18

End of the class

"Hayan, Hajin, please come up with a song you're going to perform then let's talk about that tomorrow, okay? Bye!"

Their classmate hurries outside leaving them no chance to protest. Hayan sighs as he tidy his things.

"I'll be going then." Sean suddenly whispers bringing panic to Hayan.

"W-why? Stay here!"

"I'm giving you time with him. You'll apologize, right?" He pats his shoulder as he stand up. "See you tomorrow." He could only watch him walk away until he is out of sight.

He takes a deep breath once again trying to calm himself and to ease the nervousness he feels. His heart beating so fast right now is not of any help and is just making things worse.

I can do this. Let's do this, Hayan.

"Hayan, is it okay to talk here?"

He flinched at his sudden approach. He looks around to find out that they are the only ones left in the classroom, making him nervous even more.

"Y-yes. It's okay."

Hajin smiles at him and sits in front. "I'm sorry you have to be in this situation. If only I can sing good." He chuckled after that. Hayan stared at him surprised and shaked his head rather violently.

"N-no! It's me who should apologize. I-I'm sorry if I can't do it. It would be much easier for all of us if I just have the courage to sing in front of people. And...

Just do it, Hayan. You're already there.

"Please don't avoid me again."

Badump!

"H-huh?"

"I must have done something wrong to offend you, So I'm sorry."

No... I should be the one apologizing...

"I really want to be with you, Hayan. So please... Don't push me away."

What Am I doing avoiding him? Sean is right, I'm greedy for wanting something in return. Why can't I be contented with us being friends? Why did I become so selfish?

Hajin's eyes widens as he stared at him.

"Stop crying... I'm sorry. You must have been upset. I'm sorry..." Hajin panics as he tries to wipes his tears.

Huh? Why am I crying?

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry for avoiding you..." He lowers his head to hide his face from Hajin. "I... I hope you still want me to be your friend."

Hajin suddenly pulls him by the neck gently so his head leans on his shoulder. "Didn't I tell you? I wanted to be with you, So... Don't do that again, okay?" He breaks the hug and wipes his tears using his uniform coat. "Stop crying, we have to think of a song. Got anything on your mind?"

As Hajin smiled at him, he could feel something heavy going away. He stares at him as his mouth slowly curves into a smile too.

I'm so happy... I'll be contented with this. At least, I can be with him for a long time.

-

The practice continued for days until the day of preliminaries came. As expected, it is held at the school symposium where they made a makeshift stage. There's no audience beside the judges and the announcer. Meanwhile, the backstage are full of student where they are waiting for their turn. Among them are Hayan and Hajin's class.

There's a lot of people. How will I be able to do this?

A hand suddenly appears on his shoulder along with a familiar scent.

"Hayan, I never expected that I'll see you here."

"Red..."

"I feel hurt. You rejected me time and time and now I'll be seeing you here. Guess you don't want to team up with me?"

"I-it's not that... I..." He can't know.

Red chuckles lightly. "It's fine. At least I can hear you sing again."

"Y-yeah..."

"I gotta go. See you." He caresses his face before walking away. Hayan sighed in relief. He almost told him what they're gonna do.

One of their classmate approaches him and whispers, "I found a hiding spot for you, Hayan. No one will notice you there and it's close to the stage so they won't suspect a thing."

"Uhm... Do we really have to do this?"

She nods as she continues "Unless you wanted to stand on stage?"

"Huh? Ah-"

"Only the judges are there so you should be fine." Hajin interrupts and smiles. "You should be fine."

"Just go and have fun there, Hayan! Besides, there's no guarantee that we will pass this preliminary so if you really can't take what we're gonna do, then be a hero and save us all! What do you say?"

-

The announcer's voice echoes the building as they call their class section. Hajin gives a comforting smile to Hayan as they go up on stage.

He was one step away from the stage when stops once again and turns around to face Hajin who is still smiling at him.

Just this once. Let me be selfish just this once.

He runs towards Hajin and hugs him, startling him.

"P-please... Cheer on me..."

Hajin smiled even more widely as he hug him back while also caressing his head. "Of course. I believe in you, Hayan."

Their classmate clears her throat as she tries not to show too much excitement at what she's seeing right now. "You need to go on stage, Hayan."

He immediately pushes him away lightly, his face beet red. He runs to the stage in embarrassment. Hajin still can't erase the smile on his face.

"Ah, I'm so envious. I wish I could have someone like that too." His classmate mumble as she stare at Hajin. "Let's go, Hajin. Let's watch them."

"Okay."

-

"YOU PASSED THE PRELIMINARIES?! WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! Ah, I should've wnt and watched."

Sean's voice booms the area as he told him what happened earlier. They are now walking to go home.

"It's fine. You were busy practicing for the sports competition."

"But still! It's your first time singing to others! I want to record it on my phone!"

"You're exaggerating..."

"No! I'll cheer for you at the finals! Should I make a banner? What do you think?"

"Don't do that or I'll quit."

Sean laughs at him. "I'm just kidding. But I'll cheer for you."

"What should I do? I should've went with the plan. Why did I have to do that?"

"So, you're saying that you'd rather cheat?"

"No... I..." He sighed. "I'm still scared. It's not only the judges that will be watching but also the students and faculty, there's even visitors. What if I messed up? I can't bring shame to the class."

"That's why you need to do better!" Sean shouts as he pat him strongly at the back. "You have to think of our class and Hajin of course!"

"Hajin?"

As if on cue, he got reminded of what he did earlier. It's as if he could still feel his embrace. With that, his face goes red again. Sean eyes him suspiciously.

"What did you do?"

"H-huh? No-nothing!"

Sean narrows his eyes, not believing at what he's saying. "You did something! Or is it the other way around?"

"It's really nothing!" He started to walk faster to avoid his interrogations. Sean quickly follows him.

"Then why is your face red? You're keeping secrets from me now, huh?"

"No! I'm telling you-"

Hayan bumps into someone. That person immediately helps him by grabbing on to his arm so he won't fall to the ground.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?"

Hayan nods as he step back. "Y-yeah. And you..." His words hanged in the air as he stared at the person in front of him, particularly to his eyes, who is like an ocean, giving him calm and peace.

He's so handsome.

"Ah... You're from Grand Ridge High?" Hayan could only nod as he's still mezmerized by him.

"Then, do you know Avery?"

"Avery?" Sean asks.

The stranger nods. "He studies at your school so I'm wondering if you know him."

"Avery..." Hayan stops to think as he felt the name was familiar to him. Isn't Red's real name Avery?

"Red? Are you looking for Red?"

The stranger shakes his head. "I think it's another person. Well, I've gotta go. I'm sorry again." He smiled before walking away. Hayan and Sean could only watch him in daze.

"I've never felt that ugly in my entire life." Sean whispers.

"But why is he looking for Red?"

"He said it's a different person. He's not the only one with the name Avery in our school." He glances at Hayan, his eyes menacing. "So... What did you do to Hajin?" He made sure to lock him up by putting his arm on his shoulder.

"I-I'm telling you..."

"Something definitely happened. I can't believe you're keeping secrets from me now!"

"I..."

"You?"

"I got nervous so I hugged Hajin!"

Sean blanks out as he let go of Hayan, still processing what he said.

"T-that's what happened."

Then, with his loudest voice possible Sean shouts.

"WHAT?!"

-