♥

I bit my lip and looked at myself in front of the mirror inside the girls comfort room. 

When I was walking on the hallway, I saw Dongho at the end of the corridor talking to a few of our classmates. He had a smile that showed his perfect dimple and the weird thing was, it made my chest tighten. So, in conclusion to that, I ran to the nearest comfort room I could find. 

Now here I am, bringing the cold water towards my face for what seemed like the hundredth time. 

Why was I doing this again? Why was I so nervous? Why do I even care? 

I froze, imagining how Dongho was going to react. I mean he doesn’t even know I saw him with the girl, he might think I’m some stalker or something. Then he’s going to tell his dad, and I might be expelled. There might be a possibility that he won’t ever talk to me ever again and - Jung Soo Hyo, stop over-thinking.

I took a deep breath and dried my face, walking out of the comfort room.

“It’s just a damn question. Don’t think too much,” I mumbled as I approached him.

He was neatly arranging his books inside his locker. I couldn’t help myself and just stared at his tall figure, stopping in the process. The nervousness came back again as he turned to face my way and showed me his smile. 

“Hey there, little miss trouble-maker,” he smirked. “What’s up?”

“I-I-” Stuttering. Great.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked, confusion and worry was all over his face.

“T-this morning...” I started.

“Oh, that’s right. How’d the exam go for you?” he asked. 

Well, that was completely off topic. Maybe I should just ask him later. He’s in a good mood right now and I wouldn’t want to change that. It was so rare to see him as the smiley Dongho. He always wore this sulking expression every time I saw him walk around the hallways.

Not that I pay attention or anything.

“Hello?” he laughed, snapping his fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to reality. “Earth to Ms. Jung?” 

“Sorry.” I mumbled. “I was-”

“Overthinking. You do that a lot.” he smiled at me and patted my head. “Where’re you heading to next?”

“I think it was Chemistry,” I said, ignoring his first statement.

“Alrighty then, let’s get going.” 

“You have chemistry too?” I asked him.

“Yep. Isn’t that the reason why I’m with you right now?"

“I can handle myself,” I told him, fiddling with my books.

“I know,” he grinned at me. “but I’m pretty sure you have no idea where the lab is right?”

I blushed and looked away from him. Even if I didn’t want to admit it, he was right. I had no sense of direction even if I put up such a confident face. He saw right through me and it surprised me how easily he could do it. 

“So tell me,” he mumbled, slowing down so I could catch up with him.

Kid had long legs. 

“You want to know what was bothering me?” I guessed.

He nodded. “Can I get an answer this time?”

“Well,” I sighed, finally giving in, “ I saw you with this girl in the garden.” 


I watched his reaction as I spoke slowly. It wasn’t that good so far. His smiley face turned serious when I brought it up and what once was a smile, turned into a straight line.

“That’s none of your business,” he muttered.

“I know,” I replied. “But you seemed so close to each other I couldn’t help but think that she was a girl important to you and I-”

“Stay out of this Soo Hyo,” he said. “I know you’re my friend and all, but that doesn’t mean I give you an all access card to my life.”

“I just wanted to know who she was.” I pouted slightly. “You didn’t look like you were just friends.”

“What are you implying?” his eyes narrowed.

“I’m implying that...well, she must be your girlfriend.”

“Just drop it,” he snapped. “I don’t have to tell you anything, alright?!” 

I blinked. “I’m sorry I-”

“You don’t have to be,” he said waving it off and walking faster than necessary.

I could understand that it was an attempt to get rid of me. I mean, I was being too pushy and I felt stupid about not stopping myself when he wasn’t on the fit of rage yet. So I quietly followed him until he pushed open two varnished double doors and nodded his head for me to go in first.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

He grunted in response and went to sit on his seat. I made my way to the only vacant seat behind his and watched the clock on the wall in front of us, dreading for the next few subjects I had with him.

------------

I bit my lower lip and looked at Dongho for the 12th time as he copied tons of notes that the professor had written on the board. It was already the fourth time he erased about 7 paragraphs of different theories and gas laws. Trust me, the blackboards here are huge. I heard some of our classmates groan as he started another one of his very ‘short’ paragraphs.

“If you keep staring at me like that, I might think wrongly about it,” he muttered, finally returning my gaze.

I sighed in relief, not knowing that I had held my breath. 

“I’m sorry, Dongho.”

“As I said, you don’t have to be. I mean, it was kinda my fault too since I snapped at you like that.” he said sheepishly, twirling his pen in his fingers. “I didn’t mean to get mad at you that way.”

“Mr. Shin?” the professor’s voice echoed throughout the quiet room. “Do you mind?” he asked, eyeing the both of us above the rims of his black glasses.

I looked at Dongho urgently and he shook his head. It surprised me at how casual he took in all the comments and warnings of the teachers of this school. But then again, I didn’t know why I doubted his power since he was the future owner after all. I mean, all the people working in this school practically bowed down to his father like he was the almighty ruler of a kingdom call Shin High School.  

“Not at all. Please continue, Professor Park.” he smiled at him. 

The professor narrowed his eyes at him but continued otherwise, earning Dongho a shocked expression from me.

“How can you even take these people so casually?!” I whisper.

 

“Easy,” he laughed in a hushed, almost inaudible tone. “Most of the people who work here are my father’s trusted colleagues. Plus, he’s one of my father’s golfing mates.” he said, pointing at the tall, white haired man who stood before us.

 

“Golfing mate?” I asked, wrinkling my nose a bit. I looked back at the professor who was about 50 and who was wearing a v-neck sweater under a light blue polo with brown slacks and black loafers. Then I looked back at Dongho’s amused expression. “He plays golf?”

He laughed and pushed me slightly with his arm. “Hey, anyone can play golf.” he says.

“Not looking like that.” I mutter. 

“Well, you’d be surprised of how well he plays.” 

“You serious?” I asked, disbelief all over my face. “He looks more like a geek type to me.”

“Well, look who’s so judgemental,” he chuckled. “I wouldn’t want to keep that attitude in this school if I were you.”

I looked at him, confused but he shook his head and resumed copying. “.” he muttered as the professor erased the board once again.

I laughed this time. “Don’t worry,” I told him, patting his head. “I’m sure you’ll ace that test either way.”

“Thanks for the support.” he snorted, hitting my hand lightly with his pen.

“Hey,” I shrugged. “It’s the least I could do for a friend.” I said, stabbing his side with my pen making him gasp in surprise.

He pouted and pinched my cheek. “You’re one hell of a friend.” 

I pushed away his hand and laughed. He resumed copying the other gas laws after disarranging my hair a couple of times earning him a few slaps on the back from me.

“By the way,” he muttered, getting close to my ear. “There’s a couple of roses beside your locker. You might want to get it out of the way before it gets trampled on by a bunch of hormone enraged teenagers.” he smirked.

I looked at him in disbelief and slapped his arm again, laughing. He winked at me and continued writing, the smiley Dongho coming back to life.

And I couldn’t help but smile along with him.

Just like that.

{ c o n t i n u e }