Sentience

07

Surprisingly, the conversation he had with his sister last night controlled his whole focus on the next day on campus. Luckily, he still managed to focus during classes, but after the dismissal, his mind went blank.

Changmin was convinced that he had committed a crime. And that, Belle, was the victim.

If Mother was the only person who had a wrong idea about his close bond with Belle, he might have tolerated it. Perhaps, Mother was just speculating things since she had just heard some random stories Changmin shared.

But, his eldest sister...

Both of his sisters knew Belle really well. Thanks to the close relationships they had as siblings, Changmin often shared about his surroundings with them. Or maybe oversharing. Anything from that, they knew too well that he and Belle were only friends. Nothing more.

However, last night when he told his sister the same thing, she said, "I don't think so... Do you really know yourself? How come you can clearly see people's feelings but not yours?"

"What should I know about myself?" He mumbled alone, squeezing his eyes tight behind the glasses with thick black frame. "What am I feeling?"

Right now, despite having a few questions filling up most of the space in his head, he wasn't worried about himself. He was worried about Belle the most. Befriending him, by all means, Belle had risked her life to be the centre of gossip. And the worst part was, she hated publicity.

Changmin groaned for one last time before he let his head fall forward, his forehead hitting the wooden surface of the table in the cafeteria. It was stung but he preferred it. For, he probably could ease the misery nestling inside his head.

But, Chanhee wouldn't let him do that.

"What are you doing?" The boy pulled his friend by the shoulder, Changmin's long neck suddenly made him yell when it appeared elastic. "Sheesh!"

Ji Changmin was famous for his love for horror. And right now, in the afternoon, when the sun was supposed to be at its peak hadn't for the rain outside, and the cafeteria was so full of students, he chose to move his head towards his friend on his left side scarily. His eyes looked the heaviest like some sort of dumbbells were hung at their lids.

Lazily, he eyed Chanhee before he questioned, "Where are you from?"

As simple as that, the latter knew something was wrong with his friend. Chanhee shook his head before he leapt over the table and took a seat across from Changmin.

They literally left their class and walked to the cafeteria together. It was just, Chanhee left for a while to buy a drink. So, was it relevant for Changmin to ask such a question?

"What has interrupted you?" Chanhee questioned, his cheek laid on his palm elegantly. "Does the project mess with your head?"

The project.

He really had trouble with the project as soon as it was announced in their previous class earlier; photography. He was troubled about what to do to fit a few themes given, and neither did he know which theme he should choose. The photos would be displayed at the upcoming school festival and the grading would be done on the same day. Above all, it was something important for him.

Because he was Ji Changmin who took aesthetic photos. He couldn't risk himself to be embarrassed in front of all the students if he failed this one.

"How can I make it more interesting?" He pondered into a space over Chanhee's shoulder.

"You are Ji Changmin, why do you worry?" Chanhee remarked, straightening his body next. "You will do good. I'm sure of it."

Changmin sighed, slumping down his shoulders. He just wanted to make a difference. He wanted this assignment to look new and fresh but to have his signature as well. But, nothing came across his mind.