SECRET EMBRACE | Jeonghan X Joshua | JiHan

FIVE

As Joshua stepped into the bathroom, he splashed cold water on his face, trying to shake off the incident of the eraser and the embarrassment of being the target of Jeonghan's throw. His bruise was still visible. And his cheek was swollen. A physical reminder of the hostility he hadn't expected.

He could still feel the weight of the lecture he had missed, but more than that, he felt the suffocating tension between them. He had no clue, earlier why Jeonghan behaved like that. He was hundred percent sure, there was no beef going on between jeonghan and him. Because it was only his first day on campus, yet he already felt like he was walking into a battlefield.

Joshua was looking at his reflection thru the big mirror, as he gripped the edge of the sink. His pretty face which was staring back at him, looked hurt, but he felt more wounded deep inside. He didn't know why he was getting this kind of treatment. Over and over?

While Joshua kept battling with his endless thoughts in his mind, a tear rolled down making his eyes blurry.

"I thought- I thought I thought things would be different here, if I came here. But I was wrong. Why- Just Why?" He thought, downhearted, his mind heavy with disappointment. The whole time, the faucet's gentle rush masked his murmured thoughts, filling the silence.

Just as he turned off the faucet, the door swung open and closed before locking. Thru the mirror, Joshua saw who just appeared out of nowhere. It was the person who joshua did not want to see at that time. His heart sank. They hadn't exchanged a word but the air already felt thick.

He didn't want to be in the same air with him. Jeonghan.

Jeonghan walked in, his expression a storm of annoyance and irritation. The moment their eyes met, Joshua felt a jolt of anxiety. There was an angry intensity in Jeonghan's gaze that made his heart race, and it was clear he wasn't ready to play nice.

"What do you want?" Jeonghan's tone was sharp, his disinterest was obvious.

"To jerk off! Satisfy? " Joshua replied, attempting to hold it together. But the hostility in the room was palpable. Joshua needed to go out as soon as possible. He didn't want to be near to Jeonghan.

"Is that all? You think you can do whatever you want? Huh???" Jeonghan spat, stepping closer.

Anger radiated from him, and Joshua's stomach twisted with unease. Joshua stepped back and bumped into the sink. As jeonghan stepped towards Joshua, leaning in, jeonghan placed his hands on the countertop, boxing joshua in.

"Listen Carefully, Mr. Brown hair." Jeonghan looked straight into joshua and smirked. His tone was challenging. Joshua was annoyed as fuck.

"You. Are. Stealing. Something. Did you know?"Jeonghan made his words clear. Evey word was clipped. Every one was deliberate. Joshua blinked in surprise, taken aback by the unexpected confrontation.

"Huh? What the heck? I didn't take anything from you! I'm just trying to fit in on my first day." Joshua scoffed, the bitterness evident in his tone.

"I think you're fitting so well. Don't you think? huh?" jeonghan shot back. "Everyone is looking at you. But before, I was the one everyone looked at. And now? Don't you dare to take my place, or else.."

Jeonghan's eyes were filled with rage, still looking at Joshua.

Joshua felt a stab of confusion, frustration rising. He had done nothing.

"Huh? Did I ask for attention? I'm sick of those freaking attention!" Joshua snapped. They were so close, almost chest to chest.

"I just want to focus on my studies, not be caught up in whatever drama you think is happening." Joshua clenched his jaw in frustration. Also, they were in a strange position.