glass | gyuricky

eleven.

november. 

"Given there's only two weeks before the winter holidays start," Ricky began, putting his hands down on the teacher's desk to get the class's attention. "I would suggest you make some arrangements with your mentor for your final project. Since your first submission deadline is a week after school reopens, I'm afraid you guys are going to have to work over Christmas."

Everyone pretended to groan, Gyuvin included, and Ricky smiled. "I know, I know. But if it gives you guys something to look forward to, I'll be bringing in cupcakes for our first lesson of the year after winter holidays ends. Latecomers don't get any, which means you'll have to wake up a little earlier, Gyuvin, but I'm sure it's nothing you can't handle, right?"

Gyuvin frowned and shook his head comically, and Ricky laughed. "Alright, that's all the administrative stuff I've gotta cover. Now, let's move on to the actual content of today's class: analysing tonal values..."

Ricky came up to him after the lesson ends, while he was still packing up his scattered notes and papers to put back into his bookbag.

"Hey, do you have a minute?"

Gyuvin looked up and met his eyes, and his breath caught in his throat on instinct. There was something about Ricky that was so startlingly beautiful it almost felt like he wasn't meant to be viewed up close. Like the delicate patterns on a butterfly's wings, something so fragile he had to hold still to make sure he didn't scare it away.

"Y-Yeah, I do. What's up?"

He hadn't talked to Ricky alone ever since they'd got back from the field trip to the museum. It had been a week and a half since then. Gyuvin wondered if Ricky was keeping count too.

"It's about your final project. I know you want to work with clay, but I saw how much you enjoyed those glass exhibits at the museum. And the equipment at the art room isn't really the best for sculpting, it's rudimentary stuff at best. I've got some more refined equipment at my apartment, and there's a bunch of things I'd be happy to show you if you'd like. Does that sound good to you?"

"Are you asking me to come over?"

Ricky tilted his head to the side like a puppy, a little twinkle of secret mischief in his eye. "Yeah, but don't tell the others, or they'll want to come too," he whispered, comically loudly, and Gyuvin couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to bother you during the holidays or anything..." Gyuvin trailed off.

"Don't worry about it, it's not like I have anyone to spend it with. Plus, as your mentor, I feel it's my duty," Ricky added lightheartedly.

"Oh, right," Gyuvin mused. "No girlfriend? Sucks to be you."

"Hey, I'll have you know that's by choice..."

Gyuvin received an email from him that night, as he sat at his table, legs tucked up onto the chair, the notification sound coming just as he ended another mindless game of Pac-Man.

From: rickyshen

Subject: Happy holidays

Gyuvin,

I've attached my address below. Please refrain from sending Christmas hampers or any sort of holiday paraphernalia to my house (I like grapes and artisanal cheeses). It's a little difficult to get to by bus, so if you'd like I could meet you at the nearest train station and drive us in. I think that would be easier for both of us, since you don't strike me as a very good navigator.

(Kidding.)

Let me know which dates you'd be free so I can clear up my schedule beforehand. Otherwise, see you on Thursday for our final class of the year, and have a good holiday.

9:13PM, Monday