Chapter Text
Lunch ran smoothly for both parties despite the anxious waiting. The same can't be said for their final few hours of class time, however. Kim Dokja spent the whole time decidedly not paying attention, solely because the cause of his building anxiety sat right in front of him. On normal days he'd sometimes curse the other for being slightly too tall to see over, even sat down, and so not even being able to try and look through him, he gave up entirely.
'If its important enough I can just annoy notes out of someone.' He thinks to himself.
Han Sooyoung shudders for some reason.
Yoo Joonghyuk finds himself in a similar state of disinterest in the class, though he does a better job at looking like he's listening. The seconds on the clock tic around too loud and the only other sound he can concentrate on is the shuffling of the person behind him. Subtly, his eyebrow twitches in annoyance. At what? Kim Dokja, of course, for being the cause of this and himself, for being so.... Affected.
Being the handsome guy he is, he's had many girls confess to him and every single one of them he's turned down, not sparing a thought during or after the event. So why now is his brain betraying him, replaying the scene of an embarrassed Kim Dokja with his pink dusted cheeks and timid voice. With an annoyed sigh, he wills away the memory and furiously takes notes.
As neither are paying attention, neither realise when the teacher begins to wrap up the class and so they're startled as the final bell sounds. Students around them begin packing away, chatting excitedly about anything and everything. Han Sooyoung pauses and shoots a suspicious glance at Kim Dokja.
"Oi, what are you doing? You're not supposed to be on cleaning duty today." She questions.
"Oh, don't mind me. I, well... I have something to do before going home today." He replies, voice strained.
"Okay." Han Sooyoung replies slowly, entirely more suspicious now.
"Just head out without me, I'll see you tomorrow?" He's asks, though already knowing the answer since tomorrow is another school day.
"Yeah, well, see you then." As she walks out of the classroom, she keeps an eye on Kim Dokja as though he was going to suddenly do something stupid. He rolls his eyes at the display, a slight smile on his face. A slight smile which drops as soon as he hears the chair infront of him scrape at the floor.
With a gulp, he looks up and meet the eyes of Yoo Joonghyuk. "Let's go." He says simply before grabbing his things and walking out the room.
'I guess we both had the same idea, haha...' Kim Dokja thinks to himself, trying to not let his thoughts wander into unwanted ideas. With a deep breath, he gathers his own things and follows the other out the room.
Kim Dokja looks up as he hovers in the door frame, jumping slightly when he sees Yoo Joonghyuk there, staring at him. "Um, roof?" He questions awkwardly. The other simply nods and turns to walk towards their destination.
He huffs and follows, finding himself annoyed by the cool behaviour. 'Ugh, why does she like him? He seems like a jerk.'
Once they reach they roof, they stand to face eachother. A tense silence fills the air as they both look at the other. With barely noticeable movements, both take in deep breaths to prepare themselves.
"Please..." Kim Dokja begins, trailing off as he gathers his courage.
'Oh no.' Yoo Joonghyuk thinks, panicked. 'He's going to ask for a date.'
"I'm sorry, I can't reciprocate." He states, a strained tone to his voice.
At the same time, however, Kim Dokja also speaks. "Please don't tell anyone about the eraser!"
'Huh?' Yoo Joonghyuk thinks, confused at not hearing what he expected.
"I wasn't going to do that." He states, an eyebrow lifting ever so slightly at the other.
"Well, I was just a bit worried you might tease me about it and maybe even get some friends join in." Kim Dokja explains, though now that he thinks about it, he's never really seen Yoo Joonghyuk hang out with many people.
"I have no reason to do that, I wouldn't gain anything from it." Is what Yoo Joonghyuk replies, simply and honestly.
'Wow, its like it genuinely never even crossed his mind... I guess, he's not that much of a jerk. Maybe, this is why Han Sooyoung has...'
"... Fallen head over heels..." Kim Dokja, unknowingly ended up muttering the last part of his thought and to make matters worse, a small smile begins to grow along with a softness to his gaze.
Yoo Joonghyuk noticeably stiffens at the words, his eyes widening as he panics again. 'Did he fall for me again?'
"Kim Dokja, I didn't realise your feelings. I didn't intentionally try to get your hopes up." He states, rather awkwardly for him. His eyes wander around and he lifts a hand to rub at his neck, feeling twitchy all of a sudden.
"Hey! I didnt-" Kim Dokja splutters in response, cutting himself and instead clearing his throat. "Anyway. Please just forget about this, I'll see you tomorrow." With that, he feels satisfied. He did what he needed to and so he begins to turn to walk away.
"Are you sure you're okay with that?" Yoo Joonghyuk calls out to the retreating figure. Why he does, he doesn't know. He just knows he would regret not doing it. "I'm not the best with words, but, pretending like your feelings never existed, is that really okay?"
"...Huh?" Is all Kim Dokja can utter. 'Pretending like my feelings never existed? But, that's the truth. I never felt much for you, honestly, it's Han Sooyoung who should be here with you right now. Not me...' He thinks, resentful of himself for stealing this moment away from his best friend.
"Yoo Joonghyuk, I..." He says, unable to finish his sentance as he never knew what he was going to say to begin with.
"My answer remains the same, I can't date you." Yoo Joonghyuk is quick to fill the silence, just as quickly destroying whatever the atmosphere around them was.
Kim Dokja sighs, annoyed. His face pinches in irritation, a strained smile on his face and he shoots a glare at Yoo Joonghyuk. "Hey, bastard, I don't quite feel satisfied anymore, let me hit you once and I'll feel better."
"That's very childish and resentful, Kim Dokja." The bastard in question retorts, returning his own glare, albeit not as intense.
"Yeah, it is." He replies dryly, arm lifting up and suddenly, he drives it forward. A whack resounds, almost echoing in the empty silence of the quiet evening.
Kim Dokja looks up, confidently facing Yoo Joonghyuk for the first time, caging him in as his arm rests just an inch away from touching his shoulder. They're close, he's definitely invading his personal space but neither can find themselves caring at this charged moment. "It may sound cliche, but those feelings are real. You can reject them, but don't disregard them so easily, Yoo Joonghyuk."
With a soft sigh, Kim Dokja pulls his arm away. He stares at Yoo Joonghyuk for another moment and Yoo Joonghyuk stares back. Finally able to pull his eyes away with a blink, Kim Dokja turns once more and walks away.
Yoo Joonghyuk remains, frozen in place for a few minutes before he too finally is released from the almost trance like state. He leans down to take a hold of his bag, which he dropped at some point during the intense exchange.
'Why is my heart racing?'