There was no back door to this classroom and Sunggyu was late. The professor stopped her entire lesson to see who had interrupted her.

“Excuse me? Are you in the right class? I have never seen you before.” She sounded cocky as she put down the chalk she was holding and dusted off her hands. “Can I help you?” The look on her face was sincere like she really had never seen him before, she was good but Sunggyu could instantly hear the sarcasm in her voice.

He choked. How could she do this to him? He showed up didn’t he? All he wanted to do was find a seat and die.

“No, I-“ He paused before coming to his senses. He couldn’t lose to her. “Mrs. DuBois English 401, I’m sure you know me. Kim Sunggyu, the only person in your class with a perfect average.” A smug grin swept across his face and he adjusted the collar on his jacket feeling like he won.

“Oh you, the one who never comes to class.” She rolled her eyes.  “I would like to inform you that you always place second in my grade book.” The entire class laughed. She was really getting a kick out of this.

Wasn’t this some kind of student abuse? Sunggyu stopped in his tracks. He was heading to the back of the room to take a seat but before he did he turned around to ask, “Who the hell is number one?”

The entire room went silent.

“Nam Woohyun.”

Instantly his entire being shut down and he sat in the first empty seat he could find.

Everyone turned their attention to the innocent kid who was just staring out the window. When he finally came back to reality Woohyun stared back at the room with a confused look on his face. What was everyone staring at?

“What?” He looked around the room. He wasn’t sure what was happening but at the moment he didn’t care and went back to staring out the window.

Sunggyu pulled his hood up and put his head down on the desk in front of him. He was praying that the Nam Woohyun person was not here in this class room but as soon as he heard that voice everything had come tumbling down. This was it, he would be found out and there was nothing he could do. Would he be able to explain himself?

He kept his head down and managed to go unnoticed. Mrs. Dubois went back to teaching feeling quite accomplished after knocking Sunggyu down a peg or two. Class went on like that for a while. Until, it was time to hand back their graded essays.

“Woohyun, could you please hand back the papers you graded last night.”

Woohyun stood from his desk, the chair scraping across the floor disturbing Sunggyu from his little nap. Sunggyu raised his head. It was him all right, with all that bouncy hair. He didn’t look as stupid today, sweats and fluffy scarf were replaced by black skinny jeans a fitted tee and a very nice blazer. The kid even had thick black rimmed glasses on. Was this the same nerd from the pub, the same person who ran into him under the tree? He was obviously more appealing like this. He looked like a man.

Woohyun picked up the pile of papers from the teacher’s desk and began to pass them back one by one. The last person to receive their paper was Sunggyu and to his surprise Woohyun had almost no reaction simply placing the essay on the desk next to Sunggyu’s head, he definitely knew who he was.

Woohyun had to admit he was nervous. He didn’t know what he would do if Sunggyu had looked up at him in that moment. He was not prepared. After thinking about someone you didn’t know and imagining all the what-ifs, it was difficult to face reality. And how the hell had he not noticed his name on other papers?

Once Sunggyu knew Woohyun was far enough away he sat up and while the teacher’s assistant had his back turned he checked his grade.

C minus. He was furious. How was this even possible did that guy still have a grudge? This was not fair.

Sunggyu raised his hand. “Mrs. Dubois, I need to speak with you after class.” He said the words without even waiting for her to call on him.

“And what is this in regards to?” She didn’t bother to look up from her computer screen as she was going over the next class outline.

“My grade.”

“You will have to speak with Woohyun about that. I officially handed this assignment and its grading entirely over to him.” She checked her watch. “If no one else has any further questions class is dismissed.”

Sunggyu sat in his chair baffled. He just blinked unable to process what had just happened. She shut him down twice today. Was this the same woman he had considered to be like a sister? What was going on in his life today? He started to pout. He noticed Nam Woohyun was starting to pack up his belongings. Sunggyu grabbed his things and crumpled up his essay tossing it at Woohyun’s head.

“What are you?” He was serious. Who was this mysterious jerk who would not cease to annoy him?

“A human, and Mrs. Dubois teaching assistant. So, apparently you have a problem with the grade I gave you?” Woohyun adjusted the glasses on his face looking Sunggyu directly in the eyes. He seemed almost defiant, like he held all the power. He technically did, he stood between Sunggyu and a good grade.

On the inside Woohyun was shaking. This person standing in front of him right now was the same person who put his hands on him at the bar and the same person who made his heart pound in his chest.

“I do.” Sunggyu shook his head shifting his bangs to the side. Woohyun took note, the corner of his mouth turning up a bit at Sunggyu’s unconscious action.

Woohyun bent down to pick up the wrinkled essay and smoothed it out on the desk. It was covered in red ink. Maybe he was too harsh.

He recalled the previous night. He received a phone call from the English professor asking him to take part of the workload for the latest essay they had written and he agreed picking it up on his way home. The first one he picked up as he started grading was no other then Kim Sunggyu. He could not believe his fate. Things like this did not happen in real life. He could not bring himself to grade it right then and there so he set it aside saving it for last, afraid of what he might read. As he went on he became more discouraged by the amount of people who really had no idea what they were doing. These people expected to pass? Finally he was down to the last one. He looked at it, flipped over so he didn’t have to read the name set off to the side on his desk. He wanted to avoid it at all costs but it was just an essay so he decided to get it over with.

As he began to read, he fell into the words. It was written very well and ultimately there was nothing truly wrong with the paper at all, but he had to find something. In the end he was a little more harsh then needed but how could he not want to get back at the person who tortured him so easily?

Sunggyu moved close stepping in between Woohyun and the desk slapping his hand down on the paper. They were face to face and a too close for Woohyun’s comfort he could feel Sunggyu’s breath on his lips.

“Do you really think I deserve this?” There was another question behind what he was really asking.

Woohyun couldn’t look at him this close. He turned away, but he could smell him, a mixture of cigarettes and warm vanilla.

“If you take a look at the notes-“ Sunggyu cut him off and Woohyun backed away almost tripping over the chair behind him. It was all too much. Being this close to someone this aggressive was making him nervous.

“I don’t care about notes I want you to explain yourself.” Another implied question. Sunggyu was going to get to the bottom of this thing, whatever it was. This instant connection. He couldn’t be the only one who felt something.

Woohyun moved away from him hurriedly picking up his things and heading towards the door. Sunggyu was about to reach out for him, but he didn’t want the same reaction as last time and in that aspect he learned his lesson.

“Yah! Why are you so weird?” Sunggyu gave up for the second time that day. If he wasn’t going to get anywhere with this then he might as well just let it go. He didn’t really ever have to see this kid if he didn’t want to, but he did. “Just- we should start over. Like real people.”

Woohyun stopped. He would like that. To start over, but that was big. It would mean opening up and letting someone in. He was conflicted. It was easier to run away.

“I have somewhere I need to be.” He didn’t look back as he walked out the door and hopefully away from Sunggyu.

That was enough stress for one day. Sunggyu sat down and just let him leave. He didn’t want to move anymore.

The next day Sunggyu came to class and he was early, unbelievable. He also decided to take the seat right next to where the teacher’s assistant would always sit. He was proud of himself. He could definitely be annoying if he wanted to and he always got what he wanted.

Woohyun came in to the room with his hands full concentrating on not dropping anything. He was juggling work, school and his latest entry, literally. Right now he was completely preoccupied. He took his spot not noticing who was seated next to him. He set everything on his desk getting ready for class, his favorite notebook placed on top.

Sunggyu noticed that thing on top of Woohyun’s belongings. He wanted to know what was so important inside of it that it would cause such a distraction from his beautiful voice, and why hadn’t this guy noticed him yet?

Sunggyu stared at him intensifying the already fierce look his fox like appearance gave off. He narrowed his eyes being completely obvious. ‘Hi, hello, over here!’ the voice in his head was screaming, ‘look at me!!’ He started to tap his foot subconsciously. He crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. Would he have to actually use his words? How about this guy, couldn’t he come to him first for once?

He side eyed the teacher’s assistant. He looked good again today and that is the reason why Sunggyu purposely dressed up too, he would not be out done. Today he went as far as putting his hair up. It was a rare occasion to let people see his full face, whether it was bangs down or a hood pulled up over his head.

Woohyun was adjusting his papers when he heard incessant ticking sounds. He looked over to his right and saw that person was tapping his fingers on the desk but that wasn’t where the sound was coming from. Looking a bit higher he saw Sunggyu was rolling a silver ball over his lips and clicking it between his teeth. He swallowed hard. He did not know anyone with a tongue ring let alone a guy. He had to admit he was intrigued. This person had gauges and multiple piercings along the cuff of his ear, on the side he could see anyway. Did he look like this the first time they met? All Woohyun wanted to do was see the other side of him, he wanted to see all of Sunggyu, every inch.

Sunggyu caught him staring. He smiled, wide.

Woohyun didn’t look away. His eyes traveled to those teasing lips. Woohyun couldn’t help but his own chapped lips and this surprised Sunggyu. Why was he looking at him like a piece of meat? He kind of wanted to hit him but he was flattered, so he settled for a small cough to gain Woohyun’s attention.

Woohyun slowly focused on Sunggyu taking in his whole face. This was the first time he was giving his full attention.

“Hello.” Sunggyu smiled and waved like a kid.

“Hi.” Woohyun snickered and couldn’t help but respond. “You are ridiculous.” Woohyun wanted to laugh and hide at the same time but where would he go? Plus he had a reputation to uphold, he was the teacher’s assistant for crying out loud. He was trapped. This was it he would try and be nice.

“I think we should talk.” The red head smoothed out his sideburns.

“Okay let’s talk.” Woohyun turned his whole body towards the Sunggyu leaning forward resting his elbows on his knees. His whole attitude seemed condescending.

Sunggyu didn’t like it but they had to get past all this if they were going to be in the same class. Also he needed to reclaim his number one spot. Like they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

“Not here, like coffee, really talk.”

“Why? Is it not enough that we have the same class together? Or is this about the essay?”

“The essay and the pub thing… I guess I wanted to apologize.” Sunggyu looked down ripping the hole in his jeans a little more, such a bad habit.

“Apology accepted.” Woohyun turned back to face the front of the room again.

“No, I-“ Mrs. Dubois entered the room with a vengeance and told everyone to take out their books cutting Sunggyu  off. He would have to try again tomorrow.

So he did, he came to class every day for the entire week sitting next to Woohyun staring at him trying to get his attention and a possible ‘date’ so they could talk, about what who knows. Woohyun would always manage to avoid the question or was just too busy to even care, but Sunggyu was diligent.

By the end of the week Sunggyu was tired, physically exhausted. Getting up early was not for him. He had dark circles under his eyes and eventually started to fall asleep during class and it had only been a few days. Woohyun noticed, how could he not the guy would sit next to him every single day.

On Friday Sunggyu was out cold and almost started snoring during their lecture. Woohyun felt bad. He kicked Sunggyu’s foot to wake him up, he just looked so pitiful sleeping like that. When Sunggyu sat up he looked at Woohyun to thank him but Woohyun was already looking forward avoiding eye contact. Such a jerk. Sunggyu was just glad the week was over and he could spend his next two days sleeping.

Class ended and they went their separate ways without a word.

Woohyun headed home to finish up some paper work and walked in to a full on rave. He really was not going to stay home tonight.  Sunggyu immediately went to bed sleeping in his clothes again, he even skipped dinner. Sleep had won.

Saturday came and Woohyun was at his desk once again when a nagging thought popped into his head. Soojung, and the date. He never actually agreed but he could go for a nice walk and the diner was close by. They actually had good food there and he really liked the retro fifties theme with the neon lights.

He wrote, listened to some music, and organized his room again. Typical daily rituals, but all of this was just to help him procrastinate and avoid reality. He never left his room besides when he went to school. Otherwise there was no need. He came full circle and was back to writing again. Poetry so sweet it would give anyone diabetes just looking at it but he couldn’t help himself, the words just flowed from his pen. And as he continued to write the sun set and day had turned into night.

He looked out his window and then down at his watch. Soojung had never mentioned a specific time to meet up and it was getting late. Maybe she was still there… maybe not. He could hope right? He dressed for the cool weather and packed up his notebook and some papers in his bag before heading out. A change of atmosphere should do some good. He could finish up his class work if she had already left. Win, win.

Woohyun stepped inside the diner as the bell on the handle jingled behind him when it closed. It was a typical fifties diner. Stainless steel counter tops, boomerang pastels all over the tables and neon signs for five dollar shakes and fries. There was only one man sitting at the counter drinking coffee and reading the news. A waitress appeared from the back and waved him in telling him to sit where ever he wanted. So he did. He sat in the back corner where the two large windows met. It was cool by the glass and the lights outside looked nice.

Soojung was not there. Maybe she would come later. He looked at the neon clock on the wall. Well, it was ten thirty, oops. Had he come too late? He settled in removing a few layers and pulling out his notebook fanning through the pages. He let out a deep sigh almost glad to be alone. At least he came out right? That was a big step. He sat there for a while only ordering a water because he was ‘waiting’ for someone who would never show up.

Sunggyu was just clocking in to his part time job. He peeked through the small circular window on the swinging door to gage the crowd. The place was dead. He adjusted his white button down and rolled up his sleeves before tying his black apron around his waist. Good thing this place wasn’t too strict and he could work in his ripped jeans and biker boots after riding around all day. The owner loved him anyway and said he reminded her of James Dean. He laughed at the thought. He could definitely take it as a compliment.

The waitress pushed through the swinging doors and startled Sunggyu. He was immediately crouching down clutching his chest over dramatic as usual.

“The hell!?” He stood smoothing out his apron.

“You are ridiculous. There are only two people out there. My shift is over so I’m out. It’s just you and Mr. Chef. Mikey called off.”

“Ugh. I am going to be bored as and the Swedish chef over there is probably just going to pass out in the cooler again.” He pointed to the portly man who was standing over the cooking range stirring something in a very large pot. He really did resemble the Swedish chef. A smirk cracked on his face.

“I don’t know what to tell you kid. At least you’re getting paid, right?” She pat him on the shoulder and left.

He headed out to the dining area and first things first; he poured himself a cup of coffee, black. Leaning back against the counter he noted the newspaper guy was here as usual, so that meant he would be alone in about fifteen minutes. The guy always left at the exact same time. He would drink his cup of coffee in one gulp, toss his change on the counter and tuck his newspaper in his back pocket trudging out into the dark.

There was another person there at the far end of the diner, head down. He sipped his coffee for a moment watching the new face. He better get a good tip if this guy was going to sit there all night. Then the man lifted his head. It was none other than Nam Woohyun. Sunggyu choked. He couldn’t believe his luck. He had never once seen him there in his three years of working at this diner, especially since he worked overnights, he never saw anyone.

Woohyun looked out the window contemplating life and love. What was it all really? He took out his pen and opened his notebook to a blank page scribbling down his thoughts.

Sunggyu decided to make his move. He noticed Woohyun only had water. Man cannot survive on water alone, or something like that. He grabbed a menu and some silverware walking over to the table. He was nervous, he didn’t know what to expect.

“Hello. Here is our menu and we have some specials. Would you like to hear what they are?” Sunggyu put the menu next to his notebook as he leaned a little closer to see what Woohyun was writing. Woohyun didn’t look up.

“Oh, thank you. I-“ Woohyun stopped when he finally turned to see the person who was eyeing his words. “You.” He was glaring at the red head. He looked like a dirty-minded angel, pink lips pouting beautifully.

Sunggyu opened his eyes wide feeling accused of a crime he didn’t know he had even committed.

“Yes.” He took a seat on the other side of the booth. “So, tell me what is so important about this journal?” He snatched it before Woohyun could even react.

“Hey. Give that back…” Woohyun’s words were weak. He actually didn’t mind that he looked at the notebook because, well, because he was Sunggyu. “You won’t be able to read it anyway. No one can read my handwriting.” Woohyun was feeling smug and crossed his legs running a hand through his hair.

Sunggyu held the infamous notebook up looking puzzled. He flipped it around then set it on the table again. He started to read.

“Red. Red like the sun setting through the autumn leaves. You called out to me not with your voice but with your soul. You spoke to me. Flames igniting my passion. Your pale flesh glowing like moon light, radiance exudes from you as a whole. The burning embers of your eyes did not die after only one ni-“ Sunggyu was cut off when Woohyun stole the notebook back. “Ha. I thought you said no one could read your stuff.” Sunggyu smirked.

“Don’t you have a job to be doing?” Woohyun was flustered. His red ears and pink cheeks were a dead give away.

“Does it look like I have something to do?” He gestured over his shoulder at the empty restaurant.

“Go make some food or something.”

“Oh, would you like to place an order sir?”

“I don’t want anything you touch.”

“Ouch. That was harsh. I can assure you that I will not be the one cooking your food. We have the Swedish chef.” He pointed his thumb at the cook behind the counter.

Woohyun laughed, he actually laughed.

“He really does look like him! Oh my god.”

“You know who he is?” Sunggyu got excited. “I always ask people and they have no clue what I am talking about. Amazing.”

“I am a muppets aficionado. How do you think I am ranked first in our English class?” Woohyun was surprised at how easy the conversation was going, unlike the first time they met.

“Whatever. I could totally kick your . I’m just lazy.” Sunggyu sat back slouching in the booth, playing with the top buttons of his shirt.

“Sure you could.” He watched Sunggyu’s fingers as he buttoned and ed the one second from the top. “Just leave it.”

Sunggyu looked up at him. “What?”

“The button. Do you have a really hard time making decisions?”

“How come you can notice that but you can’t pay attention when someone is pouring their heart out on stage for the entire world to see?”

“I was not ignoring you if that is what you are trying to imply.”

“It seemed like it. You had your head buried in that dumb journal…” Sunggyu stared at it glowering like it was some sort of devil worshiping hand book.

“It’s not a journal. Journals are for writing down stupid crap about your day and how you fell in love with a girl named Becky or some . This holds all of my thoughts and ideas. Poems and such.”

“It seemed sappy to me. Pale flesh glowing in the moon light…”

Woohyun wanted to bang his head into the wall. This guy was dumb.

“Where is that food we were talking about? I’m hungry.” Woohyun changed the subject. His notebook was private anyway. How had he let the conversation move in this direction?

“I’m not gonna feed you. Go somewhere else.” Sunggyu huffed crossing his arms as he turned his nose up in the air.

“Okay. Let’s start over.” Woohyun knew he would never win. He looked at Sunggyu who was attempting to be sarcastic. How could someone who looked like that be so childish? It was silly, but the guy was fascinating.

“Really?” Sunggyu’s face was bright as he smiled, excited. It was nice to see.

“Really.” The fluffy haired brunette held out his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Nam Woohyun.”

Sunggyu reached out taking his hand.

“Kim Sunggyu. Nice you meet you too.”

__________________________________________________________

an: Helloooo!

Sorry im a day late oops but here is chapter 3 wooooooooooooo things are starting to go placesssss yay!

Left a little cliff hanger... what do you guys think happens next???

THEY BANG.

JK LOL

anyway hope you liked this chapter and I love hearing from you guys

Thank you for reading and subscribing!