CHAPTER 2: group of bullshit (Continuation)

The next morning, Jared woke up with a jolt. He quickly glanced at the clock on the wall and his eyes widened— it was already 9:00 AM. “Shit, I’m late!” he muttered, jumping up from his bed in a panic. He looked around and saw Jaden already up, standing by the sink brushing his teeth like he had been awake for hours.

He walked over to him, frowning. “Hey! Why didn’t you wake me up?! We’re gonna be late, are you crazy?!”

Jaden stopped brushing, rinsed his mouth, and looked at him with a bored face. “Why should I wake you? You’re a big boy, you can wake up yourself. Besides, you were sleeping like a log, I didn’t feel like wasting my energy shaking you awake.”

“Are you serious? You knew we have class early today! You did this on purpose didn’t you?” he accused, crossing his arms.

“Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. What are you gonna do about it, cry?” he teased, sticking his tongue out at him.

Jared just rolled his eyes but didn’t argue anymore, he was already rushing to get ready. He moved fast, changing his clothes and fixing his hair in just a few minutes. Once he was done, he grabbed his bag and headed straight outside. He walked towards the car parked in front— it was his mom’s car. She didn’t use it anymore since she preferred commuting or using her other vehicle, so she allowed Jared to use it whenever he needed to.

He got inside and started the engine, revving it a little. Moments later, Jaden came out too, locking the door behind him and walking over. He opened the passenger door and sat beside him without even asking.

“Took you long enough,” Jared said as he started driving fast but safely.

“You’re one to talk. If you didn’t sleep like a dead person we wouldn’t be in this situation,” Jaden shot back immediately.

“I slept late because someone kept annoying me last night, remember?” Jared smirked, glancing at him for a second.

“Excuse me? I was just having fun, you’re the one who couldn’t handle it. And don’t think I forgot what you did yesterday, pervert,” Jaden said, hitting his arm lightly.

“Ow! Hey, watch it I’m driving! And I told you it was an accident… or was it?” Jared grinned, purposely driving a little faster making Jaden hold onto the handle for support.

“Jared slow down! Do you want us to die before we even reach school?! Ugh you’re so annoying!” Jaden complained but he was smiling too, enjoying their usual banter.

They kept bickering and teasing each other the whole ride, throwing insults and jokes back and forth until they finally arrived at the school gate. They were really cutting it close, the bell was about to ring any second, but luckily they still made it just in time before the gates closed.

They ran quickly towards their classroom, catching their breath as they entered. The teacher hadn’t arrived yet so they sighed in relief. Inside the room, their seats were far apart— Jaden sat right in the front row, always wanting to focus and listen properly, while Jared was seated all the way at the back near the window. Because of the distance, they couldn’t whisper or chat with each other anymore, so they just settled into their own places.

As soon as he sat down, Jared leaned back, put his bag aside, closed his eyes, and immediately fell asleep. His head resting against the wall, looking completely unbothered by the class starting. Students around him saw this and just shrugged, it was a normal sight already. Even though he was always sleeping during lessons, no teacher ever dared to complain or scold him. Why? Because despite never paying attention or taking notes, Jared was always rank number one in the whole grade. He got perfect scores in every exam and answered every question correctly when called.

What people didn’t know was that the cool, kind, and approachable guy they saw in school was just an act. That was his mask. Only Jaden knew his real personality— the playful, teasing, sometimes arrogant guy he really was. Everyone else thought he was this perfect gentleman. Because of his good looks and top grades, he was really popular. Students from other sections and even other year levels always came looking for him, wanting to be friends or just get his attention. On top of that, he was also part of the Taekwondo Club and was really skilled at it, winning competitions and bringing honor to the school, which made everyone admire him even more.

Meanwhile up front, Jaden was doing the exact opposite. He was sitting straight, listening carefully to the teacher and writing down notes diligently. He was just as famous as Jared, but for his own reasons. He was rank number two, always just a little bit behind him but still way ahead of everyone else. He had a handsome face and a bright personality that attracted both girls and boys alike. He was friendly to everyone, never looked down on anyone, and always helped his classmates when they had problems with lessons. Everyone loved being around him.

But even though both of them were popular and everyone wanted to get close, there was an unspoken thing between them. No one dared to get too intimate or act too friendly with either of them, because everyone could see that the two of them shared a special bond. They were always together, came and went together, and even when they were fighting or teasing each other, it was obvious they were the closest person in each other’s lives.

Halfway through the class, the teacher turned to the board to write something, and Jaden couldn’t help but glance back towards the last row. He saw Jared still sleeping peacefully, looking so calm and unbothered while everyone else was struggling to understand the lesson. He shook his head, a small smile forming on his lips. How does he even do it? he thought. Sleeps all day and still beats everyone. So unfair.

Back at his seat, Jared was actually half-asleep, but he could still hear everything going on in the room. He knew exactly what the teacher was explaining, he just didn’t feel like opening his eyes or participating. For him, school was just something he had to get through, and the only thing that made it bearable was knowing Jaden was there too.

Finally, the bell rang signaling that classes were over. Students started packing their things and leaving the room one by one, making noise and talking loudly. But at the back, Jared was still deep asleep, looking like he could sleep there forever if no one bothered him.

Jaden walked straight towards him, holding his textbook tightly in his hand. Without warning, he raised the book and smacked it hard right on top of his head.

THUD!

“OW! WHAT THE HELL?!” Jared jolted awake immediately, holding his head and looking at him with eyes burning with anger. “Are you crazy?! You could’ve cracked my skull open!”

Jaden just stared at him with a straight face, not even feeling guilty. “Shut up and stop overreacting. It’s already lunch time. Everyone else is gone, are you planning to stay here and starve? Come on, we’re going to the cafeteria.”

“You could’ve just woken me up like a normal human being! Why do you always have to be so violent?! Cursed your ass, seriously!” Jared complained loudly as he stood up, rubbing the sore spot on his head.

“And you could’ve just woken up by yourself! You sleep like a log, what else am I supposed to do?!” Jaden fired back, already walking out of the room.

They continued bickering and throwing insults at each other all the way to the cafeteria. But as usual, it was just their normal way of talking, no one was really mad. When they got there, they bought their favorite food and drinks, then found a table to sit down. For a while, everything was peaceful. Both of them were eating soundly, enjoying their meal and the quiet moment.

But that peace didn’t last long.

Suddenly, a group of boys walked over and surrounded their table. Jared immediately frowned, he didn’t like the look of them— they looked arrogant and troublemakers, the type of people he wanted nothing to do with. The leader of the group stepped forward, wearing a smug face like he owned the whole school.

“Hey, is this seat taken?” he asked, pointing to the empty space beside Jaden.

Jared was about to say “yes” and tell them to go away, but before he could even open his mouth, Jaden spoke first. “No, it’s free. You can sit.”

Jared shot him a look like are you serious? but he kept quiet, crossing his arms and watching them closely.

The leader happily sat right next to Jaden, way too close for comfort. He immediately started talking nonstop, introducing himself and asking Jaden questions one after another. “Hi man, I’m Sojin. I’m from Grade 11 Section A. I’ve seen you around before, you’re really cool you know? What’s your hobby? Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?”

Jaden just nodded or gave short replies, clearly unbothered and not interested at all. But Jared beside him was starting to lose his patience. He was holding his plate so tight his knuckles turned white, it looked like he was about to crush it into pieces any second.

Sojin? Who cares what your name is, annoying prick, Jared thought to himself, gritting his teeth. Talking too much like a parrot. Get lost already.

As if he wasn’t getting the hint, Sojin became even bolder. He casually put his arm around Jaden’s shoulder, then even stretched his leg so it was touching his under the table.

That was the final straw.

Jared stood up abruptly, his face turning completely dark and cold. His aura changed instantly, looking so scary it felt like the temperature around them dropped. He looked like he was just seconds away from throwing a punch right at Sojin’s face.

“Jared! Sit down!” Jaden said firmly, though there was a tiny smirk hiding at the corner of his lips.

Jared breathed heavily, looking like he was really holding himself back, but he listened and sat back down. Seeing this, Sojin and his friends laughed mockingly, thinking Jared was just scared and couldn’t do anything.

That laugh only fueled Jared’s anger more. He looked straight at them and started speaking in a cold, sharp tone, saying all kinds of harsh words and badmouthing them without holding back. He called them arrogant, brainless, bullies who only knew how to bother people, and said they weren’t even worth his time.

Sojin and his friends got furious immediately. “How dare you talk to us like that?! You think you’re cool huh?!”

Without thinking, one of the boys threw a punch straight at Jared’s face. “That’s what you get for talking back, idiot!”

Jaden didn’t even panic, he just leaned back and took a sip of his drink, looking like he was watching an interesting movie.

Jared just dodged it easily, then smirked. “Finally. Took you long enough. This is called self-defence, right?”

Realization hit Sojin’s face— he just walked right into a trap.

All the students in the cafeteria stopped eating and turned to watch. Jared stood up calmly, then landed a strong punch right on Sojin’s face making him stumble back. The other boys rushed towards him all at once, but they were no match. Jared was trained in Taekwondo, his movements were fast, precise and powerful. One by one they fell down, each getting hit right in the face or kicked on the legs, lying on the floor groaning in pain.

Jared walked slowly towards Sojin who was still trying to stand up. He grabbed him by the collar and punched him again and again, hard and fast. “Listen to me well, you piece of garbage. No one is allowed to mess or act too friendly with that guy over there. You heard me?! You fucking worthless bullshit!”

With every word came another punch. Sojin could barely see straight anymore, his mind screaming What is wrong with this guy?! He’s a monster! I’ll never ever harass anyone again! before he finally passed out on the floor.

“Jared! That’s enough, let’s go!” Jaden stood up, putting his drink down.

Jared stopped immediately, like he just turned off a switch. He let go of Sojin and followed him out like nothing happened, acting like he didn’t just beat up five guys alone.

They went straight to the restroom. Jared washed his hands and face, wiping away any sweat.

Jaden leaned against the wall, smiling. “How many is it now? Hmmm… 102 guys you’ve beaten up because of me, I guess?”

Jared glared at him. “Stop joking about this! I’m still so angry, that guy was really getting on my nerves.”

“Come on, relax. He’s not even worth your anger or your strength,” Jaden said, then walked closer and suddenly hugged him from behind, wrapping his arms around his waist.

Jared went quiet instantly, all the anger inside him slowly melting away. He sighed and patted his hands gently. “Fine… just this once, okay? Don’t let those types of people get near you again.”

They went back to their classroom to get their bags, and surprisingly no one called them to the principal’s office. Everyone already knew what happened— those boys were always causing trouble and harassing others, so everyone understood that Jared was just protecting Jaden. Some students even whispered and cheered for them secretly.

Soon, classes ended for the day. Jared drove them home using his mom’s car, the ride was quiet but comfortable now. When they arrived in front of Jaden’s house, he turned to him.

“Hey, do you wanna come in? We can eat something or just sleep and rest in my place, it’s still early anyway.”

Jared looked at him and smiled, shaking his head. “I’ll pass today. I’m tired and I still have some things to do at home.”

“Okay fine, suit yourself,” Jaden said as he opened the door. “But don’t forget to text me when you get home, okay? And also… thank you earlier. You really looked cool beating them up, my personal bodyguard.” He winked at him before getting out and walking inside.

Jared laughed, watching him until the door closed. He started driving back home, but the image of him protecting Jaden and that hug earlier kept playing in his mind, making him smile to himself the whole way. When he reached his house, he immediately took his phone and typed a message:

[Text: I’m home safe. And for the record, I’m not just your bodyguard. I’m the only one allowed to annoy you, remember? 😏]

To be continue...

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