Bittersweet Nomin/Jaeno

Chapter 10: The Road Ahead

Jeno rounded the corner to the hallway. Basketball tryouts were today and he actually let his excitement show, much to his friends surprise. As much as Jeno didn't like to admit it, he loved the feel of real Jawbreaker-Basketballs. Horseradish high had barely even heard of Jawbreaker balls. They resorted to filling rubber balls with air and rocks.

Jeno walked into the gym where tryouts were being held. He wasn't surprised to see that the entire group of Bitters were sitting at the benches. Basketball was one of the most popular sports for Bitters yet.

Felix and his gang glared at Jeno while he walked past them. He, of course, glared back and went to join his friends.

Renjun was giggling at Jisung's phone like a seven year old which made Jeno feel more uneasy then if he was watching a horror movie.

"Jeno, Renjun snuck into my phone and now I'm being bullied." Jisung whined while Jeno took his seat.

"He's been texting that Sweet, Chenle. Look how cute! Ah young love!" Renjun squealed while shoving the phone into Jeno's face.

Jeno peered at Jisung's phone while the said boy could barely contain his red face. Indeed, his texting conversation with Chenle was filled with cute emojis and emoticons. Jeno couldn't hold back a light smile at it.

"I think you two are eating too much cotton candy."

Jeno leaned back while Renjun laughed some more. Eventually the coach came out and scanned the boys who had shown up for practice. If he was impressed he didn't show it.

"10 laps and 50 push ups." He said and the boys all rose to their feet and began to practice. 

('- ω -')('- ω -')('- ω -')

"You son of a bitch!" Felix screamed. He banged the walls loudly and stormed over to where Jeno, Renjun and Jisung were changing out of their clothes. Once he got over to them, he forcefully turned Jeno around to face him and shoved him against the wall. Jeno was having none of it though, so he pushed Felix off of him.

"You and your fucking friends really made the team!? You think you're all that huh?"

"Felix it's not our fault you can't play basketball!" Jisung fired at him and went to stand in between him and Jeno.

"So you really think it's a coincidence that this Sweet lover here gets onto the team along with all his friends while the rest of us were barely even given a chance?" Felix's face was now red as a tomato. The remaining Sweets still in the locker rooms were either watching them argue like it was their favorite tv show, or they were trying so hard to pretend that everything was totally normal.

"Stop your fucking bitching Felix, you had the same chance as the rest of us you just don't have the stuff to be on the team."

At some point someone must have alerted the coach to what was going on because he was now standing right outside the locker rooms glaring at the boys. Felix luckily knew what was good for him so he started to grab his stuff to leave. Before he left he sneered at Jeno and called him 'Sweet lover' just to save some dignity. Jeno was about to leave when he realized someone was standing directly behind the coach.

Principal Taeyong.

Taeyong walked the halls with an authoritative strife that made the other kids quickly move out of his way. While Jeno walked close behind still in his gym clothes trying hard to pretend that he didn't exist. It didn't work. People he passed by kept looking at him and whispering to each other. When Taeyong opened the door to his office Jeno practically fell over himself to get inside.

Jeno turned around and practically gasped at the sight of real twizzler-wafer chairs and pictures framed with real coco chocolate. He'd never seen those in real life, he'd only heard of them.

"Jeno please sit down." Taeyong gestured towards the seat but Jeno couldn't bring himself to sit on it. So he just stood there while Taeyong sat down and took a bite of his apple.

"It seemed like it was getting pretty heated in there between you and Mr. Lee." Taeyong said.

"I'm sorry sir I promise I won't give you trouble anymore. Felix was just mad because he didn't make the team."

Taeyong held up a hand to make Jeno stop talking, "Jeno, it's okay your not in trouble."

Jeno sighed in relief.

"However there is something Mr. Lee mentioned earlier that I want to discuss with you."

Jeno tensed again.

"It has come to my attention that you have been spotted with a certain Sweet student here named Na Jaemin. Apparently the two of you are starting to get close."

Jeno internally rolled his eyes. He carries an unconscious boy to the nurse once now they're engaged. God, one thing Jeno did miss about the Bitter kingdom? No one was overly dramatic. But what Taeyong said next was what caught Jeno's attention.

"In the wake of the new laws being passed. I do not believe it wise to form a bond with those outside your kind."

"L-laws sir?"

"There is likely going to be a law passed soon detailing Bitter and Sweet relations. It's not clear what will be in this law but it's likely that interracial relationships will be illegal."

Jeno looked away from Taeyong and at the ground.

"Jeno?"

Jeno looked up.

"I don't want you seeing that Sweet boy anymore."

A/n: Gee it's been awhile, low key starting to lose inspo for this book. I'm not abandoning it though, I will push through!