HA-JOON'S POV.
I balanced my bike against the low brick wall, that bordered the school north entrance, tapping my foot on the pavement as I waited for the bell to ring.
The morning air was cool, and the scent of damp grass still lingered after last night's rain.
I button up my white shirt, glances at my reflection on the shiny bicycle frame, squared my shoulders-I hoped today would at least be different.
That's when I saw In-Su striding down the corridor, tall, lean and unmistakably with that deep-red eyes, I don't really know why his irises where that color it could be genetics or maybe there is something more mysterious, but am the only person that has grey hair in my family so I accept his eyes.
But I maybe gotten used to that glow, I pushed off the wall and hurried to fall step foot beside him.
''Hey...In-Su..'' I began my voice bright but I was still nervous, I leaned in as if proximity will crack an conversation.
''Are you going to class? let's walk together..'' I pause waiting for an answer or any signs of interest. Instead In-Su kept walking lips barely moving, why would his lips move it's still seal with a black mask.
He offered only a single measured ''Mm-hmm'' then he tilted his head and hummed softly-and unfamiliar tune that drifted through the hallway like a half-remembered song.
I frowned but Still I pressed on '' How's your art project going? you know the one for Mrs. Petal's class?''
Still no words-only another nod and a soft hum.
''What's up with this guy? can't he talk or something, and am here even bothered to be friend with him'' I thought frustration and annoyance spreading in my eyes.
''We are walking to class you know...'' I said again he nodded, each nod felt polite yet distant, courteous yet closed off.
My heart sank, I wasn't good at making friends but when am trying am getting ignored but still I forced a grin.
Maybe In-Su is not the kind of guy to talk to much? but me too.
In-Su stopped, we reached the classroom, I didn't even noticed, I was starring at him.
He slid inside without breaking stride, dropping a brief nod to the chaos of chatter filling the room. I stood by the doorway hesitant, my head lowered down as usual my grey bangs covered my eyes, I slowly moved forward inside successfully without anyone noticing me.
I spotted Joy's bright face down the rows, and I walked to her shoulders hunches, she was mid-guffaws at something scribbled in her notebook, Ji-Hoo was behind her annoying her as always.
I stood over her who was perched on a stool adjusting her glasses that kept rolling down her nose.
''what are you scribbling?'' I asked settling on the chair beside her.
''Nothing just drawing Mr. Lee, with his bushy eyelashes...'' Joy answered almost casual.
'' Ah, Ha-Joon-ah you should have seen it..'' Joy said, her voice crackling with her cute laughter.
''I tried to open my locker this morning-somehow it was locked from the inside had to call the janitor'' I couldn't help but laugh too. She loved exaggerating things and waving her hands, shaking me wildly she was just my best friend that I would never forget.
END OF POV....
RING...RING...RING..
The bell rang for P.E.... The class spilled onto the field with matching shorts, T-shirts and running shoes.
Joy and Ha-Joon stood side by side at the third row, While Ji-Hoo, In-Su and five other more student stood at the front.
Coach Min stood by the tracks clipboard in hand '' Ten laps everyone-go!'' He called out and the student fanned out onto the grass loop.
Joy fixed her glasses tied he hair and shot off like a rocket, legs pumping , lungs roaring.
Ha-Joon gave a heartfelt jog more out of a habit then speed: he was lazy when it comes to running.
By the end of the first lap Joy and other students were disappearing around curve.
''Oh I hate running..'' Ha-Joon shouts exhausted. He stopped to take a rest.
He glance back at his shoulders and his eyes widened, the ray of the sun casting on his shiny grey hair. He was surprised to see In-Su trailing behind him even though he was at first line before.
That was surprising, Ha-Joon thought. In-Su is a cool guy, a very fit dude, but he was at the very back, breathing hard, mask still strap around his mouth and nose. Ha-Joon giggled and slowed to a walk then jogged away to catch up.
''Hey...In-Su..'' Ha-Joon called, overtaking him by midway through lap two. He exaggerated a pant so that maybe everyone could see how winded he was-hoping to crack In-Su's shell maybe with a soft laugh.
'' What's the matter? you're lacking behind'' he said '' weren't you build for long distance racing with that red eyes of yours..'' Ha-Joon added and gently nudge his shoulder.
In-Su lifted his chin and gave a soft hum no words.
On lap three, he was done. He stopped entirely sinking down under the shade of a near by tree. His legs crossed, mask still on, and head bowed.
Ha-Joon jogged and crouched up beside him '' Dude are you okay? why can't you run? you are tall- I am shorter then you but I jog better'' Ha-Joon asked genuinely puzzled.
In-Su lifted a leg and Ha-Joon gaze followed it. He showed Ha-Joon his leg: his calves and thighs are comparatively short on that lanky frame. He pointed down at his legs and gave Ha-Joon a small shrug. The message were clear: Long torso, short stride.
Ha-Joon blinked confuse, but then grinned '' Oh I get it you got the height but not the reach'' he said and then laughed.
He teased tapping In-Su's knees gently ''I feel you man am slow and lazy too- Just look at me huffing after three laps'' In-Su glanced at Ha-Joon's hand and then his eyes.
Ha-Joon glance at his hands too and quickly flied it to his own laps.
In-Su's eyes flickered to Ha-Joon and he gave a hum amusement laced in the pitch and gave a single nod.
Ha-Joon laughed and patted his shoulder '' Alright, break's over.... let's get back on track before Coach Min catch us and then we will have to do fifteen laps then'' Ha-Joon said and In-Su nodded.
'' Let's finish the rest of the laps together...'' Ha-Joon said and stood up, offering his arm which In-Su's eyes gazed at before hesitantly putting his hands into Ha-Joon's.
In-Su stood, dusted his shorts, and they went back on the track together. Ha-Joon jogged beside him matching his shorter stride.
''Oh yes.. now that we at least know... each other... it will be easy to get to know him... ok let's see I don't know how to make someone laugh.... but I learned jokes from Joy let's try them'' Ha-Joon thought.
Ha-Joon cracked more jokes about the worlds record tortoises and sidewalk snails-to coax soft hum and occasional nod from In-Su.
By the tenth and last lap, coach Min, Joy and the rest of the student who were thirty minutes done with their jog, called world of encouragement '' Keep it up, you two''
''Go In-Su'' Joy shouts and Ha-Joon shoots her a look.
''Go Ha-Joon '' Joy shouted this time and they both shook their heads.
As they crossed the line both breathing hard but smiling... In-Su corrected his mask and patted Ha-Joon on the back and then disappeared.
''Where's he going?'' Ha-Joon asks his self, but Joy's voice broke the thought.
''Ha-Joon-ah you did awesome...'' She said sliding her glasses up and handing him a bottle of water, which he took.
''Thanks Joy...''
''Originally the water wasn't for you... it was for In-Su but I didn't see him anyway'' Joy said peeping behind Ha-Joon who's drinking water from the bottle.
''Here take this bottle of water and take it to him, tell him I gave him'' Joy said shoving a bottle of water in his hands, and then she jogged away.
''Joy's impossible let her go and give him by herself she must send me innocent Ha-Joon....'' Ha-Joon sighed.
HA-JOON'S POV:
I scanned the hallway, clutching a half-empty bottle of water, my eyes darting from classroom and lockers.
I'd Been looking every where for In-Su-worried that he might be dizzy or overheated from the P.E since he suddenly disappeared.
''Joy is something else why won't she give him herself?'' Finally I noticed the door to the boys' bathroom cracked open and I slipped in calling quietly '' In-Su?'' I Said but no answer.
The tilted room was cool and dim, the smell of disinfectant lingered in the air.
stall lined one wall , and against opposite lockers In-Su sat on the floor, back pressed against the metal. His running mask lay on the desk beside him and now it was removed. I didn't recognized the face, at first shadowed by black damp hair turning to the door, I turned to leave but his tattooed eyes made it clear it was him.
''In-Su..?'' I steeped forward and spoke again, the words echoed against the tiles.
In-Su's head whipped around so fast I almost missed it-Those startling red eyes, wide in surprise, glowed in the bathroom lights. His mouth fell open revealing thin, sharp fangs-and at the corner of his lips a pale cut through his skin-an unexpected fault lane on the face I really thought I knew.
For a moment they starred at each other, My grey eyes widened in surprise hands wobbled with a bottle of water, I swallowed hard, my voice was caught between concern and shock, In-Su's own chest rise and fall, and his eyes shaken.
I tried to move forward but he immediately turned around and covered his face back with the black mask, he turns to me and I could see him trying to calm his self down.
''I...I...I am sorry..'' I said my voice shaken, he moves forward and nods hesitantly, I smile and hand him the water.
He took the water and nodded and I knew he said thank you, I smiled trying to ease the tension.
''You're welcome...'' I said and patted his shoulders. Then I turned to face the door, and gave him my back, I could feel him breathing heavily murmuring something.
I turned to him again, steadying myself.
''J.... Joy told me to bring it to you...Joy... my friend she was worried.. I will tell her you said thank you...'' I said trying to appear casual, but I was failing fatally, I sounded more like a monkey asking for a banana trying to be polite.
I bowed slightly and he bowed back, then I ran out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me, I breath hard my eyes felt like popping out.
''That was... close his face... not only his eyes... his face felt familiar..'' I thought squinting my face.
''But I dreamt... of a girl... with.. red eyes...and he is a boy why?'' I thought but then I finally shake my head and stoke my grey hair to ease how tense I was, after sometime I left.
END OF POV....
In-Su's face turned bright red, and his hands ran through his hair.
''Ha-Joon saw my face..'' In-Su thought.
''Now I am sure he will found out who I am'' In-Su thought again