Chapter Text
heart racing faster than ever
Jeonghan's heart raced faster than ever when he stood in front of the classroom door.
Never in his life had he ever thought he would finally take up music as his major.
His parents had been vehemently against it, pushing for him to pursue medicine instead. Despite working multiple shifts to pay his fees and rent, Jeonghan was determined to follow his passion.
Timidly, he walked into the class, scanning the room. The teacher hadn't arrived yet, and only a few students occupied their seats.
"I think I'm a little early," Jeonghan murmured softly to himself, settling at the last bench in the middle row.
He pulled out his music notes, flipping through them as he contemplated the pieces he still needed to master.
The schedule provided by the office thankfully didn't clash with his work hours, a relief that eased some of his anxiety.
Lost in thought, Jeonghan didn't notice the classroom gradually filling up, nor did he realize why no one chose to sit beside him. However, he couldn't shake the feeling of eyes scrutinizing him from all angles.
Just as he began to feel uneasy, the door swung open, and the room fell into a sudden silence. Jeonghan looked up expectantly, thinking it was the teacher, but instead, four boys entered.
"Look who's sitting in our seat," remarked the boy with sharp, cold eyes.
"Come on, S.Coups, leave him alone. We can sit on the other side," intervened the blonde-haired boy, giving Jeonghan a gentle smile before settling in another row.
"But Woozi, that's our seat, man," protested S.Coups.
Jeonghan couldn't help but wonder about their peculiar names but quickly dismissed it when the teacher finally walked in.
Little did Jeonghan know what he had signed up for.
The class concluded without further incident, and Jeonghan set out to find the library, most students having already left.
Finding himself alone in the hallway, he collided with a tall, strong-built figure.
"Ouch! I-I'm sorry," Jeonghan stammered, bowing apologetically before attempting to walk away, a heavy hand suddenly clamping down on his shoulder.
A sense of foreboding crept over Jeonghan as he turned to face the person, only to receive a sudden blow to his stomach.
"What-ah!" His voice broke, and he doubled over in pain.
The assailant seized him by the collar, a sly smile curling on his lips. "Can't you see where you're going with those pretty eyes of yours?"
Confused and in pain, Jeonghan could only stare at the older boy, tears welling in his eyes. Before he could comprehend the situation, he was struck across the face, warm blood trickling down his nose.
His vision blurred, and he struggled to wipe away the blood, trembling uncontrollably.
The perpetrators left him there, bleeding and in agony, disappearing down the hallway. Jeonghan watched as two figures departed, unable to muster the strength to remain standing.
8:00 PM.
"You're finally awake!" greeted a boy with soft features and kind, bambi-like eyes.
"Yeah," Jeonghan replied, surveying his surroundings. He didn't recognize where he was or who the boy beside him was.
Regret flooded through him as he realized he should have listened to his parents and never left home. Every inch of his body ached, and attempts to sit up only intensified the pain.
Observing his distress, the other male helped Jeonghan up slowly, careful not to exacerbate his wounds.
"I'm Hong Joshua. And you are?" Joshua asked, offering a glass of water with a painkiller the nurse had left.
"Jeonghan. Yoon Jeonghan," he replied gratefully, accepting the medicine from Joshua and managing a weak smile.
"Thank you so much, Joshua," Jeonghan said, glancing at the wall clock.
"8:10!? I have a shift," Jeonghan exclaimed, attempting to get out of bed, albeit unsuccessfully.
"Can you please calm down?" Joshua requested, holding Jeonghan's hand gently. The touch made Jeonghan flinch involuntarily.
"Ah, sorry," Joshua apologized, noting Jeonghan's sensitivity.
"No, thank you. It's just... um, thank you for saving me. I must have kept you out for so long," Jeonghan continued, his gratitude overflowing.
"Okay, tell me your birthday so I can address you properly," Joshua requested, closely examining Jeonghan's bruises and noting his beauty.
"October 4, 1995."
"You're kidding! Mine is December 30, 1995!"
"I'm your hyung, Joshua," Jeonghan teased with a smug face,Joshua really didn't like the idea.
"No, we are just a few months apart," Joshua complained, scrunching his nose at the thought of having to call his new friend "Hyung."
It only took them half an hour to get along.
"Now, let's get out of here, okay? Because the campus closes at 9 p.m. I know you can't walk, so let me drive you home."
Jeonghan couldn't have been more thankful for meeting such a great friend.
Joshua grabbed Jeonghan's belongings with one hand, and assisted him with the other.
They arrived at Joshua's car after a brief conversation.
With small conversations being made, they reached Joshua's rich looking black shiny car.Jeonghan know just by the car and the way the younger dressed that he was rich.
Once they were settled inside, Joshua asked jeonghan to put the address on the GPS and they drove away.
"Do you know who they were? " asked Joshua.
"I did see them but I of course don't know their names. The one who I bumped into was tall and muscular. He had a cut on his left eye and a piercing on the lip, he had a companion a bit shorter than him."
That was enough information for Joshua to know who it.