Different

°•♤•° Chapter Three °•♤•°

°•☆•°Word Count: 1,999 °•☆•°
°•♡•° Time to Read: 9 mins °•♡•°

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Minho spent the next two weeks looking for glimpses of the boy he had met on the first day of school. He would see Jisung quickly walk from one class to another or in the lunch line. Minho didn't want to bother him, so he had avoided contacting him since they met. But, today he saw his chance as he watched Jisung walk to the back part of the school building with his lunch in hand.

"I'll see you guys later, "Minho said, as he launched himself from his seat.

"Damn, just leave us like that," Hyunjin said.

"He's going after that boy," Chan noted, having noticed Han exiting the courtyard to hide behind the school.

"Awww, get that boy Minho! Run after him like your life depends on it, " Changbin teased, shooing him away.

Minho just rolled his eyes and took off after Jisung.

He left the courtyard and headed in the direction of the school's older, smaller courtyard, which most people avoided because it was run down and in desperate need of maintenance.

In the center of the said courtyard, there was a Japanese Maple tree, surrounded by hostas of varying types. There were benches scattered around the area, with a few occupants. Everyone seemed to be doing their own thing; they had all distanced themselves from one another. It's like there was an implied rule that everyone exists without acknowledging each other.

Minho spotted Jisung sitting on the concrete with his back to the wall, under the branches of the tree. The golden sunlight shined through the leaves of the tree, creating a pattern on Jisung's cheeks. He had his earbuds in, and he seemed to be watching something on his phone. Due to this, he didn't notice Minho approaching him.

"Hey there," Minho said, smiling and waving at him.

Han pulled out an earbud and stared at Minho. Being randomly approached by the older boy made him anxious. He started playing with the free earbud, moving it between his fingers.

"Is it okay if I sit here?"

Han nodded, still in shock. Minho sat down and leaned up against the wall beside him. Han looked around the courtyard as if he was looking for something.

"Something wrong," Minho asked.

"I'm waiting for someone to pop out with a camera."

"What, why?"

"Because you're messing with me, right? I bet this is one of those 'Look, I'm such a good person for hanging out with an outcast' things. Where're your friends, huh?"

Minho frowned, shocked by the sudden attack.

"You think I would do something like that," Minho asked, upset by the thought.

"I don't know, maybe?"

Han just stared at the tray of food on the ground in front of him. He wasn't going to let his guard down just because the guy helped him once.

Minho sighed and leaned his head up against the wall. "Jisung, I'm here because I want to get to know you. I find no joy in shaming others with stupid pranks."

Han's face softened slightly. Minho's words sounded genuine.

"Okay, what do you want to know?"

Minho pondered the question.

What do I want to know?

"Hmm, how about...your hobbies? That's a good way to get to know someone, " Minho said, proud of himself for thinking of a decent question.

"Umm, my hobbies...are a little weird," Jisung said, rubbing the back of his neck. He was still worried about what Minho would think of him, even after he was so vulnerable around him a few weeks ago.

"I like weird," Minho said, smirking.

Han just laughed.

"Okay then, I enjoy watching anime and listening to K-pop. I also write my songs, in my free time." Jisung stared at Minho after he finished talking, gauging the older's reaction. But, Minho just took in the information and kept on going.

"Really? What's your favorite anime? Mine is Assassination Classroom."

Han laughed and shook his head in disbelief.

This guy.

"Huh," Han said in disbelief.

"'Huh' what?"

Han put his hands in the air like he was proving innocent, "Nothing nothing, I just pegged you for more of an Attack on Titan guy."

Minho sarcastically dropped his jaw and scoffed, "Well, excuse me for not being a mainstream type of guy!"

"Honestly, respect for Assassination Classroom. That show was top-tier."

"Uh, duh?" Minho watched Jisung laugh at his sarcasm. He really did love making that boy smile.

"Okay um, my favorite is....gosh this is hard. I'm stuck between Chainsaw Man and Doctor Stone. Both are amazing in different ways," Han finally answered.

"REALLY? I LOVE DOCTOR STONE. IT'S LIKE-" Minho started losing his absolute shit. He could never get his friends to watch anime, let alone a show with a main character that has white and green hair that sticks straight up. They always thought it was a little weird.

Han smiled as he watched how excited Minho was. He never expected to see the "mean-looking" popular boy screech like a pterodactyl over an anime.

"Sorry, sorry. That was loud, wasn't it," Minho asked once he had finally calmed down. He looked around to make sure no one was staring at him.

"No no, you're fine. I just- I never expected to see someone like you stimming."

Minho squinted his eyes at him, "You're not judging my stimming, are ya?"

Jisung started to panic slightly, he didn't want Minho to think he was judging him. Seeing him stim actually made him feel more comfortable.

Minho laughed at Jisung's panicked state.
"I'm messing with you. Anyways, I was curious about something."

"Yeah?"

"So, on the day we met when you were nonverbal, were you having a meltdown or were you overstimulated?"

Han felt weird talking about this kind of thing. He usually didn't tell people because they would treat him differently. But, Minho wasn't 'people.'

"It was a meltdown. I'm autistic and ADHD. I was overwhelmed after everything that had happened and I just felt drained. Also, thanks, for standing up for me. No one's ever done that before..." Han said the last part to himself, but Minho heard him.

"Anytime," Minho said, sending a wink toward the other.

Han just laughed at the action.

"Also," Minho started, "I am autistic, just so you know."

Han just smiled, "I know. I hyper-fixated on the signs and behaviors of autistic individuals about a year ago. I've known for a while."

Minho shot him a look, "And yet you were still shocked by me being chill?"

"Being autistic doesn't define the type of person you are. I only saw the surface of you, so I judged you too quickly."

"So you're saying you like me, " Minho asked, poking Jisung.

"Pfft, I guess you're alright," Han said while smiling.

Suddenly, the bell rang to signal the end of the lunch period.

"Welp, I never finished my cardboard pizza," Han said.

Minho laughed, "Probably for the best."

The pair stood up and walked back to the front of the school building, eventually parting ways and heading to their next classes.

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