𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐲 ; 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧

𝐨𝐧𝐞

The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. Jeno swiftly gathered his books and made his way out of the classroom, where his beloved Jaemin was waiting. Jaemin, his best friend for twelve years and his boyfriend for two, stood with a bright smile. Jeno greeted him with a quick peck on the lips, then took Jaemin's hand as they walked down the bustling hallway.

Their next class was with Renjun, their all-time crush, and they were eager to snag a seat next to him before anyone else. The last time someone else had sat beside Renjun, Jaemin had nearly thrown a tantrum. As they entered the classroom, they were surprised to find Renjun's seat empty. It was unusual; Renjun was always the first one in class.

They brushed off their concerns, thinking Renjun might be running late or had to use the bathroom. But even after the late bell rang, Renjun was still nowhere to be seen. It was odd since Renjun never missed a day of school.

Five minutes into the lecture, Jaemin raised his hand. "Professor Taeyong, may I go to the bathroom?" he asked. With a nod from Taeyong, Jaemin whispered to Jeno, "I'll be back, gotta pee," before heading out.

In the bathroom, Jaemin chose the nearest stall. Moments later, he heard footsteps and saw three pairs of feet through the gap under the stall door.

"Listen, fag, I told you I needed that assignment finished two days ago," one voice demanded harshly. "Yeah, where is it?" another chimed in.

Jaemin recognized that shaky voice instantly. It was Renjun, being bullied by some jocks. He quickly exited the stall. "Leave him alone," he commanded sternly.

One of the jocks scoffed. "Ha! And who do you think you are, pretty boy?"

Jaemin gave them a disgusted look. "Don't make me repeat myself. Or should I tell my boyfriend, the captain of the football team, that his mates are bullying some innocent boy?"

That threat worked. The jocks exchanged glances before letting go of Renjun and leaving the bathroom in a hurry. Renjun looked at Jaemin with gratitude. "Thank you," he said softly.

Jaemin smiled warmly. "If those two bother you again, just let me know. My name's Jaemin, by the way."

Renjun returned the smile. "I'm Renjun, but you can call me Injun or Jun, whatever you like."

When Renjun walked into class with Jaemin, Jeno couldn't believe his eyes. Two of his favorite people, together and getting along—it was like a dream come true.

After class, Jaemin and Jeno planned to visit the small café for lunch and invited Renjun to join them. "I, uh, don't have any money," Renjun admitted, looking embarrassed. Jaemin suspected Renjun often skipped lunch but was determined to change that. "Don't worry, Jeno and I will buy you lunch," he assured him. Jeno nodded in agreement, and Renjun's face lit up as he agreed to join them.

At the café, Jeno led Renjun to the display of baked goods while Jaemin found them a table. Renjun's eyes widened at the array of treats. "Get whatever you like," Jeno encouraged. Renjun selected a blueberry muffin with a shy smile. "I want this."

Jeno nodded. "Anything else you like?"

Renjun glanced at the delicious food but shook his head. "That's it."

Jeno picked up two more blueberry muffins before heading to the table where Jaemin was waiting. "What did you get, Injunnie?" Jaemin asked, using a nickname that made Renjun smile. No one had ever called him that before.

"A blueberry muffin. I think it'll be good," Renjun replied.

Jaemin hummed in approval. "I hope you're hungry because I ordered sandwiches!"

Renjun's face brightened. "I like sandwiches," he said eagerly.

When the sandwiches arrived, Renjun was the first to dig in, eating so quickly that it surprised Jaemin and Jeno. "Are they yummy?" Jeno asked.

Renjun nodded enthusiastically, "Mhm," and continued eating.

"Just eat as much as you want, Junnie," Jaemin said gently, wondering if Renjun got enough to eat at home.

After lunch, Jaemin and Jeno walked Renjun back to school. "It was nice hanging out with you, Renjun," Jaemin said, pulling him into a hug. Renjun, though initially shocked, hugged back. "Thank you," he mumbled. Jeno smiled and hugged Renjun too. "If you need us, Renjun, we're here for you."

After a moment, they all pulled away and waved goodbye, watching Renjun disappear into the distance.

Renjun walked home with a mixture of emotions swirling in his mind. As he reached his front door, he took a deep breath before entering. He quietly made his way past the living room towards his room when he heard his mother's voice.

"Junnie, baby, is that you?" she called.

Renjun sighed and walked over to the couch where his mother was lying. "Yes, Mom?" he replied, then gasped in shock at the sight of her bruised and bloody face. "What happened to your face?"

"It's nothing, honey. I just fell," she said unconvincingly.

"Mom, you're lying. Did he do this to you?" Renjun asked, his voice filled with concern and anger.

"No, no, he didn't mean it," she defended weakly.

"Mom, you can't keep letting him do this to you," Renjun said firmly, getting up to fetch some first aid supplies from the bathroom. Returning with peroxide, alcohol, and a towel, he gently cleaned her wounds. "I'll look at that letter from the university after I'm done," he said, focused on treating her injuries.

When he finished, he retrieved the envelope from the kitchen table, his heart pounding with anticipation. He opened it and read aloud, "To whom it may concern, congratulations! You've been accepted to attend NCT University."

"Oh my! My baby is going to college!" his mother exclaimed, joining him to celebrate. They hugged each other tightly.

"I can't believe it, Mom. We can finally get out of here," Renjun said, his voice filled with hope.

She smiled, though she knew she wouldn't be able to leave with him. She didn't want to burden her son with her troubles.