Home Gallery Wattpad Upvote monsteracademy   "To put it clearly, I'm going to a school filled with monsters?" THIRTY-EIGHT: Gifts and Gratitude Lu Han watched you make your way out of the library. You even managed to trip on a nearby chair along the way. “Stupid grizzly,” he shook his head helplessly and went back to his book. “Lu Han-hyung,” Lay called, giving him a meaningful stare. Xiumin and Chanyeol were doing the same. “What?” He asked. Xiumin bobbed his head towards your direction. Lu Han gave a sigh. “Why me?” “You’re not doing anything,” Lay told him. “Aish, fine,” he huffed, standing up, and also made his way to the exit. He scanned the area once he was outside, but he could no longer find you anywhere near the library. He scratched his head in annoyance. He started sniffing, following the direction of your scent. He found you standing in front of one of the many vending machines scattered all over the campus. You looked so dumb, seriously counting the coins that you have in your hands. You rummaged for more coins in your uniform and bag pockets. “Ah jinjja,” he sighed, approaching you. You were smiling as you counted the coins and were about to put them into the coin slot but Lu Han beat you to it and inserted his own coins. “Ah mweoya!” You shouted. He casually chose a drink and took the can from the item slot. He opened the can and drank from it, ignoring you. “Are you desperately trying to annoy me? Stay away from me!” You pushed him away from the vending machine. You literally hissed at him in annoyance before finally turning your attention back at the vending machine. You were about to put your coins in but Lu Han shoved your hand away with his own and inserted his own coins again, causing you to drop some of your coins to the ground. “Aish! JINJJA!” You raged, picking your fallen coins up. “What do you think you’re –,” you stopped mid-sentence when you saw that he was holding out a can of refreshment to you. You stared at him in confusion. He motioned for you to take it. “I-is that...for me?” You asked. “I’m giving it to you, aren’t I?” He answered crossly. “Well, I don’t want it!” You said in annoyance. “Aish! Just take it!” He said, pushing the can into your forehead. You had no choice but to take it since he already released it from his grasp. “Guess I might have been too hard on you earlier,” he said before you could say the mean things you had in your head. You stared at him with a confused expression, trying to make out what he meant. He sat on a nearby bench and continued drinking his beverage, which you realized was the same as the one he gave you. “Are you trying to apologize?” You finally asked. “Mweo?!” He laughed, bewildered. “Why the hell would I do that? It’s not my fault you’re stupid,” he answered. “Why you!” You growled and really intended to throw the can at his face, but decided to listen to your better judgment that – ‘Joo Ri, calm down. This must be this oaf’s way of apologizing.’ You frowned at him before finally taking your seat at the far end of the bench. Of course you were aware that it was a poor manner of apology, and any normal person would have done what you first intended to do with the can in your hand. But then again, it was Lu Han you were talking about and he probably doesn’t apologize, ever. Besides you’re not sure you still know what ‘normal’ is. ‘Normal’ went running away to the far side of the earth the moment you stepped into MA. You turned the drink in your hand, frowning when you saw what kind of drink he gave. “I don’t drink coffee,” you mumbled. “Aish! Then give it back!” He groused while trying to take the can of coffee from you but you held it away. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t drink it!” You told him. “And no take backs.” “Whatever,” he said in annoyance and went back to the other edge of the bench. You drank from it and grimaced at its strong bitter taste. It was Americano. “How could you drink this thing?!” “People who don’t like dark coffee are babies,” he said. “Not everyone shares the same taste as you, adults included,” you told him. “Would you have preferred milk then?” He jeered. You pulled a face at him, not wanting to admit that indeed you would prefer milk over coffee anytime. “If you’re expecting for me to thank you then forget it. Besides, I shouldn’t thank you for an apology,” you told him. “Aish! I said it wasn’t an apology. Don’t be too full of yourself.” “Whatever,” you replied. “Why are you here anyway? Feeling guilty that you got me kicked out of the library?” “It was your fault,” he snorted. “Stop blaming things on other people.” “I was peacefully studying until you annoyed me and I got kicked out! And you didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?!” You said, your temper getting the better of you again. “The guys wanted to make sure nothing bad happens,” he told you. “What?” You asked, confused. “They thought we probably shouldn’t leave you alone, literally. Since you’re so stupid,” he mumbled the last part before taking another sip of coffee. You heard it, but decided to just ignore it anyway and focus on more important things. “So you’re stalking me?” “Stalking, is when you follow a person around without letting them know it. Does this look like stalking to you? Idiot.” “Aish! Fine! Whatever this ‘non-stalking’ thing you’re doing, you can stop it. I don’t need anyone to keep an eye on me, especially you. Don’t treat me like a weak little kid who needs a lot of saving.” “Funny. Coz I remember I already saved you twice,” he said. “That...w-was a different thing.” “How is it different?” “Aish! Just...,” you sighed in frustration. “It’s not like you really want to be here anyway. I can take care of myself,” you grumbled. “Based on experience, that’s not true.” “Just shut up,” you said in annoyance as you walked towards the trash bin to throw your now empty can. “My problems are my problems. I don’t want something like that to happen again,” you mumbled the last part to yourself. Lu Han heard it, though he knew you didn’t intend for him to. He stared at your back as you just stood there looking at the trash, unmoving. It was hard to figure out what you were thinking, but he was sure you must be referring to Kai and Chanyeol. And for once, he wondered just how much more you were keeping from them, what other things you must have gone through that you didn’t tell them, and if someone else other than yourself even knew. Lu Han was never fond of people. For him, most of the time people would hurt him more than they would care for him. And he learned that the hard way. But even so, he knew he had people to run to whenever he’s in a pinch, like Sehun and Lay, and the others whom he came to trust - the soccer team. They may be few, but they were all he’ll ever need. Surely, she doesn’t think she can make it through everything alone. She must not be stupid enough to believe that..., he thought, and wondered if you even told Ji Min about things. “Well, I’ll be going,” you smiled, tearing Lu Han away from his thoughts. You went to the vending machine and inserted a few coins there. “I just gave you a drink,” he told you. “It’s not for me,” you answered, collecting a can of Coke from the item slot. He raised an eyebrow at you in question but you didn’t answer. “Thanks,” you said without looking at him. “It’s just coffee,” he said. “Not that. For saving me twice,” you smiled. “I might have saved you twice from that imp but I also saved you a lot of other different times.” “Aish, fine. Thanks all the same.” “It’s not for free,” he reminded you. “Aish! I know I know! You made that perfectly clear,” you frowned as you remembered all the slavery he put you in, and inwardly groaned when you realized that he’ll probably make you do all sorts of things again soon now that he no longer has far more important things to think about. “Can’t you change that bag? Why would you still wear that thing around, unless you really are stupid or something,” he said. “Ugh! I’d change it if I had another one to change to, but I don’t,” you answered in irritation. “Anyways, I’m going. And don’t follow me around,” you said as you began walking away, but you stopped after a while. “I’ll treat you to a drink next time,” you told him. “Don’t sweat it. You were even having a hard time finding coins for your own drink,” he snorted. “Can’t you just say thanks or at least pretend to be happy about it like any other normal person?” You huffed in frustration. “Maybe I’m not normal,” he shrugged indifferently. “You’re right. You aren’t,” you scowled and walked away. “A drink, huh?” He absentmindedly said, turning his now empty can on his hand. “Hey grizzly!” He called out. You stopped walking and turned to face his direction. “Guess I’ll take on that drink!” “Araso!” You yelled back. “No take backs!” “I’m not like you!” You laughed and went on your way. He threw the can at the direction of the trash bin, basketball style. It landed perfectly inside the bin with a loud tink. “Stupid grizzly,” he murmured to himself with a smile on his face. - - - - - - - - -   Kris gazed out from one of the Arts Club windows. Today there were fewer activities on the ground below. There were no athletes sprinting on the large oval running track, no players running around kicking balls on the wide soccer field, no students littered all over the area watching the displays of skills and muscles. Only the volleyball tea