Chapter Text
The low and heavy thrum of bass caught Jeho’s ear. It screeched desperately; akin to nails tearing through a chalkboard.
Though, almost desperate to shoo others away, Jeho felt drawn to the sound. As he got closer the richly brassy instrument hit his ears clearer.
Peering through the small crack of the ajar door made him catch his breath.
.
.
.
Choi Jeho was sneaky transferred student. As he stood at the very front beside the teacher, he gave a brief introduction by saying his name. Continuing, the teacher filled in some more. Jeho’s blatant boredom and not wanting to be here energy probably reached everyone else.
So it was until, something — no, rather someone at the very back end and near the window caught his eye.
His black hair was slightly messy and his bangs covered his eyes slightly. His posture was upright — sticking up like a sore thumb from the rest in the class. It was quite obvious — even to Jeho, someone who was told many times he was oblivious and just let things fly over his head. The person was honestly quite eye catching; he couldn’t look away.
Badum. Badum. Badum.
Choi Jeho’s heart raced slightly but quickly calmed down.
Walking of, he sat down to his assigned seat set by the teacher. For half the lesson, he did try to pay attention — fighting to not lay his head down — but gave up.
He slouched over and lay on his arms as a pillow while glancing every now and then on the person sitting opposite to him. Only later did he find out the students name: Kim Hyoil.
.
.
.
That same student he saw was sitting alone in a dim lighted music room. His stool was slightly angled away from the from the others; almost most blending with the shadows. His long pale calloused fingers were moving with accuracy, even if you’d never heard bass play, by one look you’d know it — really,
’He’s good.’ Jeho thought.
Though his playing was intense and piercing, his face remained expressionless for the most. Occasionally, his brows would furrow or a faint crescent lips would rise; though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
He could hear the suffocating of the others one, the agonizing scream without screaming. Jeho furrowed his brows slightly. It felt distressing to watch. Yet, Jeho couldn’t look away.
Jeho’s fingers twitched inside his pocket. His body instinctively wanting to catch the flow of it, the beat was steady and the melody was good — good enough for Jeho to start imagining different moves to just a few beats.
As the rhythm intensified and the sharp edges of the bass continued screaming; bleeding all over the room.
He couldn’t ignore it — more accurately his body couldn’t. His body moved before he could process it. Jeho’s foot tapped against the floor. Shoulders dropping into a fluid bounce, catching the syncopated pulse of the others bass.
He was slowly catching on the rhythm — moving just like he did when making a choreography; something that really did
Now he was in sync with the heavy bass. He kept the footwork light, trying to not disturb the other.
Snap. Screeeckkk.
Jeho’s sneaker lace got caught in metal trash bin. It didn’t fall, but instead made a sharp scratching sound. The sound echoed through the silent hallway.
Following, the bass stopped instantly. The sudden silience was deafening.
Kim Hyoil’s head shot up. ”Who’s there?”
Jeho stepped in, standing besides the doorframe, his shoulders brushing against it slightly. ”The door was already open.” He spoke, his voice carrying no guilt that he’d been eavesdropping.
The other one stared at him — also glancing to the door. His neck was a bit flushed.
”Ah.” He gave a slight stiff and formal nod in acknowledgment. Hyoil started to unplug his amp. ”Still, you shouldn’t be here. The arts wing is off-limits to non-club members.”
Exactly after he finished his sentence, Jeho blurted. ”Is it your own arrangement?”
Hyoil froze. His black eyes slightly widened and stared blankly at Jeho’s. Scratching his neck and averted his eyes, Hyoil continued composed.
”No, It’s a generic chord. Anyone can do it.” Though the indifferent tone, his ears were light red, peeking through his black hair.
Jeho opened his mouth to say it’s bullshit, but —
RIIIIINGGG
The first bell rang. the sound echoed through the music room. Kim Hyoil immediately reacted, he stod straight away and started moving quickly. Everything was already neatly arranged and wrapped up carefully. It was freakish how everything was so timed perfectly, every second down.
For some reason, that irritated Jeho a little.
”You were waiting for the bell.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. His eyes had caught the moment Hyoil had glanced to the wall clock just before finishing his set.
Hyoil didnt hold back his short sigh, ”obviously.” Hyoil found no point in refusing the other, in fact, doubtless the other one would believe if he refused. ’There is no need to deny.
”You don’t seem excited about it.”
”Nobody is. What, are you?” Kim Hyoil scoffed as he picked up a black raggedy backpack from the corner and brushed through Jeho.
Before walking too far off he gave Jeho one last glance. ”Don’t forget to close the door before leaving.”
Jeho stared til the figure of the other disappeared. ’Seriously…’
”…what a nag.” Though, saying that he still went through and turned off the light and closed the door. ’Its not like I was the one who left It open in the first place.’
In the end, none of Jeho’s questions got answered. Instead, his heart was still thumping to the beat of the fast and piercing bass — or, maybe, was his heart thumping faster?