As Yangyang kept running, people stared; people who all suddenly knew his name, and the label he now had. He spotted the bathroom further up the hallway. He could lock himself in a cubicle at least until first period started and everyone went off to their classes, he thought. But as he kept running, he hit his foot on something and stumbled, crashing to the floor and hitting his head.

He groaned in pain, rubbed more tears from his eyes, and as he pushed himself up off the floor he felt the presence of someone standing over him.

“What’s the matter, Yangyang?”

Yangyang looked up and saw Xiao Jun smirking down at him, his hand extended out as if to help him up. He flashed a beautiful smile at Yangyang, his white teeth gleaming, but his eyes were dark and cold.

“Leave me alone.” Yangyang sniffed.

Xiao Jun chuckled and squatted down to Yangyang’s level. Yangyang shrank back from him, wishing to be as far away from him as humanly possible. He knew it was Xiao Jun who had spread his photo all over school and knew the older boy was probably revelling in the fact that it had destroyed Yangyang’s reputation.

Xiao Jun kept his voice low as he spoke, so only Yangyang could hear him, “Are you upset? Did I ruin your life huh?” He questioned with a wicked smile, “Well maybe you should have been a good boy and listened to me, maybe you should have—“

Xiao Jun couldn’t finish his tirade of cruel words because he was yanked backwards, falling flat on his back. Ten stood over him, his chest heaving and hands balled into fists, glaring down at him.

“Ten.” Xiao Jun spat, quickly getting to his feet, “You’re always interfering aren’t you, hoe?”

Ten responded by punching him in the face. Xiao Jun stumbled back, hitting the hallway wall. He grimaced and clutched the side of his jaw.

Yangyang scrambled to his feet and stared wide-eyed as Ten approached Xiao Jun. He backed up, away from the two of them and fell into place in amongst a wide circle of students who had now congregated in the hallway to watch the scene play out.

Xiao Jun ruefully rubbed his injured jaw and spat out a globule of blood. Ten launched himself at him, swinging another fist towards his face but Xiao Jun anticipated the move, ducked beneath his swinging arm and tackled Ten to the ground. The two boys fell heavily to the floor with a grunt. Ten grabbed fistfuls of Xiao Jun’s shirt and brought his knee up to kick him in the gut. Xiao Jun groaned and batted Ten’s arms away, trying to pin him to the ground but Ten was quick and tangled his legs around Xiao Jun’s, grabbed his shoulder and managed to push him off balance.

Ten wriggled out from underneath the other boy and clutched onto the front of his shirt, lifting him up to land another punch. Xiao Jun’s head snapped back with the force and his hands blindly searched to grab hold of Ten. He caught Ten’s arm and pulled him down, wrapping an arm around the back of his neck and trapping him against his chest. Fresh blood dripped from his nose and he grinned menacingly as he lifted his leg to knee Ten in the crotch. Ten gasped and slumped on top of him, giving Xiao Jun the chance to push him away.

Watching this in shock, Yangyang was stuck in place, his feet glued to the floor while the two seniors beat each other up. Around him, other students were shouting and jeering for either side, egging them on.

Xiao Jun got to his feet and wiped the back of his hand across his bloodied face, smearing crimson blood along his cheek. He chuckled darkly as Ten pushed himself up to stand, breathing heavily and supporting himself with his hands on his thighs. Xiao Jun raised his hands into fists in front of his face and swung wide, Ten dropped down into a squat but was shunted back into the wall when Xiao Jun swung a second fist into his chest. He raised his arms, managing to block another punch and it was then that a male voice boomed, freezing everyone in place.

“ALL RIGHT THAT’S ENOUGH! BREAK IT UP NOW!”

Yangyang shot his head around to see a male teacher shouldering his way through the horde of students to the centre of the ring. He promptly stepped between Xiao Jun and Ten and forcefully separated them, pushing them back to arm’s length.

“Under no circumstances is there to be fighting on school grounds!” He yelled, and Yangyang flinched at his heavy authoritarian tone, “Everyone is to promptly make their way to class before I expel all of you!”

There was a tense silence for a short moment before the students scattered, fearing they could be included in the punishment for watching the fight. Yangyang didn’t move though, he wanted to make sure Ten was alright. But when he took a step towards the senior, the teacher’s heavy gaze fell on him.

“You, Liu Yangyang,” The teacher said, jabbing a finger at him, “You’re coming with me along with you two.” He turned his attention to the two seniors, grabbing their shirt collars and pushing them towards Yangyang. “You’re all going straight to the principal’s office.”

Yangyang scuttled out of the way, avoiding both the teacher’s and Xiao Jun’s glares to fall into place next to Ten as they were frog-marched down the hallway. The bell for first period rang and the hallways quickly emptied around them.

Yangyang wrapped his arm around Ten’s waist, “Are you okay?” He asked quietly.

Ten nodded and flashed him a smile, “Yeah, a little sore but I got in a few good punches.” He said under his breath. Xiao Jun shot him a foul look and Ten pretended to ignore him.

“But why pick a fight with Xiao Jun?” Yangyang asked, “You might end up getting expelled! You heard what he said to the other students.” 

He didn’t care if he got expelled – he couldn’t even bear to show his face at school anymore now that photo had spread throughout the school – but he didn’t want Ten getting expelled because of a stupid fight.

“I did it for you Yangyang. Xiao Jun’s a dick and he can’t just do such a shitty thing to you and think nothing’s going to happen to him in return. Besides, I was surprised he fought back – I assumed he was too much of a pussy.” Ten remarked, loud enough for Xiao Jun to hear him.

“Shut up!” Xiao Jun spat.

“I said break it up!” The teacher yelled grouchily over his shoulder.

They continued the rest of the walk to the principal’s office in silence. Yangyang wasn’t entirely sure why he was also being called to the principal’s office, but he could only guess that it was to do with the photo Xiao Jun spread all over school, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably. The teacher knew his name after all, and Yangyang knew he taught one of the senior classes.

So the teachers must have seen it as well, Yangyang thought glumly, feeling disgusted with himself.

Ten reached a hand down to lace his fingers over his on his waist, sensing his discomfort, and Yangyang was thankful that he was with him.

The group reached the principal’s office and the teacher turned to glower at them after he opened the door. He shot a disapproving look at Yangyang and Ten, and Yangyang reluctantly let go of Ten’s waist.

“Don’t move.” The teacher ordered, before stepping inside the office and shutting the door behind him.

Now alone in the hallway, Xiao Jun turned to face Ten and Yangyang, his intense eyes shooting daggers at them.

“You’re gonna wish you hadn’t done that.” He warned Ten under his breath.

Ten rolled his eyes, “You’re more stupid than I thought if you think you’re not going to end up in as much shit as me for what you did to Yangyang.”

Xiao Jun smirked at the mention of Yangyang’s name and his gaze shifted to him. Yangyang lowered his eyes to the floor when the older boy’s eyes softened, and he shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

“You know you can still be mine.” Xiao Jun whispered coolly.

“Back off!” Ten grabbed Yangyang’s arm and Yangyang looked up to see him push Xiao Jun, his back hitting the door with a small thud.

The door then opened and the teacher glared down at them, letting out a frustrated breath, “Inside, now!” He ordered, pulling both Xiao Jun and Ten inside the office by their shirt collars.

A quick glare from the teacher and Yangyang hurried after them, stopping next to Ten to stand in front of the principal’s desk. He glanced nervously at the principal, a middle aged lady with elegant features yet a stern look on her face and Yangyang shot his eyes to the ground, his heart rate increasing as his discomfort grew. He wanted to hold Ten’s hand but knew he’d only get scolded for it.

“Fighting on school grounds is not tolerated,” Began the principal, “I’m sure you’re all aware of this rule and yet you ignored it. So, what’s your excuse?” She asked, lacing her fingers together on the desk in front of her.

“It’s all Xiao Jun, he was bullying Yangyang!” Ten responded.

The principal flicked her eyes over her computer screen before training them back on Ten, “Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, are you saying that Xiao De Jun was physically bullying Liu Yangyang and you had to step in to stop him?” She asked carefully.

Xiao Jun gasped, “What?! I didn’t even do anything— you came at me from behind and just started punching me! I had to defend myself.” He retorted, crossing his arms.

“So what?” Ten shot back, “You’re going to act like you haven’t been tormenting or blackmailing Yangyang? That you didn’t spread that photo all over the school yesterday?”

That caught the principal’s attention and she interrupted, “So it is you, Xiao De Jun, who is responsible for distributing that foul imagery?” She asked and Yangyang shuffled uncomfortably, hoping she wouldn’t notice him and say anything else.

“No it wasn’t, I’ve been trying to help Yangyang. I would never do something like that to him.” He lied effortlessly.

“That’s bullshit!” Ten raised his voice, “You used that photo to try and blackmail him into being your puppet and when things didn’t go your way you did that!”

“Stop telling lies Ten!” Xiao Jun countered, taking a step closer to him, invading his personal space.

“It’s the obvious truth you lying sack of shit!” Ten yelled back, his face inches from Xiao Jun’s.

“Silence! Both of you!” The principal ordered, quickly throwing the room into a tense silence. She flexed her fingers and then spoke, her tone neutral, “Liu Yangyang, what do you have to say about all this?”

Everyone’s eyes fell on Yangyang and he bit his lip.

“It was Xiao Jun.” He answered, “He took that photo, tried to black mail me with it and then spread it. Ten was just trying to help.” Ten shot him a small smile while Xiao Jun glowered at him.

“Very well,” The principal responded, “Now while I decide on your punishments, all three of you will be suspended for three days.”

“What?” Ten and Xiao Jun shouted in unison. Yangyang let out a breath, just relieved that Ten wasn’t being expelled.

“You don’t have any proof it was me, you can’t just suspend me!’ Xiao Jun yelled.

“But Yangyang didn’t do anything wrong, he’s the victim here! Why is he getting punished?” Ten demanded.

The principal stood from her desk. She briefly flicked her eyes to Xiao Jun but didn’t respond to him, instead focusing on Yangyang as she spoke, “He is involved to this incident too.” She answered calmly. “The fact that you allowed yourself to get into such a position speaks for itself. If I were you, I would use these three days to reflect on the decisions you’ve made and who you decide to spend your time with.”

She walked around her desk to stand by the door next to the male teacher who had been quietly observing the scene.

“Now, Mr Li will let you grab your belongings and then escort you off the school premises and I will see you back in my office before first period on Friday morning.” She said definitively.

The male teacher that Yangyang now knew was called Mr Li gave the three boys a look that clearly meant ‘come quietly or there’ll be trouble’ and they followed him back out into the hallway.

They reached Yangyang’s locker first. Yangyang silently unlocked his locker and took out some textbooks, even though he knew he probably wouldn’t want to study while he was suspended. What was he going to tell his parents?

Ten caught his eye and he tried to smile but his spirits were running low.

“Um, sorry, I need to go to the bathroom.” Ten said to Mr Li, shooting Yangyang a glance.

Yangyang quickly caught on, “Yeah, me too.”

Mr Li narrowed his eyes at the two of them, “Both of you?” he muttered.

Ten and Yangyang nodded in unison.

Mr Li thought for a moment then sighed, “Okay fine. You’ve got two minutes.”

Yangyang nodded and Ten quickly grabbed his hand, pulling him down the hallway to the nearest bathroom.

“Two minutes! And no funny business!” Mr Li yelled at them.

Ten chuckled and pushed open the door to the bathroom. As soon as the door closed behind them, he pulled Yangyang into a tight hug. Yangyang cuddled into his warmth, wrapping his arms around his waist.

“Yangyang, are you doing okay? Don’t worry about me okay babe, I’m fine,” Ten cooed, stroking his hand through Yangyang’s hair, “but I need to make sure you’re okay.”

“Yeah, I’m okay, I just…” Yangyang began, at a loss for words.

“The photo?”

Yangyang sighed, “Yeah, that. What am I going to do?”

Ten pulled back and rested his forehead against Yangyang’s, “It’ll be okay; in a week or so, everyone will have forgotten about it.”

Yangyang wasn’t sure if that was true, but he wanted to believe it. He smiled at Ten before placing a light kiss against his lips.

There was a creak and the bathroom door opened and both Ten and Yangyang looked to the doorway. A flicker of anxiety shot through Yangyang, worried that it might be Mr Li coming to tell them off again. However, to his surprise it was Hendery.

“Oh, sorry to interrupt.” He apologized when he saw the two of them, diverting his eyes to the ceiling.

“You weren’t interrupting.” Ten smiled back at him, reaching down to slip his hand into Yangyang’s.

Hendery’s eyes followed the movement and he glanced at the two of them, quiet for a moment while he observed them.

“Hey Yangyang,” He said, settling his attention on his classmate, “I just wanted to say that the photo means nothing. It doesn’t change my opinion about you, I still think you’re a pretty cool guy.” He scratched the back of his neck, “I just wanted you to know that.”

Th-thanks.” Yangyang responded, Hendery’s words taking him by surprise.

“That’s wonderful Hendery – see Yangyang.” Ten chirped next to him, flashing Hendery a bright smile.

Hendery smiled back, his cheeks reddening slightly and he clasped his hands behind his back. He glanced back down at their entwined hands, “So, are you two— I mean, can I ask if you two are an item?” He questioned tentatively, “I only ask because I noticed that you stopped your, uh, services.”

“It’s complicated—“

“Yes—“

Yangyang and Ten answered at the same time and Ten chuckled.

“It’s complicated but yes, I did stop for Yangyang.” Ten clarified, “I mean there is another guy involved but—“ he waved his hand dismissively “—I’m confident that Yangyang’s going to pick me.”

He batted his eyelashes at Yangyang, making him giggle; Ten was always so confident and upbeat and he always managed to brighten Yangyang’s mood.

“Well I’m happy for you both.” Hendery said politely. He shifted his eyes to the floor and Yangyang thought he saw the smile drop from his face before Ten grabbed his attention once again, gently tugging on his arm.

“We better head back before that grumpy Mr Li barges his way in here.” Ten giggled.

Yangyang nodded in agreement, “Yeah I guess.” He glanced at Hendery. His smile had returned, yet something about his behaviour made Yangyang wonder.

“See you Hendery!” Ten chirped while he led Yangyang by the hand out of the bathroom.

They walked back down the hallway, taking their time as Mr Li glared at them with his arms crossed over his chest, tapping a finger against his arm. Beside him, Xiao Jun was resting against the wall trying to wipe the blood from his face with his sleeve, looking at the red smudges it left in disgust.

“Do you want to hang out for the rest of the day?” Ten leaned in to whisper in his ear.

Yangyang glanced at him and a playful smile perked up the edges of his pink lips.

“Of course, I’d love too.”

A/N: Ten and Xiao had a fist fight 😶😶 and now they're all suspended 😶😶

And yay Hendery featured!!