Flames | NCT

Chapter 2

Taeil was in the photocopier room, photocopying some handouts for his class when Yoora walked in.

Taeil gulped at the sight of her, recalling what the Siren Queen had said about him and love. He quickly shook thought away.

"How much longer do you need?" Yoora asked.

"I'm almost done, this is the last one." Taeil said, placing the last sheet in. Yoora nodded, leaning on the door.

"So I heard you started the greenhouse." Taeil said, trying to make small talk.

"Yeah, I put Yangyang in charge." Yoora responded.

"I see." Taeil said. They were back to being quiet again, the only sounds coming from hum of the photocopier.

"Oh, we have a meeting today." Yoora reminded him.

"We do?" Taeil asked. Yoora nodded.

"The headmaster is retiring." Yoora said, a small grin appearing on her face. "And one of us is going to replace him."

...

"Haechan!" Rena exclaimed as she saw the phoenix walk into the classroom. Taeyong was following the male but a wide grin spread on his face as soon as he heard his name being called.

"You're back." Jaemin said as Haechan approached the two, Taeyong right behind.

"Yeah, but only for school. I can't train with you guys." Haechan said, a look of disappointment on his face.

"Since you're all seniors now, I'm going to leave him in your hands, but if he's not in the agency basement by 3:30, you're all joining him." Taeyong warned.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure he's there." Jeno reassured, the rest of them nodding.

Haechan was glad to see his friends but was particularly eager to see Renjun. The two hadn't exactly ended on a good note and Haechan wanted to talk and apologize.

The witch was sitting in his usual seat in front of Rena. He was silent, staring at the spellbook in his hands.

Haechan was about to pull out the chair beside him when Renjun spoke.

"That seat's taken." Renjun said, without even looking up.

Haechan glanced at Jaemin who shrugged. "By who."

"Yangyang." Renjun simply said. Yangyang, who had entered right behind Haechan seemed just as confused.

"It's okay, Haechan, you can sit." Yangyang said but Renjun shot him a glare.

"No, it's fine. I can sit alone." Haechan said, purposely putting as much bitterness in his voice as he made his way around the desks, settling in one beside the window.

Haechan threw his bag down in anger and could feel the stares of his classmates on him.

"Yah, what gives?" Haechan heard Rena hiss at Renjun. He heard the book slam shut.

"What gives? Do you really blame me for not wanting to sit beside a convict?" Renjun asked.

Haechan could tell Rena was speechless and leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms.

Tch, forget apologizing.

...

Winwin rubbed his temples as he sat at his desk. The Cha Twins were seriously testing his patience.

He had taught them a simple lesson on vampires and assigned some work but the two kept bickering. He wasn't really in the mood to throw a student out of the room on the first day, but at this rate, he just might have to.