Chapter Text
Jaemin was many things, but a kid who cuts class; most definitely not. However, that’s exactly what he was doing today. He was honestly sick of going to skating class that, whilst he loved, wasn’t his hearts’ desire. But, like many students he goes to school with, pursuing one’s own dreams when you have parents like theirs was almost impossible. Jaemin’s life was practically lain out for him since he was born; which kindergarten he would go to, which private school he would go to, his extracurricular activities, and to an extent who his “friends” were. That last point Jaemin disagreed with wholeheartedly as they consisted of his parents’ friends’ kids who he would ultimately have business relations with in the future. Jaemin’s real friends were those he attended school with and had formed some kind of rapport with as the popular kids of the school. Mark, a senior graduating this year; Renjun, the son of his parents’ friends that he actually got along with; and Chenle, a new transfer student from China who was attached to Renjun since his first day and therefore stuck with them.
It was these friends who really allowed Jaemin to be his true self. With his parents, he was Na Jaemin, son of a wealthy business man and his entrepreneur wife who attended private school and did speed skating as a respectful “hobby” but fully expected to inherit his fathers’ business. With his friends, he was just Jaemin. A dorky, smiley kid, top of his class in sports yet still competent at his other classes with a secret passion for dance. His friends were the only ones who knew about his desire to do dance, as his parents’ deem anything not academic or sport related to be a waste of time. The “arts” were not in their vocabularies. If they knew Jaemin was skipping skating class to secretly go to a dance class…… Well Jaemin doesn’t want to think about the consequences.
How do they keep convincing me to come back, my driver is really going to start suspecting something is up. And if he tells my parents, then I’m dead meat, thought Jaemin sulkily, waiting for Mark and Renjun to turn up so they could all go to class together. It had been a few weeks since the three of them (minus Chenle, who had singing class which no one could drag him from as that boy loved singing) had started going, though for Mark it was much easier for him to go as his parents were very laidback and encouraged Mark’s passion for arts as they themselves are musicians. For Jaemin and Renjun though, gaining permission was nigh on possible. Both had parents with strict orders on their extracurricular orders, however for Renjun his parents weren’t as against their son pursuing an art career as he had another sibling who could take over the business whereas Jaemin was his parents’ only son therefore the responsibility of the future of this company rested on him.
Jaemin sighed, reminiscing about his miserable future. One day, he thought, one day I’ll be able to convince my parents that dancing is a real career and not a waste of time. Jaemin scuffed his shoe on the pavement waiting for his friends, who were now at least 10 minutes late by now. Suddenly without warning, someone wrapped their hands over his eyes. He then heard Renjun and Mark’s soft giggles as he jumped at the sudden content; groaning, he grabbed Renjun’s hands and spun himself round. Face to face with his best friends he couldn’t help but crack a smile despite being annoyed at them for scaring him.
“Come on we’ll be late for practice now thanks to you!” yelled Jaemin, not unkindly. Mark, at least, had the decency to look abashed at his statement as it was him that suggested Jaemin join the dance practice in the first place as his friend, Taeyong, runs the studio with a few of his friends. Renjun just laughed at his friend, before tugging him along the path to their destination.
“Well then, we’ve got no time to lose!! Let’s hurry before Taeyong kicks our asses for being late,” Renjun cackled, dragging Jaemin’s arms nearly out of its’ socket as Renjun started running still holding onto his hand, “come on Mark, you slowpoke. I know your everyone’s favourite but that doesn’t mean we can be late!” Mark, through no fault of his own, just happened to be almost everyone’s favourite. He just happened to be very appealing, as well as being skilled at most things which in turn, made everyone absolutely ADORE him. Not that Jaemin minded, he loved being Mark’s friend but sometime he wished that people liked him for just more than his parentage or his good looks. He found that most people who tried to be his friend were in it for connections (which, duh, he hated) or just wanted to say that they were dating him. Quite frankly, he was sick of it. Jaemin just wanted a little bit of recognition beyond Mark’s good looking friends with the rich parents to be honest. Shaking the frustration out of his mind, he let Renjun’s enthusiasm pull him out of slump and to dance practice all while joining his yelling at Mark to hurry up.
The three of them may have looked entirely out of place at this slightly run down building, but they’ve never felt more at home there. 127 Studios was run by Taeyong, a slightly intimidating but lovable man who welcomed Jaemin with open arms and never asked any questions at why such a infamous boy was at his studio instead of something else. This studio was Taeyong’s pride and joy, he never wanted to do anything else in his life. It allowed him to collect boys from all walks of life and make something magical for them by the end of their experience. Watching them grow up under his wing was a reality that he was unwilling to ever let go of. His first batch of kids had grown up to become dance teachers themselves who branched off to do workshops everywhere you could think of, but they never forgot their roots. In fact, two of them decided to stay and teach along with Taeyong and his original partner in crime, Yuta. The four of them were from different background yet shared such a passion for dance. Ten was particularly skilled in all forms of dance, whereas Sicheng specialised in Chinese traditional dance. They made a perfect team, teaching the kids as much as they could and hopefully inspire them to realise their true potential even if they don’t pursue dance in the future. So to say that Taeyong was extremely proud of his studio was very much an understatement. What he was not proud of was three of his students being tardy to a guest dance class they had promised to be there for. Which he was currently facing. As they burst through the studio doors half in uniform, half in dance gear he couldn’t help but shake his head. He’s seen this way too often as it’s a hazard of running a dance studio who’s clients are mainly middle school and high school students so he couldn’t be too mad. Nonetheless, he’d gone out of his way to secure Taemin for a dance class of a lifetime and he was just a little ashamed that some of his own kids weren’t on time for a class they promised to be.
Shaking his head again, “finish changing and get stretched off as quickly as possible, though you looked as if you ran here so maybe you’ll be okay” he said wearily before giving an apologetic look to Taemin who just laughed and went to set up some music, ruffling one of the kid’s head as he walked by. The kid blushed profusely as he looked at his laces in embarrassment. Cute, Taeyong thought as he walked over to the latecomers, he really admires Taemin that kid. When he got to the three of them, they had the decency to look sorry as they stretched their muscles off.
“Hyung, Taeyong hyung, we’re really sorry. Renjun and I got held behind after class to discuss helping out at the senior prom and I just couldn’t say no you know? They just ambushed us and, I mean, Renjun isn’t even a senior. And that meant we kept Jaemin waiting for longer where I could’ve just said no but like, I couldn’t. I mean, I gotta help out right hyung? It’s hard to say no somet-” Mark really did ramble when he was nervous and it was quite cute, Taeyong thought but honestly right now he just wanted to get the class started so the kids have the most time they could with Taemin. He held up his hand to get Mark to stop talking.
“Mark. It’s okay. I’m not mad, just focus in class and make it on time to your next one. Oh, and maybe let Jaemin know if you’re going to be late hm?” he interrupted, signalling for the three of them to make their way to the mirrors. “go and do me proud for Taemin okay? Have a good class!” He walked back to Taemin to tell him the class could start and gave his kids a thumbs up for good luck, because god knows Taemin was known to be a brutal teacher.
“That class was brutal! Brutal I’m telling you!”
“Taemin is such a great teacher but my thighs are killing me”
Jaemin stumbled out of the studio in a lot more pain than he’s used to. Despite being a speed skater and a part-time dancer, muscles were burning were he thought there were none. Gosh, he thought, I’m going to need to soak tonight before my body literally collapses on me. The only kid who didn’t look thoroughly wrecked by that class was Jisung, the studios new prodigy and everyone’s favourite to dote on. How could you not though? His lithe frame was strong and he had a cute face with a shock of blue hair. How Jaemin was jealous that he could dye his hair, his parents and school would probably murder him if he turned up with anything other than black, brown or the slightly auburn shade he was wearing at the moment though there were still some more conservative teachers who frowned at that. Not that he thought he would suit any other colour, but some variation couldn’t hurt right?
“Hey, hyung, are you okay? You look, I don’t know…. A little spaced out?” Jaemin was startled out of his revere by just the very boy he was thinking of. Flashing his million dollar smile as him, he just shook his head and reached out to ruffle Jisung’s hair. Jisung made a noise of protest but didn’t move away from it, used to the affection of his dance hyungs.
“I’m okay Jisung-ah, you worked well today. Soon Taemin will be recruiting you and you’ll be world famous!” Jisung blushed furiously at this. Despite knowing he was a good dancer, he still didn’t know how to take compliments that well and honestly, it was adorable.
“Yeah Jisung you did great today, I’m so jealous!” Renjun and Mark had made it over to them, full of compliments to their youngest friend. Jisung was a blushing mess at this point and made to get away, but not before Mark could pull affectionately on his cheeks and Renjun pulling him in for a hug. Groaning, he managed to break free and say goodbye to them running off to see Taeyong. Jaemin laughed at Jisung’s retreating figure before turning to his friends.
“That was such a good class, it’s a shame we were late imagine how much time we could have!” Mark exclaimed.
“Well who’s fault is that huh?” Jaemin retorted playfully, reaching out of Mark’s outstretched hand before he could hit him. Mark growled and started running after him whilst Renjun just shook his head at his friends’ antics. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Mark is the oldest amongst them sometimes. Laughing, Renjun glanced at his phone to the check the time. 7:30pm. Nice, he could go and pick up a drink from the convenience store before meeting up with Chenle. Wait, he thought, 7:30pm? Jaemin’s skating class finished at 7:45pm and it takes 15 minutes to get there if he ran and that means……
“JAEMIN GET YOUR ASS OUT OF HERE YOU’RE GOING TO BE LATE!”
Jaemin stopped dead and looked at Renjun in horror after his outburst.
Shit, he thought, I’m so dead.
Come on Jaemin, not long to go now, Jaemin willed himself on, just round this block and you’re the-
Without warning, the sound of a motorbike got steadily louder and Jaemin looked up only to yelp in shock and jump out of the way as the bike came skidding round the corner. Without hesitation, Jaemin yelled after the assailant who nearly ran him over.
“HEY, are you BLIND?! You could’ve run me over asshole!” Jaemin thought the bike wasn’t going to stop but alas, the bike turned back around and he didn’t know whether to run or confront. Oh lord Jaemin, what have you gotten yourself into, he thought desperately, you’re already late and you’re about to die oh god this is my last night on this ear-. His thoughts were cut off as the rider of the bike pulled up and took of his helmet, shaking a mop of bleach blonde hair and the most devastatingly handsome face Jaemin had ever seen. Oh I’m so fucked, Jaemin groaned to himself as he gawped at the man. It didn’t register that this man was speaking until he had stopped and started grinning.
“Do you like what you see, princess?” the man smirked at him, causing Jaemin to blush as well as make him even more angry.
“Maybe I would’ve if you hadn’t tried to kill me with that death trap of a vehicle dumbass. Now I’m pissed off and even more annoyed than I was before.” Jaemin exclaimed angrily, frustration brewing.
“Hmm, didn’t think I would actually hit a face as pretty as yours” he glanced at the nametag on Jaemin’s uniform that he had changed into before leaving dance “Na Jaemin?” the man asked, a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
“I mean I don’t know you or your intentions right now, but I’m this fed up and don’t want to see your ugly face again.” Jaemin retaliated hotly.
“Oh come on princess, you were practically drooling over me”
“Was not!”
“Was to”
Jaemin groaned in frustration and turned his back on the current bane of his life, when he heard a shout from him.
“HEY! Maybe we should meet up some time, I’ll show up at your school and watch everyone fawn over me but don’t worry princess. My eyes are only reserved for you.” Jaemin turned just to be attacked by a wink. Oh god don’t fall for him Na Jaemin, he willed himself, don’t fall for his pretty face.
“I don’t even know you. Your name, your age. Just who are you?”
The man’s eyes crinkled into the most adorable eye smile Jaemin had ever seen that didn’t match the rest of him, clad in a leather jacket and ripped jeans to boot. Oh I’m so screwed, he internally screamed.
“Mmm, wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Yes, actually”
“Well I’m sevente-“ he was cut off by a ringing mobile, which he pulled out of pocket and answered with a lazy grin towards Jaemin. Stop this, he thought, stop being so attractive. “Yeah, sorry I’m on my way, I just got held up by some cute kid- yes he’s cuter than you stop whining I’ll be there soon. Yeah, bye”. He hung up the phone to see Jaemin staring at him.
“You’re seventeen? I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be riding a bike at this age?” Jaemin queried, half in awe half in shock.
“Awww is princess jealous? Does mommy and daddy have you driven everywhere?” the man- no boy, Jaemin corrected, they’re the same age- mocked. Oh, my driver.
“Shit, I really have to go. I’m so late!” Jaemin yelled, finally dragging his eyes away from the guy’s highly offending face, “it wasn’t nice knowing you!”
And with that, Jaemin turn and ran, trying desperately not to think of that devilishly handsome face all the way back. After being scolded by his driver for being late, his thoughts drifted to a certain blonde boy without much thinking. Just who was he. If Jaemin didn’t get much sleep that night, he will refuse to admit it was because of that boy’s tousled blonde hair and cute eye smile. Nope, not at all.