„Baek I can't do this“, Jongin grumbles, grappling his hair in agony.

Baekhyun calmly eyes his best friend, blowing out a long, thick streak of smoke. He handed the joint over to Jongin, who practically yanks it out of Baekhyuns grip.

„Woh easy there. That baby had cost me a fortune.“

Jongin shoots him a sarcastic look, eyebrow arched.

„Yeah right you filthy rich bastard. Stop bragging and now shoot me a good reason for me to drag my pretty down there into the arts club.“

He takes a long, intense pull inhaling the smoke deeply. With his eyes closed, he holds his breath for a moment before exhaling a thick cloud of smoke.

He takes another drag before handing the joint back to Baekhyun.

„The same reason I always told you Jongi: You're an awesome artist … Or at least you could be.“

Jongin rolls his eyes dramatically.

„That sounds like I'm gonna wear a stupid flat cap and striped turtle-neck-sweaters for the rest of my pathetic life.“

Baekhyun chuckles in amusement, causing him to caugh hard from the smoke still in his lungs.

As his breath stabilizes, he answers: „First of, it's called a bonnet and Jongi, do you really wanna spend the rest of your life coking your up and sleep yourself through all these shabby apartments just to get away from home? Is that what you'd call a better life than this pathetic one you just described?“

He holds Jongins gaze with a serious look before Jongin tears his gaze away, unable to withstand the conviction Baekhyun was emitting right now.

The seriousness of the situation makes him cringe with awkwardness and he naturally tries to come up with a humorous retort to ease off the heavy overtone.

„Preaching while smoking weed? Seriously Baek? Come on that little cutsie-club won't make a difference in my whole life don't you think? It'll be a few years and we'll be in college anyway.“

He looks down, suddenly very silent.

„Well at least you will“, he mumbles almost inaudible.

Baekhyuns eyes fill up with sympathy as he hears Jongin speak. He looks at his best friend who sits on the rusty bench, shoulders hunched, eyes glued to the ground infront of him.

„Oh Jongi, I- I didn't mean to-“

„It's ok“, Jongin lifts his head, a wide smile on his lips, „It's not your fault after all that I'm born into this crappy bunch I gotta call family.“

Baekhyun notices the fake smile from the first look.

He frowns absentmindedly.

„You know they do award scholarships in arts?“

Jongins smile vanished into a surpised look for a short second, before his face falls back into indifference.

„As if“, he laughs it off lightheartedly but Baekhyun doesn't fail to notice the slight tone of curiosity in his voice.

„No I'm serious“, Baekhyun still frowns as if to search for something desperately, „my sisters boyfriend got one but I just can't remeber where.“

His frown deepens and Jongin falls into defeated silence.

„Ok and even if this is true“, Jongin starts again, his hands up in a defending manner, „and plain hypothetically, how is a face like me ever gonna be able to achieve a scholarship? I'm not acing classes like you Baek. Hell I'm not even sure if I'll pass the next semester. I'm not engaged in volunteery activities despite partying my perky off. I don't stand a tiny bit of a chance Baek, it's the sad truth.“

A whimsical grin appears on Baekhyuns face as he listens to his best friend.

„Don't tell me the big dog Kim Jongin is insecure all of the sudden.“

His grin widens.

„You basically listed everything up you need to change.“

He throws the remains of the joint to the ground, grinding it under his shoes.

„Now get your precious up and do it.“

Jongin gapes at Baekhyun for a moment before he snaps back to reality.

He shakes his head more to himself as to Baekhyun.

Damn that one was mean.

Not because Baekhyun had said it but because he is damn right about everything.

Still Jongin can't admit it. Deep down he still firmly believes that he will never be able to do this. After all, everything that he had been given was a crappy family, a shabby apartment and lots of drugs. He was just not the type to go to college, let alone a scholarship.

„C'mon, give it a shot Jongi. As promised, just a week and if you still wanna quit, then so be it.“

Jongin sighs in defeat, rising up from the bench.

„Alright hyung, I'll do this for you. Although you embarrassed my ing for lifetime.“ He glares at Baekhyun resentful.

„And if he kicks me out because of this then every ing party, every line and every STD is gonna be your fault.“

Baekhyuns nose wrinkles in disgust so he just takes Jongin by his shoulders, shoving him down the stairs into the aimed classroom.

„Have fun sweetheart. 'Til tonight.“ With that said Baekhyun waves off and saunters his way down the hallway.

Jongin stares after him, secretly wishing for him to come back and tell him this is all a joke. The least thing he wanted to do right now was attending the arts club in the least favorite place he wanted to be right now.

Nonetheless he turned around, hesitantly entering the room.

A few students are scattered all over the classroom, happily chattering about the latest gossip and the past weekend. Some look up from their convo to look at Jongin, mouths agape.

Already then Jongin wishes to turn around and never enter this room again. The attention given to him is enerving the last bit of hope for this to actually be a good descision out of his brain.

He averts his gaze as much as possible, looking for the closest seat around.

As he sits down, he feels a presence approaching him. Jongin just hopes with all of his heart it wouldn't be Sehun, but it wasn't.

As the chair moved next to him, Jogin dared to take a peek.

„Jongin right?“ A tall readhaired guy smiled at him widely.

„Yeah?“, he answers questioningly and somewhat warily.

But the smile on the taller one's face only widens and he continues: „Nice to finally meet you. I'm Lay.“

Jongins frown doens't subside as he examines the guy infront of him from head to toe.

Damn if it wasn't for the disarming smile on his face, Jongin probably wouldn't have talked to him at all. But Lay has something about him that got Jongin talking.

„Pleasures mine I guess. You know my name already I see.“

Lay nods approvingly, rummaging through his bag before pulling out what seems to be a photo. He hands it to Jongin who's eyes widen with shock.

„W-What's that?“, he asks superflously because he damn right knows what this is infront of him.

Lay laughs warmheartedly, slapping Jongin playfully on the shoulder.

„C'mon you know what that is.“

Lays eyes take on a meaningful look that's perfectly ignored by Jongin who still stares at the picture on his table.

„The hell? He didn't even ask for permission“, Jongin suddenly grunts, shoving the photo out of his sight.

„What's wrong? I mean this is plain perfect and that's exactly what Mr. Oh sai-“

„Ok shut it for a second will ya?“, Jongin hisses, breathing heavily. His fists clench on the table.

„W-What's the matter?“, Lay asks subdued, a frown on his pretty face. „Did I do something wrong? I didn't mean to-“

„I said shut it ok?“, Jongin interrupts again with a slight hiss in his voice. Then he turns around to face Luhan.

„First off, please kindly put that photo away and never rub it in my face again. Second I'm sorry it's not your fault but that stupid moron of a teacher's. He didn't even ask for my permission to publish this picture with my name revealed well. I didn't want this, honestly.“

It takes a moment for Lay to grasp what Jongin just said.

„But how's that possible? You know how rare it is for Mr. Oh to praise one of his students? It would be an honor for everyone in this club you know?“

Jongin a brow.

„Thought you're in the arts club for a reason?“

Lay chuckles, the disarming smile back on his face.

„Don't get me wrong, everyone here is passionate about what they do but your artwork is another level of awesomeness. I've never seen Mr. Oh go on about a single picture for a whole hour straight.“

That comment made Jongin pick up his ears.

„A whole hour you said?“ Disbelief is written all over Jongins face.

It must've been a funny picture he was giving off because Lay bursts out into laughter right away.

„Oh jeez“, Jongin mutters to himself, sinking deeper into his chair. How he wishes for the ground to swallow him whole right now.

„You're basically a star in every arts class he teaches and of course in the arts club as well.“

Hell he never wanted this.

Even the thought of the attention given to him made him cringe uncomfortably.

„Well “, he mumbles almost inaudibly but Lay catches his phrase and grins widely.

„Be proud of yourself“, he sais, patting Jongins shoulder amicably, „you're one hell of a talent.“

Right before Jongin could protest another time, the class fell silent and a familiar figure entered the room. All eyes are on him as he walks his way to the front nonchalantly.

Jongin sinks so deep, that he almost vanishes under the table,praying for Sehun to not look into his direction, not to notice him at best.

But because fate is a , the first look of his dark eyes fall on Jongin.

His eyebrows arch in surprise and Jongin can feel the dark blush spreading out all over his face as the all so familiar embarassement creeps up his back again, painfullly stinging in his stomach.

Damn it had to be.

Jongin averts his gaze as soon as Sehun looks at him, staring at the desk infront s if it's the most interesting crafting of wood he's ever seen.

„Looks like we've got a new face“, he hears the incredibly deep voice rumble.

Yikes, this just couldn't be.

Jongin clenches his fist underneath the table until his knuckles whiten.

„Maybe you want to introduce yourself to the rest of the club?“

A small, lopsided grin decorates Sehuns face.

Grumbling inside, Jongin gets up from his seat, not looking around a single moment.

„Hello, my name's Kim Jongin. Pleased to meet you all.“

With that said he plumps down in his seat again continuing to examine the grain of his table.

„Fine, let's continue where we left off last time. The theme was 'Despair'. Get your stuff and continue working.“

He eyes Jongin for a moment, who has his brows furrowed.

„We've just started Jongin. It shouldn't be a problem for you to catch up. Brushes and paint are over there inside the shelf and Lay can get you a canvas if you need to. If you're done thinking about your work, get going.“

A bit overwhelmed Jongin sits in his chair first without moving.

„C'mon Jongin let's get your stuff“, Lay snaps him out of his shock, grabbing Jongin by the hand carelessly before dragging him to the nearby shelfes.

„You'll find the brushes in here but you can also bring your own if you want to. Some prefer to use their own but I think they're ok. Take a look.“ Jongin eyes the row infront of him precisely, then picks up a few brushes.

„Perfect“, Luhan beams, continuing to the other side of the room.

„You can pick the paint you need over here. Take your time and don't worry about taking too much there's plenty more in stock. I'll go get you a canvas. Good luck.“

Before Jongin could utter a single word, Lay dashes out of the room euphorically.

Slightly dumbfound, Jongin stares after him with a gape.

That wasn't how he imagined everything to be in the slightest bit.

He shakes his head in bewilderment to snap out of his trance before he moves back to his seat, looking for a good idea to bring to life.

Despair … That's harsh word to capture in only one canvas. Jongin furrows his brows, deep in thoughts.

He leans back and thinks of the first thing that comes to his mind at the word 'Despair'.

It's the picture he couldn't quite shake off.

His mother sprawled across the table, a half emptied bottle of cheap alcohol in her outstretched hand. The way she muttered incoherently, the sleepy look she had on her eyes.

It was the clearest epitome of despair he'd ever seen in his life.

A slight sudder runs down his back as the memory creeps in but he shakes it off as much as possible, banning it into the farthest back of his head.

„Found something?“, a familiar voice asks followed by the subtle scent of a pleasant cologne. Jongins breath stopped for a moment and he didn't dare to look up.

„Y-Yeah I .. guess so“, he stuttered out, looking at his hands.

„Tell me“, Sehun encourages Jongin as he leans down on the table across Jongin.

„Uhm ..“ Jongin plays with his hands for a while, feeling like he's unable to speak infront of Sehun. Every word that comes out makes him feel like a complete , regarding the dare he had to pull.

„Well I ..“, he started off mutedly, „I thought of a scene involving alcohol. A woman sprawled across the table and ...“ He continues to explain his idea to Sehun who listens attentively, nodding every now and then at Jongins explanations.

As Jongin ends, Sehuns brows furrow slightly.

„Why'd you come up with this idea exactly?“

Jongin feels caught. A rush of uncomfortable warmth spreads across his face and he desperately tries to come up with a convincing excuse.

„Well I … It's just a wild idea. I mean it's a quite common theme.“

Sehun nods but the percing look on his face didn't vanish.

„You know pain makes the best artist.“ He eyes Jongin for a moment as if to read his mind, making him cringe even further. „Anways, good luck with that. If you need anything or have a question I'm here.“

Jongin nods hastily before taking the canvas Lay handed him.

The faster he gets to work the better and the less he'd notice the weird stares the others are giving him.

He scetches out the picture on his mind and before he knows it, Jongin is indulged in colours and brushes, forgetting time completely.

Lay glances over at him every so often, smiling at the concentrated look on Jongins face and the way he bites his tounge without noticing.

From the corner of the room, Sehun is watching him closely as well.

His eyes squint slightly as he spots the dark bruises scattered all over Jongins body and face. He knows Jongin is a troublemaker and got into fights every now and then but those bruises don't look like ones you got from a simple silly fight among wannabe alphas.

Some are colored in such a deep shade of purple and blue that Sehun wonderes what kind of fight could have caused such injuries.

As he eyes him closer, Sehun also notices the occasional fliches of Jongins upper body as he bends down to pick up something.

The crease on his forehead deepens.

What's going on with this little brat? What is he hiding?

It can't be a mere coincidence for Jongin to pick such a delicate topic right at hand with such a detailed expession already painted out in his head.

Several possibilities occur to Sehuns mind as he tries to figure out what's going on with Jongin, what's also been one of the reasons he ordered him to the arts club.

Of course, Jongin is pure talent. Something Sehun has never seen before but for some reason he feels the urge to help this brat, steer him into a better direction.

Damn that kid had incredible potential he hadn't used apart from art classes. It is as if Sehun feels responsible for Jongin in some kind of way.

„What am I gonna do with you Kim Jongin?“

He sighs, looking elsewhere.

Some students are deeply engaged in their work, paint all over their hands and arms, some sit infront of the canvas fowning in a concentrated manner.

All in all everyone was working hard.

A satisfied grin creeps up Sehuns face.

He loves the atmosphere of pure inspiration and hard work that's in the air, the look on the students faces as they try to capture what's going on inside their little young heads.

It reminds Sehun of the time he was a student himself, sitting right here inside the classroom with a canvas infront of him. Back then he knew he just had to teach arts.

It has always been a passion of him since he was a little boy. Not knowing his biological parents, he'd often imagined what it could've been like living with them.

A smile paints his face with a nostalgic glow as he remembers the countless pictures of him, a big house in the background and two adults that he imagined to be his parents right beside him. As time flew by, the pictures he painted got better and better up to a point where he eventually got accepted for a scholarship programm.

To be honest, Sehun wouldn't have needed the scholarship. His adoptive parents had plenty of money but growing up, knowing those weren't his real biological parents, he grew a sense of what seemed to be guilt quite fast. A normal person would've looked at Sehun saying that kid was just humble but Sehun knew deep down inside he didn't want all that money, the luxury and convenience.

It wasn't him.

And this family wasn't him even if he loved them with all of his heart.

That was why he worked hard to get into the programm, despite the lack of understanding from his parents.

They couldn't get used to the thought of their only son becoming independend, perhaps even drifting apart from the family eventually.

There were countless arguments on the topic until Sehun finally decided to keep the further progress a secret and tell his parents once everything was settled.

And now he stands here, inside the school where everything started out, not as a student but a grown teacher.

And even if he doesn't admit it as often as he'd like, he's happy with how everything had settled.

His eyes fall back on Jongin who is still immersed in his work, precisely painting the hand that holds a bottle, careful to blurr everything out right so it takes the appearance of a slight mist hovering over the scene.

Sehun still wonders what kind of meaning was hiding behind the mist. It feels like a denial, a distant memory one had supressed for a long time but not long enough to cut it out.

Something you had put a veil above to soften it's harshness.

As various possibilities flooded Sehuns mind he completely forgets to check the time and when Lay coughed a little beside him he swirls around in bewilderment.

„What is it?“, he asks a little harsher than intended

.

Lay, a little taken aback by the teachers behaviour just pointed at the clock above.

„Time to clean up.“

Sehun freezes for a moment before he grasps what's going on.

„Y-Yeah sure“, he mumbles before he clears his throat to announce cleaning time.

Jongin suddenly snaps out of his painting trance, eyeing his surroundings for a moment in confusion.

„C'mon Jongin, time to clean this mess up.“ Lay stands right before Jongin, a beaming grin on his face.

„Oh sure. Didn't notice how time went by“ he answers with an apologetic grin.

„Ah forget it. That's exactly how it's supposed to work. Now come on help me with that.“

As both students clean up a lighthearted conversation fills the space between them. Lay was incredibly easy to talk to and Jongin feels as if he'd known him for years although they had met just right before club's beginning.

It's natural for Jongin to get along with people quick but most of the time he doens't really care about them.

The only one he trusts all the way for years now is his best friend Baekhyun.

Both already met in middle school and took a liking of each other right away. Baekhyun was a kind one unlike most of the kids in his class who kept picking on him in every way possible.

He shives slightly at the memory of him being pushed into the toiletwater several times, before they left him lying in the corner.

When he was completely sure everyone was gone, he silently cried his eyes out. The small sobs often echoed through the empty restroom like a haunting voice of a ghost.

How often he had wished to be a ghost this time, nonexistent, nowhere to be seen or notice, nowhere to be bullied like that.

Because he was deeply ashamed and most likely wet from head down to his jeans, Jongin often missed classes and spent the remaining time hiding in the toilet cabin, trying to dry his wet shirt with paper towels.

That's where Baekhyun found him one day.

His classmates had pushed him into the water for much too long today and he still hadn't recovered from the dust of liquid in his lungs.

Because his coughs wouldn't subside, Baekhyung gently knocked on the cabin's door a few times.

„Is everything ok in there?“, he asked warily when Jongin didn't answer.

„Are you sick? Do you need to see the nurse?“

Jongin gave a thought on opening the door and tell the stranger outside what had happened but he couldn't.

He was too afraid what he'd say, perhaps the other student would laugh at him as well just like the rest of his class when he got shot by a huge paperball drenched in saliva.

„I-I'm ok don't worry“, Jongin manages to utter out among the heavy coughs that shook his body for a good fifteen minutes now.

„You sure? Doesn't sound like it.“ Baekhyuns brows furrow when Jongin lets out another coughing fit as if to appove Baekhyuns words from before.

„Ok you're clearly not okay. I'll get you to the nurse, come out.“

When nothing happens, Baekhyun opens the door, finding a terribly anxious Jongin staring up at him with big doe eyes.

A rush of sympathy flooded Baekhyuns chest immediately.

He knew about the bullies and their favorite target, everyone did but no one could muster up the courage to stand up for Jongin.

And the way he sat there, shoulders hunched, shirt completely wet and a frightened look in his eyes that made him look like a beaten puppy assured Baekhyun that he needed it more than anything.

He stretched out his hand with a warmhearted smile.

Jongin hesitated.

Was this another sick joke at his cost?

„Come on, I won't hurt you.“

A playful grin crept up Baehyuns face

„Well at least not if you volunteeryly follow me to the nurse's office.“

In an extremely slow manner, Jogin took Baekhyuns hand to get up, a doubtful look still in his eyes. It was the very beginning of their friendship which lasted up until now.

„Penny for thoughts?“, Lay asked, throwing Jongin roughly back into reality.

He flinches slightly, blinking a few times before turning to Lay.

„Nah, it's ok just remembered something important.“

Lays brows arch questioningly but Jongin just shakes his head.

„None of your buisness actually. It's a little private.“

An understanding smile paints Luhans face.

„It's ok. I didn't wanna act curious. Sometimes I can't help myself you know?“

He lightly scratches the back of his head apologetically.

„Nah, don't worry about it. It's not that exciting anyway“, Jongin grins, gathering his belongings before heading to the door, where a beaming Baekhyun is waiting.

„See you around Lay“, Jongin shouts while darting out of the door, still managing to wave his hand before disappearing.

Baekhyun arches an impressed eyebrow as he closes up to Jongins fast steps.

„Damn Hyung, first class and you've already hooked yourself two cuties.“

Baekhyuns dirty grin is rapidly punished with a harsh slap landing on his arm.

„Shut it moron. I haven't hooked anyone if that's able to get into your lil brain.“

But Baekhyun is far from shutting it. He wiggles his eyesbrows suggestively while continuing: „You sure? I bet Lay is all over you. Just look at the way he stripps you off with his eyes.“ He chuckles impecilically. „I bet Sehuns pretty doesn't approve that huh? Oh wait maybe there's potential for a soon to be threeso-“

„WON'T YOU FINALLY SHUT IT BAEK?!“

Jongin interrupts deafeningly before Baekhyun could spit out what would probably be haunting him for weeks.

Baekhyun pouts huffily, attempting to cross his arms but failing as he still has to keep up with Jongins fast pace.

Almost tripping over his own feet he rushes to Jongins side again, glaring at him with narrowed eyes.

„You know you don't always have to shout at me like this?“

Jongin chuckles.

„Oh hell yes, it's the only way to keep your dirty mouth shut.“

Baekhyun huffs at the harsh retort but remains silent afterwards.

„You know arts club is not that bad after all. I think Imma go next time as well.“

Given those words, Baekhyuns pouting face lightens up immediately.

He almost throws his arms around Jongin euphorically, making them both falter threateningly.

„See? I told you you'd love it! I knew right away you're not one of these useless s who-“ Jongin shushes Baekhyun with a dark, piercing glare.

„Ok ok I got it, sheesh you're such a stuck up prick sometimes. Hey how about we grab some food on the way home? I'm starving.“

A grin creeps up Jongins face.

„Finally something usefull outta your mouth. Now that's something I definitely approve.“

Before Baekhyun can huff even more, Jongin just grabs him, pulling the tripping mess along to their favorite take out down the road.

What's up lovelyz? Hope you're doing well and had as much of a great weekend as I had. And well what I had was plenty of time to write some chappies down ;)

Here's a quite log one as I don't know how I'll have time among the week to update 

Anyways hope you like it and leave a comment or subscribe if you haven't already ;) Love you <3