Chapter Text
“Remember me though I have to say goodbye”
Jungwon sat near the window, as far back in the classroom as he could get. His headphones rested atop his head, cord trailing down into the loose pocket of his hoodie. He tugged gently at the sleeves, pulling the faded blue fabric over his knuckles. His music drowned out the chatter around him, but it was impossible to ignore the laughter coming from his classmates.
He didn’t understand it—what was so entertaining about this place? This school was…boring. The class was dim, a small sad light buzzed from the center of the room. The worn wallpaper peeled in the corners, weakly curling away from the pale wood beneath it. Their teacher sat quietly at his desk like always, his oily glasses slipped down his nose, revealing the tired bags under his eyes.
Jungwon rested his cheek in his hand and turned to stare out the window. The sky was a deep, stormy green, rain spilled softly from the clouds. He watched as it bled down the glass in slow, uneven trickles.
The chair beside Jungwon scraped gently across the floor, an unfamiliar face slipping into the seat. His presence was…warm, inviting. His dark hair was messy in a way that seemed effortless and his gaze floated around the room like he was looking for something but didn’t quite know what. Slowly, he turned to Jungwon.
The boy’s voice was low as he spoke. “Hey.”
Jungwon shifted in his seat as he pulled his headphones off, hooking them around his neck.
“What?”
“I’m Jay,” the boy said smiling.
Jungwon frowned faintly. “Jungwon.”
“You always sit alone?” He asked.
Jungwon’s stomach turned. He hated this part of meeting new people—when they think they want to be friends with him. It never lasted long—once they find out that Jungwon isn't the kind of person you want to know.
“I guess,” he sighed.
Jay didn’t seem fazed. He glanced around the class, watching the chaos unfold in the front of the room.
He grinned. “You chose a nice spot.”
Jungwon didn’t answer. He focused on his notebook, it was still blank from yesterday.
“You don’t have to talk to me,” he said quietly, swiping a quick stroke over the paper. “It’s okay.”
Jay tilted his head. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Jungwon hesitated—how could he explain it?
Because no one actually wants to talk to him.
Because he doesn’t need Jay’s pity.
“Just—” he started. “You’d be better off with someone more like you.”
Jay gave him a curious look. “What’s someone like me?”
Jungwon shrugged. “Not me.”
He expected Jay to laugh, maybe look away, uncomfortable. But, the boy leaned back in his chair, turning his head towards Jungwon with a sly grin.
“I don’t even know you yet,” he let out a breathy laugh. “How do you know you’re not like me?”
Jungwon looked down at his desk, a small flush creeping onto his cheeks.
He bit at his bottom lip as he spoke. “Why are you talking to me?”
“Because you looked like you didn’t want anyone to," he grinned.
Jungwon turned, eyes meeting Jay’s. His expression softened for a moment.
Jay leaned forward. “We should hang out sometime.”
Jungwon’s eyes widened.
He wanted to say no—he should’ve said no. But something inside of him hoped that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
“Why?”
Jay shrugged. “You seem interesting.”
Jungwon let out a soft breath.
“Maybe,” he whispered.
Jay smiled at that.