SEVEN (1/2)
SEVENJongin.
“Wait, what?” Jongin said, speechless, “Who’s coming?”
Sunyoung was cheerfully cleaning the materials after class when she reiterated, “I said that Byunghun is going to come talk about graphic design.”
Jongin twitched, “You’re going teach little five year olds about graphic design?”
She turned around and smiled at him, “I think it’s nice to introduce it to them. See the digital version of art. And besides, it’s kind of a break for you and me.”
Hn. Jongin rolled his eyes. The purple head probably just wanted to spend time with Sunyoung and was weaseling his way into Sunyoung’s life. And… well, Jongin kind of had a problem with that.
“What is this, a show and tell class now?” Jongin asked.
“It’s just to show them different mediums of art,” Sunyoung said, wiping down the table, “I don’t understand, I thought you would be happy. You know, take a break from class.”
Jongin just grunted as he watched her clean.
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” Sunyoung said, “Since Byunghun is there, you can… you know go do your own thing and stuff.”
Jongin’s eyes bulged. “Are you kicking me out?” He asked incredulously. And replacing me with that purple monster, he thought to himself. Sunyoung laughed, “No, of course not! But since you always seem to want to leave the classroom.”
“You just want me to leave the class so that you can be alone with him, don’t you?” Jongin asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes. Sunyoung looked at him surprise, “No! What makes you say that?”
“Hmmm, I don’t know. It sounds to me like your trying to get rid of me. Do you like the kid or something??!” Jongin asked, not sounding jealous at all. Sunyoung just rolled her eyes, “I swear, that joke is like getting old now.”
“You’re not denying it!” Jongin yelled accusingly, pointing his finger at her. Sunyoung shook her head and said, “I don’t like him. Now come, let’s go eat some food. Henry oppa said he made crepes for us.”
A smile spread across Jongin’s handsome face at her invitation to eat together. And he trailed behind Sunyoung, who kept talking about random things like she always did. Jongin couldn’t help but frown though. This Byunghun kid was going to invade his private space and enter the sacred room that only he shared with Sunyoung.
--
Sunyoung.
Sunyoung walked out of the classroom, clutching her sketch pad to her chest. She was so freaking tired after pulling an all nighter to finished a character angle frame. Basically, Sunyoung had to make up an animation character and create its profile with every angled shot of it. After much deliberation, Sunyoung made her character Polaris, a boy from the stars who travels at the speed of light. After she created him, she couldn’t help but notice his uncanny resemblance to Jongin. That playboy smirk on his face and the side-shifted hair. His personality profile read that he was rough and cold on the outside but a true softie on the inside. Just like Jongin. But whatever. Her professor liked the character and that’s all that mattered.
“Yo, what you up to?”
Sunyoung turned around and saw Byunghun smiling at her. She smiled back, “Nothing, just got out of class. I’m like dead tired now.”
“Tough day?” Byunghun asked. Sunyoung nodded, “Big assignment was due. But I think it went well, thankfully.”
Byunghun grinned, “Looks like you need a celebration. Let’s go eat some bingsoo!”
Sunyoung brightened up, “I’m down! As long as you promise to pay~”
“Fine, fine,” Byunghun said with a playful glint in his eye. The two friends went over to a nearby café to eat the deliciously cold and sweet treat.
“So, are you ready to come present tomorrow?” Sunyoung asked, eating the bingsoo. Byunghun nodded, “I think so. I’m just gonna show them the tablet and program I work with.”
Sunyoung grinned, “The kids are going to be so impressed.”
He laughed, “I hope so. I’m kind of nervous, what if they don’t like me?”
“They’re little kids!” Sunyoung said, “Don’t worry. They’ll love you. Besides, if anything you’ll have me and Jongin there for support.”
Byunghun’s face kind of fell as he said, “The jerk?”
Sunyoung said thoughtfully, “He’s actually not that bad. In fact, Jongin’s a really good guy. I’m sure you two will get along just fine.”
Byunghun shrugged, “I dunno. He didn’t seem very nice when I met him.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll warm up to you.” Sunyoung said happily.
“Sure,” Byunghun said, “but I get the sense that he doesn’t really like me.”
Sunyoung looked at him confused, “Wait, why?”
“Well,” Byunghun said, “Let’s just call it man’s intuition.”
She just laughed and shook her head, “Alright, Mr. Intuition. Just remember it’s a presentation for kids!”
Byunghun nodded, “Yes ma’am.”
--
Jongin.
Jongin sighed for the umpteenth time while he cleaned the tables in the kitchen.
“What the heck is wrong with you?” Henry asked with raised brows. Jongin just pouted, “Nothing.”
Henry shook his head, “Come on, Jongin. You can tell your hyung anything. What is it?”
“You remember that Byunghun kid that likes Sunyoung?” Jongin asked. Henry nodded thoughtfully, “Yes, the infamous kid with purple hair.”
“Well,” Jongin continued, “He’s coming to teach about graphic design tomorrow. Graphic design. For kids who won’t understand anything! Don’t you think that’s appalling?!”
Henry blinked as Jongin heatedly continued, “I don’t know what Sunyoung was thinking. She probably just wanted him to be around her. Oh my gosh. She freaking likes him!”
Henry just shook his head as he watched Jongin go off in a flurry of tangents and mumblings to himself.
“Do you like Sunyoung?” Henry asked. Jongin stopped and looked at Henry, “No, what the heck, that is so out of the blue. That’s just ridiculous! Hyung, I thought you knew me by now!”
“Why is that ridiculous?” Henry asked, “She’s pretty, smart, really good with the kids, extremely nice and well-mannered, really fun to be around. Not to mention that she has a beautiful smile and…”
“Hyung!” Jongin said with bulging eyes, “Don’t tell me you like her too?!”
Henry grinned victoriously, “Too? So you do like Sunyoung.”
“That’s besides the point, hyung,” Jongin said, “Do you like Sunyoung!??!”
Henry laughed and shook his head, “Nope. She’s like a little sister to me. But I think someone else over here” he wiggled his eyebrows “likes her.”
Jongin shook his head, “No, no. That can never be.”
Henry laughed, “I think you just told me you did.”
Jongin refused to believe it. Right when he was about to protest, his phone rang. Jongin picked up, “Hello.”
“Yo, it’s Taemin.”
“Hey, what’s up.” Jongin said, throwing daggers at Henry.
“Just reminding you that we were gonna hang out tonight. Don’t tell me you forgot.”
“Oh,” Jongin said. Oops. He forgot. “Of course I didn’t forget!”
“Good, you asshole. See ya.”
Jongin groaned as he put his phone away.
“Was that Sunyoung, your true love?” Henry asked with a kissy face. Jongin just threw the rag at his face, “No, hyung.”
And he grabbed his keys and walked out to drive to the nearby bar. Stupid Henry had to go and put that stupid thought in his head. And now, Jongin couldn’t stop but wonder now… if he liked Sunyoung. She definitely isn’t ugly. Maybe a little more on the pretty side. Her smile is nice. Like really nice. It makes him feel warm and fuzzy inside. And her eyes sparkle and glitter. And… Jongin shook his head.
“Nope!” Jongin yelled to himself. He arrived at the bar and walked in to see Taemin, Kibum, and Minho chilling at the VIP lounge.
“Look, you finally arrived!” Taemin said with a grin as he hugged his friend.
“Long time no see.” Jongin said happily and then he greeted the hyungs.
“Hey Jongin!” Minho and Kibum said. Jongin grinned at them and accepted the bottle of beer Taemin handed him.
“It’s been forever, dude.” Kibum said, drinking his glass of wine. Taemin clucked, “Seriously. It’s been almost a month since I’ve last seen you.”
Jongin laughed, “Sorry, guys. It’s just been very eventful and busy at the orphanage. But how are you guys doing? How’s the business running going, Minho hyung?”
Minho rolled his eyes, “Stress. My dad’s putting me in charge of a merger and it’s a bit stressful. But the other dude in charge there is pretty cool. Maybe I’ll bring him next time.”
Taemin stared at Minho and then finally said, “Hyung, are you gay?”
Kibum and Jongin bursted out laughing and Minho threw a piece ice at him.
“You idiot,” Minho said rolling his eyes. Jongin laughed, he totally forgot how much he missed these weirdo friends. He wondered how Sunyoung would react if he brought her here. She would probably crinkle her nose and say this wasn’t her cup of tea and then proceed to go to a boba shop. Jongin lightly chuckled to himself.
“Why are you smiling by yourself like a lunatic?” Kibum asked, this nicely shaped brows arched. Jongin shook his head, “It’s nothing.”
Taemin narrowed his eyes and stared at his friend, “Something is weird. And different about you, Jongin. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“It’s same old me,” Jongin said, “Come on, guys. Let’s just drink~”
--
Jongin sighed as art time was slowly getting closer. It was the dreaded day when Byunghun was coming. He still didn't understand what was possibly going to be taught. But whatever. Jongin just went over to the classroom and sat on the chair and put his feet on the desk, waiting for Sunyoung and the evil boy to come.
He tried to think of a bunch of different scenarios and ways to marginalize the boy and show him that this was Jongin’s turf. And then at that moment her heard the soft giggles of Sunyoung at the door and then it opened. Sunyoung was laughing at something Byunghun was saying and then she saw Jongin.
“Oh, Jongin!” Sunyoung said, surprised, “You’re already here.”
“Hn.” Jongin replied nonchalantly as his eyes narrowed on the boy behind Sunyoung. The purple head was staring back at him and they were holding an intense staring contest.
“Um,” Sunyoung said, feeling awkward between them, “Jongin, you’ve been Byunghun before right?”
Jongin nodded, “Yeah. Good to see you again.”
He forced a smile and held his hand out to Byunghun.
“Likewise,” Byunghun replied as he shook Jongin’s hand rather tightly. And now they were smiling at each other, holding tightly onto the other’s hand.
“Byunghun!” Sunyoung said, “Come set up the computer here!”
“Okay,” Byunghun replied, letting go of Jongin’s hand. Jongin just rolled his eyes as he watched the two trying to connect the computer to the projector.