Delight Highschool

The next day Junseo couldn't bring himself to go to school so he faked sickness which his mother believed for two reasons. First, he could be feeling unwell because of the wound on his head and second, that her son barely ever took leave from the school. With his mother at the office, he took this chance to rest. No school, no catching up with studies just nothing. He wanted to sleep in the whole day. He ignored every text from Jongsuk and Sehun not wishing to tell them about yesterday's occurrences nor did he want to break down in front of them again.

The after-effects on the young boy were something he hadn't expected. He couldn't bear to look at his body in the mirror without breaking into a cold sweat. He was starting to hate his body even more because of how exposed and vulnerable he felt at the moment.

Meanwhile, at school, a new student enrolled in Junseo's class. 

"Alright kids, from today we have a new student with us though I know most of you know him already. Welcome back Jang Seonghwa-ah", Mr Park introduced the new kid in a surprisingly sweet voice to which the whole class responded with dead silence. "He has just returned from England so help him with notes or whatever he might need. So Seonghwa-ah, you can take a seat beside the last window beside Choi Junseo- Oh guess your seatmate isn't present today."

The black-haired boy had a cheerful smile plastered on his face probably to be back to his old school. "Thank you for the welcome, sir."

Once the boy settled in his seat, Mr. Park continued, "Tomorrow there will be a Math quiz which will be part of your assignment. It will be after the lunch break and your scores will be revealed in the last class."

The class groaned but the teacher simply ignored it and continued giving notes for the test. After the bell rang and the teacher had left, all the students began chatting among themselves. Seonghwa got off his seat wanting to go to meet his friends who were in the other class. He was excited to be back but also bored to see those same faces again.

"Jungwon! It's been so long since I last saw you! I bet you came first in every exam while I was away", Seonghwa joked cheerfully swinging his arm on Jungwon's shoulder. While the other sighed annoyed by Seonghwa's overly friendly attitude and brushed off his arm. 

"As if", Jungwon scoffed returning to his notes.

Seonghwa frowned his brows at the other's behaviour, "What's with him?"

"Don't mind him. He's just pissed 'cause he didn't come first in the recent mock test. You won't believe but it's your seatmate who beat him to it", one of the kids answered joyously.

Another girl joined their conversation saying, "That's crazy! If I was in his place I would fail every exam."

"Why'd you think that? As far as I'm aware, you always made it in top 30 in our grade", Seonghwa questioned curiously.

She exchanged glances with the other boy who nodded and she began, "Well... There was some stuff going on at school..."

"Stuff?"

She hesitately responded, "...Struff related to 'Daejung'..."

"Don't tell me that brat is still on with his shit again!"

"You have no idea what happened while you were gone, Seonghwa", explained the other boy.

The girl sighed in disappointment and stated with little hearts in her eyes, "That sucks 'cause Junseo is just my type... "

"You like every pretty guy, Jihye", Seonghwa said nonchalantly, already used to Jihye's obsession with good-looking guys.

He glanced at Daejung only to find him staring back at him with contempt-filled eyes. Both of them glared at each other for a moment before breaking the eye contact.

Seonghwa changed the subject to stop the two from breaking into another bickering session, "So tell me more what happened while I was gone." 

The next day, after getting enough rest and putting his thoughts in order, Junseo got dressed for school. He avoided to look at himself in the mirror except for his face. He ate his breakfast with his mom who was still concerned but her son's pale complexion.

He replied to Jongsuk and Sehun while he was on the bus. Telling them he was sick with a mild fever. Pulling himself together while he still had a chance he got off the bus and walked his way to school. His anxiety ate his head and made him restless. In a matter of minutes, he was in front of his classroom. Slightly trembling pale fingers slowly opened the door, silently praying to not see Daejung. At least not so soon.

Ignoring the stares of the kids, Junseo quietly sat in his seat right beside the window. He wanted to ask someone for yesterday's notes but he doubted if anyone would even answer to him. For some reason, the kids who used to call him names whenever he entered or threw stuff at him were silent today and minding their business but Junseo brushed them off. Not thinking much of them.

Junseo felt the seat beside him shuffle which only made him more anxious. But the person greeted him in a cheerful voice, "You must be my seatmate. I'm Jang Seonghwa."

Jang Seonghwa observed the boy in front of him. He was of average build, neatly dressed and a rather attractive face. However, his eyes looked like that of a scared bunny. He didn't fail to notice how slightly he flinched when he sat beside him.

Not wanting to be rude, Junseo slightly bowed his head and introduced himself, "I'm Choi Junseo."

"How long have you been in this school?"

Junseo felt a little at ease, cause he was finally holding a normal conversation with his classmate but he was saddened by the fact that it would get over soon. This kid too will start to ignore him or worse when he finds out about Daejung.

"For about a month."

Just then the door opened and Daejung and Cheng came in. This time instead of glaring at Junseo he was staring at his seatmate. Seeing that both of them sat at their seats without causing any chaos, Junseo let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you need yesterday's notes?"

That perked Junseo's interest. He had to rank in the top 3 for the midterms so he spoke in an even softer tone, "If it's not much then trouble can I?"

"Of course", Seonghwa said amused by his shyness. But in reality, Junseo wasn't shy he was hesitant instead. He didn't want to bring another kid into his situation like an endless loop of misery.

He took out a sticky note from his bag, scribbled something in it and said in a low voice, "Please send it to me on this number later."

Seonghwa took notice of his overly cautious behaviour but agreed nonetheless. Just then Mr. Park entered the room and the kids got quiet as he spoke, "I hope you're ready for the math quiz."

But the students started whining, "You said it'll be after lunch..."

"There have been some changes in the schedule so I'll hand out the results after lunch. So I want everyone to clear their desk and keep only a pen, pencil and an eraser out."

The newly transferred student whispered, "You should tell sir that you didn't know about the test."

Junseo appreciated the stranger's concern for him but he was briefly aware of the teacher's nature and shook his head whispering back, "He won't agree. It's fine."

Mr. Park handed out the papers and soon there was pin-drop silence in the room. Since Seonghwa was aware that his seatmate outscored Jungwon he was sure that he would pass the test anyway.