What Can I Do

Chapter 12 ~Why do you have your smile for him, it is usually only mine

Wonpil had been walking slowly to class when he felt someone come up next to him. Startled, he relaxed when he saw it was only Sungjin.

"Wonpil! Where have you been?" Sungjin asked, falling into step next to him.

Wonpil's heart raced a little faster like it always did when Sungjin was around, but he ignored it as always.

"Nothing much." He responded, sounding indifferent.

"That's great. I didn't tell you did I?" Sungjin said, a little breathlessly.

"You know the fair that was on Friday? Guess who I spent it with?" He asked without waiting for an answer.

"Haru! We almost spent the entire day together! After the basketball game I drove her home, and she gave me her number, and we met up at the fair! I didn't think she would actually agree to meet up with me, but she did and we hung out for almost 3 hours!" He rambled on, excitedly, not noticing the frown on Wonpil's face.

When he heard that Sungjin had went to the fair with Haru instead of him it almost made him stop with hurt.

Sungjin didn't even notice Wonpil wasn't listening anymore, too occupied with recounting everything from the carnival. Every sentence about how great and amazing Haru is, and how Sungjin really liked her. Wonpil's stomach felt slightly wound at every word that came out of Sungjn's mouth, for reasons unknown.

When they finally reached their classroom, Sungjin immediately spotted Haru and sped towards her desk, calling her name. Wonpil tried not to be bothered and walked slowly and dejectedly towards his usual desk. He didn't want to be witness to Sungjin pining over Haru, nor did he want to get ignored by him the entire period.

Usually Sungjin sat with him, but since he was with Haru, Wonpil sat alone at the two person desk. He told himself he didn't care but he sighed before pulling out his books, intent on at least paying attention to the lesson if he had nothing to do.

He prayed the teacher would come in soon so it would atleast give Sungjin a reason to stop his conversation with Haru from across the class. Wonpil tried to ignore them, but the tightening in his stomach had increased in the period of time Sungjin had been talking to her.

Suddenly, two books were being loudly placed on his table in front of him. Wonpil looked up in surprise to see Dowoon settling nonchalantly in the seat across from him, not looking at him as he sat down.

Dowoon acted as if he didn't want to sit there by choice but Wonpil knew that Dowoon usually either skipped this class entirely or sat in the very back, usually sleeping. The boy only looked down at his books, but Wonpil saw that the tips of his ears were red.

The fact that Dowoon even sat in the front, next to Wonpil when he was sitting alone, made Wonpil's heart warm. He smiled at Dowoon, who was still looking down at his books, before looking at his own work, happy that he was atleast no longer alone at the table.

~~

Dowoon didn't know what came over him.  Seeing Wonpil sit at his usual table alone, however, just didn't sit well with him. He glanced around the room, trying to find Sungjin, knowing they usually sat together. He spotted him at a table across the room with Haru, conversing with her while laughing.

Noticing Wonpil's frown and furrowed eyebrows, he put two and two together and realized Sungjin had ditched him to sit with her.

Not liking the sullen look on the boy's face, Dowoon had made a split second decision to sit with him. He had been about to ditch the whole class entirely, but did not want to return to the rooftop. He also realized he should at least try to pay attention in class so that he wouldn't fail the exam.

He started to feel embarrassed the minute he sat down on the chair, not knowing if it was okay for him to sit with Wonpil, or if the other was going to act like he didn't exist outside of his house.

He began doubting himself before he looked up and saw Wonpil giving him one of his gummy smiles which instantly made Dowoon's ears burn.

However, Dowoon felt satisfied when he saw Wonpil looking back down at his books, still smiling, having presumably forgotten about Sungjin.

~~

"Hey isn't that Wonpil?"

Sungjin turned at Haru's inquiry, looking at the boy in question. He saw him sitting at their usual table, but frowned when he saw another person sitting across from him, in the seat that was usually his.

His frown increased when he saw that Wonpil had his gummy smile on his face, directed at Dowoon. Sungjin felt something weird in his stomach; knowing Wonpil's gummy smiles were usually only reserved for him.

He wondered when they became such good friends, or when they even began talking to each other. Last week Wonpil had not spared a glance for the boy who had hordes of girls following him everywhere.

Likewise, Dowoon had not paid any attention to Wonpil at all during any of their shared classes last week.

"I didn't know Wonpil was friends with Dowoon?" Haru said, curiously.

"Me neither." Sungjin replied, still eyeing them.

"Oh, I forgot! This Friday is my birthday and I'd love if you would come to the party I'm throwing at my house."

Sungjin immediately turned his attention back to Haru, focusing on what she was saying.

New butterflies settled in his stomach, when he heard she wanted him at her party. Sungjin nodded, listening to Haru tell him she would text him the address, forgetting all about Wonpil and Dowoon.

~~