When people saw my wounds, scars and bruise they don't look at me with pity.

"He got into another fight again."

"Our eyes met! He really looks scary."

"That gangster has no future."

"It would be better if he skip school instead of frightening the students."

"I wonder if he'll able to graduate."

They all think I'm a violent guy who always got into fight.

As I entered the school building, students are avoiding me while trembling in fear. There is this rumor that I'm a member of a gang. And that if anyone blocks my way, I'll beat them to death.

All those years, I bared being treated like a monster. No friends, no one to talk to and no one to ask for help. I was alone.

When I entered my classroom, my classmates conversation paused for a moment as they watch me walked in. I knew what they are thinking. "Ahhh, Seungcheol came in with Band-Aids on his face again." Or "I really wish we aren't on the same class."

I feel horrible every time I could see their hidden thoughts behind those gaze. However, someone suddenly turned my usual life upside down.

"Good morning Seungcheol," her sweet voice called my name.

I was afraid to look back. What if It just my hallucinations?

But she tapped my shoulder, reassuring that what I heard is real. So I lifted my head and look at my first classmate who greeted me a lovely Good Morning.

"Aren't you going to greet me back?" She pouted.

It isn't only me who are surprised by this. All of our classmates are in shock!

"G-Good morning," I stuttered, avoiding her eyes. My heart... My heart is beating so fast. I am this nervous that I covered my lips with my trembling hands.

Some of my classmate pulled her backward away from me. She whispered ,"hey what are you doing? You greeted a thug. Don't tell me because of what happened yesterday at the canteen, he is starting to bully you."

"No. Actually we..." She couldn't finish her explanation because our teacher came in.

"Good morning class!"

And they all went back to their seats.

I wonder what will (y/n)'s explanation would be if the teacher didn't came in.

"Today, we will have a pre-test for the midterm," the teacher announced.

"Eyyyyyyyyyy," they complained.

"Teacher, I thought we are allowed to watch the basketball game to cheer for our school's basketball club?" One asked.

"Right! Jeonghan, our classmate is one of the team!" Another added.

Basketball. When I was young, it was my dream to be a basketball player. I want to apply to our school's basketball club but because of my appearance and to the rumors around, they'll probably won't accept me, knowing I could bring trouble to the team.

"Okay, those who want to watch the game could watch," teacher said. They cheered for a moment not until he added, "but you won't be exempted for the test."

"Eyyyyyyyyyyyyy," they complained again.

"(Y/n) won't you say anything? Jeonghan is your best friend," some pointed (y/n), making her as an excuse.

Right. The two are close friends. But because I was watching the people around more than anyone, I can tell that Jeonghan has feelings for her. Especially when he stood up against me yesterday at the canteen.

Then Jeonghan probably wants her to watch his game.

"(Y/n) can't," teacher explained. "After my class you'll assist me at the officer's meeting. Right (y/n)?"

I didn't look back to see her reaction. "Y-Yes sir." But based on her voice, she is disappointed.

"Now stop complaining and pass this questionnaire sheets," teacher passed the exam papers at the front row.

When the exam finished, I only got 5 out 30. It is because I was absent when they discussed the lessons. I also forgot my books in my locker. Well this is okay. Getting low score is better than staying home with that stupid stepfather.

Forget him and let's just eat lunc-

Oh? I don't have money to buy lunch. Shit. I used my money to buy ointments for my wounds.

Should I find a part time job?

(Y/n) is working at a convenience store. Can I ask her if there's still available spot in their store?

No. This is too embarrassing. Beside we aren't even that close ye-

"Going to have lunch?" She... She sat on the empty seat in front of me. (Y/n) did.

This is my chance to ask her about work. But because all of our classmates are present, maybe I should...

"Can I... Talk to you outside?"

"Hmmm? Outside?"

"Yes. But you don't need to walk with me along the hallway. I can go first and-"

"No no it's okay. We can walk together."

Really? She is not scared to walk along with me? While everybody's watching?

And that's how we are walking together at the hallway. I don't know if I am the only one who is nervous as hell. This is the ill- effect of being a loner for years.

"Are you uncomfortable with me?" She asked. "You are walking like a robot."

"I'm not. People are staring at us, that's what I'm uncomfortable with."

"I know a place that you can be at ease," she recommended.

And then she brought me somewhere around the school area. So there's a place here that no one passed by.

"Sit down," she tapped the grass as she sat on it.

"Did you always come here?" I asked while sitting down beside her.

"Before. Jeonghan and I came here to read books or review for a test."

Ahhh, this is like their secret hideout.

"Anyway, what do you want to talk about?" She brought up.

I took a deep breath before asking, "I... I'm looking for a part time job. You are working at the convenience store so I was thinking if the owner is searching for another part timer."

"Really?! That's great! My boss is currently searching for a part-timer. The guys who worked with me resigned already."

"Ahhh is that so. But, do you think he'll accept me? He'll freak out if he saw my face." I pointed my face.

"Why would he freak out by your handsome face?" She reacts while looking closely to my face.

Eh?

"I MEAN, Y-YEAH YOU'RE HANDSOME BUT... AH YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUR WOUNDS. D-DON'T WORRY I'LL EXPLAIN IT TO HIM AND COVER YOU UP. HA-HA."

She is the one who is freaking out.

"You are so kind to me," I murmured and turned my head to the sky.

"Well we are friends after all," she explained.

That night, she asked me if we could be friends. I thought she only did that because of pity. But it seems like she was serious about it.

"Ahhh actually, I brought you a lunch."

Lunch?!

Wide opened eyes, I looked back to her and to the lunch box she brought.

"I'm still feel sorry for the incident happened at the canteen yesterday. So to make it up, I made a lunch for us. I hope you'll like it." She opened it and I saw the kimbap she made.

"This is for me?" I pointed my hungry tummy.

"Yes," she smiled. "Come on, take a bite."

Maybe because I am hungry that I didn't hesitate to eat one. Hmmm, taste pretty great.

"How is it?" She worries.

"Yummy," I said while nodding. "Can I eat more?"

"Sure!"

As a man, this is too embarrassing but for now I have no choice. If I get a part time job salary, I'll treat her too. 

Wait a minute.

Since when did I think of treating someone else?

This is the first time.

"If Jeonghan is here, it could be fun,"  she murmured and ate her kimbap.

"Ahhh, that guy who likes you?" I nodded.

"Huh?"

Ooops.

"I mean that guy who likes you as friend," I explained.

Things like this shouldn't come out from me.

"Ahhh, yes," she chuckled. "Jeonghan is a great friend."

She sees him as a great friend. Poor Jeonghan.

"Then why didn't you watch his game?" I asked.

"I want too. But the teacher suddenly gave me a lot of task. Darn it. That's why I don't like to be our class president," she pouted and ate again.

"How about now? It's lunch time. You can check him now."

"But if I go now, then how can I give this lunch box to you?" She blinked her eyes, staring at me.

Her statement  somehow makes my heart skip a beat.

"Besides, Jeonghan has a lot of fans. Also if I go there, it'll be hectic to deal with his fangirls. We are avoiding each other at school on purpose. Because he doesn't want me to get tired helping his suitors, lol."

So that's the reason why I don't see them hang out now than they did before.

"Well, we are neighbors so when we're at home, we hang out."

"Isn't it the same for me?" I blabbered.

"Huh?"

"Like Jeonghan, I'm quite famous too. But not in a good way. If you hang out with me, people will think you are friending a thug, a violent guy and gangster. That's tiring too."

"You're right," she laughed. "But it's okay. To be honest I really want to have a peaceful highschool life. So being your friends could be a little tiring."

Right. So why are you doing this?

"But when I asked you to be my friend last night, I feel so happy. Like, I found a jewel out of nowhere."

"Isn't that only a pity?"

"I don't think so. You know, I was one of that students who were afraid of you. Yet when I learned your true self, I was ashamed of myself. Why am I judging a book by its cover? It broke my heart a lot. So I want to prove them the real you. I want to show them that this is the real Choi Seungcheol. Weird right? Coming from a coward like me."

My eyes went to the rice on the corner of her lips. "Hmmm," I murmured before I remove the rice using my thumb. "Very weird."

Then we look at each other for seconds.

She cut her stare and look somewhere as she tucked her hair behind her ears. While I forged a cough, "ahem," and choose to eat another kimbap roll.

"At least," I started. "Unlike Jeonghan, you won't get tired dealing any girls. No one has a crush on me. Y-Yeah."

"That's good," she answered, holding the grass. "It means I can have you by myself."

What?

What was that?

I choked while eating and keep on coughing cause my throats hurt. "H-Huh?" I asked as I feel my ears burning up.

"Ahh, do you want to play a game?" She changed the topic.

Cute.

I just chuckled.

"Woah, so handsome," she whispered something I didn't hear.

"What?"

"N-Nothing. So let's play a game. We will eat a kimbap and the first one who finished it will flick the loser's forehead."

Is she serious? The winner is obvious.

But I agreed, "Okay."

We both got each other a piece of kimbap. "Ready? Go!" She announced then we ate it at the same time.

And of course, I won.

"Finish!" I opened my mouth and show my tongue.

"What?! That so fast! I always win with Jeonghan," she complained.

Maybe he is just letting you win.

"So, are you ready?" I faced her, showing my finger and placing it near to her forehead.

Are you really going to hit a girl?" She replied, using a puppy eyes.

"You said the one who wins will flick the loser's forehead," I replied as I ate another kimbap from your lunchbox.

"I said that. Yes I did. But that's only applied if I'm the winner. If you flick my forehead, then I'll call you gay."

Lol.

"I'm not gay."

"I-I know. How can as manly as you became gay? I'm just joking," she stuttered as she avoided my gaze.

Now I know the reason why Jeonghan likes you. It is easy to fall in love if it is you.

"I won't flick you," he said. "How could I hurt that someone who made this lunch for me?' I replied.

She just chuckled the took a glimpse at her wrist watch. " Oh the lunch time will almost over. Should we head back?"

"Hmmmm," I murmured, then eat another kimbap before she sealed the box. "Here," I offered my hand so she could stand.

"T-Thanks," she held my hand and stood up.

Then we both head back, of course, without holding hands while we walk.

A teacher saw her while we are heading back and asked her to do something. So I went to our classroom alone. When I entered our room, everyone is looking at me. But now I didn't care.

I happily sat down on my seat and wear my earphone to listen music while waiting for a teacher to arrive.

(Y/n) didn't attend our afternoon class at all.

I was looking at her empty seat and keep on sighing. I miss her.

We are classmate for years but this is the first time I got aware of her presence.

"That's all for today, see you tomorrow kids," the teacher waved goodbye.

I stood up and wore my bag pack. Without looking at anyone, I walked out from our room, but halted to look back at (y/n)'s bag left on her desk.

Is she still on the officers' meeting? 

Well we can meet at the convenience store later.

So I head out. While walking out the school building, I saw the basketball gym and stopped at the entrance. No one is inside. Then the game is over. I wonder if our school basketball club wins or not.

I walked in and grabbed the ball from the ground. My eyes went to the ring, then to the ball I am holding. I held my breath and shoot it from the three point line.

"Wow!" Someone clapped behind me. When I looked back, I saw the basketball team's captain, Leeteuk sunbaenim. (Sunbaenim means older colleague). "You are a sharp shooter," he praised.

I bowed my head and about to go out. But...

"You are Jeonghan's classmate right? Choice Seungcheol," he said so I stared back. He grabbed a ball and passed it to me. "Nice catch," he gasped. "What about passing though me to shoot the ball at the other ring? He is talking about playing a game 1 on 1.

I dropped my bag. Then I dribbled the ball and run though him. Leeteuk sunbaenim is good point guard. He is fast and If I made little mistake, he can snatch the ball from me.

"can't shoot it?" He challenged with a smirk.

I stepped back, jumped and pose like I am shooting the ball. So he jumped to block me, but he made a mistake. Because I didn't shoot the ball. Instead, when my feet landed on the ground, I turned around to pass through him and finally shoot it without him on my sight.

I won! Yes!

"You seem to be a good player," he commented. "Do you want to be a part of the club?

Of the basketball team? Tsss.

"Aren't you afraid with the rumors around me?" I asked and picked my bag. "They said I'm a thug."

"Rumors are just a rumors," he chuckled. "If you change your mind, tell me." He winked and started to walk.

"Can I ask something?!" I shouted.

"Sure!" He shouted while walking away.

"Did your team wins the semifinal game?!"

"Hahaha. No! We lose! Better luck next time!" Then he went out.

That means, (y/n)' friend lose his game. He might need a comfort from her.

Should I head to the convenience store or not?

But I need to have a part-time job ASAP.

Okay. Let's go now. There's a little percent that I might bump into him there.

.
.
.
.

Or so I thought...

Because when I arrived near at the convenience store, I saw Jeonghan and (y/n) sitting in front of the store.

Maybe this is really not the right time to butt in. I was about to back out but stopped when I saw (y/n) sticking her tongue in front of Jeonghan. What are they doing?

Then suddenly, Jeonghan licked her tongue. Huh?! Huh!

What's that?!

That's...

Too...

Pervert.

I freeze here while watching the two of them from afar. Jeonghan went out, holding a cup of ramen and catching his breath. I want to hide but its too late. He already saw me. As he walked towards my direction, I can't help it but to stare at the cup he is holding.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

"You aren't thinking of throwing that hot cup of ramen to me, are you?" I gulped.

"W-What?" He laughed.

"Actually, I came here to meet (y/n)."

Then his smile faded. "If you think of messing around with her, stop it. Or you'll deal with me."

"I came here for  part time job at the convenience store. (Y/n) said she'll introduce me to her boss."

"Part time.... Part t-time? Here?!" He pointed the store.

I nodded. "I'm looking for a job."

"Huh, what the hell," he gasped. "So you mean the two of you... Will work together? Everyday?"

Again, I nodded. "Maybe?"

"Damn it!" He cursed and about to go back.

"You like her, right? He stopped and turned around. "Don't worry. I don't have a plan to take her away from you, nor try to harm her in any way. We are just friends."

"Friends my bullsh*t," he cursed. "There's no way a guy and girl relationship could be just a friend. Look at me, (y/n) and I been together for years. And after a lot of time, I just f*cking  realize my feelings today. Do you think it wouldn't happen to you? So don't f*cking mess at me."

What should I say to make him think that I'll never take his girl away?

"That's impossible," I started.

"How can you be so sure?" He smirked.

"Because..."

Because...? Hmmmm?

"Because I'm a gay."

"Huh?" His eyes widened.

Sh*t. What the hell did I started?!

-------