Perfect Imperfection| ZCL

¹the perfect character

"You can't possibly expect me to accept your chocolate milk as apology for hitting me with a basketball, Hyuck," I sigh as try to figure out my time table.

"Oh c'mon, I didn't even hit you that ha-..."

"What was your name again?" I tease him, furrowing my eyebrows as soon as I realize that tomorrow I literally had two classes at the same time. "What the hell?"

"What's wrong?" Jeno asks me, peaking over my left shoulder to look at the paper in my hands. "Wow, sociology and physics at the same time? I knew you were an ace but that's a bit extra-terrestrial."

I sigh.

"Tell me about it." I say. "I didn't even want to take physics this year but apparently, the principal made the other choice be chemistry."

I turn around to face Jeno with clear despair written across my face. Dramatic as I absolutely adored to be.

"And I hate chemistry," I whine.

"I know, hun," he sighs, slightly amused, knowing about my absolute lack of desire to study chemistry. "You should go to the secretary so you can solve this. I'll ask Jeongin to cover this class for you."

I smile and hug him tightly, his minty scent filling my senses.

"Thanks, Jen, you're the best," I say and run towards the other end of the school hall, ready to get my shit together for the first time during the new school year.

As I was preparing myself to enter the office, the door suddenly opened, making me step back in bewilderment. A hazelnut-haired boy stepped out of the room, a sweet smile plastered on his lips. His puppy-like eyes made him look young, maybe even younger than me, but his body figure was saying something else. He was definitely new, judging by his clothes. Really, nobody bothers to dress fancily around here, unless they want to prove something. And this boy was too good-looking to have anything else to prove, except the fact that he's willed to study and be nice to everyone.

Fun.

All my thoughts vanished when we made eye contact, finally making me aware of my physical presence there, reminding me that I am not some ghost that he can't see and I can't keep staring at him forever.

However, he simply nodded his head in apology for startling me and left. I shrugged it off and entered the office, ignoring that spark deep inside that was telling me he was perfect.

The perfect character.

By the end of the school week, I actually manage to realize I wasn't missing it that much. The one and only thing that I was missing about school was the incredible desire to write that it was giving me. I could write novels and novels... just so I don't have to do my homework. I would write wherever, whenever. During classes, during lunch, with my friends or alone. It didn't matter. If I was getting struck by some heavenly idea, there was nothing that could stop me.

That's what I was doing too when Renjun came to me this evening, while I was sitting on the edge of the basketball court. He sat near me in silence for a few minutes, before actually voicing out the actual reason why he came in the first place.

"The writing contest is starting again soon," he says and I nod, knowing this information already. "But miss Kang told me she doesn't want you to participate."

I turn around to face him, my eyes wide in disbelief. This contest has been one of my greatest motivations ever since middle school and I can't let her take this away from me. Why would miss Kang even do that? She loves me... Or at least so I thought...? Have I done something wrong? Did I annoy her with my infinite questions regarding the use of tenses or anything of this kind? Hell, I knew I should've kept it lowkey...

"What? She can't do tha-..."

"I'm not done yet," Renjun says calmly. "She doesn't want you to participate because you'd win anyway."

I smile softly and sigh. Renjun has always been somehow gentle but ruthless at the same time. And he's my only friend who truly understands my passion for writing. Not necessarily because he'd be passionate about this too, but because he's interested in understanding the people around him. And honestly, that's one of the things that make him such a great blessing.

"So she told me to ask you if you'd like to be one of the judges," he continues and I look at him bewildered once again.

"She what?" I ask surprised.

"I know you heard it the first time." He smiles. "Is that an yes?"

"Oh my God, Renjun, this is... this is..."

My dream ever since I was like twelve.

"Insane," I finish my sentence.

Renjun smiles in response as I close my eyes and sigh, trying to collect myself.

"So I think you accept the offer-..."

"Of course I do!" I say maybe a bit too loud.

I smile awkwardly, telepathically apologizing for startling him with my loud voice. He shrugs.

"Cool then," He says standing up. "I'll see you around."