The Biology Partner [2/?]
Title: Biology Partner (2/?)
Pairing: Sehun/Kai
Rating: PG-13
Genre: High School!AU, Glam Girls!AU
Summary: Sehun is on the top of Seoul High School social pyramid, alongside his best friends, Zitao and Kyungsoo. They always take the same classes every semester. But, this semester, Sehun unfortunately picks the Biology class alone, and to add more of his misery, Mr. Kim decides that they will pair up with their seat partner for the semester's biology lab work. Sehun is stuck with Kim Jongin until the end of the semester.
(Previous)
Smile here, smile there.
Sehun instructs himself to flaunt his model smile everytime his father introduced him to his bussiness friend, it's not really hard, it was easier than one plus one question.
By the time his father goes away with his bussiness partner, Sehun yawns. If anyone could die because of being bored, then maybe Sehun would die any moment now. He feels karma is kicking him in the ass because last Friday night he laughed about Zitao's dad bussiness dinner where he stucked in, and now Zitao must be happy knowing Sehun is stuck on his dad's bussiness gathering since morning.
It's not how Sehun imagines spending Sunday. Even doing morning exercises playing basketball in Hangang with the others sounds more fun than this. Sehun is about to go to the canape table when his dad stops him.
"Sehun, Dad wants you to meet the Kim family" his dad guides him near the pool.
There are three people waiting for them, one man suited up in what looks like Armani Suit, must be Mr. Kim. And next to him is, a woman wrapped in what a Giambattista Valli dress, must be Mrs. Kim. And one that Sehun doesn't expect to see on his dad's bussiness gathering, looking not bad in his Givenchy white suit, Kim Jongin.
Sehun tries to hide his surprise as his father introduced him to the little family.
"I hear you're studying in Seoul High, Sehun? Then you must know him, Jongin?" Mrs. Oh says happily, looking at her son. Her son just nods.
"Ah, yes, we're biology partners" Sehun answers.
There's a waiter comes at Sehun's dad, "Sir, your turn to speak is now"
"Ah, then we should come near the stage. Sehun and Jongin can stay here. You guys can chat together" Mrs. Kim says again, and then she goes with Mr. Kim and Mr. Oh, leaving Sehun and Jongin alone.
Silence.
There's a waiter passes them, and Jongin stops him. "Coffee please, no sugar"
"Make it two, please" Sehun hurriedly adds.
Silence. The silence only breaks when the waiter comes again with their coffee.
"Are you...okay?" Sehun finally asks, after a few minutes just playing with his glass of coffee.
Jongin nods, "I'm good. Thank you for the other day" he says, and Sehun smiles at the sincerity feelings he gets from it.
"It's good then, there's no scars or something?" Sehun tries again.
Jongin chuckles, and Sehun swears his brain likes the sound of it, "Nothing bad, just a few bruises here and there. But nothing serious" and now, Jongin turns his head at Sehun, smiling faintly.
Sehun averts his eyes to his coffee, trying to calm his now beating heart, it must be the coffee
"I'm sorry for being mean at you after you rescued me, I've been really ungrateful. It's just.." Jongin pauses. "I'm not used having someone being nice to me--"
"Why?" Sehun cuts in, curious.
Jongin laughs bitterly, "You know, those rumours the others say about me at school. People starts doing shit to me since then. Because they treat me like that, I don't feel to have the need to be nice. It is somehow my kind of defense. The only person I can trust are Minseok and Yixing. I'm not used having other than the two of them"
"But, really, I see you in a different light right now, Oh Sehun" Jongin smirks, and why does Sehun think about kissing those smirk away?
"You're too late for that. Everybody already praises me and you just now?" Sehun teases back. Jongin just laughs before sipping his coffee again.
"So, because I saved you, now can we be good friends?" Sehun asks, a little hopeful.
"Yes, we can" Jongin smiles.
"Let's do this all over again, I'm Sehun" Sehun offers his hand.
Jongin cackles, "I'm Kim Jongin, your biology partner"
---
"Hey superman!" There's a voice greeting Sehun the moment he steps out of his car, handing the car key to the staff of the valet service the school provides.
Sehun grimaces at the nickname.
Since the news that he saved Jongin's life just about two days ago spread around the school community and even outside school, everybody, litterally everybody has been congratulating him about his hero act. Even Tao felt the need to celebrate and dragged Sehun and Kyungsoo outside last night to have 'congratulary dinner'. Even now, Sehun can hear people whispering while stealing a glance at him. At this rate, Ceci Korea might as well book an interview with him.
"Hey, Joonmyeon" Sehun replies lazily, Joonmyeon runs a little until he falls in step with Sehun.
"This year hero, huh?" Sehun groans, not again, he thinks. "Can you drop that for once, I feel sick the moment everyone started calling me hero"
Joonmyeon laughs, "Hey, everybody is just really hyped up with things like this, you know? And it's you, the hottest thing to be talked about. I thought you are already used to it"
Sehun snorts, and then his attention diverts to somewhere when they enter the main hall. "What's that thing everyone has?" Sehun points at the identical blue paper everyone holds.
Joonmyeon just shrugs, "I don't know. We'll find out sooner or later"
Sehun only nods unconciously. Other than the paper, this time his mind is wondering why people look at him and Joonmyeon curiously, with wide eyes and hush whispers, like they are some rare insects or animals in an exibithion. Sehun is used to the stares, but today's stares are pretty....intense, and he feels like being judged.
Joonmyeon taps his shoulder, startling Sehun from his thoughts, "Hun, I have something to do at the teacher's room. President's duty" he sighs, and then bids Sehun goodbye as he walks to the alley on the left.
"Joonmyeon really doesn't know what he's going to get, isn't he?"
"Poor Joonyeon-oppa, look at that"
"I myself think that Joonmyeon and Yifan oppa is a perfect couple but why does he has to ruin it"
A couple of Grade 10 student passes beside Sehun and Sehun doesn't want to be overly confident but he is sure the conversation are directed to him. He sends them a glare when the girls steals a glance at Sehun, and that effectively shuts them up.
Every question Sehun has on his mind is answered the moment he opens his locker.
There are numerous papers on his locker flying out, the headlines printed on big letters. In bold.
SEOULHIGH-CUT: ANGEL BY THE DAY, DEVIL BY THE NIGHT?
Hello hello, the citizens of Seoul High. We all know our famous chaebol boy, Oh Sehun? The young, handsome, rich Oh Sehun? There are even some fansite dedicated to our loved boy! Documenting his rich life, rich outfit, he just breaths money, doesn't he?
(And you have love/hate relationship with him, don't lie!)
But! Don't be fooled by his sweet appearance. He may look like an angel, mentioning his hero act on last Saturday, saving Jongin? I thought it is Christmas already? And since when Santa's name is Jongin? (Sehun snorts at the references on Saving Santa, why all of movie it has to be Joonmyeon's favorite movie)
By the day he may be an angel but, here, our internal source had caught something happened on Park Hyatt Lounge last friday night, and hmmm trust us, it does smell like an affair.
Well, well, well our class president Kim Joonmyun doesn't know what's going to hit him, does he? His basketball athlete sweet boyfriend is cheating with out loved 'it' boy!
There's a photo printed along with the article, a shot of Sehun and Yifan hanging on one of the couch of Park Hyatt Longue. Yifan is laughing to something that Sehun says, and Sehun is leaning over Yifan, also laughing.
There's another photo too, and in this one, Yifan was leaning on Sehun, and Sehun was looking down. But, by the angle play of the photo, it looks like their face is so close, and it looks like Yifan was kissing Sehun's head. The picture taker seems to really capture the moment on the perfect time because there are only two of them shown, and Sehun remembers that Joonmyeon was away once when he went to the toilet, and the other was not joining them yet, that must be when the photographer took the photo.
Sehun unconciously squeezes the paper on his hands, teeth gritting from rage. Now he knows why everyone was looking at him and Joonmyeon strangely when they walked together this morning.
Sehun feels a guilty feeling growing inside him, he is afraid Joonmyeon would feel wronged. And one thing that he is afraid of destroying too, Yifan and Joonmyeon's relationship.
Sehun's phone ringing loudly from his pocket. He takes it out.
Kyungsoo. He must be with Zitao right now, waiting and worrying for Sehun. But, Sehun rejects the call. Not long after that, a message comes.
"We can have lunch together today, maybe? You can choose the place"
--
seoulhigh_1 : I was in this biology class with Sehun, and at the first day I saw him going to Yifan first, oh my God, I should've known it was suspicious..
happyclown : oh my God, i feel bad for Joonmyeon, really. He was such a nice guy.
joonmyeon-oppas : Omo! Joonmyeon oppa!!! Yifan-oppa was so bad!!! :(
joonmyeon-protection-squad : Yifan doesn't deserve Joonmyeon-oppa. Yifan better runs away with Sehun. I think bad guys would work well together.
Sehun slams close his Macbook in front of him (silently apologizes inside his heart for harrassing his Macbook for the umpteenth time), not wanting to read another comment on the Seoul High-Cut blog (yes whoever spread the paper this morning made a blog too, saying there should be a space for dissing their 'it' boy together).
Kyungsoo and Zitao only sipping their green tea quietly while stealing a glance at Sehun between their sushi.
"Seh--"
"What, Zitao?!" Sehun barks, making Zitao flinches in his seat because of the coldness on his voice.
"I'm just curious, is it true?" Zitao asks with worried eyes. Not long after, he winces in pain because the nudging Kyungsoo sent to him right in the chest. Sehun thanks Kyungsoo for that.
Sehun takes a deep breath, pushing down the rage that's starting to flare up again because of Zitao's question. "Are you really believe that blog instead of me?"
Zitao stays silent.
Sehun sighs, "I went to Park Hyatt Longue that day because you two were unavailable. I called you right, Zitao? But you were at your father's bussiness party. Kyungsoo was busy with his whatever thesis. Joonmyeon invited and then I said yes"
"You should've known me well, Zitao. I will never steal someone's boyfriend. Never" Sehun adds again, sounding a little hurted because his best friends are doubting him.
And then, Sehun grabs his key, puts some bills on the table, and bids goodbye to Kyungsoo and Zitao.
--
Sehun drives carelessly, not knowing where to go. His house must be empty, he still feels hurted because of the lunch meeting with Kyungsoo and Zitao, and he really has no idea about where to go. He is waiting for the traffic light when his phone beeps. A text comes.
"I saw your car. You look lost?"
Kim Jongin. After yesterday they met on Sehun's dad bussiness dinner, they exchanged phone numbers, to seal the thing that they're (at least) friends right now, and it's necessary too since they are in a Biology class together (That's what Sehun said to himself though).
Sehun pressess the call option on Jongin's contact, and waits. After a few seconds, the call connects.
"Where are you?" Sehun asks the moment Jongin says hello.
"At the minimart near the mall you just passed. Why?"
"Are you free?"
"Just done with my things. Why?"
"Let's meet up? I'm bored"
Jongin laughs at the other side of the phone, "Okay. Where?"
"Starbucks at the mall near you, I'll meet you in ten minutes"
---
"Here are the books that you ordered" the book store cashier hands Sehun a few books. Sehun scans the books, and then gives the cashier smile. "I'll get you the receipt, please wait"
Jongin comes near Sehun, snatching the books from Sehun's hand.
"The Poems of Adgar Ellan Poe, Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami and Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand" Jongin reads the title, "For someone that has a difficult time concentrating at school, you do read quite hard books. And why is a cooking book here?" Jongin inspects the Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food book.
Sehun slaps Jongin's arm, making him wincing in pain while laughing. And Sehun wonders if this is how comfortable he can be with Jongin, where has he been? Jongin at school and the Jongin who is now standing, with eyes forming crescent because of laughing in front of him.
"Is that even a compliment" Sehun retorts. "And about the cooking book, I have interest with cooking lately, my house chef cooking is pretty boring because it should fit my mom's diet, I might as well cook my own food"
Sehun says thank you after the cashier hands him back his card and the receipt. "Hey, let's go"
Jongin turns his attention from opening Sehun's book, and puts it in inside the plastic bag and the follows in step with Sehun, "I want to taste your cooking, someday" Jongin smiles, Sehun swears his heart skips a beat at that.
--
The next day Sehun goes to the school, the condition is more controlable, the stares and hushed whipers are decreased, but there are still some that's itching Sehun's nerves.
'Don't forget we have biology today' Sehun jokingly texted Jongin when he got into his first class today, they will meet at the third hour after the second break. Sehun was bored and he was in no mood for contacting everyone including Zitao and Kyungsoo (Sehun actually feels a bit sorry for leaving them like that, but he is still dissapointed), and the others are no hope, so Sehun contacted Jongin.
'Wow, why on earth Oh Sehun reminded me about Biology Class. You're not the real Oh Sehun, aren't you. Bring the world back the real Oh Sehun!'
Sehun laughs a little, earning a curious glance from Kyungsoo and Zitao from across the table. Even if Sehun doesn't speak to the two of them, they still meet for lunch as their usual in the Seoul Cafe.
'It's your fault you're turning me into a geek' Sehun texts back and puts his phone screen down on the table. Continuing his food for today, Beef Wellington.
"Sehun" Zitao starts the conversation, careful.
"We want to say sorry" Kyungsoo quickly adds in, "We didn't want to make you feel like we were doubting you"
"I'm sorry to for asking" Zitao says again.
Sehun puts his knife and fork on the plate, and raising his head to look at his two best friends, he sighs. "I just--" he pauses,
"The fact that the blog exists, pretty much proving that I have no one to trust, but I still want to trust both of you, really"
Zitao nods slowly, and Sehun really can't hold himself to stay angry at Zitao when he's looking like a kicked puppy like that. And Kyungsoo on his side is still starring at him intently.
"You can.. Trust us, I mean. There's no way we would doubt you again, and that thing that the blog posted today clarifies that we both are also the victim"
Sehun's ears perk up, "What? What do you mean?"
Kyungsoo looks uneasy on his seat, and shifting a few times before Sehun tells him, "Just spill it already!"
"The post are dissing me, and Zitao. And it is also dissing the gossip trio, Luhan. They're also targetting the people associated to you"
Sehun stays silent.
"Sehun, you have something in mind to deal with this, right?"
--
Sehun walks in into his biology class, Mr. Kim is still not there, Sehun lets out a relief because he thought he would be late. When the class starts to notice him, the class falls silent. Everybody is looking at him and Yifan back to back (ah, Sehun forgets he is in the same Biology Class with Yifan). Sehun for once in his life doesn't know what to do with this, because he hadn't meet Joonmyeon nor Yifan to clarify everything. To his surprise, Yifan raises his head and nods slightly towards Sehun. Sehun thanks Yifan in his heart because the gesture proves that everything is fine between Yifan and Sehun (even if Sehun still doesn't know how it is with Joonmyeon), but a part of Sehun feels heavy seeing Yifan's eyes are surrounded by dark circles and his face is just really really tired.
Sehun quickly takes a seat next to Jongin, who is now sleeping with his head tucked between his arms on the table. Sehun pokes him twice, but seeing no move so he busies himself with his phone, trying to find what to do with the situation.
--
After school, Sehun waits for Jongin on his car. Their meetings are still hidden from the others, even Kyungsoo and Zitao. Sehun doesn't even know why he feels the need to hide it from them, but he thinks it is the better for now. Today Sehun will drive Jongin home, because Jongin's car tire has somehow flatten out of nowhere, so Sehun offers. (Sehun has someone in mind that surely has his hands on it)
Not long after that, there's a knock on his car window, Sehun unlocks the key without seeing who it is because he knows who will be there.
"You're here?" Sehun says as Jongin slipping into the passenger seat.
"Um, finally done planting the flower. I will let you pass today, but not again okay?" Jongin answers, with playful tone. They have to plant a flower seed for the next Biology class project and see how it grows. Sehun begged Jongin to let him pass today because he doesn't feel really well (but it was just because he didn't want to make his new Thom Browne shoes dirty). And Jongin said yes but there's a look of disbelief when he eyed Sehun's shoes.
On the way home, there's suddenly a big rain in Seoul. The sky is already gloomy and cloudy since morning.
"Um, Jongin? I think the rain is huge and there will be a traffic on the route to your house" Sehun says as he observes the traffic that's starting to form in front.
"Eh? Ah, too bad. My house is still pretty far from here" Jongin sighs.
Sehun fidgets in his seat, he has something in mind but..he's not really sure. After a few seconds thinking, it's worth a shot, he thinks. "Do you want to go to my house first while waiting for the rain to stop? It's closer from here. It doesn't look like it's going to stop for now" Sehun gulps, nervous.
"Oh, is it okay?" Jongin asks, a litte more casual than Sehun expected him to be. Sehun nods.
"Okay then"
--
"Wow, your house is so big. Is this even real?" That's Jongin's first reaction the moment they enter the front gate of Sehun's house.
"I bet your house is also as big as this" Sehun says back, trying to be humble. "Okay let's get off here"
They walk directly to Sehun's room, passing a few housekeeper cleaning the house on the way. Jongin stops when they pass on a room, his eyes curiously wanders inside. "Hey is it.."
"A dance studio, yes. My mom used to do ballet. And I dance too, sometimes. But I don't really like to dance here, it's all suited up to my Mom's preferences" Jongin's feet walks inside, his eyes wide in awe.
"Do you, dance?" Sehun asks. Jongin nods, "Sometimes"
"Can I see?" Sehun asks again, hopeful.
Jongin laughs, suddenly nervous. "Later" and Sehun doesn't push.
They end up hanging out at Sehun's room balcony, the one looking down to the swimming pool. Sehun talks a lot about things. He tells Jongin about his family, about things that even Sehun rarely discuss with Zitao and Kyungsoo, about his brother's science accomplishment, about Sehun's day as a model, about everything. And Jongin gives response and nods at appropriate times, and it touches Sehun slightly because the way Jongin acts and says something feels genuine for Sehun. And it is what Sehun doesn't get from other people other than Zitao and Kyungsoo and some of Sehun's close friends.
"So when I was in New York that time--"
"Wait" Jongin cuts in. "Since what age did you live in New York?"
"I was 5 when I first moved in, and I was 15 when I got back here to Seoul"
"Ah, that was the first time you did gig as a model right? Children's wear for Burberry one?" Jongin says with so much pride it feels like they are playing quizzes about his life story.
Sehun laughs, "Ding-dong, you're right. Now what do you want for the prize?"
"I get a prize?!" Jongin squeals, and the view surprised Sehun. How much did the bad talk and hate Jongin receive to make him look like what he does at school? All dark, sleepy, always sleeping at class, snapping at everyone. Sehun feels a bit sorry he was one to trust the rumour about Jongin in the past.
There's suddenly a grumble voice and when Sehun looks at Jongin, he is smiling sheepishly to him. "I want to taste your cooking, that'll be my reward"
--
They are on the way to the kitchen when a housekeeper comes to Sehun, "Sir, Mr. Oh is home, just came back from appointment with Doctor Do"
Sehun says thank you, and goes to the living room with Jongin nervously trailing behind him. As soon as Sehun sees his dad on the wheelchair, he hugs him.
"What did Doctor Do say?"
"I'm fine, Sehun-ah" his dad laughs lightly, but his Dad's nurse says, "He is better than the last check up. Doctor Do still doesn't let him to fly abroad"
"I told you, Dad" but Sehun's dad just gives Sehun a small smile of apology. Sehun's relationship with his dad may went sour years back ago because of the restricment on modelling, but since his Dad fell sick, Sehun can't help but worrying, and now that his Dad slowly approving him to do modelling under the terms of having good report cards, they are slowly getting closer again.
"And, well, is this the son of Mr. Kim I am seeing here?" Sehun's dad asks and looking behind Sehun. Sehun taps his forehead, as if remembering something; Jongin is with him. God, that must make him feel so awkward.
"Good night, Mr. Oh" Jongin greets and he bows.
"Are you going to go home?" Mr. Oh asks again.
"Ah, no he's not. We're going to go to the kitchen for dinner" Sehun answers in behalf of Jongin.
"Can I join, Sehun? I haven't eat since morning"
Sehun turns his gaze to Jongin, hoping Jongin would get his 'are you sure you want to have dinner with my dad?' across. Jongin nods slightly and then turns his attention to Mr. Oh, "It will be my pleasure, Mr. Oh"
And the nurse pushes the wheelchair to the dining room, with Jongin trailing beside Sehun's dad engaging on a conversation with him.
Sehun doesn't know if the scene have something to do with the butterflies inside his stomach.
--
After dinner and a game of chess over dessert, Mr. Oh declares that he's tired and bids goodbye to Sehun and Jongin with a promise of another round of chess with Jongin. The house nurse leads Sehun's dad to the bedroom to rest.
Jongin takes a look at his watch, "Ah, it's already 8 p.m. I have somewhere to be on 9. I'll get going first?"
"But your car..."
"I have Minseok and Yixing coming here to pick me up, they are already on their way. Is it okay if-- they're coming here?" Jongin looks up from his phone through his lashes. (And it is so cute Sehun almost curses)
"Of--Of course it's okay" As if in cue, there's a sound of horn honking outside, jolting Sehun from his thoughts.
"Ah, it's them" Jongin stands up and gathers his things.
"I'll walk you outside" Sehun stands up along.
"Your dad is a fun person to be around" Jongin comments, replied by a small smile from Sehun. Sehun is still surprised because somehow, the Heavens just make the ever so busy Mr. Oh to have time for a chess game with Jongin and have time to sit down and talk. It's the first ever for Sehun's dad to meet Sehun's friends outside in bussiness gathering.
"And the food is nice, you did cook well. Just a little bit more practice?"
Sehun slaps Jongin's arm playfully, "I'll take that as a compliment"
They're on the front door, "I bet he'll wait for another round to beat you" Sehun adds.
Jongin laughs, "I'll be waiting!" and then Jongin bids goodbye to Sehun, walking into the backseat of Minseok's Mini Cooper.
--
When Minseok's car missing from Sehun's sight, he gets in and closes the door behind him. He walks to his room when he hears his phone ringing.
Zitao.
"Hey, where are you?"
"At home"
There's a sound like the phone is being snatched away from Zitao's hand and Sehun can hear Zitao's whinning, and then Kyungsoo's voice comes, "We're on the way to your house, we're going clubbing tonight"
Sehun stays silent. Part of him still a little bit hesitant to hang out with them again, but they will never be like they used to be again if Sehun doesn't try while Kyungsoo and Zitao...seemed pretty guilty and Sehun doesn't really want to lose them.
Sehun is just about to answer when Kyungsoo's voice cut it again, "I heard DJ Julian is playing tonight. And.. Baekhyun said something about Kim Kai..."
As if Sehun can say no to those combinations.
"Okay, In ten minutes or I'm not going"
"Okay, sir!" Kyungsoo salutes from the other side of the phone.
Just like the way they used to.
--
"Baekhyun! Baekhyun!" Sehun makes his way through the crowd, trying to get to Baekhyun who is standing near the bar.
"Yes, Sehun?" Baekhyun smirks, as if he already knows what Sehun is going to ask.
"May I know, who's that Kim Kai dancer?"
Baekhyun only raises his eyebrows in amusement, and then laughing after sipping at his glass (which is Cola, Baekhyun's tolerance is not that high and if he is caught drinking on school night, his parents won't let him near the club again. That happened once)
"You already know the person, Jongin" Baekhyun says ambiguously.
"I don't--" Sehun protests.
"It's closer than you think, Sehun" Baekhyun says again, and then walks away to join the others at the dance floor.
(Next)
--
A/N : Sorry for the bad updates ;-; and DJ JULIAN! Anyone here watch Abnormal Summit?
And I wrote a Krisoo oneshot you might want to give it a look? <3
(and i just made a twitter! @pawsitivelytao. Let's be friends? <3)
Pairing: Sehun/Kai
Rating: PG-13
Genre: High School!AU, Glam Girls!AU
Summary: Sehun is on the top of Seoul High School social pyramid, alongside his best friends, Zitao and Kyungsoo. They always take the same classes every semester. But, this semester, Sehun unfortunately picks the Biology class alone, and to add more of his misery, Mr. Kim decides that they will pair up with their seat partner for the semester's biology lab work. Sehun is stuck with Kim Jongin until the end of the semester.
(Previous)
Smile here, smile there.
Sehun instructs himself to flaunt his model smile everytime his father introduced him to his bussiness friend, it's not really hard, it was easier than one plus one question.
By the time his father goes away with his bussiness partner, Sehun yawns. If anyone could die because of being bored, then maybe Sehun would die any moment now. He feels karma is kicking him in the ass because last Friday night he laughed about Zitao's dad bussiness dinner where he stucked in, and now Zitao must be happy knowing Sehun is stuck on his dad's bussiness gathering since morning.
It's not how Sehun imagines spending Sunday. Even doing morning exercises playing basketball in Hangang with the others sounds more fun than this. Sehun is about to go to the canape table when his dad stops him.
"Sehun, Dad wants you to meet the Kim family" his dad guides him near the pool.
There are three people waiting for them, one man suited up in what looks like Armani Suit, must be Mr. Kim. And next to him is, a woman wrapped in what a Giambattista Valli dress, must be Mrs. Kim. And one that Sehun doesn't expect to see on his dad's bussiness gathering, looking not bad in his Givenchy white suit, Kim Jongin.
Sehun tries to hide his surprise as his father introduced him to the little family.
"I hear you're studying in Seoul High, Sehun? Then you must know him, Jongin?" Mrs. Oh says happily, looking at her son. Her son just nods.
"Ah, yes, we're biology partners" Sehun answers.
There's a waiter comes at Sehun's dad, "Sir, your turn to speak is now"
"Ah, then we should come near the stage. Sehun and Jongin can stay here. You guys can chat together" Mrs. Kim says again, and then she goes with Mr. Kim and Mr. Oh, leaving Sehun and Jongin alone.
Silence.
There's a waiter passes them, and Jongin stops him. "Coffee please, no sugar"
"Make it two, please" Sehun hurriedly adds.
Silence. The silence only breaks when the waiter comes again with their coffee.
"Are you...okay?" Sehun finally asks, after a few minutes just playing with his glass of coffee.
Jongin nods, "I'm good. Thank you for the other day" he says, and Sehun smiles at the sincerity feelings he gets from it.
"It's good then, there's no scars or something?" Sehun tries again.
Jongin chuckles, and Sehun swears his brain likes the sound of it, "Nothing bad, just a few bruises here and there. But nothing serious" and now, Jongin turns his head at Sehun, smiling faintly.
Sehun averts his eyes to his coffee, trying to calm his now beating heart, it must be the coffee
"I'm sorry for being mean at you after you rescued me, I've been really ungrateful. It's just.." Jongin pauses. "I'm not used having someone being nice to me--"
"Why?" Sehun cuts in, curious.
Jongin laughs bitterly, "You know, those rumours the others say about me at school. People starts doing shit to me since then. Because they treat me like that, I don't feel to have the need to be nice. It is somehow my kind of defense. The only person I can trust are Minseok and Yixing. I'm not used having other than the two of them"
"But, really, I see you in a different light right now, Oh Sehun" Jongin smirks, and why does Sehun think about kissing those smirk away?
"You're too late for that. Everybody already praises me and you just now?" Sehun teases back. Jongin just laughs before sipping his coffee again.
"So, because I saved you, now can we be good friends?" Sehun asks, a little hopeful.
"Yes, we can" Jongin smiles.
"Let's do this all over again, I'm Sehun" Sehun offers his hand.
Jongin cackles, "I'm Kim Jongin, your biology partner"
---
"Hey superman!" There's a voice greeting Sehun the moment he steps out of his car, handing the car key to the staff of the valet service the school provides.
Sehun grimaces at the nickname.
Since the news that he saved Jongin's life just about two days ago spread around the school community and even outside school, everybody, litterally everybody has been congratulating him about his hero act. Even Tao felt the need to celebrate and dragged Sehun and Kyungsoo outside last night to have 'congratulary dinner'. Even now, Sehun can hear people whispering while stealing a glance at him. At this rate, Ceci Korea might as well book an interview with him.
"Hey, Joonmyeon" Sehun replies lazily, Joonmyeon runs a little until he falls in step with Sehun.
"This year hero, huh?" Sehun groans, not again, he thinks. "Can you drop that for once, I feel sick the moment everyone started calling me hero"
Joonmyeon laughs, "Hey, everybody is just really hyped up with things like this, you know? And it's you, the hottest thing to be talked about. I thought you are already used to it"
Sehun snorts, and then his attention diverts to somewhere when they enter the main hall. "What's that thing everyone has?" Sehun points at the identical blue paper everyone holds.
Joonmyeon just shrugs, "I don't know. We'll find out sooner or later"
Sehun only nods unconciously. Other than the paper, this time his mind is wondering why people look at him and Joonmyeon curiously, with wide eyes and hush whispers, like they are some rare insects or animals in an exibithion. Sehun is used to the stares, but today's stares are pretty....intense, and he feels like being judged.
Joonmyeon taps his shoulder, startling Sehun from his thoughts, "Hun, I have something to do at the teacher's room. President's duty" he sighs, and then bids Sehun goodbye as he walks to the alley on the left.
"Joonmyeon really doesn't know what he's going to get, isn't he?"
"Poor Joonyeon-oppa, look at that"
"I myself think that Joonmyeon and Yifan oppa is a perfect couple but why does he has to ruin it"
A couple of Grade 10 student passes beside Sehun and Sehun doesn't want to be overly confident but he is sure the conversation are directed to him. He sends them a glare when the girls steals a glance at Sehun, and that effectively shuts them up.
Every question Sehun has on his mind is answered the moment he opens his locker.
There are numerous papers on his locker flying out, the headlines printed on big letters. In bold.
SEOULHIGH-CUT: ANGEL BY THE DAY, DEVIL BY THE NIGHT?
Hello hello, the citizens of Seoul High. We all know our famous chaebol boy, Oh Sehun? The young, handsome, rich Oh Sehun? There are even some fansite dedicated to our loved boy! Documenting his rich life, rich outfit, he just breaths money, doesn't he?
(And you have love/hate relationship with him, don't lie!)
But! Don't be fooled by his sweet appearance. He may look like an angel, mentioning his hero act on last Saturday, saving Jongin? I thought it is Christmas already? And since when Santa's name is Jongin? (Sehun snorts at the references on Saving Santa, why all of movie it has to be Joonmyeon's favorite movie)
By the day he may be an angel but, here, our internal source had caught something happened on Park Hyatt Lounge last friday night, and hmmm trust us, it does smell like an affair.
Well, well, well our class president Kim Joonmyun doesn't know what's going to hit him, does he? His basketball athlete sweet boyfriend is cheating with out loved 'it' boy!
There's a photo printed along with the article, a shot of Sehun and Yifan hanging on one of the couch of Park Hyatt Longue. Yifan is laughing to something that Sehun says, and Sehun is leaning over Yifan, also laughing.
There's another photo too, and in this one, Yifan was leaning on Sehun, and Sehun was looking down. But, by the angle play of the photo, it looks like their face is so close, and it looks like Yifan was kissing Sehun's head. The picture taker seems to really capture the moment on the perfect time because there are only two of them shown, and Sehun remembers that Joonmyeon was away once when he went to the toilet, and the other was not joining them yet, that must be when the photographer took the photo.
Sehun unconciously squeezes the paper on his hands, teeth gritting from rage. Now he knows why everyone was looking at him and Joonmyeon strangely when they walked together this morning.
Sehun feels a guilty feeling growing inside him, he is afraid Joonmyeon would feel wronged. And one thing that he is afraid of destroying too, Yifan and Joonmyeon's relationship.
Sehun's phone ringing loudly from his pocket. He takes it out.
Kyungsoo. He must be with Zitao right now, waiting and worrying for Sehun. But, Sehun rejects the call. Not long after that, a message comes.
"We can have lunch together today, maybe? You can choose the place"
--
seoulhigh_1 : I was in this biology class with Sehun, and at the first day I saw him going to Yifan first, oh my God, I should've known it was suspicious..
happyclown : oh my God, i feel bad for Joonmyeon, really. He was such a nice guy.
joonmyeon-oppas : Omo! Joonmyeon oppa!!! Yifan-oppa was so bad!!! :(
joonmyeon-protection-squad : Yifan doesn't deserve Joonmyeon-oppa. Yifan better runs away with Sehun. I think bad guys would work well together.
Sehun slams close his Macbook in front of him (silently apologizes inside his heart for harrassing his Macbook for the umpteenth time), not wanting to read another comment on the Seoul High-Cut blog (yes whoever spread the paper this morning made a blog too, saying there should be a space for dissing their 'it' boy together).
Kyungsoo and Zitao only sipping their green tea quietly while stealing a glance at Sehun between their sushi.
"Seh--"
"What, Zitao?!" Sehun barks, making Zitao flinches in his seat because of the coldness on his voice.
"I'm just curious, is it true?" Zitao asks with worried eyes. Not long after, he winces in pain because the nudging Kyungsoo sent to him right in the chest. Sehun thanks Kyungsoo for that.
Sehun takes a deep breath, pushing down the rage that's starting to flare up again because of Zitao's question. "Are you really believe that blog instead of me?"
Zitao stays silent.
Sehun sighs, "I went to Park Hyatt Longue that day because you two were unavailable. I called you right, Zitao? But you were at your father's bussiness party. Kyungsoo was busy with his whatever thesis. Joonmyeon invited and then I said yes"
"You should've known me well, Zitao. I will never steal someone's boyfriend. Never" Sehun adds again, sounding a little hurted because his best friends are doubting him.
And then, Sehun grabs his key, puts some bills on the table, and bids goodbye to Kyungsoo and Zitao.
--
Sehun drives carelessly, not knowing where to go. His house must be empty, he still feels hurted because of the lunch meeting with Kyungsoo and Zitao, and he really has no idea about where to go. He is waiting for the traffic light when his phone beeps. A text comes.
"I saw your car. You look lost?"
Kim Jongin. After yesterday they met on Sehun's dad bussiness dinner, they exchanged phone numbers, to seal the thing that they're (at least) friends right now, and it's necessary too since they are in a Biology class together (That's what Sehun said to himself though).
Sehun pressess the call option on Jongin's contact, and waits. After a few seconds, the call connects.
"Where are you?" Sehun asks the moment Jongin says hello.
"At the minimart near the mall you just passed. Why?"
"Are you free?"
"Just done with my things. Why?"
"Let's meet up? I'm bored"
Jongin laughs at the other side of the phone, "Okay. Where?"
"Starbucks at the mall near you, I'll meet you in ten minutes"
---
"Here are the books that you ordered" the book store cashier hands Sehun a few books. Sehun scans the books, and then gives the cashier smile. "I'll get you the receipt, please wait"
Jongin comes near Sehun, snatching the books from Sehun's hand.
"The Poems of Adgar Ellan Poe, Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami and Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand" Jongin reads the title, "For someone that has a difficult time concentrating at school, you do read quite hard books. And why is a cooking book here?" Jongin inspects the Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food book.
Sehun slaps Jongin's arm, making him wincing in pain while laughing. And Sehun wonders if this is how comfortable he can be with Jongin, where has he been? Jongin at school and the Jongin who is now standing, with eyes forming crescent because of laughing in front of him.
"Is that even a compliment" Sehun retorts. "And about the cooking book, I have interest with cooking lately, my house chef cooking is pretty boring because it should fit my mom's diet, I might as well cook my own food"
Sehun says thank you after the cashier hands him back his card and the receipt. "Hey, let's go"
Jongin turns his attention from opening Sehun's book, and puts it in inside the plastic bag and the follows in step with Sehun, "I want to taste your cooking, someday" Jongin smiles, Sehun swears his heart skips a beat at that.
--
The next day Sehun goes to the school, the condition is more controlable, the stares and hushed whipers are decreased, but there are still some that's itching Sehun's nerves.
'Don't forget we have biology today' Sehun jokingly texted Jongin when he got into his first class today, they will meet at the third hour after the second break. Sehun was bored and he was in no mood for contacting everyone including Zitao and Kyungsoo (Sehun actually feels a bit sorry for leaving them like that, but he is still dissapointed), and the others are no hope, so Sehun contacted Jongin.
'Wow, why on earth Oh Sehun reminded me about Biology Class. You're not the real Oh Sehun, aren't you. Bring the world back the real Oh Sehun!'
Sehun laughs a little, earning a curious glance from Kyungsoo and Zitao from across the table. Even if Sehun doesn't speak to the two of them, they still meet for lunch as their usual in the Seoul Cafe.
'It's your fault you're turning me into a geek' Sehun texts back and puts his phone screen down on the table. Continuing his food for today, Beef Wellington.
"Sehun" Zitao starts the conversation, careful.
"We want to say sorry" Kyungsoo quickly adds in, "We didn't want to make you feel like we were doubting you"
"I'm sorry to for asking" Zitao says again.
Sehun puts his knife and fork on the plate, and raising his head to look at his two best friends, he sighs. "I just--" he pauses,
"The fact that the blog exists, pretty much proving that I have no one to trust, but I still want to trust both of you, really"
Zitao nods slowly, and Sehun really can't hold himself to stay angry at Zitao when he's looking like a kicked puppy like that. And Kyungsoo on his side is still starring at him intently.
"You can.. Trust us, I mean. There's no way we would doubt you again, and that thing that the blog posted today clarifies that we both are also the victim"
Sehun's ears perk up, "What? What do you mean?"
Kyungsoo looks uneasy on his seat, and shifting a few times before Sehun tells him, "Just spill it already!"
"The post are dissing me, and Zitao. And it is also dissing the gossip trio, Luhan. They're also targetting the people associated to you"
Sehun stays silent.
"Sehun, you have something in mind to deal with this, right?"
--
Sehun walks in into his biology class, Mr. Kim is still not there, Sehun lets out a relief because he thought he would be late. When the class starts to notice him, the class falls silent. Everybody is looking at him and Yifan back to back (ah, Sehun forgets he is in the same Biology Class with Yifan). Sehun for once in his life doesn't know what to do with this, because he hadn't meet Joonmyeon nor Yifan to clarify everything. To his surprise, Yifan raises his head and nods slightly towards Sehun. Sehun thanks Yifan in his heart because the gesture proves that everything is fine between Yifan and Sehun (even if Sehun still doesn't know how it is with Joonmyeon), but a part of Sehun feels heavy seeing Yifan's eyes are surrounded by dark circles and his face is just really really tired.
Sehun quickly takes a seat next to Jongin, who is now sleeping with his head tucked between his arms on the table. Sehun pokes him twice, but seeing no move so he busies himself with his phone, trying to find what to do with the situation.
--
After school, Sehun waits for Jongin on his car. Their meetings are still hidden from the others, even Kyungsoo and Zitao. Sehun doesn't even know why he feels the need to hide it from them, but he thinks it is the better for now. Today Sehun will drive Jongin home, because Jongin's car tire has somehow flatten out of nowhere, so Sehun offers. (Sehun has someone in mind that surely has his hands on it)
Not long after that, there's a knock on his car window, Sehun unlocks the key without seeing who it is because he knows who will be there.
"You're here?" Sehun says as Jongin slipping into the passenger seat.
"Um, finally done planting the flower. I will let you pass today, but not again okay?" Jongin answers, with playful tone. They have to plant a flower seed for the next Biology class project and see how it grows. Sehun begged Jongin to let him pass today because he doesn't feel really well (but it was just because he didn't want to make his new Thom Browne shoes dirty). And Jongin said yes but there's a look of disbelief when he eyed Sehun's shoes.
On the way home, there's suddenly a big rain in Seoul. The sky is already gloomy and cloudy since morning.
"Um, Jongin? I think the rain is huge and there will be a traffic on the route to your house" Sehun says as he observes the traffic that's starting to form in front.
"Eh? Ah, too bad. My house is still pretty far from here" Jongin sighs.
Sehun fidgets in his seat, he has something in mind but..he's not really sure. After a few seconds thinking, it's worth a shot, he thinks. "Do you want to go to my house first while waiting for the rain to stop? It's closer from here. It doesn't look like it's going to stop for now" Sehun gulps, nervous.
"Oh, is it okay?" Jongin asks, a litte more casual than Sehun expected him to be. Sehun nods.
"Okay then"
--
"Wow, your house is so big. Is this even real?" That's Jongin's first reaction the moment they enter the front gate of Sehun's house.
"I bet your house is also as big as this" Sehun says back, trying to be humble. "Okay let's get off here"
They walk directly to Sehun's room, passing a few housekeeper cleaning the house on the way. Jongin stops when they pass on a room, his eyes curiously wanders inside. "Hey is it.."
"A dance studio, yes. My mom used to do ballet. And I dance too, sometimes. But I don't really like to dance here, it's all suited up to my Mom's preferences" Jongin's feet walks inside, his eyes wide in awe.
"Do you, dance?" Sehun asks. Jongin nods, "Sometimes"
"Can I see?" Sehun asks again, hopeful.
Jongin laughs, suddenly nervous. "Later" and Sehun doesn't push.
They end up hanging out at Sehun's room balcony, the one looking down to the swimming pool. Sehun talks a lot about things. He tells Jongin about his family, about things that even Sehun rarely discuss with Zitao and Kyungsoo, about his brother's science accomplishment, about Sehun's day as a model, about everything. And Jongin gives response and nods at appropriate times, and it touches Sehun slightly because the way Jongin acts and says something feels genuine for Sehun. And it is what Sehun doesn't get from other people other than Zitao and Kyungsoo and some of Sehun's close friends.
"So when I was in New York that time--"
"Wait" Jongin cuts in. "Since what age did you live in New York?"
"I was 5 when I first moved in, and I was 15 when I got back here to Seoul"
"Ah, that was the first time you did gig as a model right? Children's wear for Burberry one?" Jongin says with so much pride it feels like they are playing quizzes about his life story.
Sehun laughs, "Ding-dong, you're right. Now what do you want for the prize?"
"I get a prize?!" Jongin squeals, and the view surprised Sehun. How much did the bad talk and hate Jongin receive to make him look like what he does at school? All dark, sleepy, always sleeping at class, snapping at everyone. Sehun feels a bit sorry he was one to trust the rumour about Jongin in the past.
There's suddenly a grumble voice and when Sehun looks at Jongin, he is smiling sheepishly to him. "I want to taste your cooking, that'll be my reward"
--
They are on the way to the kitchen when a housekeeper comes to Sehun, "Sir, Mr. Oh is home, just came back from appointment with Doctor Do"
Sehun says thank you, and goes to the living room with Jongin nervously trailing behind him. As soon as Sehun sees his dad on the wheelchair, he hugs him.
"What did Doctor Do say?"
"I'm fine, Sehun-ah" his dad laughs lightly, but his Dad's nurse says, "He is better than the last check up. Doctor Do still doesn't let him to fly abroad"
"I told you, Dad" but Sehun's dad just gives Sehun a small smile of apology. Sehun's relationship with his dad may went sour years back ago because of the restricment on modelling, but since his Dad fell sick, Sehun can't help but worrying, and now that his Dad slowly approving him to do modelling under the terms of having good report cards, they are slowly getting closer again.
"And, well, is this the son of Mr. Kim I am seeing here?" Sehun's dad asks and looking behind Sehun. Sehun taps his forehead, as if remembering something; Jongin is with him. God, that must make him feel so awkward.
"Good night, Mr. Oh" Jongin greets and he bows.
"Are you going to go home?" Mr. Oh asks again.
"Ah, no he's not. We're going to go to the kitchen for dinner" Sehun answers in behalf of Jongin.
"Can I join, Sehun? I haven't eat since morning"
Sehun turns his gaze to Jongin, hoping Jongin would get his 'are you sure you want to have dinner with my dad?' across. Jongin nods slightly and then turns his attention to Mr. Oh, "It will be my pleasure, Mr. Oh"
And the nurse pushes the wheelchair to the dining room, with Jongin trailing beside Sehun's dad engaging on a conversation with him.
Sehun doesn't know if the scene have something to do with the butterflies inside his stomach.
--
After dinner and a game of chess over dessert, Mr. Oh declares that he's tired and bids goodbye to Sehun and Jongin with a promise of another round of chess with Jongin. The house nurse leads Sehun's dad to the bedroom to rest.
Jongin takes a look at his watch, "Ah, it's already 8 p.m. I have somewhere to be on 9. I'll get going first?"
"But your car..."
"I have Minseok and Yixing coming here to pick me up, they are already on their way. Is it okay if-- they're coming here?" Jongin looks up from his phone through his lashes. (And it is so cute Sehun almost curses)
"Of--Of course it's okay" As if in cue, there's a sound of horn honking outside, jolting Sehun from his thoughts.
"Ah, it's them" Jongin stands up and gathers his things.
"I'll walk you outside" Sehun stands up along.
"Your dad is a fun person to be around" Jongin comments, replied by a small smile from Sehun. Sehun is still surprised because somehow, the Heavens just make the ever so busy Mr. Oh to have time for a chess game with Jongin and have time to sit down and talk. It's the first ever for Sehun's dad to meet Sehun's friends outside in bussiness gathering.
"And the food is nice, you did cook well. Just a little bit more practice?"
Sehun slaps Jongin's arm playfully, "I'll take that as a compliment"
They're on the front door, "I bet he'll wait for another round to beat you" Sehun adds.
Jongin laughs, "I'll be waiting!" and then Jongin bids goodbye to Sehun, walking into the backseat of Minseok's Mini Cooper.
--
When Minseok's car missing from Sehun's sight, he gets in and closes the door behind him. He walks to his room when he hears his phone ringing.
Zitao.
"Hey, where are you?"
"At home"
There's a sound like the phone is being snatched away from Zitao's hand and Sehun can hear Zitao's whinning, and then Kyungsoo's voice comes, "We're on the way to your house, we're going clubbing tonight"
Sehun stays silent. Part of him still a little bit hesitant to hang out with them again, but they will never be like they used to be again if Sehun doesn't try while Kyungsoo and Zitao...seemed pretty guilty and Sehun doesn't really want to lose them.
Sehun is just about to answer when Kyungsoo's voice cut it again, "I heard DJ Julian is playing tonight. And.. Baekhyun said something about Kim Kai..."
As if Sehun can say no to those combinations.
"Okay, In ten minutes or I'm not going"
"Okay, sir!" Kyungsoo salutes from the other side of the phone.
Just like the way they used to.
--
"Baekhyun! Baekhyun!" Sehun makes his way through the crowd, trying to get to Baekhyun who is standing near the bar.
"Yes, Sehun?" Baekhyun smirks, as if he already knows what Sehun is going to ask.
"May I know, who's that Kim Kai dancer?"
Baekhyun only raises his eyebrows in amusement, and then laughing after sipping at his glass (which is Cola, Baekhyun's tolerance is not that high and if he is caught drinking on school night, his parents won't let him near the club again. That happened once)
"You already know the person, Jongin" Baekhyun says ambiguously.
"I don't--" Sehun protests.
"It's closer than you think, Sehun" Baekhyun says again, and then walks away to join the others at the dance floor.
(Next)
--
A/N : Sorry for the bad updates ;-; and DJ JULIAN! Anyone here watch Abnormal Summit?
And I wrote a Krisoo oneshot you might want to give it a look? <3
(and i just made a twitter! @pawsitivelytao. Let's be friends? <3)