Playing With Fate

Jungkook

I ran down the hall, trying to reach my class before my bitchy history professor arrived. I’m not surprised by myself for being this late. I mean it’s like a routine for me to come to college after making out with a chick or making them see the stars.

When I arrived at the class, my breath hitched, the world completely stopping around me. my whole body froze as I stood at the door, staring at the beautiful being sitting in the last row. My eyes raked over her soft features, from her big doe eyes to her plump lips. A silly smile stretched on my lips unconsciously when I saw how she smiled watching whatever was playing on her phone.

I was going to dive deep into her beauty but soon snapped out of my trance when I felt a hard nudge on my arm. I frowned and looked behind me and widened my eyes. Mr. Kim stood behind me giving me an overly sweet smile. Too sweet that I might get diabetes and die from a high sugar level.

I’m not dramatic! I’m just stating facts!

“Mr. Kim!” I squeaked, which was quite embarrassing for a confident, handsome man like me. Mr. Kim kept the same smile on his face and spoke. “shouldn’t you be sitting inside the classroom as of now, Mr. Jeon?” his voice was sweet and kind. I nervously smiled. “y-yeah! Of-of course! I was just going to go! yeah!” I stuttered. Seriously! Why did I stutter?! That was embarrassing!

Without giving him another glance, I went inside. I walked past the first three-row until I reached the last, ignoring the flirty looks the girls gave me. I knew that they were asking for my time but Nah! Not in the mood today. Sorry girls.

My heartbeat increased, hands becoming clammy from nervousness as I reached Sarah’s seat. She was the first girl to ever make me feel like this. like I’m on cloud nine. Like I’m living a fairytale. I can literally see pink hearts around her whenever my eyes settle on her.

Before I’d never seen her or even heard about her studying in this college. But the day I acknowledged her existence was when she caught me and her roommate in action. Unlike other times, when I wouldn’t even care a bit if someone was watching, I felt embarrassed when she saw us. I felt something indescribable in my heart.

Sarah’s face was void of any emotion. She just looked at us and went inside, taking some books and left, without giving another glance or uttering any word.

After that embarrassing, awkward encounter, I couldn’t feel the pleasure and joy of bedding other girls sometimes. I felt this stupid pain in my chest and felt extremely uncomfortable. So my daily sleeping sessions were reduced to twice or thrice a week.

When I told my friends about what happened and how I felt after, they laughed at me and teased me saying that I was in love. At first, I was in denial. But slowly, as time went by – with me staring at her with every chance I get (which is always), and following her around- I soon realized that they were right. I had started developing feelings for her the moment both of our eyes met that day. Guess love-at-first-sight is real after all. And now, I’m just a lovesick puppy, trailing after her, to wherever she goes, like a dog following its owner. And I don’t feel embarrassed about it.

One of my friends – Jaehyun – was disappointed in me. Not because I didn’t propose to her yet, but for the fact that I still sleep around. I told him that I do feel guilty, but old habits are hard to die. But nowadays I spent fewer days on such activities. Instead, I spend my days focusing on Sarah, and sometimes on my studies. Well, if I want to have a healthy life with her, I better have money for our future family.

I glanced at Sarah as I quietly sat down. She didn’t even look at me. I think she’s oblivious to my presence. Oh, guess I’m wrong. Because she looked sideways at me and then looked back at her phone. Now I felt awkward, so I purposely cleared my throat. “hi!” I said cheerfully. “I’m Jungkook! What’s yours?” I asked her like I’m a new student trying to make new friends. I forwarded my hand to greet her. But she just ignored me. ah! So cold!

I slowly pulled my hand back, pouting at her unconsciously. I felt somewhat hurt at her ignorance, but what can I do. I’m sure she already knows about me being a fuckboy. Well, there goes a full half chance of winning her heart.

I’ve been loving her from afar. But now, it’s time for me to take a bigger step. So I’ll confess my feelings and ask her out today during the lunch break. Hope everything will go smoothly and I’ll get accepted. For now, I’ll try to pass this boring history class with a melodramatic professor.

Kim Seokjin. Heard he majored in acting. But why the hell is he teaching in history? Anyway, I looked ahead at Mr. Kim, who sat down at his table and leaned back, putting his arms behind his head. I felt confused at his actions. Normally he would greet the class and straight go ahead with the day’s lesson.

We waited for him to greet us but nothing happened. He just sat in his chair, his eyes closed with a content smile on his face. I cocked an eyebrow at him. I was about to ask him if we’ll have any lessons today but another student beat me to it. “Mr. Kim! What about today’s lesson? Are we not doing anything?”

Mr. Kim opened his eyes at her voice and looked at us. I saw his lips twitch a bit as if he felt annoyed for being disturbed by his relaxation. Yet he managed to pull off a smile and looked at the student with a warm gaze. He does that every time he talks to students and obviously, the girls would blush. I mean, I can’t deny that he’s handsome and all with his soft, white skin and plump red lips. Even though he’s aging, he never looks old. The more he gets older, the younger he looks. Now I’m doubting if he’s a vampire or a human.

But what surprises me is that even the boys blush when his gaze flickers on them. I’m kinda relieved that he doesn’t give me those flirty gazes, only those blank stares, and sometimes a bit of mischievous gleam in those old eyes.

“well, you guessed it, right darling~,” he said, his voice dripping with honey. He sat straight in his chair, his hand intertwined with each other as he leaned on the desk this time. “today is going to be a little bit special. I’m not gonna give any lessons today.” As soon as he said that, the whole class broke into cheers, including me of course. But Sarah sat unfazed with a frown on her face. it seems like she’s the only one who feels down that there’s no lesson today.

I leaned to her side and whispered. “it’s good to take a break from studies sometimes. You don’t have to stress on them all the time.” I drew back and just smiled to myself. I felt her gaze stay on me for longer than I had expected. This made me inhale a deep breath, while I felt those damn butterflies squirming in my stomach. But I flinched hard when suddenly a banging sound broke through my ears. Probably Mr. Kim hitting on the desk to calm the class down. I winced and pressed on my left ear where the sound was ringing the most.

“enough!” Mr. Kim barked. “just because I’m not taking any lessons, doesn’t mean you won’t get any works to complete.” The students groaned, already tired mentally and physically. I didn’t have time to react since I was still attending to my almost deaf ear.

Whenever I hear loud sounds, I feel like I’m going to go completely deaf. And sometimes I feel like my head is going to burst open or maybe I should just plunge a scissor in my ear to make myself deaf so that I won’t be able to hear the sound. I don’t why it happens but those loud noises just mess with my head as if it’s a fucking ticking bomb. Anyway, back to Mr. Kim.

“I’ve told many stories from our ancestors and other country’s historical people in between our lessons. I want you to write a report on them; about their life; about how they became famous. Also! I want you to do this in pairs. But don’t be happy so soon. You can’t pair with your boyfriends or girlfriends or besties. Because I’ve already made groups of two myself. And you can’t go against it.” He finished with a sly grin, eyes fixated on me.

Mr. Kim then walked over to the board and pulled down the screen. He put on the projector and the screen showed a presentation slide already opened on his computer. “there you can see yours and your partner’s name” he pointed to the big white screen.

My eyes roamed over the bold letters typed on the screen until they caught my own name. but when I saw the name typed next to mine, my heart started beating at an unusual speed. my face turned to Sarah on its own. I gulped nervously when I saw her frowning at the screen.

I was happy at the same time scared because what if she requests the professor to change partners. She clearly looks displeased with the arrangement. Then again, Mr. Kim did say that no matter what we can’t change our partners. Guess I’m happily stuck with the love of my life. Can’t wait to bond with her. “guess we’re partners. Don’t worry! You can rely on me to finish the assignment early. We’ll do a great job.” I said to her assuring with an oblivious desperate look.

Sarah looked at me with a blank look and nodded. Thank goodness! At least she didn’t refuse. With a content heart, I turned to the screen but I caught Mr. Kim staring at me. I looked behind me to see if he was looking at anybody behind me, but it was just the wall staring back at me when I did. I turned around and gulped because he had that same stupid mischievous look in those eyes.

With a last look at me, he turned to the others. “now! I want you to choose on whom you’re gonna write the report and tell me so that I can note them down. That way I can know what to highlight to give you marks. one of the partners from each group should come to me, one by one. Starting left to right from each row. Your time starts now” he said before going back to his seat.

I could feel his stares once again but decided to act oblivious to them. What the hell is wrong with that old man. Bitch is turning 30 and even has a wife. Does he want to strip me off from my pure virginity?! Holy shit! No way! He’ll not be able to touch a single strand of my fucking hair. Bitch!

Shaking the thoughts off of my mind, I turned to face Sarah, who was already looking at me with her phone ready in her hands. “do you have anyone in our mind?” she spoke to me for the first time. Suddenly I felt more than nervous. “i-I umm…” why am I stuttering? That too now! I clicked my tongue quietly and relaxed. I composed myself and looked into her eyes. “sorry! Umm…I don’t know anyone that interesting. But you can choose.” I offered.

I heard Sarah hum, the corners of her lips slightly lifting. It wasn’t the first time seeing her smile since I’d been stalking her and all. but it was surely my first time for an up-close look. “very well. Then, let’s take Evelyn Hugo. There’s enough interesting information we could note down in the report about her.” She said, her voice as cheerful as ever. Which was unlike her monotone voice. I nodded, not being able to speak a word as I once again got lost in her eyes.

I was only able to stutter out a ‘yes’ when she called my name. “it’s our turn now.” She said, motioning her head to Mr. Kim, who was expectantly looking at us. I hummed. “I’ll go. you can stay here” my voice came out just the way I wanted it to. Low and deep…and sexy. I wonder If I gave her shivers like how it does to other girls. Or maybe not. She’s not like them after all.

I stood up from the seat and walked to his desk. I gave him a tight-lipped smile. “hello, Mr. Kim. We’ve chosen to write about the celebrity, Evelyn Hugo.” I informed him. Mr. Kim nodded his head like he’s agreeing with our choice, but his face told otherwise. But he didn’t write anything in his notebook and instead tried to speak. Before he could utter even a single word, the bell rang and the students rose from their seats and practically busted out of the room. Impatient idiots. Oops! Wait, I’m like them too.

The only person who was calmly packing her bag was Sarah. And I felt happy when she helped in packing mine too. We’re becoming friends! but my attention was pulled back to Mr. Kim when he loudly cleared his throat. “Sarah, could you please come here” Mr. Kim called for her, his eyes still looking at my handsome face.

Soon I heard Sarah’s voice from behind me. “yes sir?” her voice was soft like…cotton? Silk! Yeah, silk! Mr. Kim smiled at her. “dear, I’ve got a special assignment for you both.” When he said that me and Sarah shared confused glances. “special assignment?” I asked him.

He then smiled so hard that his eyes disappeared. Now he looks creepy with those closed eyes and bread cheeks. I meant to say cute! I’m not that bad! I sometimes compliment others even if I’m jealous of them.

“I’ve already chosen a topic for you to write the report on,” he said. With a calm expression, he continued. “you’re going to write about the last Queen of Korea. Queen Jisoo Kim” He whispered like he just revealed a secret. Now I was more confused. Last Queen?

I’d never heard of any Jisoo Kim. the only last royal I’ve ever heard of was King Bomgyu, who died at the hands of his wife because she couldn’t accept him having so many consorts. Plus, he didn’t have any heir or heiress to take up the throne so the kingdom died down and soon politics came to light. That’s what my mom told me. I don’t know if it’s true or not.

“yes. I’ve also brought a book for you to take information from. I expect a lot from you both so please don’t disappoint me” he sounded sincere and trustful as he handed Sarah a thick book. There was a portrait of a woman on the cover page, probably the queen. I peered over my shoulder to look at the face but it was covered with paint blotches. “why is her face covered like that?” I asked Mr. Kim curiously as I stared at the picture. I heard Mr. Kim sigh. “the painters who painted her portrait were the only ones who saw her, as she always kept herself hidden from the eyes of the people because she was known to be ugly to them. when the painters made her portrait she ordered them to scratch away her face because she doesn’t want anyone who would see the portrait to look at her ‘ugly’ face. but I wish she didn’t do that. because she was beautiful the way she was. More beautiful than anyone in her kingdom.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned gloomy as an upset frown etched on Mr. Kim’s face. I looked at Sarah who had the same expression. I felt lost at the sudden change of mood. But then, Mr. Kim spoke out of the blue. “that’s it! You can go now! Do complete it nicely” he said, standing up. He did a small stretch before he walked out of the classroom. I stared at the door where he just walked out from. “this ugly queen seems interesting. Bet we’re gonna score a hundred in this right?” I cheered, turning to Sarah. But I halted my movements when I saw her gazing at the portrait of the queen while caressing it. I furrowed my eyebrows.

First the old man. Now her? What’s going on?