ａｓｙｍｐｔｏｔｅ // guanho

Seventeenth

Seon Ho had only one week left.

One week to the end of the promised deal he made to Guan Lin, and he couldn't help but to panic.

So far, he only knew more about the senior; He knew of his past, his gummy smiles, and also how his presence makes him feel all sorts of things he had never experienced in his entire life till the moment he met him. He, however, hadn't thought of how to help Guan Lin get over his trauma since it seemed impossible given the deep scar left on the older.

He knew he started on the wrong footing since the very day he made a deal with the other boy. Maybe if he figured the solution in the first place, Guan Lin would have been close to burying his past at this point. Maybe if he did so, he wouldn't fall for the boy, and everything between them would have been better and less of evident avoidance.

With eyes on his phone, his mirror reflected a red on his cheeks though he stayed oblivious, teeth nibbling. His senses were numbed by the words in clear black while within a white bubble, yet he could feel the uncontrollable twisting of his insides, an unsettling burn at his neck.

The sky hadn't change into a light blue, streaks of sunlight hues not appearing any sooner but Guan Lin had already brightened Seon Ho's day with mere texts.

Seon Ho spent his lessons half-listening, the other half daydreaming about the senior, anticipating. Time slowed down every time he thought of Guan Lin, rather vexing as he watched the second hand run round the clock. It was fortunate he wasn't caught paying less attention than usual, though his seat mate did nudge at times to bring him out of his thoughts.

The moment the bell rang, the young boy sprinted to the cafeteria after greeting the teacher, getting his food tray before rushing hurriedly to sit at their usual table. He however froze when someone had already sat there.

Still, he walked gingerly to it, a gulp down his throat as he sat beside the person, placing his food tray as soft as possible. Turning to look at Guan Lin, Seon Ho innerly marvelled at his fresh looks, his cheeks pinked. He immediately had his eyes on his food when the older looked at him.

Picking up his spoon, he dug it into the plateful of rice, pausing for a moment before gently placing the spoon in his mouth. He took smaller bites instead of his daily gobbling, acting like a shy kid in front of their crush, except that he isn't a kid.

Guan Lin rose his brows seeing how different the boy was being. He didn't like how Seon Ho ate so cautiously since he much prefers the usual monstrous devouring. It was one of the boy's unique appeals. Seeing the younger behaving like this discomforted him for it wasn't natural.

Both of them were a quarter done when they heard approaching footsteps, familiar voices at their ears before the seats before them weren't empty anymore. Guan Lin didn't bother to look up, continuing to eat, but Seon Ho stared at them, face scrunching.

Justin only turned to his friend after Hye Rin told him to stop his usual flirting. "Yah, Seon Ho, what's with your expression?"

"Can you two PDA somewhere else? It's quite disturbing to see, especially when people are eating."

"Too bad," Justin smirked, eyes on Guan Lin before they returned to Seon Ho. "You're just jealous of us. Don't worry, I'll help you rid your singlehood, all right?"

Seon Ho's brows arched in confusion at what Justin meant but the latter had already put his attention on his girlfriend before he could question.

It did feel weird to see those two being chummy when they were at each other's throat before they were official, as if their quarrels and bickering were only there to hide their relationship. He still thinks that was what they did, since they didn't want to shock Seon Ho and the world too much.