[24]

[24]

11 DAYS BEFORE THE PARTY

"flowers for class rep! "

Everyone turned to Jehyun who was handed a bouquet of roses by one of his classmates. They didn't miss the chance to tease as their single since freshman year representative was finally going to have a boyfriend.

"aw" chen gushed from where he sat, "wish I had a boyfriend like Seojun. Imagine receiving things like this everyday! And it's just the second day before valentines day"

Joshua nodded his head in agreement. "yup and I wonder when I'll receive one as well" this earned a hit from chen's book. The Chinese glaring at him. "you idiot! you're supposed to be the one giving! "

"no wonder no one asks him out " Jin whispered to Hiro who agreed to what he said. "and no wonder his mom said he had a huge probability to grow old single"

Back to Jehyun, he was caressing one of the roses' petal while reading the card that was attached to it.

'To my perfect lion cub

—your penguin'

"I still don't get why he sees himself as a penguin when he looks like a grizzly bear" he mumbled, unconsciously smiling. Chen who noticed gave knowing looks at the rest of his friends who nodded at him in reply. Jehyun was falling and they couldn't be any happier.

"speaking of gifts" Hiro got something from behind him

"here jin"

Jin was surprised when the Japanese suddenly pulled out a small box. He looked at Hiro who only showed a smile full of adoration. "it's for you. I wasn't able to give you one yesterday but I want to make up for it with this" the Japanese then opened the box, Jin's eyes widening like saucers. It was a minimalist necklace that had a J pendant in gold.

"Hiro you really didn't have to get me this " Jin tried to push away the box but Hiro was stubborn. The Japanese then proceeded to stand up from where he sat and got the necklace out of the box. "I'm not taking a no from you jin" he then went behind the Chinese and unclapsed the lock of the necklace before hovering it in front of Jin and and trailing it down to his neck before securing it. Hiro didn't forget to kiss the nape of the Chinese before going back to his seat.

Jin was flushed as he looked at Hiro who only blew a kiss at his direction. Damn did the Japanese make his heart skip.

"how lovely" Chen suddenly grew bitter at all the sweetness. "I wish I could have one as well" he then proceeded to look at Joshua, giving his puppy dog eyes. Which the other responded with an eye roll. "and do I wish you would shut up"

"all right who wants to run for king and queen of February? " chen's obnoxious voice rang inside their classroom, making everyone present to turn their heads to him. he pointed to the big poster that occupied a pillar I their classroom. "we need candidates "

"can we let Jehyun join? "

"but he's guy" Chen deadpaned which earned sighs from the rest. "wait, you want him to run for king? HAHAHAHA " falling to the platform, the butterfly erupted into fit of laughter at the idea of his best friend running as king.

"idiot" flicking the back of the butterfly's head, Joshua turned to his classmates. "Jehyun is a good choice and no we can't have Seojun. so we have Jehyun anyone else? "

"hiro? "

"heck no! " the said Japanese jumped out of his seat, startling the people near him. "I ain't running for that king shit when I'm a king already"

"hiro language" Jehyun sighed, remembering that he was the class representative and was responsible for his classmates. "why not jin? he—"

"oh heck no! " hiro interjected, throwing a hand over Jin's shoulder who was just walking by to get to his seat. "why not Chen? "

this made joshau snort and point his thumb at the still laughing butterfly on the ground. "this thing can't keep his mouth clean for a second. the moment he opens his mouth he would be disqualified because of foul language"

this made the class laugh and Chen stop from laughing only to throw the nearest object to Joshua. fortunately it being a wallet. stanind up, the butterfly crossed his arms over his chest. "why don't you join you rat? "

Joshua showed a cheeky smile. "I'm the opening remarks Chen. I'm not supposed to join" his smile drowped when he looked at Chen who had a mischevious smile on his lips.

"we'll see about that "Chen mumbled to himself before turning around and skipping out of the room, leaving his classmates to watching go with confusion.

"OK WHO PLACED ME AS A CANDIDATE?! "

🌟

Seojun smiled lazily, admiring Jehyun who was busy setting up his booth for the fair. Jehyun looked like a lost cub because of how he would pout as he read the instructions Junghoon left. What made it adorable was how he would suddenly sit on the ground and heave a long sigh.

He no longer felt that resentment he had before against the lion cub. Although he hasn't done anything bad, he couldn't help but feel guilty when he looked back at it. Making his life a living hell? What the hell Seojun!

Jadyen who was with him and was busy painting the table for their booth, scoffed. Seojun wouldn't admit it out loud but it was obvious that the younger was in love with his classmate. "you do realize that just blatantly staring at him and doing nothing won't do anything to your current status with his right? " between the two of them Jayden was the one who had the brains.

"yeah, as if you aren't the same Junghoon" Seojun retorted. Jayden was the same when it came to the council president. Trying to tease him, which he successfully does, and trying to make him flustered by his flirting but would only get rejected. "and this started since when, trainee days? "

"aish you don't need to mention that" Jayden grumbled, upset at the fact that Seojun was right. He has tried to actually take the next step with the president but the chihuahua was too stubborn to hear him out. Always slamming a book on his face every time he tries to kiss him on the cheek. "but it's the cheek! Not the lips! "

Seojun heaved a hopeless sigh. Jayden may have the brains between the two of them but he had the common sense. I mean what type of person would randomly kiss someone?

🌟

"do you think he'll like it Chen" Jehyun asked his best friend, looking at the small pouch full of the cookies he made in cooking class. His best friend glanced at him and snorted, stuffing his face with his own baked good. "of course he will. What type of boyfriend wouldn't like that? "

"he's not my boyfriend Chen" the lion cub whine at the label. He couldn't help but blush at the thought as well. His heart wasn't helping as well. Chen snorted, bitter at the fact that he was the only who is single during valentines. Even Joshua was busy with someone.

"I mean, I wouldn't mind if he would but the same time I would mind. What if he gets hate because of that? " jehyun was hesitant when it came with his feelings. He knew how wrong it was for Seojun to be in a relationship because of his status. He was a celebrity for heavens sake! "I mean, Jin did say that there is this—"

"Hyun " Chen stopped his best friend from rambling off, "if he didn't want to then he wouldn't make an effort to give those gifts and court you "

Jehyun shook his head. "but what if he's playing with me? He's an actor Chen, an actor who can play different roles. What if he's taking me as some practice piece" this made Chen sigh. His best friend was over thinking things. And he may or may not also know that the celebrity was in love with jehyun. "and if he isn't? "

"you female dog! " Chen growled, shoving Niommi away from jehyun who was on the floor. She had the audacity to drag his best friend away while they made their way to the others who were in the pentagon and also had the audacity to slap, push him down to the ground, and hit him and calling him a boyfriend stealer. "I should have finished you the first day you came! " he didn't care if he would end up in the guidance office. Hell, Joshua was there to bail him out. He was trying to scratch her as she was grabbing him by the hair.

Junghoon, together with Jayden and Seojun, ran to the direction of Chen and Niommi who were wrestling in the hallways. Junghoon halted, mouth agape as he watched the two try to scratch each other. Seojun on the other hand was fuming as he watched as he watched Jehyun struggle to stand up.

Marching up to the fighting students, he harshly gripped Niommi's forearm, glaring at her. He wasn't going to let this pass. He knew Niommi was the one who slapped Jehyun last time but he kept silent, wanting jehyun to be the one to say it. "what the hell Niommi! "

Everyone flinched at his loud voice. Even Jayden, who never saw the actor get mad, flinched from where he stood beside Junghoon. Seojun looked at the actress with spite, something he never showed despite hating her presence.

"didn't I tell you not to mendle with my business huh!? " he didn't care if his contract with the company would be terminated because of this. Hell, he can just go and live a normal life if that happens. "can't you get that in the thick skull of yours!? I DON'T LIKE YOU "

Everyone held their breaths at what the celebrity said. They would glance at the two and to jehyun who was standing up thanks to Jin and Hiro.

Seojun clicked his tongue, letting go of Niommi. "I don't care if you tell the company. Hell even tell them because I'll be happy to have my contract terminated. "

Jehyun gasped at what the celebrity said. Why was Seojun doing this? He didn't have to sacrifice his career just for that. As he was about to approach the two, he was held back by Jin and Hiro who shook their heads no. Jehyun shouldn't meddle with the two. It would only make the situation worse.

"w-why? W-why can't you look at me the way you look at him" Niommi started, taking deep breaths. "wasn't I the first one? The first person who met you and understood you. I don't get why you changed Jun. You are my penguin"

Seojun rolled his eyes. How dumb can this girl get. He WASN'T interested in her. "times and people change Niommi. The same way how I see you. I don't get why you can't see that"

"that's because I love Seojun! " she hugged him tightly, afraid that he would disappear. Tears were falling down her cheeks. "I always have! "

"and that's the reason" Seojun harshly pushed her away, sneering in disgust at the wet patch she left on his blazer. "I don't even know why you push yourself. I made it clear since we were trainees that I don't see you as a romantic partner. Hell we aren't even close to being friends! You're just an acquaintance to me"

Niommi looked at him in disbelief. Heart breaking into pieces once again. Why could Seojun see that she was there when Jehyun was not? How she was the first person to understand him. She was the childhood friend in the first place. Shouldn't there be some type of attraction? "N-not even once? "

"not once, not ever"

A bitter chuckle rumbled in her throat. Was this what the trainers meant when they said she was a hopeless cause? How people would only find her as an acquaintance. She really is an idiot. "y-you know what" she needed jehyun gone. That way Seojun would go to her. "this isn't over. I'm still going to have you Seojun and I don't care if I have to get rid of Jehyun in the process"