AS another week of school begins, Jun usually arrives early as he likes to hang out with his friends before class starts. He sits with Joshua in the front of the academy, there are a couple of benches that surround the area so they take their pick. Joshua eats his packed breakfast as he was afraid of taking too much time at the dining table, usually, when he'd eat at home it would result in him being late to first period. "Shua," Jun calls as he's in the midst of chewing on his granola bar, "do you know Minghao? Xu Minghao to be exact."

The question was rather random to the older boy, he wasn't familiar with the name so he felt bad to disappoint the boy as he had to reply with a muffled, "No," due to his chewed food being in the way of proper pronunciation. "I don't."

"That's okay, I didn't think you did."

"Then why'd you ask?" Joshua questions with curiosity as he swallowed the granola bits down, "You have beef with him or something?"

"I don't have beef with anyone, he's my neighbor." Jun informs, which brings sense to Joshua as he lets out a small, 'ah'. "He's a student, so, he has to be a student at the academy. I've never seen him around."

"Maybe he's one of those people who like to keep himself lowkey. You know, focus on themselves and have no distractions. He may have a couple of friends but it may be at least one, two at the max."

"You're assuming things now." The younger male states, pouting his lips as he slumps into the bench. "He just seems lonely, I can sense that there's a lot of negativity in his life that has probably consumed him already."

"That's new to hear," Joshua takes another bite out of his granola bar, "you're being slightly poetic, I think? But, you're putting a lot of thought into him from what I can tell.."

"He also says he's someone I shouldn't talk to. There's nothing bad about him, well, from what I know at the moment. He seems like a good guy, it's just he's pushing me away and I don't know what to do."

Joshua changes his position as he sits criss-cross on the bench. He shrugs his shoulders, finally taking the last bites of his small breakfast and finishing it. "Maybe, he likes it that way? Not necessarily like, but has a reason behind it. It's quite obvious because if someone acts a certain way they ought to have a reason for it correct? But, if that's not the case it could be his personality."

Jun nods from his words, he definitely was on the right track. He didn't have much knowledge of Minghao and in fact, they only just met. The older wanted to get to know Minghao, but he was struggling badly even though it was just the beginning. He didn't know what was keeping Minghao from speaking to him, was there something wrong with Jun? Did a rumor spread around that he heard that he never was aware of? Scenarios like that could happen, but he didn't want that ruining Minghao's first impression on him. "Yeah..you're right. But, I want to find him so I can talk to him. I've only seen him through his window. It would be nice to be face to face."

"I'm just interested in why you're so invested in him? Like, did he strike a pin or something Junhui?"

Jun shrugs his shoulders, looking at the blue-haired boy. "I don't know, he's from China."

Joshua's expression changes immediately after hearing his response, "You got to be shitting me, it's because he's from China.." Jun nods to confirm his answer, "Alright, that's valid I guess."

★

"Did you finish the physics homework?" Soonyoung questions as he and Minghao walk to class, "It kept me up all night! There were too many numbers, too many pictures I should've dropped out the second day." He whines, his fingers crawling up into his blonde locks as the boy was stressed when only thinking about the class.

"I did, Saturday morning, the material wasn't too difficult as everything came from the textbook," Minghao tells, Soonyoung lets out another whine as he was jealous of the boy's work ethic. He didn't understand how he was able to get all his work done so quickly without any distractions. Well - technically he did have his weird neighbor that Soonyoung was now aware of.

"Oh yeah, how's you and your neighbor?" The blonde asks with curiosity, wondering who the odd boy was anyways. "You never told us his name."

Minghao's expression changes quickly, shortly he answers his question. Gritting his teeth as he grasps onto his backpack straps to contain his anger. "Wen Junhui..." He mutters, only because saying the name too loudly might grab some attention.

Soonyoung stops in the hallway, he raises his brow blinking a vast amount of times which was highly unnecessary. "Wen Junhui?" He repeats, Minghao nods his head, awkward lip smile presented on his face. "You're telling me, the academy's volleyball captain is your window neighbor."

"You're correct. That's why I don't want to talk to him, his kind doesn't talk to people like me." Minghao explains, which was a stretch in Soonyoung's perspective as Hao didn't know him personally. "He and I have no commonalities, it's simple. We wouldn't get along. He gives me a headache anyways."

"Are you sure that's not your parents speaking for you?" It was a risky button to press, but Soonyoung only wanted the truth. He knew Minghao's parents were the definition of strict. The boy couldn't do anything since his schedule was already planned out for him, especially on the weekends. If he did want to hang out with Hao, they would have to come up with some sort of excuse related to school in order to get some hours of his day free.

Minghao grips his backpack straps again, this time only harder. Soonyoung notices immediately and he doesn't say anything else. "No, it's not." His voice was soft, but it was obvious that there was some hidden anger underneath it. "Let's just drop the topic, class is going to be starting soon anyway."

Soonyoung wants to say more, but he knows it'll only add more fuel to the fire. He wished Minghao would build up the courage to break free from his parents given criteria since he's molded himself into the perfect version that they wanted. He didn't have any freedom to figure out his own attributes, Minghao was far from his true self. Soonyoung was aware of this ever since Minghao attended one of his dance performances. After it ended, Minghao wouldn't stop boasting for Soonyoung, it was clear that he was proud of his hard work but it seemed that there was more behind the story. Minghao himself wanted to do what he did - to be on stage and flow freely with the music.

To be free in general.

But, he couldn't. As much as he had a soft spot for music in his heart, his parents would never allow dance to enter his life. Arguing that the activity would play no use for him in the future although piano and violin were the same. He could never win, he just couldn't. Soonyoung wanted to help Minghao to break free, but that was far from his capabilities as there were too many things to conquer at once. Minghao's stubbornness, his molded personality and parents of course. It was heartbreaking to him and Wonwoo to watch their best friend have such little to say with faint emotions, it was rare to have Minghao smile. Even if it was for a second or so, it'll shortly disappear as it seemed as if he was reminded of something each time.

"Minghao." Soonyoung gently calls the boy's name, "Can you do something for Wonwoo and I?"

"What?"

"Smile for us please," He requests, "that's all I'm asking for."

★

Jun always enjoyed his fourth period, mostly because it was the class before lunch and was his dance class. He was able to roam freely, literally. There were no designated seats, a whiteboard and a lesson that was assigned for the day. The one major thing they were learning for the year were four different dances by student choreographers, he was one of them. Well, not by himself but with his small team Soonyoung and Chan. Once they got everything wrapped up, each class would be performing their dances for the spring show that students could attend. It was a way to gain money for the performing arts center at their academy.

"Jun!" Soonyoung calls once he enters the room, the older boy turns to him and waves his hands around to respond to his call. Once the blonde is done setting his stuff done, he runs over to the taller. "You never told me Minghao was your neighbor?"

Jun tilts his head, "Yeah, I just figured out last weekend. How'd you know?"

Soonyoung was hesitant to say that he was good friends with Minghao, mostly because he knew the younger male enjoyed his privacy. So, the blonde shrugs his shoulders, "I overheard this guy and him talking about it in the hallway when I was on my way to class."

"Oh," Jun was slightly disappointed as there was no connection between him and Minghao, "well, that's interesting. I didn't think he'd want to talk about it to anyone."

"Can't say much since I don't know much." He tells, Jun nods his head as he was right. Well, he only agreed only because he believed that's all Soonyoung knew. "How is Minghao anyways? Just curious.."

"He's funny, well I think he is. His reactions are funny, but, it seems like he doesn't enjoy talking to me. I don't really know the reason behind it. But, all I want to do is befriend him if it's not much to ask. Yet again, if it seems like I'm trying to force a relationship with him and make him uncomfortable I'll leave him alone." Jun shortly explains, Soonyoung was glad that the boy didn't have any intention of making the younger uneasy, especially since Minghao didn't seem to have a great impression on Jun so far. "What about you? Do you have any thoughts on Minghao?"

Soonyoung pretends to think hard although he was already aware of the little details that Minghao held, such as his habit of spacing out which led to his eyes either widening or squinting slightly within the moment. He was also aware that Minghao was a touchy person, he rarely displayed it. The feeling of having his hands intertwined with someone else made him feel a bit more secured, especially during his rough moments when he believed things were going downhill for himself. He appreciated his friends a lot, but he couldn't bring himself to the solid conclusion that they were okay with skinship. Minghao always avoided the fact as his blaring thoughts brought no fun to his party. "He probably seems like a good guy. I don't know, I don't talk to him often."

"I bet he is a good guy!" Jun shouts, stretching his arms as he falls onto his back, "Did you know he's from China? Pretty obvious by his name... He also called me a pervert..."

Soonyoung snorts, "How did that happen?"

"Well, we met because our windows are aligned. Since my room is right beside his, I saw him in the midst of changing. Technically he was taking too long to put on his shirt, also I was reenacting an anime scene, you can't get mad at me for wanting to have a feel of what two-d characters go through."

"You are one odd boy you know," The blonde lays on his stomach and slides his way over next to Jun with his hands, "Are you still having any trouble with being captain? It is your third year, I know how tiring it can be."

Jun can only shrug, he didn't enjoy discussing the captain part of him, after the course of time it didn't seem to fit his image. Well, in his eyes. In everyone else's he was perfect, Jun was tall, had the body, was the powerhouse of the team and had great sportsmanship. What more could they want? As much as Jun did enjoy the sport, he found his love for performing growing and taking over. He didn't have anyone to tell except for Soonyoung as he was the one of the people he was close with within the dance department. "It's alright, the season starts in the spring remember?," He turns onto his stomach like Soonyoung and pouts, "meaning I'm gonna be extra busy with dance and volleyball. That's double the pain."

"But at least you like dancing." The boy says, his eye smile shortly appearing as he lets out a small laugh. Jun hits him with a light punch, "I'm not wrong, or am I?"

"Half-half." Jun answers, "I should have quit last year, knowing how much of a pain it would be. I don't even understand how an underclassman like me in freshman year could even be captain. Like, was everyone that bad? I also didn't want to keep it up anymore, but my parents would've thought I was wasting my talent. I felt bad so I continued."

"I don't know, I don't play." Soonyoung answers, although the question was obviously rhetorical. "But, I know someone who's stuck in a similar situation as you." He wants to be discreet about his connection with Minghao, knowing that revealing it would just ruin their relationship development. Soonyoung believed it would be better if Jun did everything on his own if he was truly committed to befriending Minghao. Besides, Soonyoung wasn't worried about Jun bothering him too much as he knew his limits and intentions.

"Really, who?"

"For privacy reasons, I can't say. But, they're closer than you think."

"Now this is gonna bother me for the rest of the day, thanks." Jun sarcastically responds, his words follow with a small laugh. "I hope they can wiggle their way out of whatever they're going through because it sucks."

"You should try and wiggle out yourself, Mr. Wen Junhui."

Jun sighs, "I'm trying my best." His eyes capture himself in the mirror, shaking his head lightly he questions, Am I really?