Beautiful Tragedy - Hanbin x Rosé

X X X CHAPTER 8 X X X

Rosé's P.O.V

I ran into my mom's office, popping MnM's in my mouth, and pulling open the heavy door. "Mom I-"

I stopped and stared. A crap load of teachers were positioned around one single student seated neatly in the center of the room. And that student was Hanbin. My mom coughed, as though I was interrupting something important. "Rosé, perhaps you can come some other time dear."

I felt Hanbin's hot gaze on me, but I pretended not to see him, because my mother was eyeing us as well.

"No, no, no this is perfect!" the Chemistry teacher Mr. Barnes hooted loudly, "This is precisely what I was saying! Let her stay and have a word about that plan I was discussing, and she if she approves. As I was saying, Rosé would be a perfect role model for the boy."

The teachers surrounding Hanbin murmured their approval, and one whispered loudly "I thought it was a clever idea."

I stared at my mom, who began to look uncomfortable. "No way. I told you I will take no part in it."

My mom's stubbornness wavered at the impatient looks from other teachers. I was still utterly confused, "What are you talking about??"

The room grew quiet as everyone looked at my mom to answer. She cleared her throat awkwardly, "Um, I- well, the other teachers believe you should tutor Kim Hanbin in order to be a good role model and improve his already dropping grades."

I stared.

"You...want me to tutor him?"

Mr. Barnes was excited beyond belief. "Yes! Yes of course! What do you say?"

I looked at the other teachers, giving me thumbs up, and nodding encouragingly. I looked at my mom, who was stony faced and glaring at Hanbin. I looked at Hanbin, who, despite being stared down by my mother, gave me a small nervous smile that seemed to say 'we could spend more time together..?!.'

I gulped and slowly answered the teacher's eager looks. "Um, I guess as long as it doesn't get in the way of my own classes."

The other teachers clapped and cheered, and began standing up and leaving the office as though that settled the matter. My mom looked furious and upset, and I would have felt bad if I had not seen the shining look on Hanbin's face.

I would get to see him. A lot. With permission from the principal.

I almost wasn't sure why I had gotten so lucky today. My mom dismissed Hanbin, and we were alone in the office. "Rosé...that was a very generous thing to do. Are you sure it wasn't just being generous, and you haven't grown to care for the boy?"

I felt a drop of sweat drip down my back as I forced my tone to stay neutral, "Oh, of course not. I just thought maybe this would be the first time we could really help the Stepping Stone kid we recruited."

My mom pondered that. "Well...now I think that is a pretty grand idea if you say it like that."

She paused. "As long as he doesn't influence you."

I nodded solemnly, and my mother dismissed her from the room.

Day later*

Hanbin's P.O.V

"I know that!"

I muttered, embarrassed at Rosé's criticism. she huffed loudly, "Well, if you know it so well, why did you get all five of the multiple choice questions wrong?"

I said nothing, and moodily erased my work. Rosé sighed, "I know it's hard after Stepping Stones bu-"

"DON'T."