Professor Yoon

16. Caramel

"So, are you going to avoid the meeting too?" Minghao pulled the seat next to Joshua. It had been quiet a while since just the two of them were left alone. Wonwoo was on a date and Seungcheol was in the library working on his assignment.

"No. I can't avoid it." Joshua shrugged, sipping on his orange juice.

"Did you like confess your love to Professor Yoon or something?" Minghao eyed the glass before grabbing it from Joshua's hand to take a sip.

Joshua's eyes widened as he harshly gulped down the remaining juice in his mouth to avoid any choking.

"What are you talking about? I did not confess to him!" Joshua glared at the red head.

"You didn't deny having feelings for him. So is it safe to say you like him?" Minghao mumbled nonchalantly sipping onto the juice.

"I don't like him! I hate him!" Joshua huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Sure. So what's that tension between you two? Did he confess?"

"No! we're just having a good time hating each other." Joshua avoided his friend's gaze. Hoping for Seungcheol to just appear out of nowhere for his rescue.

"I've known you for years, Joshua. I can literally see it when you're lying. And I am not blind to not see the looks you give each other. I saw it. In your eyes and his as well." Minghao looked out the large glass window towards the library. "I saw Seungcheol's too." He whispered, looking back at the blond who didn't hear him. He didn't intent those words to be heard anyways.

"I don't like him and neither does he like me." Joshua didn't like the way Minghao could just look through him without him even saying anything. Minghao had always been observant with everything, noticing what goes on without someone having to tell him. He found solace in being able to decode people's lives.

"I don't care if you lie to me. I'm your best friend and I'm here for you to be you with. Just don't lie to yourself. Avoiding feelings doesn't always turn out the best. Give it a thought." Minghao pat his head softly, looking at him with a gentle smile.

Minghao wanted the best for Joshua. He knew how tough it was for him to make it this far in life without support and now all he wanted for his best friend was happiness. All through the years just happiness and joy. He was there to guide him through it all. Whenever he wanted him, he'd be there without a single whine.

"I got you something!" Minghao pulled out a paper bag from his side, seeing the tense look on his best friend's face. He desperately needed to cheer him up.

"Your favorite!" Minghao opened the small box to reveal the strawberry pastry Joshua was craving for. He picked it up on his way. He didn't intend to buy anything but since he was passing by the Azure and was reminded about the blond so, he just had to get the pastry.

"You're the best, Hao!" Joshua was quick to pull the pastry towards him.

Minghao chuckled at the enthusiasm, the previous sullen look long forgotten as the blond devoured the pastry. It was that easy to make him happy.

"So, we're on the same page?" The four boys nodded.

"Younghoon and Chan will do the coding and Joshua and Seokmin will be in charge of the physical layover."

Jeonghan looked up from his notes. His gaze naturally flitting over the blond who was quietly noting something down. It had been 2 hours since the meeting started and Joshua had been ignoring him yet again.

He did everything in his power to avoid talking to the professor. And what ticked off the professor more was the fact that Chan was being overly touchy with the blond.