ephemera 一 baek dohwa.

x

Both of you have mismatching schedules because of academy classes, supplementary classes, or part time jobs, so you decide that the best thing to do is skip lunch at the cafeteria and use the old changing room on the first years’ floor that has become more of a storage room for a random assortment of things.

It’s the first time you’ve agreed to meet up at school.

It’s Dohwa who introduces you to the place.

‘You miss lessons to coop yourself up in here?’ you ask, astounded.

‘In my defence, it’s the perfect place to sleep,’ he says, looking at the mattress shoved under the tiny window. He’s locked the door behind you because he’s prone to being followed around, and unwanted attention is the last thing you want right now.

When he’s not smiling, his facial features naturally arrange themselves so he looks displeased. But he’s giving you his signature smirk now, and you can’t help but grin a little.

You waste no time in dragging him to sit on the edge of the mattress, pulling out your Maths textbook.

Dohwa pulls out two triangle kimbaps.

You laugh. ‘No way.’ You pull out a couple cartons of chocolate milk.

Dohwa turns, rummaging furiously in his bag. You stare, curious. He turns back at last and gives you a flower heart with his head.

‘Hey!’ You slap him lightly on the head with the textbook.

‘Ow?’ he says, affronted.

You don’t know why, or maybe you do, but you reach up a hand and pat him very gently on the head. ‘You big baby,’ you say. ‘You can’t look like an absolute unit of a sports athlete with those shoulders of yours and then say ‘ow’ to a little bump.’

Dohwa doesn’t appear to be listening. He’s sitting completely still. You realise your hand is still resting on the crown of his head.

‘Ah, sorry,’ you mumble, withdrawing it quickly.

He stares at you. He’s not smiling, but his eyes are saying something to you. ‘It’s okay. I like it,’ he says quietly.

‘Oh.’

You reach up again, patting his head very gently and slowly. His hair is naturally soft, you think.

And then an alarm on your phone goes off, and you slightly regretfully withdraw.

‘Open the page to the exercises on the first unit,’ you order before you both get too distracted again. You can’t afford to waste too much time. ‘It should be page twelve.’

Dohwa grumbles, but obliges.