Counting Stars ✓

two

Rune laughed, swinging his arm around his girlfriend's, Cherry's, shoulder. She simply shook her head, used to the wild antics of his friends. Fang, the oldest and calmest of the group walked over and stopped his twin sister, Fah, from continuing her argument with Ryu. As the level of volume from them quieted down and they all sat around the table, they began pulling out their assignments and continuing their studies.

Ryu, who had been grumbling on about how stupid education was, looked up and whistled. The sound caught the attention of the rest of them. Rune raised his brows in curiosity, "What?"

Ryu motioned his head in the direction behind Rune. "Look at that nasty cut. I didn't know the stuck-up wolf was also a troublemaker."

Stuck-up wolf. It was as cliche as his nickname, Shining Rune, but at least his was one with a more loving reasoning.

He had heard about the rich individual quite often. And it had been within his interest to see how the hated rich kid looked.

Perhaps he had that usual, typical and stereotypical branded clothing, and gold chains and jewelry. After all, the kid had enough power to make the whole university quake in fear of what he may do if they were to wrong him in any way.

He turned around excitedly, only to find his smile faltering upon recognizing it to be none other the person he punched in the dead of the night. He felt his throat tightened at the sight of the bandaged cheek and the cut on his lips, guilt once again washing over him.

Not only had he punched him when he had done nothing wrong, but Rune also couldn't remember the name of the individual even though he knew his. And that was most likely one of the worst feelings one could feel.

"Dang, he's hot. His name is King, right?" Fah whistled, earning a slap on the head from her older twin brother. She groaned and gave him a glare.

"He may be good looking, but he doesn't have the best reputation. He literally doesn't talk to anyone - not even Mail, who is from a pretty rich family herself. Not only that, but I heard he's quite rude, often embarrassing instructors by pointing out certain mistakes. Like, dude, if you're so smart then why continue university? Or at least keep that information to yourself?" Ryu rolled his eyes, clearly showing a strong dislike.

Rune gulped, standing up quickly and surprising everyone.

"You okay, babe?" Cherry asked.

"Uh, Yeah. I just remembered I needed to do something. Be right back!" With that said, he ran towards the direction he saw the individual - King, Fah had called him - head to.

He unexpectedly found himself unable to stop due to the slippery floor, and collided into the person in front of him - causing them both to go crashing to the ground. He groaned in pain, gasping as he steady himself off the floor and turned his attention to the victim.

"Sorry, Khun-" he stopped, realizing it was none other than the person he had been chasing to catch up to.

King cursed at his luck, struggling to get up from the floor after the heavy impact. Not only was his wounds from the previous night now aching once more, but his whole body now was aching too. Especially his elbow, and his nose that appeared to be bleeding, judging by the trickling wet feeling.

He looked at the person responsible and couldn't help frowning even deeper when he realized it was Rune. Why did he keep getting hurt by the said individual? Surely he hadn't done anything wrong to him. They had only met briefly about five years ago after all.

Without saying anything, he pulled out the handkerchief from his pockets. He cupped his nose, trying to stop the blood from leaking through as it began to increase, and walked away.

"Wait, Khun!" Rune called out, running in front of the now injured guy. "I'll take you to the infirmary!"

King looked at him in suspicion. "I know where it is," he stated, stepping to the side to walk past him.

"Please," Rune begged, "It's the least I could do after injuring you twice."

King shrugged, not bothering to reply and continuing to walk. Rune walked alongside him in worry, looking at the blood leaking through the handkerchief. God, how did he mess up so bad? He was supposed to apologize, and ask for the boy to not tell anyone about his true identity, yet he ended up injuring him even more.

The nurse tended to the wounds, scolding the two for being careless. Once she was done, the two of them were left alone, free to leave. Standing up, they began to exit.

"I'm sorry," Rune apologized once more.

King casted him a quick gaze. "Stop apologizing," he said, "It's fine. I'm not going to die from a nosebleed."

"For punching you, too," Rune reminded, finding the boy's behavior to be quite different compared to the rumours he's heard so far. He was cold, yes, but it didn't seem like he held any form of hostility towards him even though Rune pretty much attacked him twice in a row.

King shrugged, not knowing what else to say and falling silent.

"And, ur, another thing..." Rune stuttered, wanting to finally ask him about his request. Yet as he looked at King who stopped to pay attention to him, waiting for him to continue speaking, he couldn't find it within himself to say anything.

"Um...no, nevermind," Rune forced a smile. King furrowed his eyebrows and nodded. The two parted, and once again, Rune watched as King walked away from him injured.

He sighed, running his hand through his hair, and making way back to his friends and girlfriend.