COLOURS ✓

FOUR

Hoseok had woken up early and then headed down to the second floor to take his Math class. The class was already a bit ahead considering school had started two weeks ago, but Hoseok caught up pretty quickly. Math was, thankfully, something he was decently good at.

As he packed up his stuff when the bell rang, he mentally cursed his schedule. He'd had to travel two floors up to get to Painting class. Of course, there was 20 minutes between classes, so it wasn't like he would be late, but he hated staircases.

As he maneuvered his way through the crowded hallways, hugging his books to his chest, the speakers blared, "Jung Hoseok, to the Headmistress's office please. Jung Hoseok to the Headmistress's office."

Even though no one was paying him any attention, he blushed, embarrassed. He turned around and headed down the stairs to the first floor. He passed by Yoongi on a staircase, who threw up a lazy peace sign to him as he headed up the stairs. Hoseok nodded back at him as he reached the first floor.

He looked around the first floor, locating the Headmistress's office easily.

He knocked on the door. It was only a few seconds before the door was answered by Mrs. Kim.

"Hoseok, come in." She opened the door wider. Hoseok bowed before entering. As soon as Mrs. Kim closed the door, he blurted out, "Seokjin said he told me that you were Headmistress of a school once but I can't tell if he's lying or if I just can't remember—"

"Hoseok," Mrs. Kim said gently, "I can answer all your questions. As for Seokjin, well, you know he likes to joke a lot. I'm not sure he even knew you were coming to SSOA."

"Oh." Hoseok deflated like a balloon. "Right. Sorry, it's just. . . I would've felt a lot less nervous if I knew you were in charge here, Mrs. Kim."

She smiled. "Your Highness—"

When Hoseok winced, she frowned. "What's wrong?"

Hoseok shrugged and sat down in the chair on the other side of Mrs. Kim's desk. "I'm not the Prince. Anymore. Well, here, at least. Maybe it's wishful thinking but. . ." he sighed. "I feel like I can forget about being the Prince when I'm here. I can be just a normal kid."

"You can't ignore your duties to his country, Hoseok."

Hoseok clenched his jaw, feeling slightly annoyed. That isn't what he meant. But instead of clarifying, he said through gritted teeth: "Yes, being locked in the palace for my entire life and not having any friends save for Seokjin hyung are definitely duties to this country."

Mrs. Kim furrowed her brow. "May I remind you that I'm your elder, and that this is my office you're in?"

Hoseok bit his lip, looking down in shame. "Right. I apologize."

"This isn't how you usually act. What's wrong?" Mrs. Kim asked.

Hoseok shook his head. "Doesn't matter."

"Hoseok—"

"I was called here so that I could ask questions, right?" When Mrs. Kim nodded, Hoseok stood up from his chair and bowed. "I have no questions. If I do, I'll ask my roommate. Thank you, Mrs. Kim."

He picked up his books and exited, closing the door behind him. He veered left towards the bathrooms, not really looking where he was going. He bumped into someone. They steadied him, hands on his shoulders.

"Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry," said the boy. He was tall, and he had blue hair and glasses. He smiled apologetically, dimples on his cheeks. "Are you alright?"

Hoseok nodded. "Sorry," he muttered, attempting to go around the boy, but he was stopped with a hand on his shoulder. The boy looked concerned.

"Er, you don't look too good. Are you sure you—"