The bright blue-sky blanketed over the city, decorated by white wisps of clouds. The warm sunny days of late summer would soon pass, being swept away by the cool breeze of autumn. It was an average day at Morning Glory Highschool, teachers were bustling from classes, while students meticulously focused on their lessons. Later that day, study period had begun. During this hour, students would use this time to break, eat lunch, and work on their assignments.
Mickey had come back from eating lunch and was heading back to class. By the time he arrived at the door, Rain was out in the hallway waiting for him. She stood close to the walls, lightly bouncing her feet, with her hands behind her back. Mickey knew she wanted something. Reluctant, he braced himself when seeing her.
Rain caught sight of Mickey, a happy expression was present on her face, "Ah, Mickey! I was waiting for you~."
Not wasting any time, Mickey cut to the chase, "So, what do you want from me?"
"Ah, so straight forward!" She placed both her hands together, "Remember the favor you owe me, for the time I helped you out with lunch?"
"Yeah…" Mickey said hesitantly.
"Well, I will be needing that favor now. Have you finished that team project? The one Miss Guan assigned for literature?"
"You mean the three-part essay we had to write with a partner? I've already finished my section of the paper. The only thing left is the collaborative piece with my teammate." He stated.
"Good, good. Like you, my individual essay is done too, but the rest isn't. Unfortunately, I got assigned to a block head, as a partner. They're having trouble writing the thesis and body paragraphs. I need you to help finish writing ours."
Mickey tried to make an excuse, "But, Rainie! I still have a lot to do myself!"
She quickly hushed him, "Must I remind you? You can't deny my request, no matter what. I was willing to help you, therefore, you need to return the favor."
Mickey dreadfully sighed, wishing he had not taken Rain's card back then, "Alright, I'll do it. Let me get my stuff and I'll head over to your class."
"Hehe yay!" She giggled.
Mickey grabbed his belongings in the room and left to class C-4 with Rain. It did not take long for them to reach the entrance way. Before Mickey could open the door, Rain immediately pushed it back, forcing it shut.
She glared intensely into Mickey's dark orbs, the look in her cat-like eyes were serious, "No matter what, you can't back out, okay?"
Detached, Mickey nodded.
Rain opened the door and pointed out at a boy loafing around by the window.
"It's your best friend, Jungha!" She said sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood.
Mickey's heart instantly sank, it felt like the gravity in the atmosphere had intensified, weighing him down dearly. He wondered what sins he had caused, to have the heavens bestow such cruelty on him. No matter how hard Mickey tried avoiding Jungha, Jungha always found a way back into his life.
Rainie, if you were not a girl, I would strike you at this instant… He said to himself.
They went up and stood by the detached boy. Jungha was too deep in thought, tapping his pencil, to noticed Mickey or Rain.
Rain slightly coughed, "Jungha, I brought you a tutor."
He looked up, and his eyes widen with excitement, "Ey!? Mickey?"
"Yup, he's going to help us write the essay. Work with him to get it done, at least our part together. I got other things to do, see you guys later." Rain arranged and walked away, leaving an air of arrogance behind her.
Jungha's happy-go-lucky presence was apparent as ever. He did not expect to have Mickey help him with his schoolwork. Let alone, spend one on one personal time with him. Jungha pondered at what great deed he must have done, to be so blessed by the heavens. If he could, Jungha would have tampered with the classroom's clock and set it an hour back, to prolong this moment.
Jungha got up from his desk and pulled a chair for Mickey, "Sit here. We can work together on my desk."
Mickey thought it was unconventional and refused, "There's no room for the both of us. I'll bring Rain's desk over and put it next to yours. That way we'll have more space to work on."
Not enough space? There's plenty of room if you sit close enough. Jungha remarked to himself.
Jungha pushed his desk to the wall. Meanwhile Mickey took Rain's desk and placed it next to Jungha's, as close as possible.
Finally situated, Mickey placed his backpack on his lap. He pulled out his textbooks and assignments. Jungha watched senselessly, waiting for the boy's next movements. Mickey's area was neatly organized with his papers and utensils. Whereas Jungha's countertop was so bare, it sheened brightly from the sunlight.
Mickey saw Jungha's spotless area, "Why haven't you taken out your homework? I don't have all day to help you. Let's finish this by the end of the hour."
"Ah, right!" He spoke, with a hint of awkwardness.
Jungha owned a worn-out green backpack and searched the bag for his essay. Once he found it, he placed it down in Mickey's sight. Mickey slowly leaned over to see how far Jungha had gotten on his paper. Mickey did not consider, to how close he was. Jungha was frozen in awe, his cheeks turned faint red, at the gentle aura Mickey embodied.
"Rain said you had trouble with the thesis and body paragraphs, is that right?" Mickey inquired, still examining the work.
Jungha snaped back into reality, and replied, "I got the thesis figured out. All that's left is coming up with ideas for the body paragraphs, to support the claims. Rain didn't have a clue on how we would write it, so we're stuck there."
"Alright then, let's see what we can do. I haven't done this part of the essay with my partner yet, so this will be good practice for me."
During their time working together, Jungha noticed how nice Mickey's handwriting was. The way Mickey wrote was neat and simple, as if the words were typed. Though it was unbelievably legible, it lacked flair and emotion. Nothing to distinct itself from other handwritings.
"Mickey, how did you learn to write so perfect? Even all the characters are unified, and the same size." He genuinely praised.
A bit embarrassed and flattered, Mickey answered, "Back in middle school, I had to proofread this one boy's homework, and he had such bad handwriting. It was miserable, trying to decipher his hieroglyphs every time."
Jungha chuckled at Mickey's joke.
Mickey also laughed, a warm smile surfaced on his handsome face, "I didn't want anyone else to feel the same way I did. That's why ever since then, I try so hard to write my letters legibly."
Jungha was indeed struck with admiration, wishing he could have been more like Mickey. It was a rare sight to see, this was the first time the two actually got along. The more time they spent with each other, the more Mickey warmed up to Jungha. He thought maybe Jungha was not such a bad guy after all. It was like the memories of Jungha's obnoxious actions melted away in Mickey's mind, momentarily forgotten.
Within that hour, Mickey and Jungha worked diligently together, figuring out what to write. Mickey was a good instructor when it came to anything. He always had a way with helping others. Instead of taking the easy route and finishing the paper for Jungha himself, he guided him to understand the concepts of each subject. Before they knew it, the last part of the essay was finished, with time to spare.
Jungha let out a loud stretch, in accomplishment, "Ah, yes! We're done!"
"Now you have nothing to worry about." Mickey responded.
Jungha forced a laugh, "Ha-ha, yeah…" Little did Mickey know, Jungha had not started his individual portion of the essay yet.
"I'm going to use the restroom. I'll come back to get my things and go." Mickey explained.
Jungha waited a few seconds once Mickey exited the room. He then proceeded to go through Mickey's papers, flipping through the pages, until he found what he was looking for. It was Mickey's part of the essay, that he wrote for his project. Again, Jungha could not help but admire the boy's penmanship. He pulled out his phone and snapped a few pictures of it with stealth. Not long after, Mickey returned. He picked up his backpack and wore it.
Mickey was about to grab Rain's desk, when Jungha interrupted, "You can leave Rain's desk there, I'll put it back later."
"Okay." Mickey nodded and made his way to his classroom.