ａｓｙｍｐｔｏｔｅ // guanho

Tenth

Guan Lin is scared.

His body trembled as if there was an earthquake, hands balling into fists with his knuckles turning white, which his face followed as well. With quivering lips, he pursed them to speak, yet something pushed words down his parched throat, his gut queasy as if squirming to rid the tightness bounding it.

"W-Why..." That was all the younger boy could manage after struggling for quite some time.

The other person's face was full of questions too, a look of shock thrown at the younger boy. When both of them got over their surprise, Guan Lin backed away immediately when the other tried inching towards him.

"Guan Li—"

The called boy did not spare any time for his legs to shuffle frantically, breaking into a sprint. His heart was about to jump out of his throat, his body still shaking uncontrollably. He could not believe his eyes and he is sure he doesn't want to.

It saddened the other who only watched as Guan Lin's back shrunk every second before completely vanishing from his sight. He knows he can do nothing to hold him back after all. He let out a defeated sigh, turning away.

Guan Lin had a deep frown as he ran, frightening students he stormed by, eyes seemingly blinded with anger from their view. It was however another case for himself; the feeling of wanting to stab himself snaked around his heart.

Though he was indeed deep in thoughts, he paused his run when he saw Jeno a distance away. This time, he brushed aside all of his intentions to avoid the third year, his feet changing direction to head towards him.

When Guan Lin stood firmly in front of the older boy, Jeno was taken aback, his breath hitched for a second before he quickly regained his composure. "You scared me."

"Did you plan this?"

Guan Lin's voice was rough, not a hint of kindness in his tone. It pushed Jeno's eyebrows down to his eyes as he returned a reply with a similar tone. "I have no idea what're you talking about." Jeno became even more clueless when Guan Lin gritted his teeth, glaring strongly at him.

"When will you stop with your foolish antics? You know how much I detest people meddling into my troubles." He growled, hands finding their way to Jeno's collar as they gripped onto it tightly. Jeno certainly doesn't know what happened exactly, but from the way Guan Lin acted, he could somewhat guess what went down earlier is terrible.

"Hey," Guan Lin heard, head turning to meet another third year he recognised immediately. His frown deepened. "Let go of Jeno. Show some respect for your senior."

"This is none of your business, go away." Guan Lin spatted, then looking at Jeno who looked absolutely done and irritated at his best friend who blatantly accused him of something he has no knowledge of. "Whatever the reason, you better not be up to something anymore. I don't want and don't need your help."

With that, Guan Lin immediately let go of Jeno, slightly forceful with how he pushed the older. He walked off, his every footstep filled with fury.

"You as—"
"Jae Min,"

Jeno stopped the other third year who could not tolerate Guan Lin's insolent behaviour, peeling his eyes away from Guan Lin to give the boy in front of him a stern look. "Don't. Seriously, don't. You know he is like this."

"But he is getting worse every time!" Jae Min exclaimed exasperatedly with frustration, giving the younger guy stomping away a short glare before getting his attention back on Jeno who held onto his arm.

"It's all right, I'm fine. Guan Lin just needs more time."

"You always say that, but we both know time can't heal his wounds," Jae Min let out a heavy sigh, hand holding Jeno's into his. Jeno almost turned red, but shrugged off his thoughts knowing how touchy the other could be.