The boy in the park | hyunlix

twelve.

|| Felix pov

"Felix, what are you still doing here? Class ended like five minutes ago." Mrs. Nam poked her head out of the classroom. Hyunjin had told me to wait outside my final class and he would come down to pick me up for our study...session (because it's not a date if you're doing math...right?).

"I'm waiting for a friend." I said, trying to keep a straight face, as all I seem to do is blush at the mere mention of Hyunjin.

"Ok, have you looked over the list of tutors I gave you?" She replied, moving to lean on the door frame. I know how disappointed she'd be if I said no. But I also know she'd be a lot more disappointed to find out I lied to her.

"Uh, no...but that's kind of the whole reason I'm waiting here. My friend is going to help me a little and try to go over things a bit clearer." I saw her demeanor switch from slightly annoyed that I said no to her tutor list, to relieved at my second answer.

"Nice, may I ask who this alleged 'friend' is? Or is it too confidential to say?" Of course she would ask something like this. Mrs. Nam, although seeming tough and strict on the outside, was really kind and able to connect with her students well on a personal level. So revealing my mystery tutor to her really didn't seem like a big deal.

"Hwang Hyunjin, he's in our math class as well."

"Ooh, look at you Felix, siding up with mister popular, Hwang Hyunjin."

Big mistake.

"Well he's a lot nicer than that name makes you believe. Did you know he paints?" I ask, trying to deter our conversation.

"Of course, he's had his artwork displayed since freshman year! He's a great choice for help on school work, I swear, I've never seen grades better than his. So tell me, who made the first move? Come on, I see you blushing!" I know that a lot of teachers can get caught up in a sort of relatability act, where they make themselves try to sound younger, but Mrs. Nam's playful attitude is one hundred percent genuine. I don't know if it was because Mrs. Nam was a little younger than the other teachers, or if it was because she had children of her own, but her way of making regular conversations not feel as awkward as other teachers did was really comforting.

And as if he'd had heard us talking, I saw Hyunjin walking toward us, full on popular walk at the ready; head held high, shoulders pushed back and hands casually resting inside his pant pockets.

"Hey Felix! Good afternoon Mrs. Nam." He quickly bowed to the teacher, stopping in front of us.

"Hello Hyunjin. Well, you two should get going now, I've got tons of teacher stuff to finish, hope the rest of your day goes well, I'll see you on Monday." Mrs. Nam shooed us away playfully, as Hyunjin and I rushed our goodbyes, I turned one last time to see Mrs. Nam winking as she gave me a big thumbs up. I giggled under my breath, turning back to Hyunjin, only to find him already staring at me. I laughed again as we both nervously turned away from each other.

"So, I was thinking, while on the way, we could stop at the café and grab some coffee. I can pay again, it's no big deal." I liked the sound of his idea, just not the part where he would pay again, it just didn't seem fair.

"No, Hyunjin, you payed last time. I'll pay, ok?" I saw him nod in agreement thankful for how easy-going he was. I guess a laid-back attitude just came with popularity.

"It'll be like a thank you, for this whole study thing." I continued, lightheartedly bumping my shoulder into his side, Hyunjin doing the same to me.

We finally reached 'Another Day' again, the familiar scent of vanilla filled pastries and hot, roasted coffee beans calming me down in an instant. We both ordered the same as we when we first came together, just leaving out our pastries as we were in a hurry.

"This place is so homey Hyunjin, I can see why you'd want to work here." I said, looking around the warm, brown interior.

"Yeah, it really is like a home-away-from-home for me, even better honestly. This one actually has people in it." I saw his shoulders droop a little. Did this mean home life was a struggle for Hyunjin, because if it was, why did he invite me directly to his house?

Soon enough our drinks were ready and we headed out the door, the small bell ringing as we passed through the door. Calmly walking with Hyunjin filled me with warmth and comfort, his presence was soft and heartening, bringing my cheeks to turn their usual shade of pink whenever I was around the boy my heart cherished so much. I blankly listened to his talking, his voice lulling me into a peaceful state of tranquility, the sky casting a bright and sunny shimmer onto Hyunjin's perfect profile.

"Ok, we're here, I have the place to myself since my parents are helping my aunt and uncle unpack. So you can make yourself at home here." I walked through the doorway to an almost picture perfect apartment that I swear could pass as an Ikea showroom. I slipped off my shoes, following Hyunjin's actions, straightening them up with my feet.

I blindly followed Hyunjin into what I assumed to be his bedroom. What I was met with was a comfortable and homey spot, painted a perfect shade of cream, the walls decorated with beautifully made paintings. A small corner dedicated to his artwork sat against a floor to ceiling window, the lazy sunlight pouring into the room and spilling over a wideset, double bed, covered in a matching light-brown blanket set, accented with coffee coloured pillows.

"So, do you want to get started?" I nodded quickly, diverting my eyes back to Hyunjin, who had taken off his school blazer and rolled up his sleeves. It took me everything to hide my very visible blush. I guess I wasn't doing a very good job although as I saw Hyunjin giggle slightly at my flustered appearance. I sheepishly took off my backpack, pulling out my maths workbook and taking a seat in the desk chair Hyunjin pulled out for me, while he sat on a small wooden stool that lived in his tiny art-corner. And we finally started on the treacherous journey that was trying to make me a little better at math...If only it was this easy to learn as it was to fall in love.

——————————————————————————

||AN

Hi again, Sorry for the late update, life has really gotten in the way of writing, but I've written an extra long chapter to make up for it. I am definitely going to continue this story and hopefully publish 2-3 more chapters soon. I hope you've all been well and look forward to the next   update <3