The Boy From The Bridge - Jakehoon

Chapter 108: The Stray Cat 1/5

Sunghoon nervously and slowly walked down the corridor as part of the procession of students making their way to the designated registration points.

He had felt vulnerable ever sincere he had left Jake and Yun at the end of the lunch break. They had, in spite of the news about Jungwon, decided to bunker down in the form room, less they attract any more unwanted attention.

At the end of that recess, however, they had to go to their afternoon classes – separately. It had been a scary moment to depart from Jake and to go it alone into the afternoon. Sunghoon's fears had been vindicated, as it felt like every person he passed would take a moment to recognise him as 'The Gay Boy.' Even those who tried to give a smile in support only served to send a shiver down his spine. Having been reduced to a label now that his sexulatiy was out of the bag he was surprised just how grateful he was when he reached the sanctuary of his next classroom.

Arriving there, Sunghoon savoured the respite that his seat at the side of the room, provided. There he was able to lean his head against the classroom wall in an effort to blend in with it and avoid being seen. Things had been going successfully in that endevour for the first few minutes of the call, that was until the fire alarm sounded.

The siren had screeched and wailed, waking Sunghoon from any illusions he had of hiding from the scorn and judgement of his peers.

When door to the outside opened and as Sunghoon's eyes squinted in the overcast daylight, he saw that the sky seemed dark and pregnant with rain. He could see that the coming storm would likely be great, he took in the sight above him whilst breaving in the sweet pre-storm air.

The momentary distraction from the clouds was brought to an abrupt end by the chance hearing of a comment he knew was being made about him.

"Hey look, it's the queer" A voice said from the crowd of uniformed students.

"He's probably checking out all the guys' butts" another added.

Sunghoon felt himself tense up but he felt compelled to give the impression that he hadn't heard them. Sucking in his breath he told himself to ignore the comments.

He made his way to his designated evacuation spot where a line that had formed, belonging to his form. 

He heard the term "Faggot" through muttered breath as he went there – with no choice but to look down, he continued to walk.

As he arrived at his destination he mades his way to the back of the queue that his form had made. Whilst staring at the ground he saw an outstretched pinky and realised it belonged to Jake. 

Jake, like him, was also looking at the floor. Sunghoon was reminded by the sanctuary that pinky had once afforded him when it had been just them in the showers. That seemed a lifetime ago, and Sunghoon wanted with all the world not to be baited into showing any affection for his boyfriend brought about by that fond memory.

Sunghoon was unable to control himself completely however and allowed his loose hand to graze the pinky – a nonchalant but deliberate move to feel the comfort and strength of Jake.

For the next two-steps he felt somewhat reinvigorated, like a dose of courage had been poured down his throat.

On the third step however he walked past Jay – his oldest and best friend didn't show any sign of acknowledging him as he took up a position behind him in the queue. The anger and coldness emanating from him hurt Sunghoon like a punch to the gut. As another remark was thrown his way the pain only increased.

"I wonder if he's got AIDS" Someone wondered allowed, that person remained anonymous as Sunghoon didn't turn to check who had said it, instead he felt his heart break as Jay failed to react at all. From behind, Sunghoon watched no feature of Jay's body show even the slightest care for him.