Chapter Text
9:00 AM.
.
Atom stood, glasses askew with a tiny crumpled note in his hand-
"Meet me at the back of the old gymnasium. 9 am sharp. Don't be late."
Atom isn't dumb to not know who wrote the note. Kongthap, the "hottest" jock to ever exist, they said. Also his greatest bully.
Kongthap was a type to just get some money from you or make you do his work just to keep his fame. Kongthap twists brusque words that can almost lead someone to just kill theirselves.
And he mostly do that to Atom. Before.
Atom isn't fighting back anymore-what's the point? He's used to it.
Everytime Kongthap send those notes, he always follow it. Even now. He's already standing in the back of the gymnasium.
Just the dusty smell of the old gymnasium is enough to make him feel uneasy. What is Kongthap even planning again?
Not long after, a famliar smug voice rang out behind him, "Four eyes,"
Atom turned, hand clutching the hem of his hoodie. Kongthap looked down then back up to Atom, "Scared?"
Atom didn't respond. Because he is.
Kongthap scowled, patience thinning, "What? Are you mute now?"
Atom immediately shook his head, fixing his glasses up to his nose. Kongthap stepped closer, Atom backed away until his back hit the wall, eyes on the floor.
Kongthap towered him, with that smug grin he always wore when he knew he was winning, "Could you do me favor?"
Atom gave him a tiny nod. Looking smaller than he should have.
"Do the next project for me," Kongthap pulled away not completely-he knew just his presence is enought to make someone shiver, "It's quite complicated and you got the highest score, right?"
Atom nodded.
"Answer me properly."
Atom clenched his fists on his side, "Y-yes."
Kongthap leaned in slightly, "Could you do it for me, hm?"
Atom just swallowed hard. He can't do anything about it, can he?
Atom nodded again. Kongthap scoffed, "Pathetic, isn't it? Work your ass now. Make it better, I need compliments from them."
Without another word, Kongthap turned to his heel ready to leave Atom again. But then-
The ground shook. At first, it was just slow until it escalated. Atom held on the wall for support to stand up, Kongthap held on the nearest tree.
The world tilted, the concrete cracked, the trees and cars outside shook.
The alarm rang, the shouts of students inside echoed in the campus.
Atom's eyes were frantic and so was Kongthap. Kongthap snapped his head to Atom, "It's dangerous there, idiot!"
But Atom can't move or else he'll fall to the ground. The quake was dizzying, but Kongthap snatched Atom quick. Atom's glasses dropping on the floor, broken.
They fell together on the ground.
Atom closed his eyes shut, not clutching his hoodies anymore but-Kongthap's uniform.
Kongthap pulled Atom closer as the world shook. "What the fuck is even happening?!"
Then it stopped, but they still feel the shake. The emergency alarm didn't stop.
Kongthap's chest heaved, both of their hearts drumming against their ribs.
Atom opened his eyes slowly, looked up, then widened. Atom scrambled off of Kongthap, "S-sorry! I-I didn't meant to-"
Kongthap winced slightly as he sit up, scowling faintly.
Atom is shaking, his breaths were getting urgent, "I'm sorry-please d-don't hurt m-me..."
Kongthap panicked, "Hey, hey, it's alright. I'm not going to hit you."
Atom hugged his self, backing away like he's trying to protect his self, "I'm sorry-I'm going to do your project promise-sorry-I-I didn't mean to topple over you I-"
Slowly, Kongthap crawled to him, "It's fine. Relax, Atom. I was the one who pulled you, calm down."
Atom breathed deeply, his lips were getting paler. "Atom?"
Atom clutched his chest, like he's trying to catch his breath. Kongthap didn't think twice, he catched Atom's back befor ehe land on the ground, "Atom!"
Atom hold on to Kongthap's arm, eyes watering. "Atom, look at me."
Atom tried, his hands are getting colder. Kongthap held his hand and pulled off of his chest, warming it, "Look at me, okay? Breathe with me, slowly."
"Inhale,"
Atom inhaled slowly, hands squeezing Kongthap's.
"Slowly, exhale."
Atom did, somehow the tightness in his chest easing slightly.
"Good, now let's try it again."
"Inhale,"
"Exhale,"
.
When Atom's breathing calmed down, his chest rose in it's normal pace, Kongthap leaned him down on the wall.
Atom sat still, eyes staring into space. Kongthap glanced at the broken glasses of Atom on the floor, "You can still see without glasses, right?"
Atom just nodded absentmindedly. Kongthap stood from his seat, glancing at the grounds, "Can you stand? It's not safe here. We need to go to the evacuation area in the grounds."
"Mm."
"Then get up."
Atom tried to stand up. Limply.
Kongthap frowned, "Seriously? Can you even do anything?"
But proceeds to help Atom up, swinging Atom's arm around his neck and walked slowly. Sweat and fresh adrenaline still runs cold in them.
But it didn't take long, "You're slow. Want me to carry you...?"
The question was filled with hesitation. Kongthap didn't even know why he's doing this when he could've just leave Atom alone.
Atom lifted his head weakly, "You're not throwing me away, right?"
Kongthap exhaled dramatically, "Gosh, no."
Then in a swift motion in he lifted Atom off the ground. Arms on Atom's back and legs. "You're lighter than I expected, do you even eat?"
But all he got is the faint sound of Atom breathing against his neck.
.
Alot of people already gathered in the grounds. Some students crying because of worries and fear about the earthquake earlier.
"Help here! We need medics!" Kongthap shouted, Atom in his arms.
The nurses of the school ran to them immediately, "What happened?"
Kongthap laid Atom on the stretcher, "Panic attack, asthma. I don't know."
"Are you injured?"
"No."
One of the nurse checked Atom's vitals, "Please step aside," the nurse commanded to Kongthap.
Kongthap nodded but before he can, a weak pull on his wrist stopped him, "Thap..."
Kongthap leaned, "Don't worry they'll just check on you."
"I'm scared." Atom whispered.
"I know, I know. I'm here don't worry."
The nurse sighed, "You can stay with him then. Just don't get in the way."
Kongthap nodded, glancing back at Atom.
Meanwhile on the other hand, some students murmurs erupted.
"Isn't Kongthap bullying Atom? What's going on?"
"Did they got to be friends?"
"I saw Kongthap glaring down at Atom earlier in class though."
"Then, why is he acting all caring to Atom?"
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