golden boy

chapter 12

contrary to jisung, minho was obviously nervous for the presentation in front of the class. he was glancing at his notes throughout the day until it was time, and seemed to be repeating parts of his lines to himself at times.

jisung found that really endearing and had to fight the urge to hug him and tell him something encouraging because he knew that their interactions were meant for them only and hugging the school's star in the corridor to wish him good luck wasn't acceptable.

the presentation went well from their perspective and they sat down after, glancing at each other sneakily but not exchanging any words or signs. jisung curled up onto his desk to listen to the remaining groups and look away from minho who looked so attractive in his 'young leader' persona, despite his previous nervousness.

"alright, good job everyone," mrs lawrence smiled after the last horrendous presentation was over, "i'd love to hear what groups you'd like to be in for the next project now. i'll give you the grades after the break," she smiled and started questioning the students one by one.

"han jisung," minho pronounced when his name was called. this time she was going from the bottom of the list up. his seatmate furrowed his brows again but didn't say anything. jisung tried to hide a content smile.

hyunjin huffed when he saw the outcast rejoicing and he asked some other boy to be his partner. he was going to hop from one person to another this semester, that much was clear. he lifted a brow at his classmate who took that as a cue to explain.

"i'm sorry. he works well, i just thought i could do him a favour and do another one with him," minho whispered and looked down again. he was anxious about the grade but just took out some homework due next week and started doing it.

"whatever," hyunjin rolled his eyes, "we're still on for milkshakes on wednesday though, right?," he still demanded, hopeful.

"sure," the shorter returned impassively. then the teacher came into the room, with jisung right behind her. as always, he was entering the classroom dead last.

"these are your grades for the first part of the semester," mrs lawrence's high pitched voice chimed in, "and bear in mind that they do contribute to the final grade but are by no means final, right?," she asked, as if getting ready for all students to dispute their grades.

"hwang and garcia have an a, seo and kim subin - b, do and heo - a, han and lee minho b..," she proceeded, naming the couples with their grades but minho sunk into his seat. jisung pouted and leaned onto his desk, chin down like a scolded pet.

"dude, you good?," hyunjin asked minho after class when he saw his pale face.

"yeah, don't mind me. i'll go have a toilet break. see you next class," the shorter returned, trying to sound nonchalant. the other eyed him doubtfully but nodded and left the room.

minho didn't know where to go to be alone so he went to the corridor jisung always used to hide. he climbed over the window, only wanting to be alone and sat on the ground on the terrace, taking out his puzzle box and unlocking it.

"woah, what are you doing here?," a familiar voice greeted him just a second later. jisung approached him and leaned against the wall next to him. he noticed the cigarette he was holding and looked at it curiously.

"got a lighter?," minho growled in an aggressive yet flat tone. he looked like an angry child, sitting on the floor with his jaw clenched stubbornly.

jisung sensed his project partner wasn't interested in having a conversation now so he just took the requested device out of his pocket and handed it over.

minho took it and attempted to light his joint a couple of times but didn't manage to put the flame near the cigarette end fast enough. the shorter bit his cheek, trying not to laugh and took the lighter into his own hand.

"inhale it when the flame is underneath," he quietly instructed and knelt to assist the sitting boy.

"thanks. i ran out of matches," minho stated as he inhaled the first tug of his cigarette.

"matches?," jisung asked, getting ready to ridicule the other but noticed his mood deflating and pulled out his own pack of marlboro and put one in his mouth to light it, "i thought you don't smoke at school?"

"today i do," the taller replied with a pout.

"is that because of the b?"

minho tsk-ed and rolled his eyes. of course rebel boy would never understand.

"it's just a grade, chill out. it doesn't determine your future as a top scholar, or entrepreneur, or businessman or whatever," jisung laughed and took a tug of his cigarette to cover a condescending smirk. he didn't want to come off as haughty towards minho but the way he was acting currently justified the smirk.

"i know. but it should've been an a."

"because you're not a failure and you never get less than that?," the shorter added and sat down too.

"yes," to his surprise, minho admitted, "and because we deserved it. i doubt anyone put as much effort in it as we did," he reasoned and leaned back against the wall.

"so what?," jisung mordantly responded, "life isn't fair. deal with it," he barked at the other. it was ridiculous to get upset over a grade. also, he agreed that they deserved an a.

"i can't."

"don't be so insatiable, prince charming. it all goes well in the end," the shorter smiled calmingly.

"stop, i'm not a child," minho grumbled with the same adorable pout.

"then what's the problem? you're gonna get beaten up if you get a b?," jisung suggested with a mocking eyebrow raise.

"nobody beats me," minho replied, seemingly determined to end the conversation there.

"shall we start the new project this week or next one?," the shorter asked when he saw the other was done smoking his marijuana. he didn't start getting up to go though.

"definitely this. either tomorrow or thursday."

"okay. see me here on thursday," jisung mumbled and took his leave. minho took a few deep breaths, then a mint candy and was again ready for class, though still a little dazed.