A:N/ I'm sorry if I'm a little erratic in responding to you guys this week... but things are about to get very ugly very quickly for me at uni, so even though I'm reading everything you guys say, the second I find out about it, it might take me a little while longer to respond than normal. But don't worry about updates, this story is one of my priorities; regardless of what is going on, I don't want you guys to miss out on your daily updates!

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Chunji found himself seated in the Music classroom, with both Niel and L. Joe after recess. Apparently they were all taking Music together. Though he was annoyed as anything to find out that he was actually going to share a class with the blonde, he couldn't help but feel perked up by the knowledge that Niel was there too. This was their last year of high school, so they took subjects based on their own plans for the future. Consequently, the two boys, despite being best friends, only had 2 classes the same this year.

Music was one of them.

Though Niel's attention was currently taken up by the blonde new boy, his mere presence was calming for Chunji. He didn't have to feel alone when Niel was there, even if the two of them weren't speaking. As long as they were sitting beside one another, he could never really feel left out.

Besides, he was in their Music classes too. Chunji had something else to steal his attention away from the two boys talking beside him. He'd send covert looks at the other boy, repressing the urge to sigh blissfully at the knowledge they had another class together. Chunji had 3 classes with him this year.

The knowledge that they shared an appreciation for music, was just another one of the things that Chunji adored about the guy. He looked so handsome, standing there, chatting and laughing with his friends. How was it possible for the school uniform to look so much better on him than it did on any other student?

“Okay, class. We really need to begin. Now, I handed out the course outline to everyone yesterday. If you were not here yesterday, please come get one of them from the front. You do need it. Inside are the dates for all of your assessments for the unit.” The teacher began, waving a large ruler around to try and gain the attention of the unruly class. The Music class had a reputation for being a bit of a bludge in the lower grades, so students were rarely disciplined when they came into the classroom for their last year of school.

“Now, as you are aware, the unit has both a practical and a theory component to it. As such lessons will be split between the two. The music class is a bit more popular this year than it has been in the past, and there is a limited supply of instruments and equipment required for practicals. So it has been decided that the class will be spilt into two different groups, which will alternate prac and theory classes, to keep things fair.” the teacher explained, with a look of annoyance, their words very clearly having been chosen to try and keep the students unaware of the dispute in the faculty office over the matter.

“You mean they're making you give that new Music teacher, a class of his own.” Bang Minsoo stated, jovially, earning a chorus of laughs from his group of friends. The teacher looked torn between grinning and telling him off for what he said. “Not at all. There is a limited supply of equipment, for our underfunded department. And let it never be said that I feel anything other than respect for my colleague. Even if he is a fame-hungry, pretentious upstart.” The teacher commented, earning another chorus of chuckles from the students.

“Now. I'm going to spilt you up into two groups. Group A will stay here and Group B will move over to the theory room across the hall. There will be no trading of groups; wherever you are assigned is final. Both groups will receive equal practice time, the same assessments and the like. Therefore there is no need to change groups. I don't care if you don't get to have your friends with you. Tough luck. And no moving from where you're sitting now. I will see you, and I'll make sure I put you into the original group you were headed for, no matter what. So don't even try.” the teacher finished, before shouting out a round of A's and B's.

Chunji had been more than a little distracted, staring at Minsoo, thinking to himself how amazing it was that the other boy could be so easygoing with all the teachers. He admired his confidence. That was another thing he loved about him.

Yes Chunji had been madly in love with the Bang Minsoo for the last few years. They tended to have at least one class together each year. He couldn't help but notice the other boy. He was very well known and well liked by his classmates. Especially by Chunji. He was the captain of quite a few of the school sports teams. Everyone always said that the only reason the teams won, was because he did all the work. He was so disciplined on the field, but so laid back in class. But no matter what, there was just this air of confidence that seemed to ooze out of him.

It was impossible to be a member of their grade and not know who Bang Minsoo was.

And Chunji liked him. A lot.

He was so distracted by his thoughts, that he only vaguely noted the teacher telling him that he was in Group A. Niel gave him a forlorn look as he shuffled around, collecting his bag, as he said goodbye to L. Joe and Chunji as he made is way over to the theory room. Of course, the one sitting in the middle always ended up being the odd one out when teachers sorted groups by that method.

Chunji felt a surge of disappointment at the realisation that he had just lost one of the two classes that he'd been going to share with his best friend. All thoughts of Minsoo fled from his mind, as he fell forward, resting his forehead against his knees in his misery. He could've cried.

“Hey, cheer up. You've still got me.” L. Joe state jovially giving Chunji an awkward pat to the shoulder, as though he were trying to comfort him. The touch didn't really do anything to improve Chunji's mood, but it didn't make it any worse, either, for that matter.

Still, hearing L. Joe's words made him feel like he really might cry.

“I hate you so much right now.” he stated, sulkily, still unimpressed at the the fact that Niel had gone, leaving him alone with L. Joe. The knowledge that this was going to become a permanent feature of his days, for the rest of the year only made his mood worse.

“Chanhee? I'm surprised at you.” a deep, male voice called from behind them. Chunji immediately tensed, recognising the voice. He clenched his eyes shut tight, counting to three as he took a deep breath, hoping that he wouldn't meet with the sight he feared would be before him when he reopened them.

Unfortunately, it was just as he'd suspected, and when he looked up he saw the one and only Bang Minsoo, staring down at him reproachfully, arms crossed as he shook his head at him. He was pretty sure all the colour drained out of his face at the sight. “How could you be so mean to the new boy? What could he have possibly done to you to deserve such harsh words?” Chunji said nothing, as his face heated up in his shame, “Frankly I'm disappointed in you.” Minsoo finished, making Chunji's heart ache with guilt.

He couldn't explain himself, and he certainly couldn't defend himself against Minsoo's words. If Minsoo said that he was being unfriendly, then he was. He was probably speaking far too harshly to L. Joe. The other boy hadn't really done all that much, anyway, had he? He was just being childish. He'd just been so disappointed to hear that Niel wouldn't be in the class, he hadn't really been thinking about what he was saying.

Now Minsoo was displeased with him for behaving badly, and it was all over words he hadn't really meant. Hadn't his tone been half-hearted, at best? Could no one else hear that in his tone? He couldn't bring himself to speak, too ashamed to speak now that Minsoo was looking at him like that.

It was so rare for him to even get the opportunity to be noticed by Minsoo, and now he'd done it for all the wrong reasons. What if this meant that the other boy would only think poorly of him from now on? Would he stand no chance with him, anymore? The thought terrified him, into silence. He felt like any words he tried to say now, would only make Minsoo disapprove of him more. Silence might be the more prudent course of action given the circumstances.

Minsoo shook his head, turning his attention to the new boy seated beside Chunji, arm still loosely wrapped around the other boy's shoulders. Minsoo eyed the gesture curiously, but pushed it aside, in favour of sending the intrigued new kid a smile. “I'm so sorry for the way Chanhee has been treating you. I hope his poor behaviour won't leave a bad impression of our grade with you. We're not all like him. Most of us are very friendly and polite.”

“Thanks?” L. Joe began uncertainly, more curious about the way this new boy was referring to Chunji. Wasn't Chunji his name? Why was he calling him Chanhee? And why did Chanhee look so broken up at the other boy's words? Yeah, he was being a little rude, but even before those last words, he'd been so wrapped up in what this boy was saying. It was like he took up all of Chunji's attention ever since he set foot in the room. Were they friends? “But I think you misunderstood this whole thing. Chunji and I are cool. We're friends.” L. Joe explained, hoping that his attempt to defend Chunji from the other boy's attacks might vanquish the mistiness he saw forming in the other boy's eyes.

“I'm glad to hear that you're making friends already. Moving schools can be very difficult. How have your first two days been?” Minsoo asked conversationally, completely ignoring the fact that Chunji was still sitting with them. The obvious cold shoulder made L. Joe frown slightly, rubbing Chunji's shoulder awkwardly, in what he hoped was a comforting gesture.

He didn't really know what was going on here, but he didn't feel comfortable with it. Chunji clearly cared about what this other boy thought and said. But this other boy treated Chunji like he didn't exist, or berated him for his behaviour. There was something really unfair about that, which made L. Joe feel like Chunji needed someone to stick up for him. He clearly wasn't about to do it for himself.

“They've been okay. I've had Chunji here, and Niel looking out for me, but I'm still finding my way around.” L. Joe answered, staring Minsoo back dead in the eye. He wasn't much for conversation, but he'd already decided that he didn't really care for this boy, whoever he was. As such, it suddenly felt a lot easier for him to speak to him.

The boy nodded, “I'm glad you've had someone around to look out for you.” his words clearly being another jab at Chunji beside him. He knew the message had struck home, given the way Chunji shuffled against his side, uncomfortably, still being otherwise ignored by the boy before him. The carefully chosen words only made L. Joe's dislike of this boy grow that little bit more.

“Say, my friends and I were just wondering whether you'd like to come over and hang out with us for our first class? You know, get to know one another better.” Minsoo suggested. L. Joe paused considering the other boy's words carefully. Chunji clearly disliked having him around, a reaction which although unpleasant, was not unexpected. He kind of should have expected it given his earlier teasing and their initially awkward first encounter. Besides, with the way this boy treated Chunji it was clear there was no love lost between them, and yet Chunji seemed to care about what he said an awful lot. Perhaps he could help Chunji out, if he became closer to this boy?

But why should he care about helping Chunji? The boy had given him nothing but attitude from the first moment they'd met. But he found the boy interesting. He was kind of drawn to him, if only to find out more about him, and why he did the things he did. It was nice to have someone around that interested him.

But that proved a problem. He wanted to hang around Chunji. He got the impression he and Niel were pretty close. Without Niel around, Chunji had immediately become sad, despite the fact that he was sharing the class with Minsoo, who L. Joe had noticed he was staring at from the moment the other boy had entered the room. He had a sneaking suspicion that Chunji wasn't very good at making friends. If L. Joe left with this other boy, then Chunji would be left alone.

Would Chunji prefer being alone to having to endure his company?

“Ah that's very nice of you....” L. Joe began hesitantly, only realising as he spoke that they had yet to exchange names with one another. “Oh right. Where are my manners? My name is Bang Minsoo. And you are?” the other boy introduced himself, a large hand shooting forward to try and offer L. Joe a handshake. L. Joe returned the gesture doubtfully. “Lee Byunghun. But I go by the name, L. Joe.”

“Well isn't that an interesting nickname? You know, I myself have a nickname. Most people call me Minsoo, but my friends all refer to me as CAP. I much prefer the latter.” Minsoo informed L. Joe conspiratorially. L. Joe couldn't help but note with some amount of amusement the look of shock on Chunji's face that L. Joe was exchanging nicknames with this CAP person. He couldn't help but wonder just how much this boy meant to Chunji given his clearly displeased reaction.

“I was planning on keeping Chunji company.” L. Joe stated, trying to sound as apologetic as he possibly could. L. Joe noted the way CAP's eyes clouded over with some sort of negative emotion, his eyes not even flicking slightly in the other boy's direction, at hearing his name. The look was so cold, if L. Joe were anyone else he might've shivered.

“I'm sure Chunji won't miss you, since he hates you and all. Come, you shouldn't be forced to associate with mean people, who clearly don't know how to treat a fellow classmate with respect. Come with me.” CAP insisted, tugging L. Joe up from the seat, with relatively little exertion on his part. It kind of annoyed L. Joe to find out he was so malleable to someone of CAP's stature.

CAP's hand was clasped firmly around his shoulder, much as his own had been around Chunji's shoulder a moment earlier. He hoped that Chunji had felt more about his touch, than he currently felt at CAP's. “So where are you from, L. Joe?” CAP enquired, as he guided him over to his group. “The US.” L. Joe answered shortly, his dark gaze floating between the group of boys and back in Chunji's direction.

A bit of space wouldn't do them any harm, would it? Chunji would be okay, wouldn't he?