Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 6: The Science of Unequal Effort

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Monday morning greeted Hae-sung High School with a familiar blend of anticipation and grogginess. The sky outside was a crisp blue, and the sunlight filtered through the classroom windows, casting a gentle glow over the students. As the bell rang, signaling the start of another week, Mr. Kim prepared to introduce the day's big announcement.

"Good morning, everyone," Mr. Kim said, his voice filled with the kind of enthusiasm that was both invigorating and slightly unsettling. "Today, we're kicking off a new group project for our biology. You'll be working with your seatmates, so please make sure to check the new seating chart to find your partner."

Narae's eyes immediately darted to the seating chart pinned on the board. The realization that she would be working with Haechan—Lee Donghyuck—set in quickly.

As the students shuffled to their new seats, Narae moved with deliberate calm, making her way to her desk in the back corner. She settled into her seat, her gaze lingering on the space next to her, where Haechan would soon join her. The prospect of collaborating with him on the project was less than thrilling. Narae had always been serious about her studies, and the thought of Haechan's casual approach to schoolwork was already causing her a bit of anxiety.

Haechan sauntered in, his presence immediately noticeable. He was surrounded by his usual group of friends—Mark, Jisung, and Chenle—who were laughing and joking as they made their way to their seats. Haechan's entrance was marked by a confident stride and an easy grin. His energy was palpable, and even though he tried to maintain a low-key demeanor, his charisma was impossible to ignore.

"Hey, Narae," Haechan said, sliding into the seat next to her. His voice was friendly, but there was a trace of nonchalance in his tone. "Oh, a group project?"

Narae glanced up briefly, her expression guarded. "Yeah," She shifted her focus back to the project instructions, trying to ignore the ripple of discomfort Haechan's presence caused.

Haechan noticed her lack of enthusiasm but didn't let it deter him. "So, have you looked at the instructions yet? What's with this project?"

Narae let out a sigh, her eyes scanning the paper in front of her. "We have to create a detailed model of an ecological system and prepare a presentation. The project is due in two weeks, but we have class time to work on it."

Haechan's brow furrowed slightly as he skimmed the instructions. "Ecological systems, huh? Sounds like a lot of work. Are you going to handle the research and the report?"

Narae nodded, her tone clipped. "Yes, I'll take care of the research and writing. You can focus on the model and presentation."

Haechan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Okay. I'll do my best with the model. Just don't expect me to be too invested in the details."

Narae's eyes narrowed slightly as she concentrated on her notes. "I'd rather we both put in our best effort. The project is a big part of our grade."

Haechan's playful demeanor faltered a bit. "Alright, alright. I'll try not to let you down. Just so you know, I'm not exactly a science enthusiast."

Narae barely acknowledged him, her focus unwavering. "Sure. I'm just trying to stay on top of things."

As the class progressed, Narae immersed herself in the research portion of the project, her concentration evident in the way she meticulously noted down information. Haechan, on the other hand, seemed more preoccupied with finding ways to distract himself. He fidgeted with his pen, made occasional jokes, and seemed more interested in chatting with his friends than diving into the work.