02 | "You don't like what? The term darling?"

I bite the wooden length of the pencil between my lips. We only had to do only two pages for homework, but I needed the extra challenge for this upcoming unit. I had to beat Heeseung. Oh, right! I mentioned that this kind of determination stems back to our youth. What are we, seniors? Yeah, so, seven years ago! You see, we met in fifth grade. Starting out, we were... friends, I suppose. We've always been competitive spirits, but the true hatred started in sixth grade. Fifth grade was just the prelude to bigger problems.

In sixth grade, Heeseung was always a point below me. No matter what quiz or test, I was always the winner. That didn't mean I was at the top of the class, but we made it our own project to try and beat each other. Once Heeseung got tired of always finishing last, he decided it would be fun to yell at me in front of the whole class, making friendly competition into war. I can barely remember what childish tomfoolery he was growling about, but I remember not going to school for a whole week because I was embarrassed.

Since then, every insult and every remark has been used as an attack. Every test, whether it be 100s or bonus points, was the tie-breaker. That's why I can't give up. I won't let him be the ultimate winner, even if my heart is exhausted from running.

Thump, thump. Things fly against the window, sounding like thrown sticks before a loud "Moon Hayoon!" is heard. I slam my pencil against the prep book in anger. Who's trying to disrupt the only peace I get? Although I'd prefer to be reading those cute fiction books on my app, studying is my priority! Who's trying to disrupt that?!

Again, my name is barked in demand, calling me over. Finally deciding to see the fuss, I drag open my window, sticking my head out. "HA-" My right eye closes in shock. It grows in tingly sensation before the pain burns, my left eye seeing the tree branch fall to the ground. "-Yoon. Holy crap."

"What do you want, Sunoo?!" I slam my hands against the window frame, causing Sunoo to step back. "Do you really have to cause a ruckus while my family is sleeping?"

"I'm sorry, Hayoon, but have you checked your phone?" Sunoo seems almost out of breath, like he ran here from his house. "Heeseung hyung, he's, he's-"

"He's what, Sunoo? Spit it out!"

"He's bashing you!" My heart fell. He was making me look bad? So suddenly?! I grab my phone in a rush, swiping through the notifications. The student council members were texting me, asking me what was going on with the school forum. As I checked, it seemed that the whole website was down and that Heeseung was telling others it was my fault. My fault?! He must have guts to say that when I've been here, doing nothing but study so that I can beat his-

"Hayoon, don't overthink it!" Sunoo warns, pointing at me. "Listen, text back the student council group chat, and don't try to instigate. It's not going to be worth it... Oh, also, can I sleep at your house?"

"Is that why you've decided to crawl over here!? Just to sleep at my house?!" I yellin frustration. Sunoo's slight pout convinces me, and I groan. I hurry downstairs, parents still asleep in the process, and open the door. Sunoo's already there, holding his backpack, uniform, and study books. "You got kicked out again?"

"Yeah. Anyway, don't call him. He doesn't know you know," Sunoo enters and closes the door behind him. I don't listen, speed-dialing Heeseung and pressing the phone to my ear. Surprisingly, he picks up quickly.

"Hey, dummy. I heard you're making me look like a problem, huh?" It's silent on his end. After a minute, he scoffs, probably in disbelief. I almost shake in rage, gripping my phone. "You choose to scoff? That's all you're GOING to SAY!?"

"Stop yelling," Heeseung lets out an annoyed groan, which I assume is because he just woke up. I check the time briefly before he responds: 12:35 am. Yeah, he'd be asleep by now. "I just woke up. What are you yelling about?"

A part of me feels bad that I woke him up, but if I can't get sleep, he can't either. "Why are you spreading the rumor that I'm the one who crashed the school forum?"

"Who else if not you? It's not a rumor, it's a theory."

"You're spreading rumors saying that I did it. Not that it could've been me."

"Same difference," Heeseung yawns, a quiet shuffling heard on his end. "Does that hurt your pride, darling, that you're being accused?"

I cringe at the pet name. "It hurts my pride as the president. It hurts because it wasn't me," I reply. "And, don't call me that. I don't like it."

All of a sudden, he moves, quiet laughter leaving his lips as if he's sitting up in his bed. The image comes to mind, and I almost force it out. I don't want to imagine him right now. "What?" Then, he laughs even louder. "You don't like what? The term darling?"

I couldn't say anything. Was it humiliating to deny it? "It seems I'll call you that more often then. Anyway, darling, if you feel that it hurts your pride, then defend yourself. Why come crying to me, the perpetrator? Do you think I want to do anything about it?"

I grit my teeth. "Hey, Lee-"

"Maybe I'll get promoted to President of the student council for your mistakes, Prez," Heeseung replies. "Now, I'll see you tomorrow. Night."

"Hees-" And he hangs up. He hangs up on me.

Sunoo, who's finished changing into his pajamas, brushing his teeth, setting his things in my room, and walking back down the stairs, sighs hopelessly. "I told you not to call him. He's just going to bully you into giving up."

"I have enough pride and persistence to keep this going until the day I die."

"Pfft," Sunoo laughs, covering his mouth. "What about college? You'll have to stop somewhere, and I doubt you guys have even thought that far."

Sunoo was right. Sure, it was the first few months of senior year, but I haven't thought about my future. All I knew was that my success depended on it. That's why the student council was my desperate measure on resumes when all else failed. (At least being the Student President was a worthy perk to any job I wanted.)

I frown. "I don't want to talk about it," I dismiss, moving past him and heading up to my room. "God, I hate Heeseung, but it's so fun to torment him. Goodnight now, Sunoo."

"Wait, Hayoon? Didn't you want to end the battle already? Hayoon!"

"Thank you so much, Hayoon!" I smile proudly as the student council sophomore hugs me. I pat her slightly. I didn't know if she wanted me to keep her close. "God, if it wasn't for you, I think I would've been in so much more trouble... Again, I'm so sorry for not saving the updates yesterday! I didn't know it would break the site."

"It's alright, don't worry about it," Seeing her relieved allowed my heart to be at peace. "Now, you see the importance of saving all your edits? If you accidentally mess with one thing, it could explode the whole site!"

"Yeah, and I'm sorry," She scratches the crown of her head once her body leaves my arms, my hands immediately sticking back into my pockets from the cold in the classroom. "I heard you were getting blamed for the forum crash. I'll come clean to the student council the next time we meet."

"Don't," I shake my head. "I don't want you being kicked out, so I'm fine with taking the blame. They can't do anything but reprimand me now that it's back up."

"Are you sure?" She asks, which causes me to nod my head. "Alright. Thank you, President Moon! I'll see you later!"

"Bye now!" I say my farewells, watching the sophomore skip out happily. I heave a sigh, mainly out of relief for both her and the forum. I itch the nape of my neck, turning back to the computer to shut it off. Once I do, the door reopens, and I check to see who's coming to use the computers so early in the morning.

Well, they weren't, and they were here to reprimand me as I said. Heeseung walks in, hands slowly clapping, treading toward me with a look of venom. "I see you've fixed the problem," Heeseung stops right in front of me. I wince, waiting for some kind of verbal attack, but nothing came except a sigh. "I guess you have to take the blame, hm? That's selfish of you. How will they learn?"

"People make mistakes, Heeseung, because that's what humans do," I grumble. My eyes brighten for a moment, pointing at him. "Say, could I finally get you back for-"

"No. No checkmate."

I frown. "That's wrong. I technically proved you wrong! So, checkmate!"

Heeseung sucks in his teeth, closing his eyes for a moment before glaring. However, seeing my subtle (yet glorious) win, he sighs. He places his hand on the top of my head, stopping my celebration. As I look up at him in annoyance, Heeseung only chuckles, messing with my hair. "Alright, darling, don't get too cocky yet," I grab his hand, chucking it back to his side. After, I pat down the mess he's created. "You have yet to beat me in a test. So, I'll be waiting."

The hoodie that was once in his hands becomes propped over his shoulder, and waving me goodbye for a split moment stuns me. My heart starts running once he's gone and I have to place my palm against the desk.

Stupid. He's getting back at me by being nice. I've never seen that before. He looked weary, almost exhausted. Did I wake him up too early? Did he not get any sleep?

Nah, who cares. He deserves that. Spreading rumors and talking a whole lot of crap... That's karma! Loser!