Faint Whispers

Chapter 1

Luhan strained his neck to look up at the top shelves. Him being short isn't an advantage for him to reach for the books on top. If it weren't for his Science teacher who gave the class an extra project, he wouldn't be here searching for Science books about it. He tried reaching but he couldn't. He tried jumping but he couldn't. He tried finding a ladder but he couldn't. He tried everything - not really everything - he could but he couldn't. Suddenly, a hand extended out and reached for the book Luhan wanted. Luhan jumped slightly in surprise and looked to see who.

"Your book." Kris, their class president, said and handed the book to him.

"Thank you Kris." Luhan smiled.

"Working on the project so soon?" Kris asked, leaning coolly on the shelves.

"Yeah, you know how I'm like. I want to start the project fast and not pile everything up." Luhan sighed.

"You're so hardworking, you should give yourself a break."

"But I couldn't. I have to work hard."

"For the scholarship money?"

Luhan looked at him in surprise. "You knew?"

"Knew what?" Kris asked.

"Know about the scholarship money." Luhan said.

"Of course I know! Everyone in this school know and some are working hard to it." Kris laughed.

"You shouldn't work too hard. You know, you should come over to Suho's party." Kris continued.

"His party? His birthday isn't coming."

"It's a party for no reason. You know he always throw parties out of a blue."

"And I didn't attend a single one of them."

"What?" Kris gasped. "You should come this time."

Luhan wished he hadn't said that. He sighed and said, "I don't like parties, Kris."

"Don't be a wallflower and come join in the fun. Everyone will be there."

"But-"

"No buts. You are coming."

"Fine."

"Tomorrow night at his house. Meet me outside the library. Okay?"

"Okay." Luhan sighed.

"See you!" Kris waved to him and went off.

Luhan sighed again for the umpteen times. He had work tomorrow night and he wasn't sure that he could go. He decided to push the thoughts away for a while and concentrate on the project. He went to find an empty seat and sat down, starting the project after such a long chat with the school's coolest guy.

Sehun held his phone further away from his ears as his father's scolding could be heard clearly with anyone near him. People who past by glanced at him for a while before they continue their journey and Sehun hoped his father would stop screaming now.

"You idiot! What did I tell you about getting your grades in Chemistry?" His father screamed.

"I must be the first and never let anyone replace me." Sehun rolled his eyes.

"Exactly! Now what is this? You got second!"

"It's just 2 marks away, appa. It's nothing."

"Nothing? You call this nothing? You lost by 2 marks and it's precious! No credit card for a week!"

"But appa! You cannot do that!"

"I am your father and I expect you to do well in your studies! You better be first before I cancel off all your credit cards!"

"But appa-!"

A loud monotone was heard and Sehun looked at his phone. His father had hung up. Sehun sighed and hung his head low. Sehun belongs to a rich family, his family owns a big restaurant that has a lot of branches all over Seoul and other neighboring countries. Sometimes, Sehun wished he isn't born into such a stressful family. His father has high expectation for him and he always give Sehun extra tuitions to improve in his studies, making him to get first everytime.

Sometimes, he skip those tuitions and go to the arcade wishing he could just lead the life as a normal kid and not someone who got picked on because he was rich and pathetic. He sometimes wonder if his mother cared for him too. His mother left the house after Sehun was 6 because she accused his father of having a mistress which he didn't. But she still wasn't convinced. Sehun didn't see her since then. So his father was pretty particular about Sehun having a girlfriend because he doesn't want him to make the same mistake as him.

Sehun set off to the arcade. He decided to skip his Mathematic tuition again, he doesn't have the mood to study now that he couldn't use his magic card. He is skipping so much tuition but his father doesn't know. Because he managed to bribe his tuition tutors and make them tell his father about how good he is. But the disadvantage is if his father found out that his studies are still the same, he will be in deep trouble.

Luhan closed the last thick Science book and buried his head into his hands. He finally finished the project, much to his surprise. He didn't expect himself to finish this in 3 hours. Suddenly, there was a loud thump on the table that made Luhan looked up.

"You finished everything?" Kris' voice was shocked and handed Luhan a bottle of water.

"Yeah. And I'm so tired." Luhan groaned and mouthed a 'thank you'.

"Go home and sleep." Kris sat down on the chair opposite him.

"But I have my part-time job to go." Luhan frowned.

"Part-time job? You didn't tell me about it." Kris sat up straight.

"I just got the job last week, I'm still getting use to it."

"Where is it?"

"A restaurant. A branch just opened up near my house so I went to take the job. You know my family is..."

"Yeah, I know. Don't worry about it, hyung." Kris smiled a little, hoping it will help Luhan even a little.

"Thanks Kris. I better get going to work. Bye!" Luhan said and went off.