Bad Blood • JohnTen

(10.) Yamazaki

Sorry guys. I had to reup the chapter 'cause something went wrong with the one that got published yesterday (the words were cut out of nowhere) did you see it or was it just me??? 'cause when I edited it, it was fine but when I viewed the chapter, it was all over the place. Anyways, if it did, I apologize. Here is the proper chapter.

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“That.” Taeil held his right index finger up and pointed at a specific region in Ten’s neck. “The mark on your neck.”

What mark?

Taeil’s face remained passive, but his eyes glint in worry. “Did someone bite you?”

Did someone bite－

Ten’s eyes widened at the realization behind the elder’s word and his face paled.

Oh shit.

Ten could feel his frantic heartbeats beating loudly against his chest at the question, dry sweat formed on his temples and he was panicking. He felt stupid, how could he have forgotten that Johnny bit him the night before and it left a mark? Stupid, stupid, Ten internally scolded himself for being so careless. He should have covered it up!

And the fact that Taeil was looking at Ten weirdly wasn’t helping at all. The older was awaiting the latter’s response but Ten couldn’t come up with an immediate response. Ten was worried; what if other people saw it as well? Not just Taeil?

Does Taeil-hyung know?

But it was unlikely, Ten believed. Taeil wouldn’t suspect that it was Johnny who made the mark, right? Or would he?

Ten was hesitant on what to say. He should have just made up some random excuse like a mosquito bit him instead (but mosquito bites weren’t big like the one of his neck so it would be stupid). Ten opened his mouth but his own voice faltered and closed it again in reluctance.

What am I going to do? Ten was scared.

Taeil looked like he was going to say something, “Ten, wh－” but he abruptly stopped midway.

“Hyung?” Ten was confused at the unforeseen pause. The air was suddenly chilly and Taeil grew silent. He wasn’t looking at Ten anymore but rather, his eyes were looking past Ten. Taeil was frowning, disappointment shone on his face and Ten couldn’t decipher why.

“What’s wrong?” he dared to ask when he saw that Taeil had turned his eyes back on him.

“It’s nothing, Ten,” the older answered, rather serious and dismissive as he bowed his head and returned back to his book. “Just continue eating.”

What just happened?

Though he was concerned at the elder’s spontaneous attitude shift and cold shoulder, Ten shrugged it off and ate his food before the bell rang, quietly thanking whatever deity that was watching over him and saved him from Taeil’s possible interrogation.
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Taeil went on ahead when lunch was over since the older had his own classes and his building was at the opposite side of the school, away from Ten’s. Ten granted the elder permission as he left and waved him goodbye. After he was done with his food, Ten grabbed his bag and made his way to his next class when he spotted a familiar figure at the hallway. “Oh Ten, there you are. Glad we saw you. Could I have a minute?” the person called and motioned for Ten to come near.

Ten bowed slightly as he approached the older male. “Yes, sir?”

Minho smiled at him and took hold of him by the shoulder. “I want to introduce you to Lee Taemin.” He gestured for the other man standing beside him (which Ten failed to notice before). “He’s the newly added faculty. He’ll be teaching Dance, your block exactly,” Minho introduced. “Mr. Kim is on temporary leave because of some personal issues and Mr. Lee here will fill up for him while he’s gone.”