C-4
I sigh in relief as I neatly put the last folder on top of Mr. Ho's desk, and then I run out of the Mathematics Department without looking back.
Finally!
I never thought that cleaning a teacher's desk would be so hard. I would never do it again! I'd rather go to detention than suffer arranging those papers with formulas and equations.
The sky is starting to turn dark considering the sun has already set. I want to go home and just collapse on my bed! I hope the bus hasn't left yet.
As I walk the hallways to the locker area, I see someone being cornered by two other guys. I squint my eyes because the person looks really familiar.
Wait...
That's Minho.
My eyes widen when I see one of the guys push Minho to the lockers. What are they doing?!
When moments like this show up in the dramas I watch, I'm usually freaking out. Right now? I am! I don't know what to do... Maybe I should just run?
I did run, but then I accidentally looked back and I saw the other guy aiming his fist at Minho. I don't know what got into me but I did the stupidest thing ever.
"Stop!"
They all stop and turn to my direction in unison. Minho frowns and gives me a questioning look, but I can't enlighten him because I'm just as confused by my own actions.
I thought that even when I'm not the smartest, at least I'm not stupid. Now, I just proved that I've finally lost my sanity. Why did I even do that?!
"Wow! Now we have your little girlfriend to the rescue?" Thug 1 says in a mocking tone, breaking my contact from Minho's eyes.
"That's so cute! Maybe we can play with her instead?" Thug 2 says.
"No!" They start walking towards me just as I take a step back.
I clasp my trembling hands together. My heart is beating so fast. Before I know it, the guys are already in front of me and I'm pushed to the ground. I try to blink back the tears that rush to my eyes.
"I didn't know he'd go for a crybaby!" They laugh at my face.
"Hey. Hands off, unless you want me to remove them for you?"
Their laughter dies down when Minho finally speaks.
"Look at this. Now you're the one saving your little girlfriend?"
Minho scoffs and walks towards us, slightly stretching his neck from side to side.
"The girl said no, fvcking dumbasses. You can't even understand a single word, huh?" He chuckles at first, but then his eyes narrow coldly, giving them a really piercing glare. "I already told you to scram, but you motherfvckers just won't listen. You want to fvcking fight? Okay."
Minho doesn't let them answer as he quickly punches one guy straight on the face and kicks the other one on the stomach. They're both on the floor now and must be seeing stars!
"I'll count to three and if you bastards are still here--" Minho isn't able to finish his sentence because the thugs are already gone even before he starts counting. "Tsk."
I look at him in awe, which I know I shouldn't be doing right now, but can you blame me? I just witnessed a live gang fight for the first time in my life!
"Huh?" I look up and see Minho offering his hand.
"Something to slap yourself back to reality," he says and snaps his fingers impatiently. "Aren't you getting up?"
"Oh, sorry." I take his hand and he pulls me up effortlessly.
After that, the both of us just stand there in awkward silence for a good minute.
"Thank you, Minho," I say. He nods but doesn't reply. "I need to go home now. See you tomorrow."
"Y/n, wait."
I stop on my tracks when he calls me. It's the first time that he ever mentioned my name. I thought he only knew me as 'no-show girl'.
"Yes?"
He points to my arm. "You have a scratch."
I look at it and he isn't lying. Wow... I didn't feel it until he pointed it out.
"Oh..." I swallow hard because the pain is starting to register. "It's f-fine."
He rolls his eyes and pulls me by my wrist.
"Where are we going?"
He doesn't respond and we just keep on walking. A few seconds later, he suddenly stops which causes me to bump onto his back.
"Ow..." I rub my nose.
Minho checks the infirmary door but it's already locked. He looks around, eyes stopping on my head, and then he pulls the hairpin off my hair.
"Ow!" I rub my scalp this time.
"Let's go." Minho chuckles faintly, pulling my wrist once again once he's opened the locks to the infirmary.
He makes me sit on the bed as he rummages through the shelves. He comes back with a first-aid kit and sits down beside me.
He shows me his palm out of the blue.
"What is this?"
"Don't tell me you injured your head too?" He scoffs and pulls at my hand with the scratched arm.
I can't help pouting. He shakes his head before opening an ointment and starts dabbing it on my arm with a cotton.
"Ow!"
"What did you expect, pleasure? Stay still."
"Sorry..."
He blows on the scratch, maybe to lessen the burn, but I don't know why my cheeks feel hot instead. I never expected to be in this situation with Minho. He may not be gentle, but he's treating my wound so carefully.
Minho looks so serious right now with his furrowed eyebrows as he keeps his focus on what he's doing. I look away when I begin noticing how long his lashes are and how tall his nose is. He might think I'm rude for staring at him again.
"There," he says after putting a bandaid on the scratch. He finally lets go of my hand as he stands up and walks to the door, but doesn't leave without looking back. "You should really mind your own business."
For some reason, his words didn't sound harsh.
Is that really Minho? I didn't know he had that side.
I like it.