CHAPTER 8

I spent my Monday ducking away from my friends’ teasing remarks after they spotted the ring around my finger, knowing immediately that it was a gift from Jongin instead of a jewellery I bought for myself, because everyone knew that I do not spend on jewelleries. I don’t wear anything on me aside from my dad’s old watch around my wrist before this, so it’s obvious when I came to the university that day that the foreign item on my finger was from my boyfriend. Joonmyeon had this proud look on his face while Chanyeol kept cackling, wanting to take a picture of me with the hand where I’ve put on the ring to be shown clearly to the camera, and Minseok simply looked smug like he knew something I didn’t.

Kyungsoo was the only one who seemed a bit off about the whole ordeal and I assumed it’s because he was not used to me dating. The man could be quite protective of me and I know that he’s just worried for me, not wanting me to get hurt. But at the same time I was annoyed by it because my friend was doubting Jongin. However, I tried to keep in mind that Jongin and I haven’t been dating long and I’m sure Kyungsoo would warm up to his former schoolmate and neighbour soon enough.

I was glad to know I wasn’t the only one being tortured by my friends when they saw the ring. Jongin came to see me in between his morning classes only to whine about his friends giving him about the ring, and I laughed as he buried his face in my chest with his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I realized that Jongin was not the type to show this side of him when there were others around us, and I really loved the fact that I’m the only one who got to see him like this. Still, we had to face all our friends during lunch time and I almost kicked Baekhyun from under the table when he kept being annoying with Chanyeol and Jongdae, teasing us about our rings and stuff like that.

At some point, Luhan opened up his mouth and asked, “Have you guys had yet?”

I decided that my awesome shin-kicking skills should be tested on him next, and the guy hollered in pain as he ducked down to rub where it hurts. Jongin laughed at that, earning a death glare from his friend, but he seemed unfazed by it and instead leaned in to me to place a kiss on my cheek.

Cue the next round of teasing.

*

Jongin didn’t come to the university a few days later, and I didn’t know about it beforehand until I saw Yixing and Jongdae waiting for me at the gate like usual. I frowned when I realized that it was just the two of them, my boyfriend nor his three other friends could be seen around. I knew for sure that Jongin would always arrive earlier from me because his penthouse was situated closer to the school, and he’s been waiting for me every time I arrive so he could walk together with me to class. I raised a questioning brow to the guys who smiled brightly and greeted me.

“Where are the others?” I asked, fixing the strap of my bag. “The others, or just Jongin?” Jongdae asked, wiggling his eyebrows in an annoying manner. I rolled my eyes at that and looked around at the cars, trying to spot either Jongin’s Honda or Range Rover.

“He won’t be coming to campus today,” Yixing told me, making me turn back to them. “He has some things he needed to take care of.”

“Like what?”

“You know both his parents run a huge business right?” I nodded at that. “Well, sometimes they make him come to meetings and like that, and today’s one of those days.”

“Oh…” I couldn’t help but feel disappointed at that. Why didn’t he tell me about this before? “Don’t be upset with him,” Jongdae suddenly said. “He does it out of his will, and considering that he didn’t have the time to tell you about it means that he was forced to join his parents at the very last minute.

I nodded, thankful for his explanation but I couldn’t help but worry about him. I didn’t know that his parents would force things onto him like that. Why didn’t Jongin tell me? “Why are you guys here then?” I asked, tilting my head a little.

“To walk with you to class, of course. We all have the same class this morning right?” Yixing replied, giving me his dimpled smile. I nodded my head and then sighed. “Alright then, let’s go.” As we walked into the building and glided through the packed hallways, I realized that the two were walking behind me, flanking my sides a little like as if they were my bodyguards. I frowned a little at that and tried to make them walk beside me, but Yixing gave me an excuse, saying that it was too crowded for the three of us to walk in o