entry #10 | єяяσя

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Kieran was a player, said to be able to get any girl he wants easily.

And (Y/n) wasn't especially pretty, smart, or wealthy. Nor was she an angel or Mother freaking Theresa.

'So why the frick is the snowman bugging me?!' Her eye twitched as she struggled to keep a blank face in the midst of her vexation. She had made a barricade on her desk between her and the white-haired male with her books and was currently hiding behind it. Unaffected by the obvious display of rejection, Kieran relentlessly continued nagging her in that low voice of his.

"Koneko-chan," he was saying. "Hey, don't ignore me, (Y/n)."

She even tried distracting herself with the lesson, but having a giant snowman call her name every few seconds and try to snatch something off her desk didn't help. She was five seconds away from throwing her book at his face and two from flipping his desk over.

Nevermind. That would be a waste of her energy.

In case you didn't know, the (h/c)-haired girl's energy storage for the day was divided rather evenly, like this: 20% for eating, 70% for sleeping and finding a place to sleep, 10% for walking and talking, and 5% for actual schoolwork. Very even.

What's that you say? The numbers don't match up?

What are you talking about?

This meant (Y/n) had no category called "reach out and smack the snowman." Her only solution was to keep ignoring him. At least until her sanity gave way.

'I really, really don't want to deal with anything annoying,' she scowled as she buried her face into her copy of Macbeth, seemingly engrossed in the lesson. 'I can already feel the glares.' And there were, in fact, many glowers indeed. The girls from Kieran's fangirl were glaring daggers at the poor (h/c)-haired girl, their eyes two burning pits of crimson poison.

'I swear if I die today, I'm making the snowman pay for my funeral.'

What could she say? Funerals are expensive.

"So..." Kieran drawled, turning his full attention on the girl beside him. "About the project." Mr. Howards had finished teaching what he had to teach, and the remainder of the period was work time for the project.

She held up a hand immediately in refusal. "Noon on Saturday," she interrupted curtly. "At your dorm. Text me the place...and I'll come."

An annoyed looked flitted across his face, disappearing quickly as if it was never there. "Fine"—he leaned closer towards her—"What about afterward? What do you say we spend the rest of the day doing more...productive things, if you catch my drift, koneko-cha—"

"'Scuse me, sir?" (Y/n) rose to her feet and raised her hand. "Can I use...the restroom?"

Mr. Howards looked up from the pile of papers he was grading behind his desk. "Yes, of course."

"'Anks." She closed her book and rearranged her things before speeding out of the room. Kieran stared at where her figure used to be with a stunned look on his face.

Did she just...reject him?

Neveah came up to his side while twirling a lock of her red hair around her fingers. Her eyes raked over (Y/n)'s empty desk and then Kieran's stiff form. "Kind of rude...wasn't she?" She curled her lip in distaste. "She should know better than treat you this way, Kieran." She said his name low and seductively as she drew circles on his shoulder with her finger.

"Say, Kieran," the redhead whispered in his ear. "How about we get out of here and do something more fun?"

The white-haired male smiled, his irritation forgotten. "Oh?" It was his turn to turn on the charm. He placed his hands on her hips and brought her closer to his chest. "What kind of fun do you suggest?"

She smiled coyly and gently pulled out of his grip, tugging him towards the door. "You aren't fooling anyone like that," Neveah purred, running a hand down his chest. "Let's leave?" His smirk mirrored hers as they rose out of their seats and promptly left the classroom. Mr. Howards' gaze flickered to the two and then to his papers, wisely choosing to let them do their own thing.

The other girls in the room bristled as the redhead left hand-in-hand with the white-haired male. As she left, Neveah had cast a single victorious look at them.

'He's mine,' her narrowed eyes seemed to say. 'Back off if you know what's good for you.'

She'd leave that strange (h/c)-haired girl alone for now. But if she ever tried anything with Kieran...

Neveah wouldn't be responsible for what happens to her.

ART:ROOM

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αftєяησση

She entered the room and waved at the hazel-haired teacher in greeting.

(Y/n) took her usual seat beside Nova. And much to her surprise, Jaehyun sat down next to her a heartbeat later. At her questioning look, he nearly burst into tears. "O-oh, is someone sitting here? I'm sor—"

"It's okay, you can sit here," she quickly assured him. "I was just surprised since it's usually just me and Noves. Right?"

There was no response.

(Y/n) turned towards the pink-eyed girl. "Noves?"

Nova's eyes were wide and face pale at the presence of Jaehyun at their table. 'Nova.ex has stopped working,' (Y/n) mused with a raised eyebrow. 'I remember her telling me about how much she admires sunflower's artwork.'

"Is she okay?" Jaehyun asked worriedly, his eyes darting to and from the passed out girl.

"Give her a minute." 'If only you knew.'

"Good afternoon, class!" Ms. Florence's bright voice broke them out of their little world. "How are you all doing today? Good?" The class broke out in a series of various sighs, groans, and giggles in answer. "At least you've survived to seventh period. After this, you're all free to enjoy the rest of your day!"

Half-hearted hoots and tired sighs were all that met her encouragement.

"Time to continue our study of Renaissance artwork," she chirped, unfazed. "Now, where were we? Ah, yes, we've left off on Caravaggio..."

(Y/n) leaned forward on her hands as she, for once, listened attentively to a teacher. Out of all the teachers she loved, Ms. Florence had to be her favorite, right above Mrs. Richards. The hazel-haired teacher was beloved by her students and faculty alike despite her ditzy nature. She didn't appear to be the type to survive in an elite school like Fortuna Institute, but she did it. And that garnered her respect from her class.

Aside from her mental fortitude, (Y/n) liked Ms. Florence for several other reasons. 'I mean,' she mused. 'Ms. Florence is the one who helped me design my perfect pillow. That definitely deserves full points.'

Her pillow at home was a masterpiece.

A slight movement at the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was Jaehyun, who was fiddling with the cuffs of his sleeves, clearly uncomfortable for some reason. Concerned, she took a look around.

'So that's the reason.' (Y/n) and Nova's table was near the center of the room, neither too far back or too close to the front. This meant they could easily become the center of attention at any given moment, exactly why Ms. Florence preferred using their table when giving a demonstration in her lesson.

Usually, the two were ignored. But with the addition of the blond male, (Y/n) could almost see a spotlight shining down on them.

'Oh, joy.' She stifled a groan when she spotted her classmates either sneak looks at the blond or blatantly stare at him. Some turned their curious and often times envious gaze on the two girls, and a few of them were no doubt plotting their demises.

'Aren't my classmates such great people?'

Jaehyun's usual seat was at the back, surrounded by easels and drying racks. It meant no one could sit down next to him, allowing the boy to enjoy his passion with silence and isolation. He was beginning to regret his decision of sitting down next to his newfound friend.

If she was his friend, that is. He began to panic; 'what if she doesn't think of me as a friend? Am I deluding myself? I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry—'

Those were the thoughts that plagued his mind for the rest of the lecture. On the outside, the blond retained his cool, sullen exterior. But on the inside, he was half-sobbing and wallowing in self-pity.

What an awkward bean he is.

Chatter began to fill the classroom as Ms. Florence concluded her lesson. (Y/n) looked down at her "notes." 'Did I just invent a new language? Darn, I'm kinda cool.' Then she remembered her purple-haired friend.

Nova was still frozen.

She waved a hand in front of the other girl's face. "Noves?" She called. "Helloooo? Are you there...?"

Nova blinked rapidly and snapped to attention. "Y-yes, of course," she coughed into a fist to compose herself. She smiled tightly at the (e/c)-eyed girl. "What are we doing?"

"Ms. Florence just finished her lesson."

"Crap! I forgot to take notes!" Nova groaned and held her head in her hands. "(Y/n), can you lend me yours..." She took one look at the other girl's notebook and turned away. "Nevermind."

"Hey, what was that for? I was going to be...nice and offer it to you!"

"I'd use it if I can read it in the first place!"

"It's (Y/n)-ish! I'll translate it...for you."

"Gibberish is not a certified language, thank you very much."

"Excuse me," Jaehyun interrupted their exchange quietly. He slid his slim notebook towards the purple-haired girl. "If you want, you can use mine." (Y/n) raised her eyebrows in shock. When he was in the presence of more than one person, the golden-haired boy seemed to behave much differently. It was both surprising and a tad bit unsettling.

Nova nearly started bawling at the spot. "Thank you so much, Jaehyun!" She gushed, grateful tears brimming in her rosemary eyes. "I'll repay you somehow!"

He fidgeted with his fingers in his lap awkwardly. "No...it's alright." 'I can make more friends!' He cheered internally.

"Okay," (Y/n) began, her sleepy look morphing to a serious on in an instant. "We're supposed to make a...group piece. It could be any media...as long as it as one central theme." When it comes to her academics, the (h/c)-haired girl wasn't willing to do anything that could lower her grades. And lowered grades meant no sleeping in class.

And no sleeping in class meant hell.

"Let's do acrylics or watercolor," Nova suggested. Her eyes flickered between the two in front of her. "That's your specialty, isn't it, Jaehyun?" Her voice was no longer shy and much more confident now that she's gotten used to his presence.

"I can do charcoal too," he whispered. "You don't have to limit yourself because of me."

"It's alright. (Y/n) here knows her way around a brush. Surprisingly."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," the said girl muttered. "Okay...we need a theme now." She got out of her chair. "I'll get the...canvas."

Nova got up quickly. "Wait no, let me do it." She aimed a pleading look at the (h/c)-haired girl. 'Don't leave me alone with him,' it seemed to say. (Y/n) shrugged and sat back down as the other girl went to get a canvas from the teacher.

She rubbed her eyes tiredly and covered her mouth as she yawned. The long day was getting to her. Then to the blond before her, "Do you have any idea what we should...paint about? I was thinking of maybe...portraying the effects of sleep on our lives." She nodded sagely in approval of the idea.

Jaehyun wasn't sure if she was joking or not with that flat look on her face. "Um, I was thinking more along the lines of themes that involve our school life, like f-friendship and academic vigor. B-but if you really want, we can go with your idea. It sounds i-interesting."

(Y/n) waved the suggestion off. "No...let's go with yours," she said. "I was half-kidding about mine. Let's do something...about the school then. Agreed?" He nodded. "Okay. Let's wait for Noves before we...decide anything else."

The purple-haired girl soon returned with a large, white sheet. "Did you guys come up with something?" She asked, laying it out on the table between them. She took a seat.

"Something that involves in the school," (Y/n) answered.

"Ooh, like its darkest secrets or something," Nova giggled. "That would be really fun! We have two whole weeks to do it too."

"...I was thinking of a lighter aspect, but you do you. Wait, actually," (Y/n) stroked her imaginary beard. "That sounds kinda...fun. We'd get in trouble but it would be fun."

"Right?! Let's do it, let's do it!"

The two girls turned towards Jaehyun for confirmation. "So?" Nova prompted him. "Can we do a painting of the darker sides of Fortuna Institute? It doesn't have to be some scary secret or anything—because I mean, how are we going to find that?—but it won't be the friendly, common themes everyone's using. Is that okay with you?"

Jaehyun was more than happy to agree. "I do work with monochromatic artworks a lot."

"Yes, he agreed!" Nova cheered. She held up her hands. "High-five, (Y/n)!" The (h/c)-haired girl smiled as she did so. "Ms. Florence grades mostly based on creativity and originality. We'll definitely get a good grade!"

(Y/n)'s good mood soon died down as she flopped onto the table. "Urgh...I just remembered," she groaned. "I have two other projects...so much work..."

Nova winced sympathetically. "Ouch, that's harsh. What projects are they?"

"History and English...at least they're group projects."

"I-I'll do my best to take some of the load off you!" Jaehyun chimed in with a flustered tone. "I'm sorry to make you do so much work!"

"Well, it's not really your fault," (Y/n) sweatdropped. "It's fine though. The project...sounds really fun to do. Oh, I know. Do you think we can do...a mural instead? Extra points, amirite?"

Nova grinned at her. "I like the way you think. Wait, what are we painting about though?"

They shared a look. "We have a few days to think about it," the (h/c)-haired girl said. "We can talk about it over...text and come up with a...decision on Monday. Sounds good...?"

"That's fine with me," Jaehyun said quietly.

"Same here," Nova replied. "You have my number, right? Add Jaehyun to the group chat and we'll be set."

(Y/n) turned towards the blond boy. "What's your phone number, Jay?" Startled by the question, he began blinking rapidly and stuttering.

"I-I'm not sure," he finally said, bowing his head in shame.

It was her turn to stare at him. "What do you mean? Do you...not have a phone?"

"I do! I-I just rarely use it. W-where can I check my phone number?"

(Y/n) burst out laughing and outstretched her hand. "Here, how about I call myself...from your phone? That way...I'll get your number and vice versa."

"O-oh, okay." He handed her his phone. It was the same expensive brand as Leon's, only it had a pastel yellow case where Leon's was caseless.

She didn't know how to feel about having such an expensive thing in her hands.

Shaking off her stupor, she quickly typed her number into his phone and called it before Ms. Florence could notice. "Here," she returned the device to Jaehyun. 'Hopefully, no one else saw me take it,' she sweatdropped. 'Fangirls are scary creatures.'

~ ❀ ~

4:12 pm

me: helolol

me: this is (Y/n)

no.vah: when are we going to talk about it

me: im kinda busy this weekend

me: wait why are we texting

me: get off your phone noves

no.vah: no

no.vah: you can't make me

~ ❀ ~

Sighing, (Y/n) flicked the purple-haired girl on the forehead, causing her to yelp and almost drop her phone. "Ow!" Nova complained, holding the sore spot with her hand. "What was that for?"

"Would you rather get flicked...or get your phone taken away?" The other girl deadpanned.

"The first one, please."

"I have things going on during the weekend," she told the two. "So I'll probably be free...at night, maybe. I'll text you tonight."

Jaehyun nodded fervently and resumed gazing down at his phone in wonder. (Y/n) sweatdropped. From the time she'd spent holding it, the device had felt extremely smooth and clean. Almost as if it was never used.

'Or maybe he gets a new one every month,' she snorted. 'I swear, kids these days.'

The sound of the end of the day bell speared through the chatter of the room, snapping her out of her daze. Students began packing up and milling about the room as they returned their supplies.

"Have a good day, everyone!" Ms. Florence chirped as she waved goodbye to her students. "Stay safe!"

She came to their table. "How are things going, guys? Any ideas so far?"

"We're...doing a mural," (Y/n) answered. "That's allowed...right?"

"Of course! As I said, there are no limits to what you want to do. Any media is fine, but the theme has to be school appropriate. Have you three come up with one yet?"

(Y/n) did not miss the cautious tone the hazel-haired teacher had nor her nervous glances at the blond boy. And she couldn't blame her; from what she had gathered from those around her, Jaehyun was rich. Filthy rich. And Ms. Florence was from a middle-classed family, similar to the (h/c)-haired girl herself. So if Ms. Florence ever offended the boy, it wasn't an exaggeration to say she'd be wiped off the face of the Earth the very next day.

Nova cast a look at the other girl before replying. "We're not sure of the exact motif yet," she admitted. "But it'll be related to the school."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Ms. Florence clapped her hands together. "Well, I'll stop taking up too much of your time now. Enjoy the rest of your day!"

"You too, Ms. Florence!" The two girls chorused. Jaehyun opened his mouth as if about to speak but then decided against it.

"I'll leave first, okay?" Nova said to the (e/c)-eyed girl. "Don't forget to text me later."

"Got it," (Y/n) drawled, waving at the purple-haired girl. "Don't forget...to take your phone with you."

Nova frowned and slowly patted down her uniform. Then her eyes widened, and she zipped back towards the table and snatched her phone off the seat. "You're a lifesaver, (Y/n). See you tomorrow!"

(Y/n) tossed her pencil case and notebook into her bag. "Are you heading straight home now, Jay?" She asked the blond.

"P-probably," he replied quietly. "Unless Father and Mother have other plans for me." There was a bitterness in his voice she'd never have detected from his face, which was as impassive as ever.

She chose her words carefully. I might step on a landmine if I don't. "You've...never gone out with friends before?"

He flinched as if struck, and his blank face shifted into one of sadness. He turned away. "I-I haven't. Y-you got a problem with that?"

'Defensive,' she observed. 'It's a touchy subject.'

She decided to try a different approach. "Where do you usually sit for lunch?" She asked.

Jaehyun relaxed and pulled at his sleeves. "In the student government room or the roof. I-it's really quiet there."

"Ohh, no wonder I never see you in the...cafeteria." Then again, I probably couldn't have even if I tried. "Do you want to sit with me from now on?"

His head snapped towards her, his crimson eyes wide. "I-I'm sorry?"

"Well, if you don't want to..."

"N-no!" The blond stuttered. "It's not that I don't want to. I was just surprised. N-no one's asked me to sit with them before."

(Y/n) blinked in surprise. "Really?" She said incredulously. "Why not?"

"Partly because of my family," Jaehyun muttered bitterly. "Everyone around me acts like they're walking on thin ice, afraid I'll snap or something. Utter foolishness." The contrast between the darkness in his voice and his innocent features sent cold shivers down her spine. She fought it down quickly, not liking the feeling.

"My friends aren't like that," she smiled fondly at the mention of the five. "They won't mind...you sitting with us." 'Not sure about Reese, but I can speak for the others on that.'

His face visibly brightened and his knee slammed into the edge the table as he shot to his feet. But he didn't seem to feel the pain. "R-really?" He said hopefully. "You promise?"

The (h/c)-haired girl giggled at his excitement. "Mmm, don't worry...about it."

She didn't like trouble, but she was more than willing to make new friends. 'I mean, who knows? He could know about a really cool pillow I can add to my collection.' "Let's go now before we get yelled at, alright?"

"Okay!"

As for him? All he wanted was a real friend. And maybe after all those years, he'd finally have one.

'It's a promise.'