The Done Deal

Chapter 8

Min looked down at Jimin's fingers, his expression grim. "I want to."

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Professor Hwang was a dick.

At least that was what Jimin thought as the man ignored Jimin and continued walking.

"There's nothing to discuss, Park," Hwang said sharply, walking faster. "The assignment was due yesterday. I won't make an exception for you. It's your own fault. You're irresponsible! Thermodynamics is the most important branch of the science and you don't understand it. If you fail my class, which is looking increasingly likely, it will be deserved."

Jimin grimaced. Yeah, it really was his own fault. He shouldn't have spent so much time studying for his Classical Music paper, trying to impress Min. He hadn't exactly impressed him, anyway.

"But—"

"Stop trying my patience, Park," Hwang snapped, shaking his head.

"What's wrong with students these days?" And Hwang started ranting about students' sense of self-entitlement, lack of focus, and lack of humility, looking more annoyed by the minute, and Jimin realized there was no way

Hwang would give him extra time to complete the assignment.

"Yijeong," came a familiar voice from behind them.

Jimin tensed and didn't look his way. Dammit. Min was the last person he wanted to witness this.

"Is something the matter?" Min said.

"This boy is lazy and irresponsible!" Hwang said. "He doesn't do his assignments on time and now he asks me to give him a few more days! How is he going to be an engineer when he cannot even manage to pass the core courses?"

Jimin wanted the ground to swallow him up. Min was the most intelligent man he'd ever met. He probably thought Jimin was dumb as a rock. Not that it mattered what he thought. Except it kind of did. It mattered. Too much.

"I was of the same opinion as you, Yijeong," Min said, his voice indifferent. "But Park has shown some improvement over the past few weeks. Give him a day. If he's late again, fail him."

Jimin's gaze snapped to him. There was no way in hell he could do it in one day.

"Good idea," Hwang said. "One day, Park."

"But—"

Hwang glared at him. "One day."

Pursing his lips, Jimin nodded and left.

His feet brought him to Min's office. The door was unlocked, and he let himself in.

Jimin leaned his hip against the desk and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

He didn't have to wait long.

Min didn't look surprised to see him, but he seemed busy, carrying a stack of papers.

"You shouldn't have done it," Jimin said. "There's no way I can get it done by tomorrow."

"Why?" Min put the papers on the desk and took his seat.

Jimin shrugged, looking at his boots. "I'm dumb."

"You're a scholarship student."

Jimin's lips twisted. "Yeah. I used to think I'm pretty smart, but... but I'm not. Most of the stuff Hwang and you teach goes right over my head. One minute I think I understand thermodynamics, the next, I have no fucking clue what's happening. I really must be dumb." Jimin gripped the edge of the desk. "I feel like such a loser sometimes, you know? I can't find a decent-paying job, I can't buy the girls the things they need, and now this. I feel so useless—and stupid, and—I just—I just... Never mind."