Jay hid behind the hospital at the parking lot, waiting until the situation cools down. It's not like there's something to steal on the rooftop. Even if he and Niki gets caught, they can just say they were stargazing in excuse.
When nothing came for him, he went ahead and walked his way home. It was already late and the gate at home might be locked. The guards in front guarding the gated community might also call his parents to come and get him.
He even left his uniform at Yeji's possession. He might have to explain that with the maids, so they can cover up for him.
Knowing that he's be in trouble if he walks in alone, he thought of waiting for someone with a car in front and ask them to give him a ride. To his luck, a school mate recognized him. "Jay?" He cooed.
It was Jo Kyungmin, a tall, skinny, quiet guy who mostly hangs out with Geonu and Jaeho. They're not really that outgoing. They spend most of their time at the library.
He must've just came out from his academy. Some say he's taking advanced calculous to get a good college. The guy's a heir of Seoul's most trusted bank after all.
"What are you doing here outside?" Kyungmin's driver asked him.
Jay grimaced, assuming they already know the answer to their question. Kyungmin shook his head as he opened the car door. "I refuse to believe the rumors, but look at you. It's almost 1AM and you're out here doing God knows what." He slid to the left to give Jay a space to sit on.
"How about you? You study this late?" He asked.
Kyungmin sighed, swallowing a lump. "For your information. Lots of students study until 3AM on libraries. I'm early today. I'll just continue in my room I guess." He informed Jay.
"For what?" Jay asked in disbelief. He didn't know students take studying this seriously. Back in the US, getting into university can wait. Most kids look for jobs right away and go to college only when they feel like it, and some don't at all.
"Not everyone's as gifted as you and your twin." Kyungmin told him. "Some are pressured to be worthy for their successful parents approval." He bitterly said.
Jay started to thank God for Sunghoon's existence, or he'd be expected to do well as Kyungmin.
"I even pay Miss Yuri so she'd accept my test papers when I get high scores." Kyungmin balled his fist. "My parents don't even believe me. I have skip meals just to pay her. Why aren't you paying her even? Aren't your parents disappointed to see only passing scores from you?" He asked Jay out of curiosity.
"They're more focused at Sunghoon, I guess. That reminds me, I have to thank Sunghoon later. He's my savior." Jay jokes, to release some tension. Clearly, studying was a big deal for Kyungmin.
"But aren't you angry that your marks doesn't reflect on your true abilities?" Kyungmin asked sympathizing. He seems to be more affected than Jay himself.
Jay looked out of the window and watched the mansions as they passed by. He wanted to say he cares so he'd give Kyungmin relief that he's not the only one who thinks Yuri was unfair, but he couldn't help but answer truthfully. It might give Kyungmin an addition choice on his he should deal with mistreatment.
"As much as I want my marks to look just as good as my old ones, the more I think about it, I couldn't help but wonder, what are we supposed to do with the excess points we get?" He made it sound like a joke again. "Yuri is not going to taste the money that my parents worked hard for, never. She has a job to sustain her. If she's a big spender, she should get what she deserves. If she can't adjust her lifestyle to her salary, she only deserves to go broke and homeless." It sounds like a funny joke to Jay. He was pretty satisfied with himself, but Kyungmin can only wished that happens to Yuri.
He'd love to see that someday.
"This is me! Thank you, Sir." Jay thanked Kyungmin's driver, then glanced at Kyungmin. "Thanks Jo Kyungmin for the ride. I'll talk to you again." He said on a purposely loud voice.
The maids came out worriedly. "Sir, your father's waiting for you in his study." One told him. He bowed when he saw Kyungmin.
Jay was escorted to his father's study and informed him that Jay arrived in Kyungmin's car.
"Kyungmin? Jo Kwangmin's son?" Jae asked and the maid nodded. He smiled and gave Jay a hug. "You have finally decided to hang out with the right people. Korea's finally changed you." He happily ruffled Jay's hair and looked him in the eye.
Jay noticed sadness in his fathers eyes.
Does he know deep inside that he was only lying to himself?
He let Jay go after that and let the kid rest. What he did was the complete opposite. He went to Sunghoon's room and hugged his twin. It was such a great night for him. He thought Sunghoon should know everything that happened tonight.
He wanted Sunghoon to be a part of this night. He has to. He was like his other half anyway. He's like the other side of his body, that everytime they're apart, he felt hemiplegic with his other side of the body paralyzed. He also consider Sunghoon as his conscience. Without him, his life would go like tonight. Trouble after trouble.
Sunghoon didn't look pleased after his story. "Lia cried for three hours straight while you're doing mischief outside till late. She came home broken, destroyed, hurt, shattered..."
"I get it!" Jay cut him off. "I'll check up on her tomorrow." Jay sighed at Sunghoon who didn't even listen to his stories about Yeji, BPSS, Niki and Kyungmin.
"If you don't like her, stop leading her on. Just leave her completely and spare her more pain. Stop playing her." Sunghoon told him.
Jay was impressed. Sunghoon's never showed this much interest on someone before. Could it be, she likes Lia?
Interesting.
All this time, Jay was convinced that they'd never like the same thing at the same time. He felt like he got ahead of himself.
Lia's easy to like. She's honest and frank. If you're attracted to someone who would tell you the truth every time, you'd love her.
"And stop going to that secret society. School prohibits student joining on organizations that aren't approved by the school faculty, without a supervision of a school faculty. You'll get expelled." Sunghoon warned him.
Expulsion, that's a huge thing, even for Jay. He can't afford to get expelled, he might get sent back to the states. He couldn't bare to be away from Sunghoon anymore.
He was curious on how the night has worked out for Niki though.
"Do you know anybody on the international school just across our school?" Jay asked Sunghoon since he was his source of all the news around campus and outside.
"I know a senior, Kei. He got kicked out just last year from our school and transferred there." Sunghoon patiently spoke again despite his throbbing head torturing him.
Kei?
Jay was surprised that out of all Sunghoon could mention, it was a person he knows. "It is why I was alarmed when he came up to you. He's not afraid of things like expulsion. I won't be surprised is he's not afraid to go to jail as well. Stay away from him. He got expelled joining these secret society around teen delinquents. You might end up the same if you take this lightly." Sunghoon said, grabbing Jay's hand, placing it on his head where it was throbbing.
"Massage my head! It's killing me." Sunghoon shrieked.
Jay did as told. Not everyday Sunghoon's demanding. Just now. He's usually calm and sweet. This headache must be severe.
The two of them fell in silence until they fell asleep.
...
Jay took Sunghoon's advice and stayed away from trouble for a couple of weeks. He hasn't seen Niki after that night. Though he now has a friend in school. Kyungmin and him would greet each other on the corridors but nothing more than that.
He also avoided Lia even though it was killing him. Lia hasn't called him or came to his place, so he assumed he was never that important to her to begin with.
After class, he went to the back building again to clear his mind from thinking about Lia when he saw Yuri giggling on the corner. A student was with her.
"I'm good here, Heeseung dear? Are you?" She asked on a disturbingly flirty tone.
Is she allowed to talk like this with a student?
Jay took out his phone and put it on camera mode as a reflex. He was indeed waiting for an opportunity to film Yuri threatening a student as evidence. That way he can report her and help Kyungmin and other students she's been threatening.
"Would you put my real score on your class record if I am?" The student asked.
"Of course, like usual." Yuri touched him in appropriately and even kissed him on the neck. Jay felt nauseous and threw a bunch of rubbles at them, as he proceeds to run away. He couldn't believe what he just witnessed.
He bumped into Jungwon at the soccer field accidentally without looking at his way.
"What's the matter with you?" Jungwon pushed him off of him.
Jay looked sick. His lips was pale but his face was red as a tomato. Jungwon looked at him in concern. "Are you alright? You look..."
Jay saw Yuri and Heeseung running towards his direction. They looked alarmed and terrified. Without thinking, Jay suddenly kicked the ball and joined the game leaving everyone confused.
Even Yuta was frowning at him, knowing that Jay isn't his student.
He kicked the ball to goal and raised his hands as if he's a part of the game.
"What is he doing? Is he mad?" Taeyong asked Jungwon who was the last person who talked to Jay. He only shook his head. "Not sure, but that was an insane kick." He said and cheered with Jay.
Yuri looked around thoroughly to look for a misplaced student everywhere. Whoever threw those rubbles saw what she's doing.
She pointed at Heeseung who also looks just as guilty as she is. That's a good sign. She's not alone on this. "If this leaks, you're in trouble too kid." She whispered on Heeseung's ears, wiping her lipstick on his neck.
The kid let out a shaky breath. "If you want me to record your real score, you'd come to my place at 8PM. It's not safe here anymore. See you." She blew a kiss and left him there, staring at the field.
When the coast is clear, Jay ran sat on the bleachers, checking if he recorded what Yuri was doing. He cursed under his breath when he realized he hasn't pressed record.
"Fuck!"
Girls behind him looked terrified as he stood up in frustration. He has no evidence. That would've been better than the evidence he's expecting to have. Because of his sudden outburst, Heeseung's eyes caught him. It only took a few seconds before Jay noticed.
Is he caught?
"Mr. Park, your essay about Mirror of Eriset is brilliant." Johnny suddenly came out of nowhere, praising Jay while stetching. Hansol was beside him as well doing the same thing. Followed by Mark Lee.
"Why? What did he write?" He asked. He was indeed a huge Harry Potter fan to ask about an essay that is related to it.
"Wait, who are you?" Johnny asked Mark, pretending he doesn't know him. Hansol laughed, shaking his head before joining Yuta on the field. "EJ and Youngbin's late. Where are those two? I'm ready to kill." Hansol excitedly went to position.
"Wanna join?" Johnny offered Jay.
"Come join us. Now we need just more unless one of Youngbin and EJ would decide to show up." Mark Lee told Jay, encouraging him to play.
Jay glanced at Heeseung still looking at his direction.
"Who's this guy?" Johnny asked, pointing at Mark Lee, making him groan in frustration while Johnny chuckles in satisfaction. Jay chuckled along to make it seem like he's acting normal.
"Jay! Are we not walking home together?" Sunghoon suddenly joined.
"Oh cool! The twins are here to play." Johnny announced.
Sunghoon was confused as ever. Is Johnny talking about them? They're the only twins here.
Jay removed his uniform, leaving his black undershirt.
"Hey! That was prohibited! That's against the dress code." Hansol accused, making Jay bite his lips.
"Aww come on! Are we here to play or not?" Yuta complained. "Classes are over now. It's your fault for not noticing the moment he entered the school." Yuta put the blame on him.
"Fine! Let's play then. Sunghoon! Get in here. Let's best Jungwon's team." Hansol gestured for Sunghoon to join.
He glanced at Jungwon, who's not only the class president of the other class, but also sporty and intelligent. He felt pressured. He's not really the best at team sports.
Students gathered at the bleachers adding more pressure. "Jungwon versus Sunghoon!" The students announced.
Jungwon snapped his neck and stretched his legs. Sunghoon knew he don't stand a chance. Jungwon has been a 5th Dan Master in Taekwondo and expected to have powerful kicks. He'll win this for sure.
Despite that, Sunghoon still joined. As long as Jay's here, he feels like he's not lacking anything.
"Remember Jungwon, your class will have plus 10 points on the finals if you beat us." Yuta told Jungwon as he excitedly chuckled.
"And us?" Jay asked demandingly, which made Sunghoon chuckle at his brother's nonsense.
Hansol and Yuta looked at each other, giving each other a 'we're screwed' expression.
"I'll let you sleep in my office during lunch for the rest of the school year." Hansol told the kid, but he still doesn't look happy.
"And give me your kimbap?" Jay suggested.
Johnny, Mark and Yuta stared at Hansol, anticipating for his answer, putting him on the spot. "Fine." He answers.
"And use your coffee maker." Jay added.
Hansol's eyes widened in disbelief. This kid just doesn't stop negotiating until you're left with nothing.
"And the coffee maker, sure." Hansol agreed.
"And I get to use your blanket." Jay was now just teasing. He wanted to see how much more Hansol can share to a mere student.
"And the pillow! You can have the whole office if you want." Hansol responded in sarcasm.
"Let's get it!" Mark Lee cheered after the long negotiation from the two.
"Wait, who is this guy?" Johnny asked making him lose his patience and push Johnny as the students laughed at them. They can only imagine how chaotic a day is with these two. But of course, many students know.
Johnny gathered the team and appointed their roles. Sunghoon glanced at a senior beside Mark Lee, Legendary Lee Jeno himself, smiling back at him. His smile really do brighten up your day.
Jay looked at him differently. He knew that this guy who seem to be an ordinary student was a part of the secret society. He's risking to be expelled every night, but inside the school he's just any other famous senior. Many students idolize him.
These teachers as well. Jay glanced at Jungwon. He was there as well. How is it that many people go to that place and nobody's ever thought of reporting them?
Each and everyone in their little society must be trustworthy then. Nobody would ever know it unless they let a traitor enter, or unless there's a real Veritaserum. Even the Dumbledore's Army was exposed because of the powerful potion.
But then again, some those who wasn't a part of Dumbledore's Army never get to produce the Patronus Charm ever, including Draco Malfoy himself.
It just so happen that a Patronus charm can only be produced while thinking of your happiest memory. Maybe being in the secret society would help you find happiness. Jeno always looks happy even during exam week.
The game started with Jungwon's team scoring nonstop. Sunghoon found himself guarding Jungwon, annoyed that he's good at escaping even Yuta, who's known to be expert at guarding. Johnny who has long limbs couldn't stop his shot.
Jeno also helped Jungwon block Jungwon's way while Jay was close to them, just in case Jungwon escapes the two.
"Wanna know why my class has better harmony that yours?" Jungwon asked.
"Don't listen to him. He's distracting you." Jay yelled at his twin.
Sunghoon wanted to ignore Jungwon, but he's pretty close to him. One step and their heads would collide.
"Move back." Jeno told him but Sunghoon didn't obey him. He thought Jeno wouldn't stand a chance alone. He's kinda lost. He's never played a lot of team sports himself.
"Because we work together. You, my friend, you work alone." Jungwon said and passed the ball to Yoonwon, then to Tayong who just made a goal.
Sunghoon felt a tug on his chest. What is this? It's just a game? What's happening to him. It seems like he started to feel this emotion often after having a talk with Lia that night.
"This is not working, don't focus on Jungwon only." Mark told them as they gathered.
The whole team glanced at Johnny, waiting for him to ask who Mark is again, but he was also frustrated at the score that he has forgotten to joke around.
"Relax, I only did this to make one team stay to play with us." Yuta made his team aware. "Let them win if they deserve it. The kid is having trouble in Yuri's class." Yuta told them and they all nodded as if it was a normal thing. Jay felt nauseous once again.
The game continued and Jungwon's team eventually won. It left a bitter taste in Sunghoon's mouth. He nearly didn't want to hug the other team.
When Jungwon hugged him, Sunghoon forced a smile. "I meant it." Jungwon whispered. The two pulled away and had a serious expression. "Don't take all the responsibility. Give them tasks. You'd be surprised what they can do. Who knows, your twin might be helpful?" He finished and went to celebrate with his team.
Sunghoon went to his team, where Yuta was distributing coupons to his friend's Thai restaurant. Jeno frowned at it as if he's smelling something foul. "This isn't real." He told the teacher with disappoinment.
"It is when I'm there." Yuta clarifies, then gave Sunghoon one as well. "If we all go together today, you'll have a free meal. If you're not free we can set another date." He told them. Everybody was forced to come today.
Sunghoon checked the time, he's almost late for practice. He'll definitely hear from his parents and might get Jay in trouble.
They'd blame him again for this.
"That was a really good game Mr. Nakamoto." Heeseung welcomed them inside the restaurant. Jay was flustered but looked down to hide his expression. What is he doing here? Is he close to these teachers?
"Thanks. We did try, but my useless friends here are rusty." Yuta blamed the others.
"You didn't warn us about his kick. It felt like being hit by a cannon ball." Mark complained.
"Who is he?" Johnny asked making Mark chase him to the kitchen while the others laugh at them.
"Join us Heeseung." Yuta invited. Jay almost cursed. He didn't want to be at the same room as him, or he won't be able to eat.
"Not your usual crowd Yuta hyung." Another student came up to them, giving Yuta a hug. It was another famous senior, Park Serim.
"Youngbin and EJ ditched us, there was nothing else I can do." Yuta responded.
Serim noticed Sunghoon's eyes fixed on him. "Yes? Don't be shy. What is it?" He asked but Sunghoon only averted his gaze to Heeseung, then looked down to his food suspiciously.
"Wait a minute! I saw this guy with Yeji." Serim pointed at Jay. Heeseung now exchanged glaces with Jay.
"No wonder he's familiar. He's one of us then." He said and sat back in relief. Now he can rest. Has figured out that it was Jay who saw him with Yuri, the moment he saw debris on his shirt. The school is well maintained. You can only get debris at the back building.
If he's a part of Black Pearl Secret Society, e's good at keeping secrets. He won't report what he saw. Does he even know what he saw?
Jay can now breathe a little after Heeseung stopped looking at him with suspicions.
After finishing the food, Jay realized that Sunghoon's late for his rehearsal. The competition was tomorrow. They're going to have dress rehearsal and final touches today. "Oh Shit!" He muttered. "We have to go. Sunghoon's late for practice. We're both dead meat. Thanks for the meal Mr. Nakamoto. How I wish you're my Gym teacher." Jay bowed.
"Hey! I am your Gym techer!" Hansol protested.
"Exactly." Jay said before dragging Sunghoon out if the restaurant.
Yuta sticked his tongue out on Hansol.
"I can't believe he'd say that after eating all my banana bread." Hansol chuckles. He agrees on the kid though. If he's a student, Yuta would be his favorite teacher as well.
Jay started to run as fast as he can, dragging Sunghoon with him. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" Jay cursed every step.
"Hey!" Heeseung blocked their way with his motorcycle. "Sunghoon, hop on. Jay, meet me at the unsafe building." It was all he said, before driving away as soon as Sunghoon hopped on.
Jay was left confused on the streets. Unsafe building? Was it the back building? It looked unsafe with all the construction going on.
"Hey!" Niki gave Jay a hug. "How are you? I haven't seen you lately, even at the unsafe building." He muttered, Jay's eyes widened. So Niki knows where that is.
"I'm assuming you weren't caught as well." Jay smiled at him.
The two laughed for a while before they settled down to have a decent conversation. "Nope, but Kei and Taki got more closer now. That should've been me." He said bitterly.
Jay felt bad for him. He saw what took place that night and can safely say that that would've been Niki. But then again, everything happens for a reason.
Niki took Jay to another building rooftop. This one doesn't have security system and doesn't have a lock either. What is with him and rooftops? It was alarming to Jay.
He didn't want Niki going to rooftops alone, but how can he ask him to come along every time he does?
They both sat there and stared at the sun setting. "Kei hyung still keeps on forcing me not to go. He even enrolled me to academy every Wednesday and Thursday for advanced class to keep me out of dancing but bought Taki a dancing shoes. This is unfair." Niki complained. He felt like the world was not being fair to him.
"Sometimes I escape the classes the last two hours. The teacher is trash anyway. He doesn't know our names and doesn't check for attendance. He's there talking to the white board and the floor with an extremely low voice. He's not committed, he's obviously doing it for the cash. Kei hyung is wasting his money. He should've bought himself a new shoes." He complained again.
Jay smiled. He obviously still cares for his brother. He's not a bad kid.
That's a good thing.
"What are you kids doing here?" A man wearing a blue scrub suit and a lab gown asked them in surprise. He's muscular and has the scariest expression. "No underage smoking here." He told them.
The two glanced at his fingers with a cigarette in between his middle finger and index finger. A lighter on his other hand. "I said no underage smoking. I'm not underage." He said and lit his cigarette. "What are you two doing here?" He repeated his first question.
"Why do you care?"
"We're leaving."
The two said simultaneously. It was Niki who was brave enough to disrespect the man.
"We're not leaving." Niki told Jay. "Smoke somewhere else old man." He told the older man. Jay flinched, glancing back at the man with a lab gown.
"Sorry, this is the closest to my workplace." He said pointing at Kang Medical Center. The hospital where Jay hid himself last time.
"Heey! Smoking isn't allowed during your work hours." Niki scolded as if he's older while the older man gestured them to keep it a secret.
Niki shook his head in disapproval. Jay did as well. He doesn't like people who has no work etiquette.
It's something he has to overcome how that he keeps finding himself hanging out with Hansol more and more.
"How about you don't report me and I won't tell anyone you're trespassing? How's that?" The man made a deal.
"I can't stand the smoke, go away! Why do you even do that! You're a doctor, you know what it does to you." Niki complained and scolded once again.
"Trust me, I know kid. I know." There was sadness in his tone that silenced the kids.
He left after finishing two sticks silently.
"If he knows, why does he still do it?" Niki asked.
"Self-harm." Jay simply said.
"Self-harm? Through smoking?" Niki asked.
"Not all smokers, but him in particular. There are different forms of self-harm. It just so happened that his way isn't considered as one. Even if he dies from lung cancer, nobody would suspect it's suicide." Jay explained. He slapped his mouth realizing that Niki shouldn't know this stuff at a young age.
Niki fell in silence.
"By the way, where's the unsafe building, I need to meet someone there." Jay told Niki to change the topic. The younger one shook his head at Jay.
"The unsafe building was the building where you met Yeji noona." He explained. "No wonder you never went again. You're not there because Yeji noona recruited you. That day when you went tot the Thai restaurant, you met her there. That's why she said you're with her when Ryujin noona stopped you. " He said.
"How did you know you were inside when it happened?" Jay asked in shock.
"Everybody's been talking about it. Park Jay joining BPSS." Niki told him. The kid was astonished how clueless Jay was. "How come a rich person like you who's never stooped low, hasn't reached rock bottom, has all the money in the world join a society for people who gather in one place where everybody is equal? Was it just some game to you? A new toy that you can throw away when there's a defect? I mean you never came back. Yeji noona's being harassed to talk to you to keep it a secret if you're not interested on being active." Niki told him everything.
Damn, this kid cares so much about everything and everybody. He even scolded a physician for crying out loud. Why is he here alone when he cares deeply about everyone?
"I won't tell. I would never." Jay told him.
"Good. Now let's go and meet your friend.follow me." He ordered as if his older. This kid is bossy as well.
Jay silently followed him though.
Niki stopped as soon as he saw Heeseung sitting under one sculpture. "It was him you're meeting?" He asked with a frown on his face.
"Yes." Jay answered. "Any problem?" He asked.
"Kei hyung and him are not in good terms. If he sees me here he'll use it to annoy my brother. I'll leave you to it." He said and left just like that.
Jay stared at Heeseung and finally recalled that it was him who was provoking Kei that night he first discovered this place. It was hard to recognize him with his neat school uniform and backpack. Now that he's wearing his own clothes it finally made sense.
He walked towards him. Instead of welcoming him with a smile, Heeseung stood up and bowed his head in shame. "Please don't tell anyone" he pleaded.
Jay is now having the familiar sour taste in his mouth again. He was reminded of that incident on the back building again. He was speechless. He didn't know what to say or what to think.
Is he protecting Yuri?
Is this the first time he did this?
If not,
How far do they go?
...
A/N: I don't even know where to start. This chapter is an awareness that men also get sexually abused. Sorry Heeseung for making you the unlucky character. But it's also an awareness that there are educators who take advantage on their students. I have regrets in the past that still bothers me up to this day.
Don't be afraid when you're at the right. Let him/her fail you and don't ever do what they want you to do. Tell someone. There's always other victims who would turn up.
I hope you won't become a victim.