Eight

The deadline for their assignment is getting nearer that's why Hayan and Hajin are going home late for the past three days. Hayan didn't mind it, though. Actually, he likes it. He got to spend time with his crush even though it was for academic purposes.

Right now. They are at the library with Hajin sitting across from him. The assignment's already polished and they're just typing and editing it.

'Come to think of it. This is already the last day we got to spend time after class. The report's on Monday.' He sighed and took a glance at him. He looks so handsome typing on his laptop.

'I will never get the chance to spend time like this with him again!'

With that, Hayan can't help but be sad. He'll only stare at him again, after their presentation on Monday.

"Hayan? Are you okay?"

"Huh? Y-yes. Sorry." He embarrassingly sit up straight and picked a book.

'You're really embarrassing, Hayan. Behave, will you?'

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Im... I'm not doing anything." He answered softly and flip the pages of the book, making his best to avoid eye contact with him.

"We're already finished so it's okay, you can take a rest."

"No!" He shook his head. "If you want, I... I can type that for you."

Hayan chuckled, surprising him. "That's probably the loudest voice I've heard from you."

He could feel his cheeks burning up from embarrassment. Really, all he could do is embarrass himself infront of Hajin.

"But since you offered, I'll take it." He turned the laptop towards him and put the notebook beside it. "It's only just these two paragraphs and we're done." Hayan nodded. "Thanks, Hayan."

Hayan shyly nodded and started typing. Hajin started reading books while constantly staring at Hayan and smiling. He must've not noticed it as he is busy typing on the laptop. If he did, his face would probably burn and he would not be able to do anything.

"There. Finished." Hayan stared at the laptop and saved the file.

'He did this much and I only helped at the last minute because I'm busy adoring him. You're so useless, Hayan. Letting your emotion take over you.'

He sighed and closed the laptop only to see Hajin asleep. He looks even more angelic when his sleeping, he can't help but lean over so he could look at his face. He has long eyelashes, a tall nose, and red, kissable lips, his skin looking as smooth as a baby's.

'I wonder how it would feel like to kiss you.'

He immediately goes back, feeling embarrassed at his thought. He then shook his head to remove all those indecent things he was thinking.

'I need to collect myself. Hajin's been really nice to me and it would really be bad if I were taking advantage of him.'

He stared at his face for one more time. He took a sigh.

'Whoever you might like must be so lucky. I wish it could be me but that's just impossible, right?'

"Students, the library will close in 20 minutes. Please tidy up your things and go home." The librarian said before leaving.

"Hajin... Time to go home..."

"Hmmm?" Hajin looks up, his face slightly puffy, looking like a child.

'He's so cute...'

"The library's closing. We need to go."

"Really? Sorry, I fell asleep."

"It's okay."

They were now walking on the way home quietly.

'This is the last day. I wish I could talk to him longer.' He sighed. 'I just wish I'm talkative like Sean or as bold as Red, maybe we can get closer...'

"Hayan, I'm heading this way," Hajin said and stopped at the intersection.

"Oh. T-then... Take care."

He smiled. "You too. See you at school." Hayan only nodded and watched Hajin cross the intersection. He then let out a big sigh before walking away.

'I still have Monday left. I-I'll talk to him and maybe ask him to be my friend.'

He glanced at the intersection and felt a tiny hope in his heart.

'Yeah, I'll do that.'

-

Monday

Hayan could not stop his hand from trembling. He really hates public speaking, he can't stand the crowd especially if the attention is on him. He's really afraid that he would make a fool out of himself and embarrass Hajin.

Calm down, Hayan. It's okay, it will be over before you knew it.

"Hayan!" He got startled when he heard Sean's loud voice. "Are you okay? You look really pale."

"I... I really hate public speaking."

"They're just our classmates! No need to be afraid!"

He shook his head. "I... I can't help it." He reached for his hand and Sean flinched when he felt Hayan's cold, trembling hand.

"Are you sure you're okay? Don't you need to go to the infirmary? Are you still alive? Your hands are so cold!"

"I told you... I-i'm scared..."

"But you need to do well, Hayan. Remember, if you fail, Hajin will fail too. Do you want that?" Hayan shakes his head. "Now, think about that and calm down, okay?" Sean continued while rubbing the top of his hand. He listened to what he said and somehow it calmed him down.

'I can't let Hajin down with me. I need to do well so we could get a good grade.'

"Next up, Shin Hayan and Kim Hajin."

"You can do it, Goodluck, Hayan." Sean patted his back and let go of his hand. He then saw Hajin waiting for him with a smile on his face.

"Go, Hayan! You can do it!" Sean shouted earning a laugh from his classmates.

"Quiet, Sean Kim! You're such a loudmouth." Sean shouted one more time, earning him a flying chalk from their teacher.

Calm down, Hayan... Calm down. He keeps on repeating those words as he sets up the projector so they can start the report. His heart beat gets even faster this time and he could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Candies." Hajin suddenly whispered beside him.

"Huh?"

"I'm afraid of the crowd too but I always think of them as candies and then I'm alright. You should try it too." Hajin suggested. "They're candies, Hayan."

He then finished setting the projector and it was now time to stand up infront.

They're candies... Hayan kept chanting in his head. Candies...

And sure enough, his classmates miraculously turned into candies with only him and Hajin as humans.

It calmed him down a lot that he was able to report their assignment very well.

-

"Nice one, Hayan! You did a good job!" Sean merrily said while continuously patting him on his back. He sat down on his chair, feeling his energy getting drained. He just hope that this is the last time he'll ever have to speak infront again.

Right. I should thank Hajin.

He looked around the classroom and saw Hajin going outside. He immediately hurried up to catch him.

"Hajin!"

He stopped and turned around to face him. "Oh, Hayan. You did a great job, earlier. Congrats to us."

"I-it's also thanks to you..."

"Huh?"

"You... You helped me a lot. From the start-up until now. So..." He stand up straight and mustered all his courage to look him straight in the eyes. "Thank you, Hajin."

"Is that so? You helped me a lot too. Thank you, too."

This is it, Hayan. You should ask him now!

"Uh... H-hajin..." Hajin didn't say anything as if asking him to continue.

"I... I hope we could be friends..."

There, I said it!

"Huh?"

He looked at him, confused. He didn't expect this reaction at all.

Did he... not like it?

"Hayan..."

"Y-yes?"

"I'm sad."

"H-huh?" He looked at him wide-eyed. He's sad? But why?! Is it because of me?

"I thought we were already friends. So, I was the only one thinking that way." Hayan panicked, not knowing what to say. Hajin looked really sad right now that he wants to smack his face for making him feel that way.

"I... I uh... I just don't want to assume and... and..."

He stopped talking when Hajin laughed.

"I was just kidding. But I do feel a little sad, I thought you consider us as friends already, considering the amount of time we spent together."

"I-"

"So, let's make it official, then! From now on, we're friends, okay?" Hayan nodded absentmindedly. Hajin gave him a smile before he turned around and went to the bathroom.

We're already friends... I'm getting closer to him...

He turned around and started walking but to him, he feels like he was floating in the air.

'I feel so good.'