V IVIAN • jace + vasco • lookism

Chapter XVI

I leaned over my sink and stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. My eyes were puffy and my hair was scruffy. I glanced at the white bathtub on the right-hand side of me, plugged the hole and placed my phone on the stool next to the sink. I twisted the hot tap and let the boiling water gush out as I started undressing.

I submerged myself before sitting up, gasping and glaring at the ceiling above me.

This situation is frightening. Are people going to hate me more or will I be pardoned?

I slumped back into the tub and then, adjusted so that I faced the door sitting opposite of the room. I lifted my arm, rested it on the edge and laid my head as I shut my eyes.

--

"Oh my, Vasco?!" A masculine voice yelled.

"Is he okay?!" Another asked.

I was roused. My eyes were heavy so I couldn't distinguish their faces. I knew who they were. I sat up and wiped my eyes. My hands were wet.

The epiphany struck. I was bare. My eyes widened and stared at the guys that crowded the bathroom door while attempting to conceal my form.

The four figures shut the door and scolded me from the other side.

"It's 7:20! We're going to be late if you don't wake yourself up." He boomed.

I leaped up onto my feet and immediately started drying myself off.

My hair will be the worst it has ever been since the time I had a bowl cut. Everyone called me a coconut in elementary. Whatever.

Wait. I accidentally left my uniform in  my bedroom. Great.

"Uh, hello?" I called out. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah."

"This is really embarrassing but could you guys maybe, uh, move out of my room for 2 secs?"

"Why?"

"Ugh." I huffed as I wrapped my towel around my waist and hovered over my room to my wardrobe.

"Wow, muscular. Your hair looks funny." Zack laughed while bouncing on my bed.

"Shut up. I'm having a bad hair day."

"No shit." He chuckled as he reached for my frizzy hair.

"What Zack was saying earlier - you're really fit. I mean, just looking at your back I'm amazed." Jace traced the grooves of my back.

"Thanks." I smiled as I turned around. "It really means a lot to me. Now, please excuse me, I'm going to get changed."

---

All four of them from yesterday were there sitting on the sofa, watching TV and playing on their phones.

"You didn't tell me you had a little bro. I'm sad." Zack crossed his arms and looked away sadly. "Why didn't you tell me, Jace?"

"I didn't think you'd be interested."

"I love little kids; they're so cute! It's a newly-adopted love since that day me and Mira went out. She found a baby by its own and we looked after her for a day. I didn't like it at first but later, I really loved her. I named her Zami but then we had to give her in. I was reluctant to since I had grown an attachment to her. Oh well."

"Cute!" Daniel smiled.

"I'm not a little kid!" Eunho cried out from the kitchen.

"You're twelve but okay... Did you know I have a younger sister aswell? She just comes out her room when it's important. Like, uh, eating."