golden boy

chapter 16

"bad day?," was minho's first sentence upon entering the terrace on a break.

"..and you're not wearing a tie either," the shorter glared at his neck and rolled his eyes.

"no, i removed it before dance class and haven't put it on yet," minho stated and went over to the other, opened his wooden box and took out a rolled joint, "care to help m-"

before he could finish, jisung's hand pulled a lighter out of his pocket and lit it under the cigarette, "i got dress coded again. i guess one of the petty bastards i talked back to yesterday complained about me not wearing the fucking noose and they had to agree with what the entitled reptile said."

"and to think that most of them have never come in full uniform here," minho returned and took a tug of his cigarette. hyunjin was mad that he hadn't gone out with him and he was hiding from him currently.

"it's the fourth time i'm getting a warning," the shorter grumbled and put a hand to his forehead, "i can't get expelled for this, i swear my mum will kill me," he sighed but then giggled at how dramatic that came out.

"you shouldn't say anything when they talk to you," minho calmly advised, "i know it's hard but it'll just blow over you and they will forget about you.."

"no way i'll just wait for them to wipe the floor with me," jisung angrily barked, "they're off-putting and disgusting and they don't deserve what they have, i am here thanks to my own knowledge," he spat out and let out a frustrated puff.

"i'm not saying you should let them dispose of you. just not fight with them anytime they say your shirt is ugly or something."

"i don't know if i can," the shorter admitted and clenched his jaw, "they're so vile and empty.. and they're also stupid. how could i not mind them?"

his speech was getting faster as he went on and he looked so infuriated as if he could explode.

"i know," minho looked down and handed him his joint, "they are shallow and they're trying to pick on you for something. but you're the bigger person, aren't you?"

"don't you think i'm sick of being the bigger person?," jisung exhaled and closed his eyes tiredly.

"we're all sick of the roles we're playing, and you're too honest for this environment," the taller muttered and stood up to go, "i have dance again. it's tryouts, wish me luck."

"cheering for you, golden boy. and put on a tie cause you're annoying me," jisung sent him a nod and leaned back to finish the cigarette.

~

"how's your body?," jisung asked as he was leaning against the doorframe in minho's kitchen on thursday, as they were set to meet.

"it's fine. the bruises are getting lighter. it only hurts if you squeeze them or something," the host smiled and took his cappuccino off the counter, "you sure you don't want one?," he asked, lifting up the creamy coffee and teasingly eyeing the other.

"alright, i'll have one," jisung giggled, ceding to the temptation, "why did you say i should leave by 7 again?"

"i'm grounded, technically. not allowed out, and no one should visit me either. they don't care if i'm doing a project or not," minho replied and pushed the button on the machine, "i couldn't go out with my friend either. that's what it's like being a weak student in this household."

"you're not a weak student. they're ridiculous if they think that."

"whatever. let's have the coffee outside so you can smoke and then start the thing," the host urged and handed the other a red dotted mug, "the faster we start, the sooner we get to finish, remember?," he smiled and went out of the kitchen.