Chapter Text
“What was his name again?”
“I think I read Koo Jungmo or something on the masterlist.”
Allen did not mean to eavesdrop on his classmates’ gossip, but he can't help but do so at the mention of the name.
Koo Jungmo? Sounds familiar. Allen thinks.
“Why would someone transfer at their last year of high school? Isn’t it odd?”
“Do you think he had an issue with his previous school?”
As he continues to listen, Allen finds himself agreeing with the former statement. Although he knows it is not a good practice to gossip, he can’t deny that it really is intriguing to think why someone would transfer at their last year of high school.
Especially when that someone is your new neighbor.
Allen now recognizes the name. He had once heard the name before, particularly, when he overheard his parents talking about the new neighbors moving in next door. Allen paid it no attention at the time, as he was never really the type to be interested in socializing, especially with new people. Until he heard the name again from one of his classmates. If he was not interested in the name before, he surely is now.
Before he could process another thought, the door gently opened, slowly fading the chatter inside the classroom. The entrance revealed their new homeroom teacher along with an unfamiliar face walking behind her.
“Good morning, everyone!” The teacher warmly greeted the class. But the attention was nowhere near the teacher at all. It was all on the tall, handsome-looking boy, now standing beside her at the center of the room
This must be Koo Jungmo. Allen thinks.
He looks… okay. He lies.
He doesn't want to admit that he finds this boy that he met for the first time in his life strikingly handsome. At least not in the way that other teenage boys his age probably would… but in the unacceptable way that makes his heart skip a beat.
“Alright, settle down. I have someone to introduce before we start,” The teacher said, then signalled the new student beside her to step forward.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Koo Jungmo. It’s nice to meet you all,” The boy introduced himself before displaying a small smile.
The morning sunlight brushes gently against the boy’s tall frame as he becomes the room’s centerpiece, his soft facial features complimenting how his voice sounded as he did so. No matter how much Allen resists, he can't help but admire the boy before him. In a way that he knows he never did with another boy before. In a way that he knows he shouldn't.
Everyone clapped cheerfully for Jungmo as a response to his introduction. Soon after, the teacher said a few more introductory messages before letting Jungmo go to his seat, which happened to be right behind Allen. Allen wishes it doesn't affect him. But unfortunately, it does.
For some reason, the boy's presence is like a kryptonite to Allen’s peace of mind, and quite frankly, he doesn't understand why. Because why is he suddenly feeling shy? Blushing all over? Acting like he likes him?
The thought hit Allen harder than rock.
He likes him?
He likes a boy?