Heels Over Head - Chapter 7
Title: Heels Over Head [Chapter 7]
Author: wookism
Pairings: KyuMin, YeMin [friendship], KyuWook [friendship], MinWook [one-sided], KiHae [friendship]
Rating: PG-13 [language mostly]
Summary: When Kyuhyun gets paired up with Lee Sungmin for a science class, he's none too thrilled. But as he gets to know the other boy, he starts to know more about himself.
Genre: High School AU
Disclaimer: Title taken from “Heels Over Head” by Boys Like Girls
Sungmin gasped. The words that had come out of Kyuhyun’s mouth at that moment seemed too good to be true. He pushed Kyuhyun away and stared at him with shock in his eyes.
“What did you just say?” he asked, sounding beaten and broken despite the joy he should have been feeling at Kyuhyun’s sudden confession.
“I love you,” Kyuhyun repeated without a bit of hesitation, leaving Sungmin even more unnerved.
“But you just told me that you hated me, yesterday. You told me you wished I was dead. How can you just show up here out of nowhere and tell me that-”
Kyuhyun pulled him close and kissed him. It was different from the kiss before; there was no showmanship. He wasn’t trying to prove a point nor was he trying to call attention to himself. The kiss was sweet and endearing with every bit of affection that Sungmin had so desperately wanted from Kyuhyun. He sighed when Kyuhyun moved away and opened his eyes.
“Shut up,” Kyuhyun said before he could respond, “I know what you’re going to say. Just listen to me first before you saying anything.”
Kyuhyun sat down at the lab table directly in front of Sungmin’s and put his hands in his laps. He looked down at them before looking back up at Sungmin.
“Look, I know what I said yesterday was horrible but you have to understand that I was just upset because of what could have happened to Ryeowook. I honestly never meant to hurt you-even if it seemed that way. It’s just-Ryeowook is my best friend-my only friend and even if things between you and me-well, change-he’s still the most important person in my life. You have to understand that if it weren’t for him, I’d probably have killed myself a long time ago.”
He laughed but it wasn’t out of humor; he was laughing at the pathetic state he had been in at the time that he first met Ryeowook.
“The thing is, Sungmin-I am in love with you.”
Sungmin let out an unexpected gasp, even though he was pretty much already aware of Kyuhyun’s feelings. He put his hand to his mouth and looked apologetically towards Kyuhyun who just smiled sweetly back at him.
“I want to be with you but-this is all too weird to me. I mean, we’re both guys. I never expected to fall for anyone-let alone another boy. But I know this is love-I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re the person who I’m always most excited to see even if most of the time you piss the hell out of me-no offense.”
Sungmin glared at him, teasingly but let him continue.
“It’s just really confusing, you know? I mean, who knew I’d end up being gay?! As if I needed another reason to feel like a social outcast,” he chuckled ironically, “Oh man. I hope you don’t think my saying that as offensive. It’s just honestly how I feel.”
“No, I understand. I mean-not completely. It wasn’t like I never knew that this was who I was. I never liked girls and when I first started having feelings for boys, I was a little confused about just why I did. But I accepted it pretty early on. No matter what other people would put me through-other students, teachers, my friends, my family-I knew this would always be who I was and I had to live with it. At the very least, I needed to accept that there was nothing that could change that part of me. I may not always love being gay-especially when there’s tons of homophobes out there-but I love who I am, wholly. I don’t want to ever compromise who I am for the sake of conforming to what other people’s ideals are of me.”
Kyuhyun was stunned. He knew Sungmin had confidence but he was never sure how deep it ran. He admired him more than anyone, especially at that moment. Sungmin was basically what he wanted to be; someone who was completely sure of who they were and who was unafraid of what others thought of him. He wanted to be like that and he started to think of just how he could emulate Sungmin.
“Come here,” he said, holding out his hand. Sungmin took it although he was unsure of just what Kyuhyun was planning to do. Kyuhyun took him by the hand and led him out of the classroom.
“Kyuhyun, what are you doing?” he whispered, Kyuhyun’s hand still in his.
“I want everyone to see what you mean to me. If holding hands is the least I could do, then I’ll do it,” he said, gripping Sungmin’s hand tightly.
“Are you sure about this?”
Kyuhyun smiled warmly and said, “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Sungmin could feel butterflies in his stomach, as lame as that sounded, at Kyuhyun’s newly found confidence. He could feel his hand grasping Kyuhyun’s even tighter, and a smile graced his face as he walked down the hallway. It became harder to smile as he made his way down the hallway; he was met with glares from the people who used to worship him. Even with Kyuhyun by his side, he started to feel scared, more scared than he ever had in his life.
“FAGGOTS!” he heard someone yell out to them. That one voice was met with a chorus of agreeing voices followed by the shuffle of feet. That was when a mob formed and chased after Kyuhyun and Sungmin, down the hallway and out of the main building. Kyuhyun looked worried and dragged Sungmin behind him until he found an abandoned hallway where the two of them could hide. He pressed Sungmin close to his chest as he tried catching his breath.
Sungmin couldn’t help but blush from the physical contact but his fast-moving heart wasn’t a result of his shyness but because he was terrified of what would happen to the two of them. That’s when Sungmin pulled Kyuhyun into an empty classroom. He had known the school better than anyone else and he was sure that the classroom, one that used to hold after school English classes, would be empty at that time. The classroom was dark and there were desks strewn about but he was keen and much aware of his surroundings. His hand never did let go of Kyuhyun’s even if he needed to find a spot for the two of them to hide.
“Should we turn on the light?” Kyuhyun asked, unsure of just where Sungmin was taking him. But Sungmin shushed him, holding his hand tighter as if to let him know that it would be alright. A small corner between a bookshelf and a broom closet was big enough for the two of them to hide in, just under the window and out of view of anyone standing outside. He sat down and instructed Kyuhyun to do the same.
The pair of them sat next to each other, backs to the wall, side by side. Their hands were still entwined as if that was the only strength they could muster during that time.
“How did you know about this place?” Kyuhyun asked, looking around as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room.
Sungmin looked down, staring absentmindedly at Kyuhyun’s hand in his. He didn’t look up when he replied.
“I used to come here a lot in my first year at this school. Back when I swore that life wouldn’t ever get better and that I’d be doomed to live a life where I couldn’t be myself nor could have people accept me as I was.”
Kyuhyun turned to him and looked at him oddly. Sungmin could sense Kyuhyun’s stare and explained what he meant.
“Before I became the boy you see today, the school president-former school president, I was a social outcast. I had officially come out in the beginning of my first year and let me tell you, it was the biggest decision of my life-and the one that affected me the most.”
Sungmin paused, like he was trying to recollect all the events that took place but was finding it too difficult to do so.
“I-I wasn’t always like I am now-I was rough around the edges, I wasn’t completely-pretty as you called it and I was not a well-liked individual. I kept to myself most of my middle school and elementary school life. I decided to change that when I came to this school-and I did it by letting my classmates know that I was, in fact, gay.”
Kyuhyun gaped at him, barely making Sungmin’s face in the darkness.
“I doubt you could have recalled a student coming out of the closet your first year here.”
Kyuhyun shook his head no, which caused a bit of a chuckle to come from Sungmin.
“I wouldn’t expect you to. The whole thing started in my homeroom that year. I’d decided to tell my classmates-some of them I thought of as friends that I was gay. At first they were all just shocked that I had the balls to say it out loud. Then they became angry-and when I say angry, I mean they looked like they would’ve torn me to pieces, literally.”
He chuckled again, even though he felt Kyuhyun squeeze his hand again. His cheeks were flushed slightly but he decided to continue.
“I got bullied endlessly, that is until I met Yesung. He was a transfer student who came to the school in the middle of our first year. He was a bit tougher-a lot less well-groomed and wasn’t the model student you know him to be now.”
Kyuhyun wasn’t sure if Sungmin was joking but he had to laugh anyway at the thought of Yesung, of all people, being a model student. He recalled the time that Yesung had threatened his life when he, Kyuhyun, had made Sungmin cry.
“He helped me out a lot-taught me to be tougher, not to care what people thought. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have started the school’s drama club.”
“You started it?” Kyuhyun asked curiously.
“Oh yeah-I also ran for school president that term and somehow managed to win. I fully believe that it was Yesung’s confidence in me that gave me the strength to campaign in the first place. I mean, once I started the drama club and managed to recruit members, I started to make friends. I was able to become more comfortable with who I was and I guess-I guess that just led people to become attracted to me, you know, want to be my friend and such.”
Kyuhyun sneered. How could Sungmin think it was just really that easy? Maybe he was more naïve or he just had more luck than Kyuhyun ever did.
“I changed since then. I reinvented my image-once I became school president, people felt they had to respect me. I was getting things done and I was changing the school for the better. They could tell that I wasn’t just a pretty face who happened to like boys. They knew there was more to me than just my sexuality. And-it felt good. For once in my life, I could be myself and be respected and admired for it.”
Kyuhyun wanted to ask Sungmin if there was more to his story but he was afraid to. He knew there had to be problems between Sungmin and his family but he didn’t want to pry. Turns out he didn’t have to worry about asking because Sungmin just decided to tell him, at that moment.
“You’re probably wondering how things were me before I came out at school-like my family and stuff. Well, here’s how it went. When I was 100% sure that this was who I was-when I finally decided to come out to the class, that’s when I told my parents what I was.”
“And what did they say?”
Sungmin held back a small sniffle, trying to smile and pretend that it didn’t hurt to rehash all those repressed memories. But his hand being held by Kyuhyun’s gave him a bit of strength to continue on.
“Let’s just say that I was pretty much doomed to live with my grandfather until I go to college.”
“Wait, what are you saying?”
“My parents threw me out, Kyuhyun. My dad didn’t want his only son to be gay and my mom-she didn’t have the guts to stop my dad that night. All I could remember was her crying-a lot and my dad yelling about how I had a demon inside of me. My parents are very religious-like I’m not.”
He scoffed to himself.
“I was taught to believe that Jesus would love me no matter what-but what I really needed was for my parents to.”
Kyuhyun felt himself choke up a bit. He was trying to fight the urge to pull Sungmin close to him, into a warm embrace. He didn’t want to but something told him he needed to.
“It’s okay though. My grandpa’s great. He doesn’t care if I’m gay, straight, blue, green, yellow, whatever. He loves me because I’m his grandson and he knows that he’s the only one in the family who has my back. I love him more than anything and I’m hoping he’ll always be around-but I know he won’t. I’m still holding out hope that maybe-at least my mom-my parents will accept me and bring me back into their lives.”
“I’m sure if it’s meant to happen, it will,” Kyuhyun said proudly, but then his face changed and he said, “Oh god that couldn’t have been a lamer thing to say at this moment. You know what I mean, I-”
Sungmin interrupted him with a warm hug that made Kyuhyun’s skin prickle and his cheeks grew warmer. He put his head on Sungmin’s shoulder and the two stayed that way for several moments when they heard the door open. Kyuhyun’s heart jumped and Sungmin let out a hushed gasp.
“I’m going to kill you both!”
They heard a voice say; they clung to each other tighter, releasing each other from their grip when they saw who it was.
“You’re gonna kill us? I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, JONGWOON!” Sungmin shouted, standing up quickly and walking towards the other man.
“ME? You’re the ones hiding so you can make out or something. I’ve been looking for you guys everywhere!”
“I don’t care-don’t come in here threatening our lives when you know those psychopaths are chasing us!”
“Wait, what? What happened? I’ve been with the principal for the last hour-what’s going on?”
Sungmin looked at Kyuhyun who gave him a look back. He subtly grabbed Sungmin’s hand and held it, a smile spread across his face as he did so.
“Oh-oh no-ooohhh no. You’re kidding me! YOU TWO ARE A COUPLE OF IDIOTS-EMPHASIS ON THE COUPLE BUT ALSO THE IDIOTS. I can’t believe you, Ming!”
“Why are you acting like this? You’re the one who told me that I should go for what I wanted and all that other inspirational cheesy crap,” Sungmin replied, giving Kyuhyun a squeeze of the hand when the latter started snickering.
“I didn’t mean for you to go out and about with your-‘relationship’,” his tone mocking in nature, “I meant you guys could get together and have your couple-y times or whatever but-going out in public, it’s just not smart.”
“Why?”
“Because those guys-everyone out there-they’re idiots, animals, stupid fucking morons. One minute they’re praising you, the next minute they’re stalking you, the very next minute they’re stalking Cho when they first thought you two were dating. But now-now you’re social pariahs because these IDIOTS think it’s okay to act like this. Before they were fine with you being gay, Ming, but now-god knows why-things have changed.”
“Yeah, I don’t get it either,” Kyuhyun said, looking at Sungmin who had an expression that seemed to suggest that he knew exactly why.
“It’s because I’m not their idol anymore. I resigned and-I guess they feel betrayed by that. I didn’t realize how much they all cared about my being on top.”
“That still doesn’t explain why it made sense for them to stalk me when that stupid rumor that you and I were dating first came out. I seriously think this school is full of idiots.”
“You said it, Cho.”
“Kyuhyun.”
“I prefer calling you ‘Cho’ or ‘Cho kid’-if you like, I could call you ‘dumbass’.”
“What’s with him?”
Sungmin smiled, “He’s in love.”
“WHAT?”
“WHAT?”
“I’m just kidding, you morons. Come on, we need to figure out how to get out of here without being seen.”
The threesome tried to find a way out, Yesung was in the front, making sure that no one was around the corners stalking them. He motioned for the other two to follow him but stopped suddenly and screamed. Sungmin jumped and clung to Kyuhyun who unexpectedly blushed a little. Sungmin realized what he was doing and suddenly got embarrassed, freeing Kyuhyun from his grip and stepping aside.
“What is it?”
“Your friend,” Yesung said, sounding annoyed, “The munchkin.”
“I HAVE A NAME!”
“Yeah, I don’t know what it is. Sue me.”
“Ryeowook!” Kyuhyun said, hustling around the corner, pushing Yesung out of the way to greet his friend. Yesung gestured like he was going to punch Kyuhyun but Sungmin stopped him and glared. Yesung knew to back down but mocked Kyuhyun while the other’s head was turned.
“I was looking for you guys. What’s going on?”
“Those psychotic hormone machines were chasing me and Sungmin,” Kyuhyun explained, “and this idiot decided to scare the crap out of Sungmin and me by bursting into the classroom we were hiding in.”
Ryeowook looked at Yesung and smiled, but not to be friendly but rather mocking the fact that Kyuhyun called the other man an idiot. Yesung glared at him, prompting Ryeowook to turn his attention back to Kyuhyun.
“Why would they be chasing you?” he asked curiously.
“Because-,” Kyuhyun started only to be interrupted when Sungmin suddenly grabbed his hand and held it affectionately. Kyuhyun blushed again, wishing he could better control his body’s reactions to Sungmin’s touch.
Ryeowook looked at the pair’s clasped hands and it was obvious that he did not like what he was seeing. But Sungmin and Kyuhyun were too focused on each other to notice his changed reaction; Yesung on the other hand noticed and seemed to sympathize for the obviously downtrodden boy.
But Ryeowook knew he couldn’t let Kyuhyun know that he was jealous, not after the two of them had mended their broken friendship. He smiled suddenly and pretended to be completely happy for the two while also sympathetic towards the fact that they were being harassed by their classmates.
“I wish I could help you guys-I mean, I suppose I could but there’s not much someone like me could do-to you know, protect you. I can provide a distraction but-I’m afraid of getting mauled by the crazy mob.”
Kyuhyun let out an endearing chuckle, mussing Ryeowook’s hair as he did so. Ryeowook barely enjoyed it but he was happy that Kyuhyun was smiling again, genuinely (something he had not seen for a long time).
“Don’t worry about us, Ryeowook. You just worry about yourself. There’s nothing me and Sungmin can’t handle on our own. We’ve got this.”
Something about the collective pronouns Kyuhyun was using made Ryeowook’s stomach sink. He smiled weakly, nodding his head like he understood but feeling like he could just about cry. He didn’t and instead just made up an excuse for having to leave. Kyuhyun smiled while telling him to keep safe as he made his way home. Ryeowook nodded, the smile disappearing from his face. He gave one last look at Sungmin who barely noticed the other looking at him; he was far too fixed on Kyuhyun.
Ryeowook sighed as he walked away towards the classroom where his things were. Yesung let out a low sigh as he watched him walk away.
“Hey guys, I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll see you guys later-Ming, call me if you need anything. And Cho Kid, if you do anything to hurt my man Sungmin, I’ll rip out your larynx so when I beat the crap out of you, no one can hear you scream,” he glared intensely before smiling widely and saying, “Later!”
Kyuhyun and Sungmin watched as Yesung ran down the hallway in the same direction that Ryeowook had walked down. Kyuhyun then looked at Sungmin.
“How are you and he friends?”
“I could ask the same thing about you and that cute kid, Ryeowook.”
“CUTE?”
“Yeah, who’d think some so adorable could be friends with an asshole like you?”
Kyuhyun smirked at Sungmin, “You’re the one in love with the asshole so I wouldn’t talk.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve never been known for my great taste. Just my looks, brains, charisma, and-”
“Quiet before I rip out your larynx and-”
“Sounds better when Jongwoon says it.”
Kyuhyun faked a punch towards Sungmin’s shoulder to which Sungmin responded with a half-hearted block with his hands. The two laughed before Kyuhyun suddenly pulled Sungmin in for a soft, sweet kiss. Sungmin smiled into the kiss before the two pulled apart, holding hands and walking down the hallway, back to their classroom.
Neither one of them noticed that they were now being followed. Kibum and Donghae were just around the corner, watching the pair intently. Donghae wasn’t sure just what Kibum had in mind and appeared frightened at the ideas popping into his head. Kibum just looked angry that Kyuhyun and Sungmin would dare to be so open about their new relationship.
He whispered to Donghae, “Don’t worry, Donghae, they’re not going to get away so easily. I’ve got something big planned.”
“I don’t know about this, Kibummie.”
“Just don’t think about it and do what I tell you,” Kibum said in half-sincere, half-irritated tone, “There won’t be any thinking involved-at least for you; just a lot of body work.”
“Still-”
“Do you want to be part of this or not, Donghae?”
Donghae lowered his head and nodded. Kibum smiled and patted him on the shoulder before leading Donghae away so that they were completely out of sight.
The next day was similar to the previous one. There were still whispers, taunts, and glares from Kyuhyun’s classmates. But this time around, he didn’t care. Because he had Sungmin on one side of him, Ryeowook on the other, and Yesung on Sungmin’s right. The foursome walked down the hallway with their heads held high. In reality, it was only Kyuhyun who seemed to be proud of his status, whereas Ryeowook was meek, Sungmin was humbled, and Yesung was wishing he wasn’t associated with any of them, at the moment.
Ryeowook parted with the group, as did Yesung at one point and the happy couple left, made their way to their shared classroom, hand-in-hand. Sungmin seemed uneasy about the hand-holding but Kyuhyun’s insistence both warmed his heart and made him feel obligated to comply. He bravely held Kyuhyun’s hand as they walked into the classroom.
That’s when they realized just how bad things had gotten now that they were officially a couple. Some of their classmates completely shunned them, including Sungmin’s lab partner Eunhyuk who did not want to be associated with the ex-school president. Kyuhyun on the other hand was being closely observed by his lab partner, Kibum.
The teacher never did switch Kyuhyun’s partner to someone else after he and Kibum got into a scuffle but Kyuhyun wasn’t afraid of what Kibum would do to him, especially not after he had fought the other boy when Kibum and his friends were harassing Ryeowook.
“Hello, Kyuhyun,” Kibum said in a darkened tone.
Kyuhyun gave him no eye contact and pretended not to hear him. He opened his schoolbag and took out his notebook and textbook, his eyes focused on every part of the classroom except on Kibum. Kibum smirked at first but then grew annoyed as he continued the conversation without Kyuhyun’s response.
“You know it’s rude to not acknowledge someone who’s speaking to you, Kyuhyun-ah?”
“I’m sorry but I don’t acknowledge homophobes who can’t deal with their own sexuality problems. Come talk to me when you realize that not everyone is the same and that no matter how much you beat the crap out of people, you can’t change them.”
“How about I just beat the crap out of you and then you talk to me?”
Kyuhyun looked at Kibum with a bit of a sneer.
“You don’t scare me, Kibum. You’re nothing but a coward who can’t do anything but use your fists when your brain is too stupid to figure things out.”
“Do you want to fight, Cho?”
“No, I’d rather not. I’ve got enough of your germs from the last time I kicked your ass.”
Kibum stood up suddenly, looking at down at Kyuhyun who was still seated. He had a tight lip and clenched fists on either side of him. The others in the classroom stared at the two, including Sungmin who was wondering just what was going on between them.
But before Kibum got the chance to do anything, the teacher came in suddenly.
“Ok, now class, let’s get started. Sorry I’m late, I-Kim, take your seat,” he said to an angered Kibum, who had no choice but to comply with the teacher’s wishes.
“Mark my words, Kyuhyun, you’ll pay.”
“Pay attention, Kibum. Don’t want you to get into trouble with the teacher.”
Kibum slammed his book on the desk and opened it forcibly, letting the cover of the book hit the lab table with a loud thud. Kyuhyun just smiled to himself before turning to a worried Sungmin and giving him a sly wink.
Everyone else seemed grossed out by Kyuhyun’s gesture but Sungmin seemed comforted by it.
“What’d he tell you?”
“Oh, nothing. He’s just being his usual asshole self. Nothing for you to worry about, Ming,” Kyuhyun said, patting Sungmin on the shoulder as the two sat side by side for lunch.
“But he looked really pissed off. I was worried he was going to kick the shit out of you or something,” Sungmin said, exacerbated, holding a sandwich he’d made at home. He was no longer being given boxed lunches from other students and now had to get used to eating food he brought from home.
“He’s not going to do anything to me. He’s just going to be mad for a little and then forget anything ever happened. Despite what outer appearances may tell you, the guy is not that smart.”
Sungmin laughed a little before taking a bite out of his sandwich. Kyuhyun laughed at Sungmin, pointing at some mustard that had made its way onto the other boy’s cheek. But before he could grab the napkin and wipe Sungmin’s face, it disappeared. Kyuhyun looked up and saw Ryeowook with it in his hand.
He smiled widely but something about his eyes were off.
“Here, Sungmin-ssi. You have some mustard on your cheek,” he said, though he was looking straight into Kyuhyun’s eyes.
“T-Thanks, Ryeowook,” Sungmin gave Ryeowook an odd look before taking the napkin and wiping his face. He looked at Kyuhyun who shrugged his shoulders. Ryeowook continued to stare at Kyuhyun, smiling but somewhat creepily.
That’s when Yesung came with a tray full of food. He sat next to Ryeowook who seemed disgusted by just how much food he had gotten.
“Are you going to eat all of that?” he asked the other with an odd expression on his face.
“What’s it to you, munchkin? I’m a growing boy and I need my sustenance. We can’t all be munchkins like you.”
“I’M NOT A MUNCHKIN! Kyuhyun, tell him I’m not a munchkin,” Ryeowook’s creepy expression turned into an anxious one and he had a somewhat whiny tone to his voice.
“Ryeowook’s not a munchkin-”
“Thank you!”
“He’s an elf.”
“KYUHYUN!”
“Kyuhyun,” Sungmin said, pointing across the cafeteria. Kyuhyun looked to where Sungmin was pointing and his eyes widened a little. It was Kibum with his entire entourage of bad seeds as well as Donghae. He had a forced glare on his face that kept fading in and out as the group got closer to Kyuhyun’s table.
Kyuhyun smirked, rolled his eyes and suddenly put his arm around Sungmin’s shoulder. Ryeowook looked mortified while Yesung looked grossed out, almost to the point where he couldn’t continue eating his food. He then looked down at his plate and happily continued. Ryeowook gave him a sideways glance to which he replied by stuffing his face even more.
“What are you doing, Kyuhyun?” Sungmin whispered.
“Just trust me on this.”
Kibum stalked over, and noticed what Kyuhyun was doing and scoffed loudly.
“You two just don’t know when to quit, do you?”
“Quit what, Kibum?” Kyuhyun smiled, pretending to not understand to what Kibum was referring.
“Your little PDA sessions are just about the most disgusting thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing.”
Kibum’s cronies (as Kyuhyun affectionately deemed them) all started laughing, including Donghae. Kyuhyun laughed as well but merely in jest. Kibum glared, and slammed his hands down on the lunch table, scaring Ryeowook and nearly causing Yesung to lose his lunch-literally.
“HEY!” he shouted.
“WHAT?”
He backed down when Kibum looked at him and humbly continued eating. Ryeowook shook his head in disdain, amazed that someone who was normally so outspoken was now being such a wimp. But then Kibum looked at him, and he too backed down, lowering his gaze.
“Kibum, if you wouldn’t mind, could you please leave me and my friends alone? Your face isn’t doing much for Yesung here’s appetite and you’re about to give Ryeowook nightmares for the rest of his life.”
“I’ll leave when you take your arm off Sungmin’s shoulders,” he said, pointing towards Sungmin.
Sungmin’s cheeks grew slightly flushed but Kyuhyun wouldn’t back down. Instead he pulled Sungmin in to a warm embrace and with a wide smile on his face, rested his head on the other boy’s shoulder. Sungmin started to panic not sure just how far Kyuhyun would go; he also noticed that everyone in the room was staring at him. He pushed Kyuhyun away and suddenly got up.
Kyuhyun looked at him strangely but Sungmin couldn’t handle the situation and began to scurry away.
“Look guys, a faggot in denial. I wouldn’t have expected such from you, Sungmin. I thought you were ‘out and proud’. You didn’t have the balls to stay president and now you don’t have the balls to deal with a little teasing. Once a faggot, always a faggot.”
Clearly Kibum didn’t know when to quit because before he knew it, he was on the floor, his nose bleeding and his neck aching. Everyone looked and saw Sungmin standing over him, with an outstretched arm and a closed fist. He was clearly in a fighting stance of some kind and it was also clear that he was well-trained in martial arts. Or at least it became clear once he started beating off the oncoming cronies that were attacking him.
One after another, he threw or kicked or punched them all to the ground. Though he got a few hits to the face, he managed to knock everyone off their feet and was the only one left standing. That is he and Donghae were but Donghae didn’t have the guts to fight him, especially not after witnessing what the rest of his friends had gone through.
He instead chose to run away, as did the others. Kibum staggered a bit, holding his nose and pointing at Sungmin.
He shouted, “I’m going to get you, you fucking faggot. Mark my words.”
He didn’t realize a teacher was standing right behind him, hands on his hips and looking ever so domineering. Kibum gulped a bit, while continuing to hold his bleeding nose.
He was grabbed by his uniform shirt collar and led out of the cafeteria by the teacher. That’s when the cafeteria burst into shouts and applause, albeit scared applause from the other students. Ryeowook and Kyuhyun stared in awe at Sungmin while Yesung wiped his mouth (after finishing his large lunch) and standing up, walking over to Sungmin’s side, placing his hand on the other’s shoulder.
“Once again, Lee Sungmin proves victorious over a bunch of no good assholes. This is what years and years of martial arts training gets you, gentlemen. A cute face and fists of steel. WORSHIP HIM!”
Yesung grabbed Sungmin’s wrist and pulled his arm up like a referee at a boxing match, declaring Sungmin “the winner” of the round. Sungmin seemed embarrassed but mildly content in the sounds of his classmates’ cheering.
Kyuhyun wanted to say something but he was interrupted by the teacher who had just left the room who came back in suddenly.
“Lee Sungmin, report to the principal’s office at once. We need to discuss your punishment for starting a fight on school grounds.”
Sungmin seemed scared but shakily nodded his head before following the teacher out of the room. Kyuhyun almost chased after him but Yesung stopped him, telling him to just wait it out until Sungmin was done talking to the principal.
It seemed like hours until Sungmin was released from the principal’s care. In fact, it had actually been hours since school was over and everyone had practically gone home. Yesung, Kyuhyun, and Ryeowook had all stayed behind, as did Donghae.
The foursome waited outside of the administration building, hoping for word from Sungmin and to a lesser extent, Kibum. Kibum came out with a bandage on his face and a black eye, his hands in his pockets and his back hunched over. He just sneered at Kyuhyun and the others before leaving with Donghae who was quick to interrogate him.
That’s when Sungmin came out, barely a scratch on him but looking every bit defeated.
Kyuhyun held his breath, waiting for Sungmin to explain what happened.
Ryeowook intervened and was the first to ask.
“What’d he say?”
Sungmin looked at the others, his eyes slightly teary.
“I-I’m getting expelled.”
“What?!”
END CHAPTER 7
A/N: Contrary to what I said the last time I updated, this is not the last chapter. There will be one more after it. As if that wasn't obvious enough already but anyways! Sorry it's taken me so long to update this fic. Thank you if you've stuck with it despite all the months that have passed. I'll try and update with the FINAL FINAL chapter as soon as I can!
Author: wookism
Pairings: KyuMin, YeMin [friendship], KyuWook [friendship], MinWook [one-sided], KiHae [friendship]
Rating: PG-13 [language mostly]
Summary: When Kyuhyun gets paired up with Lee Sungmin for a science class, he's none too thrilled. But as he gets to know the other boy, he starts to know more about himself.
Genre: High School AU
Disclaimer: Title taken from “Heels Over Head” by Boys Like Girls
Sungmin gasped. The words that had come out of Kyuhyun’s mouth at that moment seemed too good to be true. He pushed Kyuhyun away and stared at him with shock in his eyes.
“What did you just say?” he asked, sounding beaten and broken despite the joy he should have been feeling at Kyuhyun’s sudden confession.
“I love you,” Kyuhyun repeated without a bit of hesitation, leaving Sungmin even more unnerved.
“But you just told me that you hated me, yesterday. You told me you wished I was dead. How can you just show up here out of nowhere and tell me that-”
Kyuhyun pulled him close and kissed him. It was different from the kiss before; there was no showmanship. He wasn’t trying to prove a point nor was he trying to call attention to himself. The kiss was sweet and endearing with every bit of affection that Sungmin had so desperately wanted from Kyuhyun. He sighed when Kyuhyun moved away and opened his eyes.
“Shut up,” Kyuhyun said before he could respond, “I know what you’re going to say. Just listen to me first before you saying anything.”
Kyuhyun sat down at the lab table directly in front of Sungmin’s and put his hands in his laps. He looked down at them before looking back up at Sungmin.
“Look, I know what I said yesterday was horrible but you have to understand that I was just upset because of what could have happened to Ryeowook. I honestly never meant to hurt you-even if it seemed that way. It’s just-Ryeowook is my best friend-my only friend and even if things between you and me-well, change-he’s still the most important person in my life. You have to understand that if it weren’t for him, I’d probably have killed myself a long time ago.”
He laughed but it wasn’t out of humor; he was laughing at the pathetic state he had been in at the time that he first met Ryeowook.
“The thing is, Sungmin-I am in love with you.”
Sungmin let out an unexpected gasp, even though he was pretty much already aware of Kyuhyun’s feelings. He put his hand to his mouth and looked apologetically towards Kyuhyun who just smiled sweetly back at him.
“I want to be with you but-this is all too weird to me. I mean, we’re both guys. I never expected to fall for anyone-let alone another boy. But I know this is love-I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re the person who I’m always most excited to see even if most of the time you piss the hell out of me-no offense.”
Sungmin glared at him, teasingly but let him continue.
“It’s just really confusing, you know? I mean, who knew I’d end up being gay?! As if I needed another reason to feel like a social outcast,” he chuckled ironically, “Oh man. I hope you don’t think my saying that as offensive. It’s just honestly how I feel.”
“No, I understand. I mean-not completely. It wasn’t like I never knew that this was who I was. I never liked girls and when I first started having feelings for boys, I was a little confused about just why I did. But I accepted it pretty early on. No matter what other people would put me through-other students, teachers, my friends, my family-I knew this would always be who I was and I had to live with it. At the very least, I needed to accept that there was nothing that could change that part of me. I may not always love being gay-especially when there’s tons of homophobes out there-but I love who I am, wholly. I don’t want to ever compromise who I am for the sake of conforming to what other people’s ideals are of me.”
Kyuhyun was stunned. He knew Sungmin had confidence but he was never sure how deep it ran. He admired him more than anyone, especially at that moment. Sungmin was basically what he wanted to be; someone who was completely sure of who they were and who was unafraid of what others thought of him. He wanted to be like that and he started to think of just how he could emulate Sungmin.
“Come here,” he said, holding out his hand. Sungmin took it although he was unsure of just what Kyuhyun was planning to do. Kyuhyun took him by the hand and led him out of the classroom.
“Kyuhyun, what are you doing?” he whispered, Kyuhyun’s hand still in his.
“I want everyone to see what you mean to me. If holding hands is the least I could do, then I’ll do it,” he said, gripping Sungmin’s hand tightly.
“Are you sure about this?”
Kyuhyun smiled warmly and said, “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
Sungmin could feel butterflies in his stomach, as lame as that sounded, at Kyuhyun’s newly found confidence. He could feel his hand grasping Kyuhyun’s even tighter, and a smile graced his face as he walked down the hallway. It became harder to smile as he made his way down the hallway; he was met with glares from the people who used to worship him. Even with Kyuhyun by his side, he started to feel scared, more scared than he ever had in his life.
“FAGGOTS!” he heard someone yell out to them. That one voice was met with a chorus of agreeing voices followed by the shuffle of feet. That was when a mob formed and chased after Kyuhyun and Sungmin, down the hallway and out of the main building. Kyuhyun looked worried and dragged Sungmin behind him until he found an abandoned hallway where the two of them could hide. He pressed Sungmin close to his chest as he tried catching his breath.
Sungmin couldn’t help but blush from the physical contact but his fast-moving heart wasn’t a result of his shyness but because he was terrified of what would happen to the two of them. That’s when Sungmin pulled Kyuhyun into an empty classroom. He had known the school better than anyone else and he was sure that the classroom, one that used to hold after school English classes, would be empty at that time. The classroom was dark and there were desks strewn about but he was keen and much aware of his surroundings. His hand never did let go of Kyuhyun’s even if he needed to find a spot for the two of them to hide.
“Should we turn on the light?” Kyuhyun asked, unsure of just where Sungmin was taking him. But Sungmin shushed him, holding his hand tighter as if to let him know that it would be alright. A small corner between a bookshelf and a broom closet was big enough for the two of them to hide in, just under the window and out of view of anyone standing outside. He sat down and instructed Kyuhyun to do the same.
The pair of them sat next to each other, backs to the wall, side by side. Their hands were still entwined as if that was the only strength they could muster during that time.
“How did you know about this place?” Kyuhyun asked, looking around as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room.
Sungmin looked down, staring absentmindedly at Kyuhyun’s hand in his. He didn’t look up when he replied.
“I used to come here a lot in my first year at this school. Back when I swore that life wouldn’t ever get better and that I’d be doomed to live a life where I couldn’t be myself nor could have people accept me as I was.”
Kyuhyun turned to him and looked at him oddly. Sungmin could sense Kyuhyun’s stare and explained what he meant.
“Before I became the boy you see today, the school president-former school president, I was a social outcast. I had officially come out in the beginning of my first year and let me tell you, it was the biggest decision of my life-and the one that affected me the most.”
Sungmin paused, like he was trying to recollect all the events that took place but was finding it too difficult to do so.
“I-I wasn’t always like I am now-I was rough around the edges, I wasn’t completely-pretty as you called it and I was not a well-liked individual. I kept to myself most of my middle school and elementary school life. I decided to change that when I came to this school-and I did it by letting my classmates know that I was, in fact, gay.”
Kyuhyun gaped at him, barely making Sungmin’s face in the darkness.
“I doubt you could have recalled a student coming out of the closet your first year here.”
Kyuhyun shook his head no, which caused a bit of a chuckle to come from Sungmin.
“I wouldn’t expect you to. The whole thing started in my homeroom that year. I’d decided to tell my classmates-some of them I thought of as friends that I was gay. At first they were all just shocked that I had the balls to say it out loud. Then they became angry-and when I say angry, I mean they looked like they would’ve torn me to pieces, literally.”
He chuckled again, even though he felt Kyuhyun squeeze his hand again. His cheeks were flushed slightly but he decided to continue.
“I got bullied endlessly, that is until I met Yesung. He was a transfer student who came to the school in the middle of our first year. He was a bit tougher-a lot less well-groomed and wasn’t the model student you know him to be now.”
Kyuhyun wasn’t sure if Sungmin was joking but he had to laugh anyway at the thought of Yesung, of all people, being a model student. He recalled the time that Yesung had threatened his life when he, Kyuhyun, had made Sungmin cry.
“He helped me out a lot-taught me to be tougher, not to care what people thought. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have started the school’s drama club.”
“You started it?” Kyuhyun asked curiously.
“Oh yeah-I also ran for school president that term and somehow managed to win. I fully believe that it was Yesung’s confidence in me that gave me the strength to campaign in the first place. I mean, once I started the drama club and managed to recruit members, I started to make friends. I was able to become more comfortable with who I was and I guess-I guess that just led people to become attracted to me, you know, want to be my friend and such.”
Kyuhyun sneered. How could Sungmin think it was just really that easy? Maybe he was more naïve or he just had more luck than Kyuhyun ever did.
“I changed since then. I reinvented my image-once I became school president, people felt they had to respect me. I was getting things done and I was changing the school for the better. They could tell that I wasn’t just a pretty face who happened to like boys. They knew there was more to me than just my sexuality. And-it felt good. For once in my life, I could be myself and be respected and admired for it.”
Kyuhyun wanted to ask Sungmin if there was more to his story but he was afraid to. He knew there had to be problems between Sungmin and his family but he didn’t want to pry. Turns out he didn’t have to worry about asking because Sungmin just decided to tell him, at that moment.
“You’re probably wondering how things were me before I came out at school-like my family and stuff. Well, here’s how it went. When I was 100% sure that this was who I was-when I finally decided to come out to the class, that’s when I told my parents what I was.”
“And what did they say?”
Sungmin held back a small sniffle, trying to smile and pretend that it didn’t hurt to rehash all those repressed memories. But his hand being held by Kyuhyun’s gave him a bit of strength to continue on.
“Let’s just say that I was pretty much doomed to live with my grandfather until I go to college.”
“Wait, what are you saying?”
“My parents threw me out, Kyuhyun. My dad didn’t want his only son to be gay and my mom-she didn’t have the guts to stop my dad that night. All I could remember was her crying-a lot and my dad yelling about how I had a demon inside of me. My parents are very religious-like I’m not.”
He scoffed to himself.
“I was taught to believe that Jesus would love me no matter what-but what I really needed was for my parents to.”
Kyuhyun felt himself choke up a bit. He was trying to fight the urge to pull Sungmin close to him, into a warm embrace. He didn’t want to but something told him he needed to.
“It’s okay though. My grandpa’s great. He doesn’t care if I’m gay, straight, blue, green, yellow, whatever. He loves me because I’m his grandson and he knows that he’s the only one in the family who has my back. I love him more than anything and I’m hoping he’ll always be around-but I know he won’t. I’m still holding out hope that maybe-at least my mom-my parents will accept me and bring me back into their lives.”
“I’m sure if it’s meant to happen, it will,” Kyuhyun said proudly, but then his face changed and he said, “Oh god that couldn’t have been a lamer thing to say at this moment. You know what I mean, I-”
Sungmin interrupted him with a warm hug that made Kyuhyun’s skin prickle and his cheeks grew warmer. He put his head on Sungmin’s shoulder and the two stayed that way for several moments when they heard the door open. Kyuhyun’s heart jumped and Sungmin let out a hushed gasp.
“I’m going to kill you both!”
They heard a voice say; they clung to each other tighter, releasing each other from their grip when they saw who it was.
“You’re gonna kill us? I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, JONGWOON!” Sungmin shouted, standing up quickly and walking towards the other man.
“ME? You’re the ones hiding so you can make out or something. I’ve been looking for you guys everywhere!”
“I don’t care-don’t come in here threatening our lives when you know those psychopaths are chasing us!”
“Wait, what? What happened? I’ve been with the principal for the last hour-what’s going on?”
Sungmin looked at Kyuhyun who gave him a look back. He subtly grabbed Sungmin’s hand and held it, a smile spread across his face as he did so.
“Oh-oh no-ooohhh no. You’re kidding me! YOU TWO ARE A COUPLE OF IDIOTS-EMPHASIS ON THE COUPLE BUT ALSO THE IDIOTS. I can’t believe you, Ming!”
“Why are you acting like this? You’re the one who told me that I should go for what I wanted and all that other inspirational cheesy crap,” Sungmin replied, giving Kyuhyun a squeeze of the hand when the latter started snickering.
“I didn’t mean for you to go out and about with your-‘relationship’,” his tone mocking in nature, “I meant you guys could get together and have your couple-y times or whatever but-going out in public, it’s just not smart.”
“Why?”
“Because those guys-everyone out there-they’re idiots, animals, stupid fucking morons. One minute they’re praising you, the next minute they’re stalking you, the very next minute they’re stalking Cho when they first thought you two were dating. But now-now you’re social pariahs because these IDIOTS think it’s okay to act like this. Before they were fine with you being gay, Ming, but now-god knows why-things have changed.”
“Yeah, I don’t get it either,” Kyuhyun said, looking at Sungmin who had an expression that seemed to suggest that he knew exactly why.
“It’s because I’m not their idol anymore. I resigned and-I guess they feel betrayed by that. I didn’t realize how much they all cared about my being on top.”
“That still doesn’t explain why it made sense for them to stalk me when that stupid rumor that you and I were dating first came out. I seriously think this school is full of idiots.”
“You said it, Cho.”
“Kyuhyun.”
“I prefer calling you ‘Cho’ or ‘Cho kid’-if you like, I could call you ‘dumbass’.”
“What’s with him?”
Sungmin smiled, “He’s in love.”
“WHAT?”
“WHAT?”
“I’m just kidding, you morons. Come on, we need to figure out how to get out of here without being seen.”
The threesome tried to find a way out, Yesung was in the front, making sure that no one was around the corners stalking them. He motioned for the other two to follow him but stopped suddenly and screamed. Sungmin jumped and clung to Kyuhyun who unexpectedly blushed a little. Sungmin realized what he was doing and suddenly got embarrassed, freeing Kyuhyun from his grip and stepping aside.
“What is it?”
“Your friend,” Yesung said, sounding annoyed, “The munchkin.”
“I HAVE A NAME!”
“Yeah, I don’t know what it is. Sue me.”
“Ryeowook!” Kyuhyun said, hustling around the corner, pushing Yesung out of the way to greet his friend. Yesung gestured like he was going to punch Kyuhyun but Sungmin stopped him and glared. Yesung knew to back down but mocked Kyuhyun while the other’s head was turned.
“I was looking for you guys. What’s going on?”
“Those psychotic hormone machines were chasing me and Sungmin,” Kyuhyun explained, “and this idiot decided to scare the crap out of Sungmin and me by bursting into the classroom we were hiding in.”
Ryeowook looked at Yesung and smiled, but not to be friendly but rather mocking the fact that Kyuhyun called the other man an idiot. Yesung glared at him, prompting Ryeowook to turn his attention back to Kyuhyun.
“Why would they be chasing you?” he asked curiously.
“Because-,” Kyuhyun started only to be interrupted when Sungmin suddenly grabbed his hand and held it affectionately. Kyuhyun blushed again, wishing he could better control his body’s reactions to Sungmin’s touch.
Ryeowook looked at the pair’s clasped hands and it was obvious that he did not like what he was seeing. But Sungmin and Kyuhyun were too focused on each other to notice his changed reaction; Yesung on the other hand noticed and seemed to sympathize for the obviously downtrodden boy.
But Ryeowook knew he couldn’t let Kyuhyun know that he was jealous, not after the two of them had mended their broken friendship. He smiled suddenly and pretended to be completely happy for the two while also sympathetic towards the fact that they were being harassed by their classmates.
“I wish I could help you guys-I mean, I suppose I could but there’s not much someone like me could do-to you know, protect you. I can provide a distraction but-I’m afraid of getting mauled by the crazy mob.”
Kyuhyun let out an endearing chuckle, mussing Ryeowook’s hair as he did so. Ryeowook barely enjoyed it but he was happy that Kyuhyun was smiling again, genuinely (something he had not seen for a long time).
“Don’t worry about us, Ryeowook. You just worry about yourself. There’s nothing me and Sungmin can’t handle on our own. We’ve got this.”
Something about the collective pronouns Kyuhyun was using made Ryeowook’s stomach sink. He smiled weakly, nodding his head like he understood but feeling like he could just about cry. He didn’t and instead just made up an excuse for having to leave. Kyuhyun smiled while telling him to keep safe as he made his way home. Ryeowook nodded, the smile disappearing from his face. He gave one last look at Sungmin who barely noticed the other looking at him; he was far too fixed on Kyuhyun.
Ryeowook sighed as he walked away towards the classroom where his things were. Yesung let out a low sigh as he watched him walk away.
“Hey guys, I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll see you guys later-Ming, call me if you need anything. And Cho Kid, if you do anything to hurt my man Sungmin, I’ll rip out your larynx so when I beat the crap out of you, no one can hear you scream,” he glared intensely before smiling widely and saying, “Later!”
Kyuhyun and Sungmin watched as Yesung ran down the hallway in the same direction that Ryeowook had walked down. Kyuhyun then looked at Sungmin.
“How are you and he friends?”
“I could ask the same thing about you and that cute kid, Ryeowook.”
“CUTE?”
“Yeah, who’d think some so adorable could be friends with an asshole like you?”
Kyuhyun smirked at Sungmin, “You’re the one in love with the asshole so I wouldn’t talk.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve never been known for my great taste. Just my looks, brains, charisma, and-”
“Quiet before I rip out your larynx and-”
“Sounds better when Jongwoon says it.”
Kyuhyun faked a punch towards Sungmin’s shoulder to which Sungmin responded with a half-hearted block with his hands. The two laughed before Kyuhyun suddenly pulled Sungmin in for a soft, sweet kiss. Sungmin smiled into the kiss before the two pulled apart, holding hands and walking down the hallway, back to their classroom.
Neither one of them noticed that they were now being followed. Kibum and Donghae were just around the corner, watching the pair intently. Donghae wasn’t sure just what Kibum had in mind and appeared frightened at the ideas popping into his head. Kibum just looked angry that Kyuhyun and Sungmin would dare to be so open about their new relationship.
He whispered to Donghae, “Don’t worry, Donghae, they’re not going to get away so easily. I’ve got something big planned.”
“I don’t know about this, Kibummie.”
“Just don’t think about it and do what I tell you,” Kibum said in half-sincere, half-irritated tone, “There won’t be any thinking involved-at least for you; just a lot of body work.”
“Still-”
“Do you want to be part of this or not, Donghae?”
Donghae lowered his head and nodded. Kibum smiled and patted him on the shoulder before leading Donghae away so that they were completely out of sight.
The next day was similar to the previous one. There were still whispers, taunts, and glares from Kyuhyun’s classmates. But this time around, he didn’t care. Because he had Sungmin on one side of him, Ryeowook on the other, and Yesung on Sungmin’s right. The foursome walked down the hallway with their heads held high. In reality, it was only Kyuhyun who seemed to be proud of his status, whereas Ryeowook was meek, Sungmin was humbled, and Yesung was wishing he wasn’t associated with any of them, at the moment.
Ryeowook parted with the group, as did Yesung at one point and the happy couple left, made their way to their shared classroom, hand-in-hand. Sungmin seemed uneasy about the hand-holding but Kyuhyun’s insistence both warmed his heart and made him feel obligated to comply. He bravely held Kyuhyun’s hand as they walked into the classroom.
That’s when they realized just how bad things had gotten now that they were officially a couple. Some of their classmates completely shunned them, including Sungmin’s lab partner Eunhyuk who did not want to be associated with the ex-school president. Kyuhyun on the other hand was being closely observed by his lab partner, Kibum.
The teacher never did switch Kyuhyun’s partner to someone else after he and Kibum got into a scuffle but Kyuhyun wasn’t afraid of what Kibum would do to him, especially not after he had fought the other boy when Kibum and his friends were harassing Ryeowook.
“Hello, Kyuhyun,” Kibum said in a darkened tone.
Kyuhyun gave him no eye contact and pretended not to hear him. He opened his schoolbag and took out his notebook and textbook, his eyes focused on every part of the classroom except on Kibum. Kibum smirked at first but then grew annoyed as he continued the conversation without Kyuhyun’s response.
“You know it’s rude to not acknowledge someone who’s speaking to you, Kyuhyun-ah?”
“I’m sorry but I don’t acknowledge homophobes who can’t deal with their own sexuality problems. Come talk to me when you realize that not everyone is the same and that no matter how much you beat the crap out of people, you can’t change them.”
“How about I just beat the crap out of you and then you talk to me?”
Kyuhyun looked at Kibum with a bit of a sneer.
“You don’t scare me, Kibum. You’re nothing but a coward who can’t do anything but use your fists when your brain is too stupid to figure things out.”
“Do you want to fight, Cho?”
“No, I’d rather not. I’ve got enough of your germs from the last time I kicked your ass.”
Kibum stood up suddenly, looking at down at Kyuhyun who was still seated. He had a tight lip and clenched fists on either side of him. The others in the classroom stared at the two, including Sungmin who was wondering just what was going on between them.
But before Kibum got the chance to do anything, the teacher came in suddenly.
“Ok, now class, let’s get started. Sorry I’m late, I-Kim, take your seat,” he said to an angered Kibum, who had no choice but to comply with the teacher’s wishes.
“Mark my words, Kyuhyun, you’ll pay.”
“Pay attention, Kibum. Don’t want you to get into trouble with the teacher.”
Kibum slammed his book on the desk and opened it forcibly, letting the cover of the book hit the lab table with a loud thud. Kyuhyun just smiled to himself before turning to a worried Sungmin and giving him a sly wink.
Everyone else seemed grossed out by Kyuhyun’s gesture but Sungmin seemed comforted by it.
“What’d he tell you?”
“Oh, nothing. He’s just being his usual asshole self. Nothing for you to worry about, Ming,” Kyuhyun said, patting Sungmin on the shoulder as the two sat side by side for lunch.
“But he looked really pissed off. I was worried he was going to kick the shit out of you or something,” Sungmin said, exacerbated, holding a sandwich he’d made at home. He was no longer being given boxed lunches from other students and now had to get used to eating food he brought from home.
“He’s not going to do anything to me. He’s just going to be mad for a little and then forget anything ever happened. Despite what outer appearances may tell you, the guy is not that smart.”
Sungmin laughed a little before taking a bite out of his sandwich. Kyuhyun laughed at Sungmin, pointing at some mustard that had made its way onto the other boy’s cheek. But before he could grab the napkin and wipe Sungmin’s face, it disappeared. Kyuhyun looked up and saw Ryeowook with it in his hand.
He smiled widely but something about his eyes were off.
“Here, Sungmin-ssi. You have some mustard on your cheek,” he said, though he was looking straight into Kyuhyun’s eyes.
“T-Thanks, Ryeowook,” Sungmin gave Ryeowook an odd look before taking the napkin and wiping his face. He looked at Kyuhyun who shrugged his shoulders. Ryeowook continued to stare at Kyuhyun, smiling but somewhat creepily.
That’s when Yesung came with a tray full of food. He sat next to Ryeowook who seemed disgusted by just how much food he had gotten.
“Are you going to eat all of that?” he asked the other with an odd expression on his face.
“What’s it to you, munchkin? I’m a growing boy and I need my sustenance. We can’t all be munchkins like you.”
“I’M NOT A MUNCHKIN! Kyuhyun, tell him I’m not a munchkin,” Ryeowook’s creepy expression turned into an anxious one and he had a somewhat whiny tone to his voice.
“Ryeowook’s not a munchkin-”
“Thank you!”
“He’s an elf.”
“KYUHYUN!”
“Kyuhyun,” Sungmin said, pointing across the cafeteria. Kyuhyun looked to where Sungmin was pointing and his eyes widened a little. It was Kibum with his entire entourage of bad seeds as well as Donghae. He had a forced glare on his face that kept fading in and out as the group got closer to Kyuhyun’s table.
Kyuhyun smirked, rolled his eyes and suddenly put his arm around Sungmin’s shoulder. Ryeowook looked mortified while Yesung looked grossed out, almost to the point where he couldn’t continue eating his food. He then looked down at his plate and happily continued. Ryeowook gave him a sideways glance to which he replied by stuffing his face even more.
“What are you doing, Kyuhyun?” Sungmin whispered.
“Just trust me on this.”
Kibum stalked over, and noticed what Kyuhyun was doing and scoffed loudly.
“You two just don’t know when to quit, do you?”
“Quit what, Kibum?” Kyuhyun smiled, pretending to not understand to what Kibum was referring.
“Your little PDA sessions are just about the most disgusting thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing.”
Kibum’s cronies (as Kyuhyun affectionately deemed them) all started laughing, including Donghae. Kyuhyun laughed as well but merely in jest. Kibum glared, and slammed his hands down on the lunch table, scaring Ryeowook and nearly causing Yesung to lose his lunch-literally.
“HEY!” he shouted.
“WHAT?”
He backed down when Kibum looked at him and humbly continued eating. Ryeowook shook his head in disdain, amazed that someone who was normally so outspoken was now being such a wimp. But then Kibum looked at him, and he too backed down, lowering his gaze.
“Kibum, if you wouldn’t mind, could you please leave me and my friends alone? Your face isn’t doing much for Yesung here’s appetite and you’re about to give Ryeowook nightmares for the rest of his life.”
“I’ll leave when you take your arm off Sungmin’s shoulders,” he said, pointing towards Sungmin.
Sungmin’s cheeks grew slightly flushed but Kyuhyun wouldn’t back down. Instead he pulled Sungmin in to a warm embrace and with a wide smile on his face, rested his head on the other boy’s shoulder. Sungmin started to panic not sure just how far Kyuhyun would go; he also noticed that everyone in the room was staring at him. He pushed Kyuhyun away and suddenly got up.
Kyuhyun looked at him strangely but Sungmin couldn’t handle the situation and began to scurry away.
“Look guys, a faggot in denial. I wouldn’t have expected such from you, Sungmin. I thought you were ‘out and proud’. You didn’t have the balls to stay president and now you don’t have the balls to deal with a little teasing. Once a faggot, always a faggot.”
Clearly Kibum didn’t know when to quit because before he knew it, he was on the floor, his nose bleeding and his neck aching. Everyone looked and saw Sungmin standing over him, with an outstretched arm and a closed fist. He was clearly in a fighting stance of some kind and it was also clear that he was well-trained in martial arts. Or at least it became clear once he started beating off the oncoming cronies that were attacking him.
One after another, he threw or kicked or punched them all to the ground. Though he got a few hits to the face, he managed to knock everyone off their feet and was the only one left standing. That is he and Donghae were but Donghae didn’t have the guts to fight him, especially not after witnessing what the rest of his friends had gone through.
He instead chose to run away, as did the others. Kibum staggered a bit, holding his nose and pointing at Sungmin.
He shouted, “I’m going to get you, you fucking faggot. Mark my words.”
He didn’t realize a teacher was standing right behind him, hands on his hips and looking ever so domineering. Kibum gulped a bit, while continuing to hold his bleeding nose.
He was grabbed by his uniform shirt collar and led out of the cafeteria by the teacher. That’s when the cafeteria burst into shouts and applause, albeit scared applause from the other students. Ryeowook and Kyuhyun stared in awe at Sungmin while Yesung wiped his mouth (after finishing his large lunch) and standing up, walking over to Sungmin’s side, placing his hand on the other’s shoulder.
“Once again, Lee Sungmin proves victorious over a bunch of no good assholes. This is what years and years of martial arts training gets you, gentlemen. A cute face and fists of steel. WORSHIP HIM!”
Yesung grabbed Sungmin’s wrist and pulled his arm up like a referee at a boxing match, declaring Sungmin “the winner” of the round. Sungmin seemed embarrassed but mildly content in the sounds of his classmates’ cheering.
Kyuhyun wanted to say something but he was interrupted by the teacher who had just left the room who came back in suddenly.
“Lee Sungmin, report to the principal’s office at once. We need to discuss your punishment for starting a fight on school grounds.”
Sungmin seemed scared but shakily nodded his head before following the teacher out of the room. Kyuhyun almost chased after him but Yesung stopped him, telling him to just wait it out until Sungmin was done talking to the principal.
It seemed like hours until Sungmin was released from the principal’s care. In fact, it had actually been hours since school was over and everyone had practically gone home. Yesung, Kyuhyun, and Ryeowook had all stayed behind, as did Donghae.
The foursome waited outside of the administration building, hoping for word from Sungmin and to a lesser extent, Kibum. Kibum came out with a bandage on his face and a black eye, his hands in his pockets and his back hunched over. He just sneered at Kyuhyun and the others before leaving with Donghae who was quick to interrogate him.
That’s when Sungmin came out, barely a scratch on him but looking every bit defeated.
Kyuhyun held his breath, waiting for Sungmin to explain what happened.
Ryeowook intervened and was the first to ask.
“What’d he say?”
Sungmin looked at the others, his eyes slightly teary.
“I-I’m getting expelled.”
“What?!”
END CHAPTER 7
A/N: Contrary to what I said the last time I updated, this is not the last chapter. There will be one more after it. As if that wasn't obvious enough already but anyways! Sorry it's taken me so long to update this fic. Thank you if you've stuck with it despite all the months that have passed. I'll try and update with the FINAL FINAL chapter as soon as I can!