but can't, obviously, I can't, he's like 3 times bigger than me.

"Oi, what are you doing? Leave me alone"

"Shush dimwit and just follow me"

"Why should I listen to you-"

"Just trust me, I won't hurt you"

Fine, if he does something funny I can just chop his head off.

Why would this creature drag me back to my own house?

"Tell me, Im Jonghi are you lost or you are just stupid? Why would you drag me back to my house?"

"Oi am not stupid and I do know my way back home"

"Alright then, thanks for dragging me home, you should get going"

I was ready to go in, but he stopped me, why.

"What do you want now?"

"Let's make a deal"

"I don't want to"

"Doesn't matter, I will make food for you, and you will help me pass my test"

"I just said I don't want to-"

"Let's go in"

He walked in anyway.

He walked around, looking just everywhere he could go.

I just grabbed the doorknob and went in as he followed me from behind.

"I feel bad for you, so today am gonna cook you the perfect meal a person should"

You can clearly hear him bragging. Who told him to do any of this; I can't even send him right away. Whatever it is.

"Do whatever you like" I said leaving him there, while I walk upstairs to prepare for the classes. I sat on my desk, leaned back on my chair, and worried for him a bit but brushed those thoughts away quickly.

20 minutes later, I got distracted. I went downstairs following the unfamiliar smell that filled my room. Did I reach the kitchen to find Jonghi wearing the apron, smiling? at the pot that was in front of him. I think he heard my footsteps he turned his head towards me, that's when his smile got wider and brighter.

"PERFECT! The food is done and you're here, just take a seat on the table", he said pointing at the dining table. I just went there and sat down, as he took his big steps and brought in something in a bowl and plate.

"Bon appetite monsieur" he places the plate down in front of me, looks like....fried rice? We had rice? How did he find it? He places the bowl down next. It was soup, how did he, and most importantly we really have this stuff at home?

"Oh don't worry I added some of my groceries too"

"Thank you for the food"

"Ahhh don't mention, just go ahead and eat it," he said with his smile.

It's hard to eat when you stare the eyeballs out of me idiot. I just grabbed the spoon and took a good scoop out of the fried rice......it's actually, good. Really good.

"How is it?"

"Good"

"Really? That's a relief wahhh" he said and sat down on the chair that was placed opposite to mine, he looks like he just won a lottery. What a kid.

I took a sip of the sip out of the soup too, everything is so good, and I haven't tasted anything like this in years. I was about to take another scoop before I looked up to him.

"What about you? Aren't you going to eat?"

He just shook his head. "It's for you, I already had my dinner"

I just shrugged, more for me. Not so long after that, he started chuckling. I looked up curiously.

"I feel like a mother right now, it feels so satisfying to watch you stuff your face like that"

Ignoring his words I kept eating.

"Yah, you were returning home alone, I thought you always stick up with Seongheo, don't you guys travel back home together?"

I stopped eating to answer.

"Our houses aren't close"

"Ehhhh liar, I know he lives just 5 or 6 blocks away" He finished his sentence with a scoff. He knows a lot, is he a stalker?

"He's busy with other stuff"

"Right, basketball. Ah, talking about basketball I heard you were the one who taught him how to play?!?"

Half chocking on my food I looked at his monkey face

"What?! He said that?"

Again with his annoying laugh. What's so funny anyway? We don't have leakage of laughing gas around here now do we?

"So I was right! Shit man I never thought I would be actually right. I mean yeah he's tall but poor man use to suck at it, no wonder he improved a lot since he met you"

So he figured it out by himself huh, what was I expecting.

Now I am just wasting my time, I cleaned up the table as fast as I could.

"I think it's getting late"

He just smiles and stands up. "I should get going then, walk me out?"

I just grabbed his jacket and started to slowly push him to the door.

"Ahh slow down I won't run away"

Please, I want you to.

I just stopped at the gates. Waiting for him to bid a bye.

"If you ever feel the hunger again"

He rummaged his hands inside a pocket and took a pen out.

"Give me your hand"

"I don't need your number"

"Ahh stop complaining; just give me one of your hands"

I lifted my left hand. He grabbed it and started to scribble something on it

Does he really think I will contact him again?

"And done, there now bye dimwit!"

He just ran away after that. What a weird creature.

He really wrote his number on my palm?

Huh

What-

"Lmao, you think you're worthy of my number? KEEP DREAMING??"

That uncultured creature. What does he think he is?

I just started to rub it furiously.

"WORSE! Wayyyy worse than any other humans out there!"

To be continued...

I never had to wash dishes before. His cooking is pretty good. I wonder if his parent runs a restaurant

too, just like Seongheo's. It's funny how Seongheo can't even boil an egg properly.

But again with all the other things he has to do, I don't think he has any time left to learn how to

cook. Seongheo wearing an apron will be quite a sight.

.......he occupies my head

a lot. It's becoming a nuisance. If it continues like this, then it will become a problem.

Before I could place it down on the side, the plate fell and shattered into thousand pieces.

I bend down to pick them up. It's not glass it won't give me a cut, but if am careless, it might start

behaving like glass and leaving a nasty cut.

"ow"

Just like this one.

It's not even bleeding. It won't leave a mark now, will it?

I just grabbed a band-aid from the shelf and wrapped it around the cut.

I don't need to do it but, it felt necessary.

Mom and dad are not coming back home today, again. It's been 4 days since I have seen their faces. It's

better when they are not around, I don't wanna hear their blunt and empty words

over and over again. It's boring.

I took a bunch of random books and sat them down on my desk.

We have tests, next week I still have my cram classes on weekends I won't be able to cover up for the

test...I have to fetch the materials now.

I looked up at the clock, it was past 9 pm, and the store is still open I have to hurry up.

They were about to close but I made it on time. I grabbed what I needed and stepped out of there before

the old man can throw an unnecessary fit again.

It's so quiet outside as well. All I can hear is the stream that flows right down the fences and-

"Kim Mingyu!"

Huh?

Oh

"What happened to armrest?"

He just smiled as he ran up to me. "Ahhh I am just proving that I still remember your name"

Look at his messy hair and clothes; he didn't even catch his breath and rushes over to talk about whatever crossed his mind.

"Maybe you should tattoo it on your body so you won't forget it", we continue our walk with the casual talks.

"Should I? But I am scared of needles"

"Yeah I know, you still,

cry like a 5-year-old whenever we have vaccine campaigns"

"Huh that is so not true, I got it like a real man"

"Umm I believe you"

Am not even looking at him

but I can clearly tell he's making the pout face again.

It becomes easier to

predict or guess what the other person is thinking or what their next words are

when you have lived with them for so long, am not even surprised with anything

he does, but I don't get bored. Even though it's the same words and gestures.

It all feels like a movie

that I rewatch all the time.

"What happened?"

his hands were already holding mine with the little band-aid around it.

"A small cut", I don't flutter at his subtle touches,

Or at least I try not to.

"When did you become so clumsy?" he said chuckling, my hand still in his grip.

"We all have those moments"

Considering you're way

clumsier than I can ever get.

Silence is not awkward

between us; I can still hear him even though he's not saying a single word.

It's like we are filling in some gaps between our words before we can come up

with something we can talk about again.

"I heard Jonghi to this neighborhood?"

he mumbles, looking around as if he will see him right

away.

"Yeah, I met him on my

way back" and after that, he also followed me, no actually dragged me home

and made me some good food. Now I can't add that, or else this person will just

make a big fuss about it.

"I should ask for his address we can have sleepovers"

"Count me out"

"No worries I will drag you there anyway"

He says followed by his

sinister laugh, his arms around my shoulders.

He laughs as if he had already

achieved it. What an idiot.

"You are smiling? Guess you like the idea of the sleepover"

his chuckles filled my left ear

mixed with his warm breaths.

I pushed his hands away and

walked ahead, "Stop dreaming"

Had to keep a distance,

hoping he doesn't see my hot red ears.

He ran up and we walked

back just like that, hearing how his day was.

I wish the road were longer.

We bid our goodbyes and part our ways.

Hearing his footsteps

disappear is still so unusual. I can never get used to it.

I hate it the most.

I just wish to hear the

voice and feel the presence, that's enough, I can never ask for more.

Dropping in my bed, I just

closed my eyes recalling the day. And drove me to sleep.

The day starts just like

that. I am on my way.

I wish I could take a cab

instead of the crowded bus. But I need to save up for future purchases.

I already saw the bus stop

when I saw Mrs. Park standing not so far away from the stand I went up to her

to greet her.

"Good morning Mrs. Park" I greet her with a small bow and a smile.

She immediately turned her

head and smiled. Seongheo resembles his mom so much.

"Oh? Little Mingyu?

Good morning. Going to school?"

"Ai, Mrs. Park I am not little anymore and yes I was on my way to school"

"I just wish Seongheo was as punctual as you, he just rushes everything and runs up at the last time

possible, I don't what I am supposed to do with this kid"

We bought chuckled at her

words.

"Don't worry; he will

learn to manage it one day"

"Ah talking about managing, Mingyu" Her voice was filled with curiosity as she turned her

head to me and asks,

"Do you think Seongheo has a girlfriend now?"

Ah, the same question again. Mrs. Park perhaps did you figure how

I feel about Seongheo that you ask

me that question every single time we get a chance to talk.

"I don't know, maybe he does?"

"You are not sure yourself, that kid comes back

home so late and never tells us a thing that

happens to him in school"

"Yeah, he never told

anything about that part of his life"

It's been 6 years, he told

me he use to have a girlfriend before he met me. She eventually dumped him and

moved away. Seongheo said it wasn't hurtful at all, he said it was more of

a relief since all she did was nag him. He's so bad at choosing partners.

"Help him or else he's going to end up dying alone"

Mrs. Park, it's the 21st

century, your son won't get married that soon. Think about his career and

health, mother.

I just gave her a nod.

First of all, how am I

supposed to help him when I lack the experience myself?

She knows I am a ******

right?

When was the last time I ever thought about it, never actually?

"Mom!"

Good kill this awkward

situation now.

Seongheo ran up to us and

smiled turning his head towards me, gasping in for air.

"Seriously, try to wake up early for once"

"I know, I know, let's go palgeo-i"

(Palgeo-i = armrest)

I bowed to her for the last

time before boarding the bus.

Seongheo followed me in; I

just sat down on the first seat that I could find as I went in.

He sat down on the seat

that was behind me since there was already a person sitting next to me.

I grabbed my earphones and

leaned back on my seat, closing my eyes.

Just to feel a hand

reaching out for one side of the earphones.

"Why are interrupting my peaceful ride?"

"I forgot to bring mine"

"I wish you will

forget to wear your pants one day too"

"Hey wait am not THAT clumsy"

"Sure"

He is so close. I can't

hear the music anymore.

The heartbeat is just

filling up my ear. It's too loud.

I just buried my face in my

bag, just before the person sitting right next to me notices how awkward I look

right now.

I don't want to end this

ride.

Just like anything else the ride ended before it can even start.

I just snatched the side

from his hands and walked down the bus.

I started to walk without

him before I see him walk past me.

Swinging his earphones in

his left hand.

What an unnecessary

incident to distract me again today.

I shouldn't be surprised

nor be flattered.

But Park Seongheo makes it

hard.

Such a cheap act to pull

out.

"Idiot"

He walks up to his friends

as usual, again with his smile.

Wait, Jonghi leaves in the

same neighborhood, why didn't we meet him at the bus station. Am happier we

didn't but, is he late for school? He will make it, he doesn't like classes at

all, and who am I to worry about it.

Seongheo had to visit the

club room so I walked inside the classroom alone like always.

But before I could step

inside the class, someone just grabbed my collar and pulled me back, and pushed

me aside. The grab made me choke a bit. When I looked up just to see Hwangso

walking inside with some other people following him from behind, a senior? What

is he doing here?

"Where is that jerk? Oi! Im Jonghi"

I saw that coming, who else

could it be. Trouble at 7 am.

"He is not here yet-"

No one is letting me finish

my words or work today.

"Oh? What's going on?"

For real Jonghi, nice

timing.

"You finally showed up huh?"

The senior says with a very

angry tone. Okay since they have seen each I should be on my way.

Again before I could take

another step, the jerk just grabs my wrist and drags me with him again.

Am I his bride or

something? Why is he always dragging me places?

"Oi! Im Jonghi! Why are you dragging me with you?!?"

"I don't know! I panicked"

"Are you stupid?!? Leave my hand?!"

"NO! Help me with this!"

"Why should I?!"

"Cause you are my guardian angel!"

"Stop spouting nonsense idiot!"

"I am sorry!"

"Shut up and leave my hand I have an idea"

He stops running and turned

his head to me while trying to catch his breath.

"Tell- me, what's- your plan?"

I walked to our left and

went inside a room.

"Try to breathe first and follow me nitwit"

Luckily this idiot dragged

us near the staff room, those seniors can't do anything.

Jonghi just followed me

inside as I walked up to Mr.Cha.

Mr.Cha looked a bit

confused to see us there; of course, it's unusual to visit him like this before

the class starts.

"Kim Mingyu and Im Jonghi, why are you two here? You should be in your classes by now"

"Ah that well Mr.Cha"

Darn it, I can't come up

with an excuse.

I turned my head towards

Jonghi; he can lie pretty good right?

"Ah that Mr.Cha I wanted to ask"

"Ask me what?"

"That, Ahhh can I have Mingyu as my teacher"

Your what now?

DON'T TRY IF YOU CAN'T!

I stepped a bit on his

shoes before he could further. Of course, he groans in pain.

"Mr.Cha he is just asking if I can be his tutor, and help him study"

"Study? Sure! Why not? Why would you need my permission?

Go ahead it will be a great help anyway. At

least my class will have 100% passed students."

"Ah what Mr.Cha, I am

not the only one that fails in our class"

"You are"

"You are"

Mr.cha and I both said that

at the same time.

Jonghi just turns his head

away and scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Haha it's a really good decision kid you should help each other, now let's go to class"

"Yes, Mr.Cha"

We walked ahead, Mr.Cha

followed us from behind.

Jonghi leaned in to

whisper.

"Thank you"

"Shut up"

"I will buy, wait,  no. I will make you a niiice meal for your kindness"

"Please don't"

"Why? You don't like my cooking? You said it was good"

"I can buy my own food"

"Yeah, yeah I know but it's NOT very unhealthy"

Just before we enter the room I asked.

"Why do you care?"

"You make me"

"Make you what?"

"Worry"

"Don't bother"

"What about me? I am really bothered by you"

I walked inside.

"That's your problem"

He just chuckled and went to his seat.

"I know" he exclaims so loudly now everyone is looking at him. Nice way to seek attention.

Jerk.

Classes started right away

when Mr.Cha entered the room after us. Do I really have any time to spare and

that little piece of dirt anything?

No, I don't think so.

Students rush out as soon

as they heard the bell, the room gets quieter. I didn't get to grab anything on

my way today. I have to get something from the cafeteria.

I stood up to walk out, but

Seongheo was already at the door looking in my direction.

"You are going to eat today? Let's go together"

Don't smile like that

moron.

I walked up to him, he was

alone. I guess that's why we want to eat with me.

"What about your friends?"

I asked as we walked down

the cafeteria together. The corridors are filled with people, each from

different classes. Seniors and juniors.

"Gone"

I looked up at him in

confusion, that's when he turned his head towards me and shook his head

immediately.

"No no don't worry they are not dead"

"If you say it like that, it does sound like they are dead"

He chuckles while covering

his mouth with his left hand. It's one of his habits. He doesn't cover his

mouth when he laughs. He should though, he has a hideous laugh. So ugly and

loud, that his laugh is funnier than the joke itself.

"I just saw you getting up so I wanted to sit with you"

"You expect me to buy you food?"

He rummages his hand

through his pocket to grab money when we reached the counter.

"Ehh no, I have my own money. I would never ask you to-"

He will never change.

"I will get two sandwiches"

I told the counter lady.

"Is that enough?"

I asked looking at him.

"Can we get something to drink too?"

Look, how shameless.

Shamelessly smiling.

I just handed him the card,

he grabbed it ran towards the vending machine, while I just waited for our

sandwiches.

We sat down at the nearest seat we could find.

He handed me a chocolate

milkshake box as soon as we sat down.

"For you"

"Yes, yes thank you"

He got himself the same

thing.

"Why would you buy that? You don't like sweet things"

He looked at it as he said,

"Just, I wanna know how it tastes"

"Don't complain how sweet it is"

"Ahh don't worry I won't"

"Oh? You guys are here?"

We turned our heads to see

Jonghi standing there holding a sandwich of his own.

Without any word he just

takes a seat next to mine.

"I thought you ordered another takeout today"

Seongheo asks him as he

stuffs his sandwich.

"I got caught so yeah"

"Well of course you

would, teachers now know you do that every day"

"Not, to tell you the truth, somebody told the teachers about it"

He's glaring at me I know.

Why?

Cause I was the one who

reported him for purchasing takeout foods in school.

"Too sad"

"Yeah, for people who eat so little it's not a bit deal after all"

"Why are you sitting with us?"

"I was alone that's why"

"Then you should eat alone"

"Nooo I need a company 24/7"

"You need someone who needs a babysitter,  what are you? A kid?"

"OH maybe! I am"

So annoying, I swear.

I kept my sandwich down and turned my head to him.

"You-"

"Since when did you two become so close?"

"What? We are not close"

"Mingyu is going to be my teacher"

"What? I never agreed to that?"

"Remember what you told Mr.Cha, if I don't get my grades up he will question you"

I want to strangle him to death right now; I won't go to jail right? Are 50 years of prison worth it?

"Teacher? As in being a tutor? That's good though"

"I don't have any time for it"

"1 hour after school, that should be enough, or maybe I can visit your house? After all, I already

know your address"

Seongheo chuckled again.

What's so funny?

"Finally Mingyu you can make friends without me"

Friends my foot.

I just grabbed my drink and stood up.

"We are not friends,

nor do I want him as a friend"

I just can't stand

breathing next to that creature.

I just walked out of there.

He had to interrupt the

only I have with Seongheo.

Walking down the corridors,

I heard footsteps following me.

I stopped and turned back.

"Why are you following me?"

He just shrugs without saying a word.

"Go away"

I turned back to continue walking but.

"I know"

"I don't care what you know"

"Really?"

I started walking again.

"I know you like  Seongheo"

What?

To be continued...

How..?

How did he find out?

Was I too careless? Was I too obvious?

I have to deny it, right now.

“That’s-“

“Now don’t say that it’s not true. I know you like him,

Kim Mingyu”

What now?

He won’t tell Seongheo right?

“Ahhh stop glaring at me, I might puke what I just ate”

I just accepted defeat and let out a sigh and asked.

“Fine, I admit I like him. How did you know?”

He just laughs off a bit while shaking his head.

“Anyone who spends more time with you two

will eventually know it right away”

He walked up closer to me. Fixed his hands

by crossing them infront of his chest.

I can’t say a thing now,

 I know what kind

of games this jerk will pull off.

“Mingyu-ah, the first day I saw you,

I thought you were some emotionless nerd,

but you can’t suppress your emotions at all when Seongheo

is around.

Can you?”

How does this person with the possible IQ of a peanut

figure such a thing out in just a few days.

I am pretty sure I was very careful with anything I say

or how I act around Seongheo.

“I can’t read minds, but if you’re mentally scolding me

in your head, stop that.”

“Why? You want me to scold you in real life?”

“Yah, Mingyu-ah you don’t realise the power I hold right

now”

He is right. This is Im Jonghi we are talking about.

If I don’t behave he might even tell Seongheo about it.

“Then, tell me what I can do to stop you”

Again that annoying laugh.

 Does he think he’s

some movie villain or something?

He is the villain in my movie.

“Stop laughing and tell me what I can do to shut you up”

“First, take care of that attitude. No more being mean to

me”

“First? There’s more?”

“Oh Oh don’t worry it’s just the beginning”

“Yah, is this a new way to entertain you?”

“Yeah, you can say that, and oh! Start using the honorific”

“What honorific? I am older than you idiot”

“You are? Well you do act like a grandpa”

Am leaving.

I turned my heel to walk when

 he just grabbed my

collar and pulled me back.

“YAH! Are you planning to kill me?”

“I will if you walk off on me again”

“This brat”

He let go of my collar and let out a deep sigh.

“We have classes, so I will let you go for now”

I just kept one of my hands on my neck, that moron pulled

too hard. It hurts.

He fixes his uniform as he put his hands inside the

pockets and walked away.

“I will bother you later, hyung!”

I hope you fall down the stairs and never return.

How relieving that would be.

But, he does know about it. What am I supposed to do?

Is he really going to tell Seongheo?

He won’t...at least I can make sure he doesn’t.

 Or else I might

lose the only thing that kept me close to Seongheo.

Our friendship

I don’t want to ruin it like I did last time.

I don’t mind even if he doesn’t share my feelings.

I don’t mind if he will never be into someone like me.

I have all the rights to spend time with him,

I have all rights to approach him when I need it,

I have all the rights to be his personal diary

and listen to everything he ever has to say.

I don’t have any higher expectations or ambitions.

So, I just can’t let anyone steal all of this,

it’s the only thing that kept me hanging on for so long,

or else I would have just-

Even thinking about it is exhausting.

I just hope he doesn’t do anything, or at least

I have to keep up with his requests.

This is such a pain, I already have so much in my plate,

and he really had to throw some inedible rocks into

it.

I started walking towards the class,

still stuck with everything that just happened.

So deep into my own thoughts that

I never felt the presence of another person besides me.

“It’s my first time being ignored by Kim Mingyu”

I turned my head to see him picking up his pace walking

right next to me.

Yeah, I didn’t see him there before cause my head was way

too occupied.

“It wasn’t intentional”

“Then why? Is something bothering you?”

He was looking at me when he asked that,

maybe he thought my expression would say something if my

lips didn’t.

But I said nothing, nor did I make an obvious look.

 I just shook my

head and he bought it.

“Really? Guess you are just sleepy again

since you fell asleep during lunch period;

You should go to bed as early as possible.

You stay up so late and then again wake up so early and I

just-

UGHH”

He messes up his own hair.

“You will hurt your health if this went on-“

I couldn’t help it.

His face was just too funny.

I just burst out laughing at that place.

While he stood there staring at me with confusion.

“Wait what was so funny in that? I was scolding you!”

I stopped and just gave him a nod.

“I will make sure to sleep early now, Mr. Park”

Look at that face; he is so proud of himself.

He just let out a bold laugh while keeping his hands-on

his waist.

His hair is a mess.

It was so adorable I couldn’t hold my laugh back.

I don’t want people to think he just went off the bed.

I just reached my hand out to fix his hair.

His hair is longer than before. Deep black and soft.

You can clearly tell he takes good care of them.

He bends down a bit more.

I wish I could do this every day.

Touch him without

having the fear

of being caught

while doing so.

Take care of him,

without having

anyone judge when I do.

Fix every little

mistake he makes.

Watch every step he

takes.

Sigh, dreams.

So unrealistic.

I took my hand back and turned away.

There are more people around us.

 I hope they don’t

get the wrong idea out of this.

“It’s fixed now, let’s go”

“Huh? Oh? Yeah class, let’s go”

“A “thank you” could work”

“Wah you are just like my mom, her gestures towards me

changes within seconds”

“Messy things distract me, idiot, I was not dolling you

up”

“I know I know but still”

He mumbles as he sat down.

“Still what?”

“The teacher is here eomeonie”

(Eomeonie: Mother in Korean)

 This nut head.

That’s how the classes end.

I want to return back home right away but I can’t.

I still have to teach Jonghi.

But...he may have forgotten about it?

I turned around and saw him laying his head on the desk;

he probably slept through the whole class.

I still have my chance I can escape this,

I will tell him something urgent came up later.

I quickly grabbed my stuff and started to walk out.

Yeah! Freedom!

I celebrated at the wrong time.

 This moron likes

to pull my collar so much.

“Were you trying to escape Kim Mingyu?”

“Yes”

“You know you can’t, right?”

“That’s why I took the risk”

“Too bad you can’t”

He just tugged my bag and dragged me back to his desk.

I hate this.

“Yah, don’t tell me are staying back at the classroom”

I questioned him as people left the room one after

another.

And am guessing Seongheo left too.

Seongheo, leaves early for his club work.

“Are you stupid? Of course not. We are going to visit the

library”

“And you call me stupid, we can’t we whisper in the library

how am I supposed to teach you anything? Telepathy?”

“Fiiine fine Mr. Kim, we can visit a cafe then”

“I hate noisy places; you can’t read in a place like

that”

“Then

             How

about my house?”

He hung his bag around his shoulder as he turned his head

and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Sure”

Better than busy places, and I can still kick him if he

tries anything.

“Let’s move Mr. Kim”

He wrapped his hands around my shoulders but I removed

them immediately.

“Stop calling me that and don’t touch me’

“Salty, but you let Seongheo do that”

“Shut up”

“As you wish, your majesty”

I will throw him off the bridge if he continues being

like this.

We walked out of the school and waited for our bus.

“You were late this morning”

Just to break silence cause it’s getting weird and

awkward just him standing there with a frowning face.

 The heck was he

thinking about making him frown like that?

“Huh? Oh yeah. I forgot to drop my little brother off”

“You have a little brother?”

“Yeah, don’t act so surprised. Don’t you have any

siblings?”

“No”

“Huh?? Then what about the guy that visited you on-“

“That was my dad”

“Whaaaaat? He looks sooo young”

“Yeah, I hear that a lot”

“He doesn’t even have a single grey hair on his head”

“He dyes his hair”

“Oh? But that doesn’t explain the good looks and young

skin”

“He travels a lot, so he probably visits various care

centers”

“Hmm makes sense, but one more thing”

“What?”

“He looks so young, fit and handsome...what happened to

you?

“What?”

This jerk-

Well the hell with him, I am still too young to care

about how the hell I look.

I saw our bus stopping right in front of us.

I stood up and walked in as I said.

“Says the one who has a face no one appreciates”

“Wait- Hey! A lot of people call me handsome!”

“Really? Can you name some?”

“Of course! Well there is my- uhh mom, my little brother

and my grandma!”

“You- never mind, I don’t want to hear your naggings

later”

We were already walking through our streets.

We walked past my own house, the gates are still closed.

Guess they are not back yet.

His house is not that far from mine.

Basically two turns and a few houses.

He stopped standing in front of a small iron gate.

 I can clearly see

his off-white painted two-story house.

“It’s not much but, Su casi, mi casi”

he says as he opens the gate for me to enter.

“It’s mi casa, su casa idiot”

I told him as I walked past him by entering the house first.

“At least I tried”

I clapped my hands as I looked around.

“Bravo, Im Jonghi Bravo”

He just scoffs but asks.

“Your eyeballs gonna pop out,

 never seen a house

like mine before?”

“I have, but this one is cute”

He just cupped his own face and started acting cute,

“Like me?”

he asks looking at me blinking his eyes from time to

time.

What sins have I committed before to deserve this?

“Cuter than a baboon’s bottom”

I said dropping down my bag on the couch before I sat

down myself.

He’s obviously was not happy with what I just said.

Any who.

“English, let’s start off with that”

“Sure, am already good at it though”

“And still failed the easiest test”

“The time given was not enough”

“2 hours for 10 questions”

“I was thinking for the first half”

“Sigh, Im Jonghi we still have a long way to go”

“I know.... but it’s fine because I have you with me”

He said that with his cheeky smile.

 I miss my home.

2 hours, and we are still stuck on the same passage.

“Try watching some English movies,

they will help you a lot,

oh wait not movies you should watch cartoons”

“What? I can barely understand the words in

Korean cartoons how am I supposed to understand

English???”

“I don’t know, that’s your problem.

Just do it. Now stop pouting you look ugly and

pick up the pen and write down the words-“

Right before I could say another word, my phone rang.

I looked at the user name.

“Yes?”

Jonghi stopped and looked up at me curiously.

“No am not, am out. Okay...I understand I will be there”

I just kept my phone down and let out a sigh before

Turning my head back to him, he was still looking at me.

“Stop staring and start moving your hands”

“Who was that?”

“No one”

“Your parents?”

“....yeah it’s them”

“They are coming back today? Why are you still here then?

You should head back home”

“Its fine, I don’t wanna go”

“But you might get in trouble for that”

Now or later, it doesn’t matter;

 it’s going to be

the same words in the same tone anyway.

At least they should smile a bit while

saying all the meaningless blabbers,

which might make it less unbearable.

“Get up I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me”

He stood up, stretching out his hand to me.

Why is he helping me when I don’t need it?

I turned away and continued writing

. I don’t want to explain anything to him, he won’t

understand,

cause it just doesn’t make any sense.

“Yah, Kim Mingyu we can study later okay?

I..I can learn the new words huh?

 I will watch the

movies as you said, just go back”

“Do you want me gone that bad?”

He quickly shook his head.

“That’s not it; it’s just your parents...”

I got from my seat and picked up my bag too.

“I know, I know about my parents,

and you should not worry about them”

“I am not worried about them, am worried about you”

Is he being serious?

What is there to worry about?

It’s nothing serious or dangerous in not going back on

time.

“You should not”

I walked out of there, as he followed me behind.

“Want me to drop you off?”

“Don’t be ridiculous am not a kid”

“I know, I don’t want to drop you anyway, I was just

being nice”

“Nice my foot, and continue your study am going”

“YES SIR!”

“Stop being noisy too”

“YES SIR!”

Idiot.

I hope this road never ends.

Right I won’t be mad if someone

just comes up and kidnaps me right now.

I looked around.

Disappointed,

No one is here.

No one, why is this world so cruel at the worst timings

ever.

There it is.

The hell.

I can already see the car.

I opened the door and walked in,

They were seated on the couch;

I guess they haven’t noticed me yet.

I slowly walked up to them and bowed.

Mr. Kim with his low voice asked immediately.

“Where were you?”

“Classes”

“You don’t have classes at 2 pm, they start

from 5 pm and ends at 9 pm. Are you lying to me right now?”

I just shook my head, but I don’t think he bought it.

“Tell me the truth, where were you?”

I just lowered my head.

What am I supposed to answer?

I can’t really tell them where I really was.

“Kim Mingyu, I don’t want to raise my hand today”

“You will anyway”

Yeah, that was his limit.

I can already feel my left cheek burning up.

Am too used to all of this, this was nothing compared

To everything else he ever did.

“You still won’t tell us”

Another one, on another cheek.

But Mrs. Kim was fast enough to stop him.

“Please stop, I think he has his own reasons”

He freed his hand which was in the hold by her.

He gave me the frown face and continued.

“Since when we ever taught him to keep secrets from us?

You better tell us everything before we assign another

man behind you”

But you already did that.

Why are you asking if you just know everything?

This is so exhausting.

I just want to leave.

They all left the room.

It was all quiet and peaceful again.

I just dropped my bag on the couch and made my way out of

the house.

I don’t want to breathe the same air as them.

Why do they even come back when all they do is

make some unnecessary fuss around?

I hope it doesn’t swell up like it did last time,

 it looks very ugly

and obvious.

Seongheo will question about it all the time,

and won’t stop until I tell him the reason,

then he will start making unnecessary assumptions

 and even get

worried and blame himself for not helping me,

 it’s all the same

cycle. One time he even insisted on talking

to my parents. Hm, now imagining that is quite scary and

impossible, because I can never let them meet, not even

by mistake.

It won’t be a good scene to see them standing

infront of each other, I can never what Mr.Kim might do

to him.

It would be better if I just put some ice on it before it

swells.

I just let out a sigh, ready to go inside.

Not until,

I looked up.

“Mingyu?”

Ironic.

Speak of the devil.

There he is, the devil himself.

I can’t even hide it anymore, he saw it.

“Oh? You just got back?”

No answer.

His eyes, I can tell.

He wants to know.

But, he can’t help it,

it isn’t his problem and I can’t drag him into this.

“Look it’s getting late you should-“

“Again?”

“Yes, I know, it happens all the time’

“And you’re okay with it?”

“Of course not”

Honesty, cause I know he wants it.

“You won’t do anything about it?”

“What can I do?”

“Come to my house”

Huh?

“My house..........let’s go”

To be

continued...