Chapter Text
There was something about the morning atmosphere that Sunoo took great pleasure in. Maybe it was the way that the sun glinted as he opened his eyes everyday, or how the smell of coffee would waft into his bedroom. The birds would chirp outside, signaling that there was a new day ahead, and he would hear the morning bustle of the people who were rushing to work or to class.
But today, Sunoo didn’t enjoy the morning at all. Most likely due to the fact that he was now one of those people who were running late.
“Crap!” He shrieked as he wobbled around on one foot, desperately trying to pull his sock up.
The dishes from the night before were still sitting on the table and he silently cursed himself for leaving them there. After he successfully got his sock on, he swung Sunghoon’s bedroom door open. To his horror, his best friend was still wrapped up in his blankets, snoring like an idiot.
Sunoo’s eyes widened into full blown circles and he practically sprinted over to the side of Sunghoon’s bed. “Wake the hell up!” He was met with a low groan as he attempted to overthrow the kingdom of blankets that Sunghoon engulfed himself in. Sunoo eventually got through the blankets and jabbed a finger into Sunghoon’s side.
“OW!” The other boy let out a distorted cry, wrenching back from Sunoo’s finger. “What’s the matter with you?! I want some peace and quiet.”
“You’ll get some peace and quiet when you die. For now, get up, Park.” Sunoo whined.
“Why don’t you kill me then?”
“You think I won’t?”
If looks really could kill, Sunoo was certain that he would’ve blown a hole straight through Sunghoon’s head by now. He was giving him a glare that was laced with vexation as the skater ever so slowly got up from his bed. Sunghoon let out a yawn before he realized that Sunoo was still standing there, staring at him as if he was prey.
Sunghoon furrowed his brows. “What?”
Within seconds, Sunoo’s attempt at appearing intimidating was replaced with sheer panic as his eyes drifted to the clock that was hanging behind Sunghoon’s looming figure. He dove into the closet and threw the uniform at his friend.
“Get ready! We have to be in our classes in twenty minutes!” He said and hurriedly walk-ran out of the room.
Sunghoon didn’t move. He looked down at the uniform that had been so rudely shoved into his face and he cocked his head to the side. “Don’t classes start tomorrow?” He hollered.
“Park Sunghoon!” He heard Sunoo’s voice echo. “If you aren’t out here in five minutes, I’ll personally drag you.”
“Yes, Boss!” Sunghoon stifled a laugh.
—
The bus rocked the both of them as it sped over bumps in the worn out road. Unfortunately, they didn’t score any seats so they stood side by side, hanging onto the pole as best as they could.
Sunoo swayed purposely and bumped into Sunghoon from time to time. He was nervous as hell.
At some point of his swaying, Sunghoon grabbed his shoulder and pinned him in his spot. “Okay. Why are you so pent up?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to be a new student at your school.” Sunoo bit his lip, staring outside the bus windows. “Being a new student is never easy.”
“Why did you switch schools anyways? It’s not like your mom could get to you in such a public place.”
Sunoo didn’t meet the other boy’s eyes and he began to fidget with his necktie. He then shrugged. “I just wanted to be as far away from her as possible. Plus,” a huge grin made its way to his face and he patted Sunghoon’s head, “I want to be able to tease you 24/7.”
“Hey!” His hand was swatted away and Sunghoon’s nose scrunched up in disgust. The skater quickly fixed his hair back with his free hand, sending a glare in Sunoo’s direction. “I can’t believe we live together, and now we’re classmates. Great .”
“You love me.” Sunoo winked, attempting to poke Sunghoon’s cheek. His efforts were in vain as Sunghoon dodged his claw.
“Sadly, I do.” He adjusted his grip on the pole and ruffled Sunoo’s hair as payback. “Everyone will like you. It’s hard not to.”
The reassurance made Sunoo’s nerves melt away. A blinding set of teeth made themselves known as Sunoo put on one of his signature smiles. He let go of the pole and held onto Sunghoon’s arm for support instead.
He was grateful for the person beside him. Sunghoon had been with him for years, for as long as he could remember, and the skater had never let him down. Sunoo had a lot of problems going for him, but Sunghoon could make him feel like his life was easy. All Sunoo could hope for was that he wasn’t a burden.
While Sunoo was lost in his thoughts, he bus took a left turn and entered the golden gates of Elites, also known as: Elite High School. Sunoo had always thought that the school’s name was obnoxiously pretentious, and he swore that he would never enroll. That was a definite kick to his face now.
As if his friend was reading his mind, he heard Sunghoon snicker. “Oh look, you said you’d never enroll here.” The doors to the bus flew open. “How the tables have turned.”
The students began to file out and the two of them followed suit, Sunoo giving Sunghoon a sudden smack to the head. Sunghoon caught his wrist and he hauled the both of them out of the bus. Sunoo let out a strangled yelp.
He groaned as Sunghoon wrapped an arm around his shoulders, guiding him towards the entrance of the school. They made eye contact with each other and bursted out laughing for absolutely no reason.
“I’m happy you’re here now!” Sunghoon breathed in the crisp autumn air and kicked a few leaves out of his way. “We will rule this school together.”
Sunoo felt the crunch of the loose leaves under his feet while he walked down the pathway. It kind of reminded him of a red carpet; a red carpet leading him to his new destination, or a red carpet that was just dusted in dead leaves of the season.
Their steps were synchronized as they approached the entrance of the school. If Sunoo was going to be honest, he was too in his head to observe the monstrosity of the huge building. The big ‘WELCOME’ banners cascaded the hallways, yet it felt as if Sunoo was the only new student in their year.
He felt protected under Sunghoon’s guard but he felt so out of place. The students who roamed the corridors already had their designated group of friends, which meant that he was most likely going to be left out.
“Stop overthinking. My friends and I will adopt you.” Sunghoon tightened his hold on Sunoo, pulling him closer. “You won’t be alone.”
Sunoo let out a breath that he didn’t know he was holding. “I will be. None of you are in my classes.”
“New friends will flock to you like a group of hungry pigeons. People are already staring at you.”
It was true. Sunoo had felt the dawning eyes of all of the students around him, but he had chosen to ignore them and focus his attention on the floor. The floor was his only safe spot.
“Sung—” The loud buzzing of the bell cut Sunoo off. His shoulders sagged as he felt Sunghoon’s arm slip off of him. He turned to face the skater while the students around them started moving around, heading to their classes. “I am going to combust.”
Sunghoon chuckled and put his hands in his pants pockets. “Once you’re done your classes, text me. I’ll come pick you up for lunch.” He shuffled one hand out of his pocket and put it on Sunoo’s soft hair. “Have fun, sweetie .”
The pet name made Sunoo agitated and he fake gagged. He decided that he no longer wanted Sunghoon as a friend and quickly walked away. He could hear the laughter of the other boy ringing through the hallway and he couldn’t help but smile.
I can do this.
—
I’m so bored.
Sunoo had made it to his first class with no issues, and he was now sitting in his second class. History.
He didn’t know when he had zoned out, but he definitely wasn’t learning anything. The teacher was babbling on about some historical event that was deemed important to the creation of the country, and Sunoo had no idea how it would help him with his future career choice. The majority of the students seemed to be just as disinterested as he was.
Sunoo’s drooping head nearly smacked down on the desk but he jumped up at the poke on his back. He subtly swiveled around to find a boy with jet black hair and hypnotizing dark brown eyes looking back at him. Sunoo gulped as he gaped at the stunning human being that was sitting right behind him. Had he been there the whole time?
Can you pass me that? The boy mouthed, pointing at the floor. Sunoo followed his finger and found a pen laying right beside his foot. He hurriedly grabbed it and he was supposed to return it in a civilized manner. To his horror, Sunoo nearly flung it at the boy. Good thing he was good at catching as he caught it before it could hit his face. Thanks.
Sunoo gave him a thumbs up and couldn’t help but let his eyes linger for a bit longer. The boy was wearing golden wired specs that rested perfectly on the bridge of his nose. His lips were a pretty rosy shade that were pinched in concentration, his eyelashes fanned his face as he blinked.
He was so ethereal.
Of course, Sunoo had seen countless good-looking people in his lifetime, one of them being his best friend. Sunghoon had always harboured a group of admirers because of his striking visuals, but it looked as though Sunghoon had competition at the school.
As the class progressed, it took every ounce of Sunoo’s self control to keep himself from turning back around and screaming ‘WHY DO YOU LOOK SO GOOD?’ at the boy behind him. He could no longer zone out because if he did, he was at risk of conquering the courage that it took to speak to the mysterious owner of the pen. Sunoo decided that he did not want to embarrass himself any further.
—
SN: moron, where are you??
SH: sorry I’m caught up with something but I told Jay and Jake to fetch you! The ones who were at my bday party? Do you remember them?
SN: yeah I do! hooooon :( will you join us later?
SH: yes. Promise.
“Sunoo!”
Sunoo pocketed his phone and tried to match a face to the voice that was calling his name. He spotted Jake waving at him through the crowd of students that were spilling out of multiple classrooms. Behind him, Jay gave him a soft smile. Sunoo always found it endearing at how intimidating Jay could appear to strangers, but it was a complete contrast to who he really was.
There were faint memories of Sunghoon’s birthday from two years ago. Sunoo remembered the monster party that Sunghoon’s parents had thrown for him, Jake and Jay being part of the attendees list. They had spoken to Sunoo first and all three of them bonded with nice small talk, but Sunoo didn’t really know them. Now, it looked like he had no other choice but to befriend them. Not that he had a problem with it.
“Hi~” Sunoo added a playful hint to his tone as he skipped over to the two boys. He gave both of them a friendly hug, which they took a great liking to. “How have both of you been?”
“We’ve been good,” Jay took the lead and began to weave through the bodies that crowded the hallway. “Sunghoon wouldn’t shut up about how you were transferring here. I nearly bashed his head against the wall.”
“That sounds like such a you thing,” Sunoo giggled and shook his head. “I’m glad we both share the love-hate relationship with Sunghoon. Want to hatch up a plan against him?”
“Murder?”
“Guys…” Jake poked his head in between the two who were walking side by side, “I’m a witness. Stop planning a fake murder right in front of my salad.”
Sunoo tried to stifle the laughter that was bubbling up in his throat, while Jay remained completely unemotional.
“Jake,” Jay stopped in his tracks which prompted Jake to bump into him, “who said that it was fake?”
A hand came over Sunoo’s mouth as he pretended to let out a shocked gasp. Jake, who was already used to Jay’s antics, only shook his head and eased himself away. He walked at Sunoo’s side instead.
When they made it to the cafeteria, the tables were nearly packed. There was one bench on the outskirts of the cafeteria that was still available and Jay all but dived onto it, securing their spot for lunch. A few of the students who had wanted the spot gave Jay disapproving looks but he paid no attention to them. He wore a proud grin on his face as he waved Jake and Sunoo over.
“Geez, you didn’t need to look that desperate.” Jake rolled his eyes, taking a seat beside the newfound diver. Sunoo shyly took the spot beside them and kept his eyes on his hands.
Jay snorted. “Hey, do you want to eat on the floor like we did in freshman year?” When he was met with silence, he stuck his tongue out at Jake. “That’s what I thought.”
“We didn’t even get food yet.” Sunoo chimed in. He looked out at the long line of people who were waiting to order their food. He stood up. “Should I go and get us food?”
Jay’s calm expression turned into something of shock as he heard the words come out of Sunoo’s mouth. He swiftly planted Sunoo back down onto the bench and wagged his finger around.
“No moving! You are the new guest of the Elites, so we will take care of you.” He stated firmly. Jake nodded in agreement. “Both of you stay put. I’ll go see what’s on the menu.” Before Sunoo could insist against it, Jay rushed off and left the both of them on their own.
Sunoo shrunk back in his seat. He hadn’t expected that Jay and Jake would’ve been so kind to him. He had suspected that they were only feigning their politeness at Sunghoon’s party because who liked party crashers? But now that he was with them without Sunghoon overlooking their interactions, they genuinely acted like they wanted him here.
Just as Sunoo was thinking of his friend, he spotted Sunghoon entering the premises with someone in tow. Sunoo couldn’t recognize this person at first, but as they got closer, Sunoo froze.
“What is it?” Jake asked curiously. He followed Sunoo’s line of sight and caught sight of the two boys who were heading their way. “Oh!”
Sunghoon waved at them and whispered something to the boy beside him. They both broke out in a laughing fit. Sunghoon was so swept up in the conversation that the two of them were having that he didn’t notice how stiff Sunoo was.
The boy with the same jet black hair and golden specs was at Sunghoon’s side, heading Sunoo’s way, and Sunoo was held completely helpless at the boy's visuals yet again. He had no idea what it was but Sunoo couldn’t help but stare at every little detail, capturing it in his memory.
“Hey, you found him!” Sunghoon chirped and he was now standing in front of them with the boy from Sunoo’s class.
Sunoo could barely breathe. Was he even breathing?
“Yeah, it wasn’t much of a hassle to find him. He looked completely lost.” Jake nudged Sunoo and he was snapped out of his trance.
“Uh— yeah! Me… I was super lost. Yup.” He spluttered. Damnit.
Unfortunately, his odd behaviour didn’t get lost under Sunghoon’s radar. “Why are you being so weird? Are you just that blown away by my beauty?”
“No.” Not yours.
“We’re in the same history class, right?” The boy that had been silently standing at Sunghoon’s side spoke up.
In a matter of seconds, Sunoo’s prior shyness dissipated and he was now on a roll. “Yes!” He gave the boy one of his cheeky smiles and held out his hand. “I’m Kim Sunoo. What’s your name?”
The boy didn’t hesitate and took Sunoo’s hand. He returned the smile with one of his own and Sunoo nearly self-destructed at how unbelievably handsome this boy was.
“Lee Heeseung,” he hummed.