The Grapevine

Chapter Six

The morning sun poured in through the classroom windows, casting a warm glow over the lecture hall. It was another ordinary day at the university—one of those days when everything felt familiar and effortless. Sean was seated at his usual spot, his laptop open in front of him, a cup of iced coffee perched on the corner of the desk. He was quietly focused on his notes, but his mind occasionally drifted to the events of the past few days. Eric's teasing smile, the way he'd asked for his number under the guise of tutoring... and the unexpected spark that had lingered ever since.

Hyun Jin slid into the seat beside him with a loud sigh. "Another day of this torture," she muttered, dropping her bag onto the floor with a thud. "If I have to listen to one more lecture about sociocultural dynamics, I might actually explode."

Sean raised an eyebrow but didn't look up from his laptop. "You act like you're not the one who signed up for the class in the first place."

Hyun Jin gave him a playful shove. "Oh, don't remind me. I thought it'd be an easy A. What's the point of taking it if I'm just gonna fall asleep halfway through?"

"Then maybe try staying awake in class," Daniel chimed in from the row behind them. He pulled his chair forward and leaned over the backrest, his eyes glinting mischievously. "You know, actually *listening* to the professor might help with that."

Hyun Jin rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her expression. "I swear, Daniel, you're like my walking alarm clock. Always so awake and cheerful. It's annoying."

"Not everyone can have the energy to rival the entire caffeine aisle," Daniel replied with a grin. "Some of us just have *it*."

Sean glanced at his two friends, unable to suppress the small smile tugging at his lips. Despite the constant teasing and occasional drama that came with their friendship, they were always there for each other in the most mundane, casual ways.

"So, what's the plan after class?" Sean asked, changing the subject as he typed up a few last-minute notes. "You two planning to drag me to some event I have zero interest in?"

Hyun Jin's eyes lit up with mischief. "Well, if you insist on being so boring," she teased, nudging his shoulder again, "there's that movie marathon tonight at the student union. You should come. It'll be fun. I promise I'll let you focus on your homework in peace for once."

"Yeah, Sean," Daniel added, his tone light but with a noticeable hint of sincerity. "You could use a break from being so... studious." He waggled his eyebrows, then lowered his voice to a whisper. "And if you're lucky, maybe Eric Young will show up. You know, to make things even more interesting."

Sean's fingers froze mid-type, a slight flush creeping up his neck at the mention of Eric. He quickly regained his composure, trying not to show any reaction. "You two are ridiculous. You've got the whole campus thinking we're in some secret relationship already."

"Hey, don't blame us," Hyun Jin shot back with a wicked grin. "You're the one who gets all the rumors started. You're practically all the talk now."

Before Sean could respond, the professor entered the room, and everyone fell silent, their attention shifting to the lecture. The day passed without much fanfare—just a few jokes exchanged, some minor gossip about upcoming events, and more of Hyun Jin and Daniel's teasing than Sean cared to admit.

Later that day, the trio found themselves at the cafeteria, sitting around their usual table near the back. The buzz of students eating, chatting, and studying filled the air as Hyun Jin and Daniel continued their light banter, while Sean ate in peaceful silence, savoring his lunch.

"So," Daniel said, his mouth full of food, "have you given any thought to the upcoming event? I mean, you're performing, right?"

Sean didn't answer right away, not because he was trying to avoid the question, but because it was always the same. Every university event, someone would inevitably ask him to sing. It was expected of him now, even though he rarely sought out the attention. But performing, in its own way, gave him a sense of relief. Music was something he could lose himself in—something that wasn't about grades, pressure, or expectations. It was just... him.