GOLDEN STRINGS | Heejake

Chapter 2: The encounter

The final bell of the day screamed through the halls like a starting gun, setting a tidal wave of students loose into the afternoon sunlight. Jake stood near the school gates, casually leaning on the cool metal rail as he scrolled through his phone, waiting for Jungwon to appear.

His mind buzzed with half-excitement, half-wariness. A month of secrecy had built up a low, steady curiosity — who was this Heeseung?

Then, like a scene out of a movie, it happened.

A tall figure emerged from the crowd, cutting through the sea of students like a midnight shadow. Jake’s eyes locked on him instantly.

Heeseung was everything Jungwon had hyped — and more.

His skin was a smooth, golden-tan that shimmered in the sunlight. Not the usual pale student hue, but that warm glow of someone who spent just enough time outside to look effortlessly healthy.

His hair was dyed a striking dark red velvet, the kind of deep wine color that almost seemed to swallow the light around it and then release it with a dangerous shimmer. Every strand looked like it had been perfectly placed by some invisible stylist.

His sharp jawline and high cheekbones cut through the afternoon haze like a knife, his face framed by that fiery hair and cool, calculating eyes.

Heeseung’s physique was athletic — lean but strong, like he could sprint a hundred meters or throw a punch with equal ease. He wasn’t bulky, but his muscles were the kind that whispered danger without shouting.

Around them, students walking home couldn’t stop staring. Whispered comments floated through the air like pollen,

“Who’s that?”

“He looks like a rock star.”

“Is that a vampire?”

Even the teachers on duty paused in their usual bored patrols, casting discreet but intrigued glances toward Heeseung as if wondering which movie star had crashed their afternoon.

Jake raised an eyebrow. Jealous already? he thought, watching Jungwon flush bright red and clutch Heeseung’s arm possessively, like a kid who’d just been given the last slice of cake.

Jungwon cleared his throat, looking like a puffed-up little bird about to burst with pride.

“Jake, this is Heeseung,” he introduced brightly, his usual sass dialed down to something softer, almost shy.

Heeseung nodded, voice low but clear, “Nice to meet you.”

Jake smiled his trademark golden retriever grin and stuck out a hand. “Jake. Heard a lot about you.”

Heeseung shook it firmly, but then Jake caught it: a glance so fleeting but strange — a look that wasn’t quite friendly. More like… appraising? Or maybe wary? It vanished quickly as Heeseung smiled politely again.

Jake’s heart beat a little faster, but he chalked it up to nerves. After all, he was meeting another boyfriend of Jungwon’s, and there was no way this was anything serious—right?

The moment stretched awkwardly for a second longer, and Jake couldn’t help but notice the small details,

the way Heeseung’s jaw twitched almost imperceptibly as he scanned Jake’s face, or how his eyes lingered a split second too long before shifting away. It was like trying to read a book in a language you sort of knew but never fully understood.

Jungwon squeezed Heeseung’s arm, tugging him gently toward the street. “We’re heading home now. Wanna come with?”

Jake laughed softly, shaking his head. “Nah, I gotta head back too. Early morning tomorrow.”

Heeseung nodded once, his eyes meeting Jake’s briefly again — this time softer, but still with that same inscrutable edge.

As they walked away, Jake watched the way Jungwon’s smile grew wider and more possessive with every step. It was obvious: Jungwon was smitten, and maybe a little territorial.

Jake took a deep breath, shaking off the strange feeling creeping in his gut. “It’s probably nothing,” he muttered to himself, starting his own walk home.

On his way, Jake passed by a cluster of students whispering excitedly.

“Did you see that guy?” one of them said, nudging another. “He’s so cool. Like… totally a model or something.”

“Yeah, he’s got that bad boy vibe but with, like, actual skills,” said another, admiring Heeseung’s disappearing silhouette.

Jake chuckled to himself. Bad boy vibe with actual skills? He didn’t know if that was supposed to be reassuring or a warning.

He stopped for a moment near the vending machine, bought a soda, and leaned against the wall. His phone buzzed.

He pulled it out.

[Jungwon]: Hey! Heeseung and I are hanging out this Saturday. Wanna join? We can make it a squad thing :)

Jake grinned as he typed back.

[Jake]: Sounds fun. Count me in. But no
stealing my best friend, okay? 😉

[Jungwon]: No promises 😘

Jake chuckled, slipping his phone away.

Maybe this Heeseung guy was trouble. Maybe he was a little too mysterious for his own good. But somehow, Jake already knew he wasn’t going anywhere — and neither was the chaos that came with Jungwon’s love life.