Paper Rings; PJS

Two

"Aren't you going out today?"

I was playing with my MacBook keyboard when Sonny walked passed me. He headed to the fridge and got himself and me a yoghurt. I was doing schoolwork on the counter earlier but ended up zoning out. I accepted the drink.

"Probably later. It's raining." God knows how I hate the rain. I was supposed to study at a coffee shop earlier but since it was raining, and even though there's the car to take, I got lazy. Just imagine all the mud the car would take in the garage. Besides, I could settle in every corner of the house since there's no signs of adults for today. Our parents are out.

"You, not hooking up with your girlfriend?" I asked. He showed me a plate of chips I didn't notice he also prepared.

"Movie date." He said and I shrugged.

Just right after finishing up the whole cartoon, my phone lit up for a call. Heeseung's name flashed on the screen. I immediately stood up and fixed my things, robbing a chip from my brother's bowl before heading for the garage.

I watched as he striked a bowling ball and cleaned it in one go. "Finally progressing." I teased and sat where I saw his things. Car keys and his bag. I bet he hasn't went home yet. I don't know if he has classes today since we're not in the same school.

Heeseung turned to me and raised a brow. I did the same and chuckled silently. Of course his competitive ass wouldn't take that. So he took another ball and rolled it effortlessly. Facing me with his hands on both sides of his hips even before he could see the result. Of course, it was swept perfectly.

I chuckled when he checked through his shoulder and brushed his hands together after.

I didn't need to take a second guess to know he's probably pressured again to make up his mind and follow his parents. I hate my family. But it's the only reason why we meet so I sometimes don't know. He sat in front of me.

"Still trying to convince you?" I started and picked his car key to play. He nodded and took the seat in front of me.

"Same old same. But this time, I tried telling them I want to join the varsity."

I stopped playing and gave him my full attention. So that's why he never called me for the past weeks. He was trying to decide and build up courage. He always does that. Disappearing when he's on to something. I rested my arms on the table.

"So, what did they say?"

I already sensed nothing changed even before he could shrug. I sighed and played with my tongue.

Are parents always this selfish or we just happen to be raised by those who are? It comforted me a lot when I realized there are also people like me, when I met Heeseung.

His parents don't support him with his music. Saying it's not even a career. Like me, he's being forced to take business instead. I thought I could only hate my parents. Turns out I hate Heeseung's family more. They won't even allow him to join the varsity at the very least.

"Why don't you try negotiating with them?" I tilted my head and watched the only three people aside from us take turns in playing. They could be in their last years in high school.

I wonder if they're happy? Or the world's just cruel only to us?

"Negotiate with what? What good can be offered to perfectionists?"

I turned to him when he asked me that. I shrugged, now realizing how true that is. I had good grades since I was a kid and it still wasn't enough. I'm always seeking for validations. But maybe it's different for him?

Although we're both in the same situation, there's still something I envied about Heeseung. It's that he's not pressured to have the highest marks. But that still doesn't remove the fact that they're cutting their own son's wings by forcing him into a field he doesn't even want.

I licked my lower lip. "Maybe you could promise them higher grades.." I shrugged. "It's not like it's impossible, Hee."

He slightly pouted, slightly shaking his head. Giving just at the thought of it. "I don't think it is possible either."

I shook my head at him because of his answer.

One of the the only three things I don't like about Heeseung is that he doesn't see himself enough. How great he is and how he can outdo people just by trying a little harder. I don't like the way he thinks of himself as someone average when he's literally more than that.

"You could at least try, you know. Didn't you once say you will change their minds one day?"

He shrugged again. "I'm not as dedicated as you with studying, Sofi." He emphasized each syllables of my name with head nods. I smiled as soon as I heard it.

I love hearing nicknames but I didn't get much when I was younger since I didn't really keep many friends in high school. I had to burn my eyebrows just to ace tests. And actually, the only friend I still have from childhood up to this day is my cousin Eve.

"But if you're offering to answer my tests, I'd never reject help from a friend."  he chuckled and smirked. My wide smile ended up turning into a melted smirk with the way he addressed me. I kicked his feet under the table and chose to just laugh with him.

"Kidding aside, you're not serious about that, are you?"

I gave him a fake awkward smile before flashing him an eye roll. Of course I wasn't serious about that. And I wasn't even talking about that.

"I can tutor you instead of answers, Hee. I also need to study, you know?"

Before I could even throw another eye roll his way, he held my arms on the table and leaned closer with a smile on his face. He's this touchy when he's happy. But even though I've already seen it happen sometimes, I still couldn't get used to it. The way he leans his face and looks me in the eye.

I licked my lower lip and pretended to brush his hands off mine. He chuckled but remained looking at me for confirmation.

"You mean that, right?" He asked, eyes still on me. When I couldn't really take the palpitations I was getting, I pushed his face away instead.

"I might change my mind if you don't take your ugly face away from me!"

I thought he already understood what I said when he stood up. But turns out he was just turning to my side so he could hug me fully without the table. Of course I had to pretend it disgusted me so much. But I know to myself it's the opposite.

"Literally the reason why I like you best!" he said in between the hug before finally letting go leaving me with now a messy hair. He never fails to confuse me with his actions.

Another one of the three things I don't like about Heeseung is that.. he doesn't know any of the things I like about him.