golden boy

chapter 7

on thursday minho went out of the building after he finished his classes, completely forgetting that he had to go to the balcony to meet with jisung. he was just wondering why the small boy wasn't exiting when he crossed paths with his friends.

"minho-yah, do you wanna hang out at mine?," felix, the son of some foreign ambassadors, asked with a warm smile. he was going out with hyunjin, two other boys and three girls who all looked ridiculously puffed up now that minho was looking at them.

"yeah, minho, you've been missing out lately. last friday you had something to do too," beatrice, an italian girl who always tried to talk to minho, rolled her eyes playfully.

"come with us, oppa," jinri, a year younger than the others, pleaded with a pout.

minho sighed. he didn't want to refuse but he didn't want to go either. and he had other plans already. he smiled at the others but started, "guys, i kind of have something today as well.."

"ugh, don't tell me you're gonna pitch us to do homework or something," the third girl loudly whined.

"ditch, carmen, not pitch," hyunjin corrected and she giggled with a hand in front of her lips.

"no, uh, actually..," minho started and scratched his neck uncomfortably. he didn't know how to refuse because he never did. his parents thought it'd be good if he went out with his classmates every now and then, so he did. and they knew not to ask him out before tests or when there were any important assignments.

"i can't believe you, lee minho," a petite figure crossed the distance between the school door and the group with big rapid footsteps, "you really made me wait for you for so long just so you can have a chat?," jisung rolled his eyes disapprovingly.

the group was in shock and everyone's jaws dropped. the small boy went to minho's side and took his arm, "are you ready now, beautiful?," he asked with a forced smile that shocked everyone even more. the embarrassed boy looked down and pressed his lips together but nodded.

"okay. good. we have a lot of work to do," jisung dramatically explained to the others who were looking at him disdainfully. he wanted to laugh at their faces but liked the shock he was seeing so he held it in.

"w-we-," minho attempted to clarify but struggled.

"they're doing a project together. and minho can't get out of that cause, you see, this.. hobo decided to be a bitch," hyunjin stepped in to everyone's surprise. the others were still eyeing jisung and minho doubtfully.

"yeah," the short boy agreed with a nod, "but you like it when i insist, right?," he turned to minho, almost touching his cheek with his lips. minho's heart was going to fly out of his chest, "anyways, we'll leave you now. and don't worry, i'll keep minho entertained," he flashed a huge smile to beatrice and jinri and pulled his project partner by the arm.

minho obeyed and sent the others a tiny wave, before walking off with the insistent boy. they walked down the street in silence, the taller still shaken from the scene that he had to play a central role in. jisung let go of him as soon as they quit the school grounds.

"did you like it?," jisung asked spitefully after a while, "i had fun seeing your friends pick their jaws off the floor."

minho gulped and turned to look at the other.

"don't think you can mess with me again, minho. i won't hesitate to humiliate you in front of anyone," the shorter threatened and minho knew he was serious.

"yes. i'm sorry, i.."

"i don't need you to apologise and i don't care. just know that if you fuck with me again i'll bite back," jisung stated and then put on a sweet smile, "get it, beautiful?"

the taller nodded, "yes."

"so how was your day? sorry if i ruined it, but i needed to make it clear that you can't mess with me. it's your fault this happened," jisung narrated. he seemed to genuinely be feeling bad for minho's abashed expression but tried to hide it.

"i understand. you didn't talk to me in public until now and what happened is my fault. i forgot to meet you at your place. it won't happen again."

"that's fine. now i know you won't forget next time," jisung chuckled, "i deprived you from a friendly bonding though, i hope you can forgive me," he dramatically stated, hand on his heart.

"no, i wasn't in the mood anyways," minho honestly returned, "what meeting did you miss to do work with me?," the shorter sent him an inquisitive look, "you said you changed an appointment with someone..?"

"ah, yes, it was a hangout with my.. public school friends. believe it or not, i wasn't considered garbage in my previous school," jisung admitted with a laugh.

"i believe it. we're just assholes."

"you are.. but why are you agreeing with that?," the shorter lifted a doubtful brow.

"because i'm not blind. people here don't treat you right. i don't need a telescope to see it," minho replied.

"i'm just on the bottom side of the plate. everyone here is getting stepped on and you can't tell me otherwise. although you're all spoiled, most of you have more issues than me. the only problem i have with life is those dickheads at school," jisung stated and crossed his arms.

"i get it," the taller replied quietly, "they can be very harsh."

"what will happen if they find out? if i rat you out, i mean?"

"if the board finds out i'll be out of the dance club. and the school is by law required to expel me."

"ah. but that won't happen if your parents pay them to forget, right?," jisung returned with a sly smile.

"probably won't but i don't know if they would get me out of that. in all cases, what i'm doing is dangerous," minho explained and fearfully addressed the other with his eyes.

"don't worry. i don't want to denounce you either," the shorter reassured, "just do the project and be nice. this will be over in no time."

minho nodded obediently. he actually believed jisung and it seemed to him that his blackmailer didn't mean him any harm. before he knew it, they were in front of his house and he had to take out his keys to let his guest in.