[Fic] Beautiful Truth
Title: Beautiful Truth [II]
Pairings: changmin/fc/yunho
Rating: pg 13
Genre: angst, fluff, romance medley
A/N: This the first story I've written out of retirement since TVXQ terminated their group activities last April... For awhile I wasn't sure what to right and I was pretty upset about the split, seeing them as a whole and all. But I've seen how outstanding they can be just on their own, and both groups seem to be doing good. This piece is chaptered but won't be too long! Hope all the fans out there will continue to love TVXQ and JYJ the way they are : )
ps. excuse my science lingo here...
Summary: Something happens between Changmin and Yunho that alters their consented view on relationships and girlfriends forever... Because Changmin seems to have a secret that he shares with Yunho's recent girlfriend, but will Yunho stay oblivious forever?
Rilie January 2011
“... Some students simply take this opportunity for granted while the others put in their utmost effort to earn their spot here.” The professor strolls casually up the aisle, stopping just a few steps across from my seat. I stop typing and glance over to the spot he stood-he is intently staring at the tall boy, frowning, as he furiously texting away.
Of course. I roll my eyes, looking back to my notes. Mr. Celebrity never gets a break.
Professor A clears his throat. “Some people here, simply don’t understand why they are here and lack focus.”
Focus. My chemistry professor loves that word, especially when it comes to the course he teaches. He loves the subject that he has devoted himself to, and he grants equal respects to those who are serious about science. He doesn’t emphasize student-professor courtesy-sometimes I forget that he’s almost twice my age, because he’s always so reposeful and easygoing with life, that it seems time never seems to have an impact on him. I adore his classes. I adore chemistry. I feel equally offended that someone can be sitting here and show contempt to science.
I sneak a quick glance at the preoccupied boy again: he isn’t even remotely aware of Professor A’s presence.
It isn’t until he deliberately and very loudly clears his throat again, twice, that he tears himself away from his phone.
“Oh, sorry,” he apologizes timidly. “I didn’t know electronics aren’t allowed in class.”
“It isn’t electronics that’s the problem, Shim Changmin.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll pay more attention next time-Actually, I will pay attention right now.”
“Well then,” Professor A said slowly, turning to the board, “can you generate a complete synthesis for this organic molecule from single-bond hydrocarbons?”
Changmin stares back at him blankly.
“Can you name the compound?”
Silence again.
Professor A sighed, and gives his half-exasperated-half-awkward glare. He opens his mouth to continue speaking, but the bell interrupts him.
Students all around sluggishly begin to gather their belongings, seeming to have enjoy the show. The fact that a nation-known celebrity in the already makes the school a zoo-the fact that the celebrity gets in trouble everyday in this class makes the class a real-life cirque du soleil.
“Okay, finish the synthesis, and bon voyage.” Professor A says tiredly, turning away to wipe the whiteboard.
With my laptop still perched on my thighs, I knock over a few loose sheets of physics notes as I try to gather my things for the next class.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.” I look up to see Changmin standing in front of me, my notes neatly stacked together in his hand. I take it and look away uncomfortably. Being a celebrity, he seems so surreal even from close-up, as if he is still posing for a photo shoot or a CD cover. The thing with famous celebrities is that they are so far from the ordinary that they will never be able to belong nor return to the quotidian again.
“Hey, do you mind if I borrow those sometimes?” He asks sheepishly, “I wasn’t at the physics lecture yesterday. Oh, and maybe today’s notes too, please?”
Ah-so he will be skipping for his media priorities. Of course.
“I guess so...” I have no reason to refuse.
“And do you by any chance know the work we had from yesterday? I desperately need to catch up.”
“It’s the questions in chapter three.”
“Okay,” he hastily scribbles a reminder down on a sticky note and carelessly shoves it into the back pockets of his jeans. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I watch wordlessly as he rushes out of the class and out into the courtyard, where a silver convertible is parked and his companion hurries him in. I sigh to myself as the car speeds away in a flurry of February snow and zips up my tote. At least he didn’t try to leave you a signed photo or anything.
“Rilie,” Professor A calls to me as I approach the door, “excellent job on the last equilibrium test. It was a rather challenging unit.”
“Thanks, Professor A.”
“It seems that you are in a lot of lectures with Shim Changmin.”
“Oh, yeah.” I answered, taken back. Lucky me.
“Perhaps you can convince him to have a little initiative for chemistry.”
I widened my eyes. “Me?”
Professor A nods casually, flicking invisible dust off of his plaid shirt. “He’s currently on the borderline of failing.”
“It’s only the beginning of the semester, though.” I counter a little too aggressively. “I mean, he still has plenty of time to raise his mark.”
“Yes, but the remaining units are rather difficult if he doesn’t grasp the knowledge now.”
I hugged my tote close, vividly seeing where his tone is heading. I don’t know why Professor A cares-he knows that Shim Changmin sits here because he needs an university diploma, despite being a singer. But he also knows that he is only sitting in this chemistry class because he needs a few science credits and he has enough finance support to buy himself a spot here... It’s really none of his business, and none of mine.
“I know you have a passion for chemistry,” he says simply, as if answering my raging thoughts. “And I don’t like failing my students.”
That becomes the last words Professor A says to me for the day-he doesn’t wait for my response. Then later in the afternoon, on the same day, I get called to the science department: my physics professor demands the same thing. Now I can’t possibly say no.
I hate it. Regardless, tutoring Shim Changmin will cause me to become the centre of gossip in the university. I resent rumors, and I resent the possibility of others appraising me. I graduated from high school with straight AP courses so I can be in university, fully prepared, to perfect my knowledge. I volunteer at community centre and work a part-time job at a French bakery. I’m the mannered daughter that my parents know and is able to be proud of. I walk on a straight path to a perfectly mediocre life...
I know-and am definite of where I am heading. I don’t like being out of the borderline, and being near someone who shines so bright...
Terrifies me.
(01: Changmin Prelude)
(02: Changmin June 2011)