golden boy

chapter 8

"hello, mr lee," a man with a hat greeted as he almost bumped into the two on his way out of the house.

"hello, hyungseo," minho replied with a small bow and went into the house.

"why do you have to be so formal all the time?," jisung whined as they walked up the stairs, "it feels so fucking fake, honestly."

"fake? but that's.. respect," the taller hesitantly hummed, "you.. you can't finish an email without putting a 'kindest regards' or 'sincerely' below.."

"yeah, except that's not an email. it's real life communication. and those people are like 30. technically, they're still the suitable age to be called 'dude'," jisung reasoned and dropped down on the couch next to the other.

"maybe but that's not how things are here. i've never called anyone 'dude' in my life," minho returned doubtfully.

"ugh, boring. and why do you wear your shoes everywhere? you wouldn't need a maid if you actually tried to keep your house clean..," the shorter continued and took off his shoes to put his feet on the couch.

"i don't know? it's just.. how we do it. on my floor i walk around in my socks."

"good. at least someone is sensible in this house."

"do you want something to drink now?"

"still not," jisung returned, "but you can get yourself a drink. i'll get out my notes."

"no, i'm fine. i'll get my computer, do you want to.. come?"

"come where? to your room?," the shorter asked, wide eyed, "am i allowed?"

"yes," minho nodded and held back a laugh when the other jumped up, almost eagerly, "it's this way."

the two climbed the staircase to a white door and opened it, then stepped into a large corridor. minho led the boy to a large room that had a big two-wing french window and a king size bed. it was nearly empty, except for a bookshelf with a couple of textbooks on it, a desk with a chair and an armchair.

"you don't have a lot of stuff, huh?"

"well, not here. my books are in the living room and so are my albums, and my clothes are in the closet down the corridor. you'd be surprised by how much clothes i have for someone who only ever wears a uniform," minho giggled and sat on his bed.

"wait, i don't get it. you have all of this space here and you keep the things you use elsewhere?"

the taller nodded and smiled, "yeah. it's for when i have guests over or something. i wouldn't want you to see my collection of chungha albums, or my sailor moon mangas."

"pff, that's such a spoiled brat thing to say," jisung chuckled, "you have so much space that you can keep your weeb personality hidden in an entirely different room. you're incredible!"

"i have space, why not use it?," minho giggled, "i was kind of expecting you to judge me.."

"oh, i am judging you," the shorter insisted, "don't tell me you have a special room for your greens too."

"haha, no, they're here," minho tapped one of the desk drawers, "i need to buy some again."

"wait, what?," jisung exclaimed, honestly surprised, "what happened to the thing you bought?"

"it doesn't last forever," the host shrugged, "how often do you buy cigarettes?," he returned when he saw the other's judgemental gaze on him.

"um, once in two days? but that's cigarettes, i only buy weed every two months or so.."

"oh," minho nodded pensively, "anyways, i'd propose that i treat you to some of my stuff but we have work to do."

"ah, yes," jisung diligently replied, "it's okay, maybe some other time."

the two went back downstairs and started working on the powerpoint, sitting almost on top of each other as they tried to choose the best slide structure.

"okay, visual aid is done," minho exhaled and hit 'save' one last time before closing the presentation.

"great," jisung clapped his hands and smiled excitedly, "we're actually doing a great job, and pretty fast."

"yeah, i didn't think you'd be so active to be honest.."

"what, you thought i made you work with me so that you wouldn't need my help?," the shorter asked and smirked when all he received was silence, "i might be dishonest enough to force you into partnering with me but i wouldn't feel right to let you work on your own.."

"that's nice of you. do you want something to drink or eat now? i know you don't like fancy things but we have glasses and water.. tap water even, if that's what you're into..," minho dubiously proposed.

"okay, alright, let's have tap water," jisung giggled and stood up, "are those your dance trophies?," he asked as he approached a glass cabinet filled with various medals and prizes.

"yes. not all, just the ones that my parents like to show," the host pointed out and jisung noticed that all of the awards were gold, "you're not winning unless you're at the very top."

"i didn't think 'golden boy' could be taken so literally..," the shorter returned passively.

"yeah, it can but you can use it to mock me too. you say a lot of things that are mean anyways," minho smiled and started walking.

"do they offend you? sorry if i go too far, i'm not used to rich people listening to me at all," jisung giggled, "you're nice for a rich person."

"and you are nice for a meanie," the taller put on a small smile and opened the kitchen door.

"why do you keep saying i'm mean? this has been me being kind to you so far," the guest pouted in an offended look and leaned against the doorframe of the kitchen.

"really? i wouldn't dare imagine your wrath in that case."

"i'd spare you if you tell me how on earth you go through a full day of school completely sober," jisung exclaimed and took a cup that he was given.

"sometimes i don't even know," minho admitted with a laugh, "do you want to start rehearsing our thing already? not that i'm doubting us or anything, i just like being prepared.."

"sure. we need to keep it in the time limit," jisung agreed but he couldn't help but think to himself, 'what a noob, does he ever take a break from stupid assignments?!'

nevertheless, they went over their presentation a couple of times, though it was tedious, and jisung always ended up changing something at each take (which disturbed minho slightly) until it became time to go home.

"next friday again?," minho asked when they were at the door.

"sure. though i don't think we'll need much more..," the shorter started but figured that he couldn't influence the other's decision, "do you really wanna see me that much?"

"we should make sure it's known for everyone how much effort we put into this.."

"sure thing, golden boy. calm down and take your meds," jisung giggled brightly and winked. as usual, he didn't say 'bye' when leaving. that was rude but minho took a while to close the door after him.