“January 3, 20XX
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This is a journal, not a diary.
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Went out to school. Still didn’t like anyone there. Went back home. Looks like we’re having ramen for dinner. Again. Mom looks tired. I thought about helping her but never mind. Toothpaste almost ran out. I had a leftover one from our trip to another country and they gave me a little toothpaste. I was saving it specifically for a time like this. I finished it because my sister also needed toothpaste. She’s a growing girl; she needs to brush her teeth. My mom woke me up at 12 and then told me to buy toothpaste at a nearby convenience store. They ran out so I went home and slept. End of entry.”
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Li-Zhen threw away the “journal” in his hands and laid back on his bed, “how bland,”
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Just last week, he found a “journal” under his bed that wasn’t his. Li-Zhen was lazy, but at times like this, he just can’t contain his curiosity. He spent the entirety of the day laying on the ground and reading this “journal” from god-knows-where. He had hoped to read something exciting, but luck wasn’t on his side, I suppose.
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He sighed. It was the weekend and, unlike other people, he was very NOT excited for it to come. He had nothing to do but dwell on utter boredom-ness and stare at the ceiling until his roommate comes back and once he comes back - well - he still does nothing but at least someone’s there to suffer the boredom for the rest of the day with him. He sighed again. He stood up and then, with his hands behind his back, carefully approached the “journal,” and then bent over it as if he was watching it. Waiting for it to do something… exciting.
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Then, suddenly, the “journal” seems to have disappeared! It was translucent! It was as if you could pass your hand through it. Li-Zhen, however, wasn’t surprised at all. He saw this “journal” last week and has gotten quite used to its disappearing. Of course, the first time he saw the “journal” dissipate in thin air, he wasn’t excited at all! He wanted something to appear, not disappear. He stared at it until it fully dissipated.
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As expected, he sighed again, “God fucking damn it! I’m so fucking bored!” he let himself fall to his bed and then let out a deep, annoyed groan. He rubbed his hands on his face, clearly very bored. Just then, he heard a lock click outside in the living room. The front door was open. Someone had arrived! Li-Zhen didn’t care if it was a burglar or his roommate; either would help cure his boredom (but he secretly preferred it to be a robber). But to his disappointment, it was only his roommate. Earlier, before he knew it was his roommate, he wore a welcoming expression but seeing it was only some boring old guy wearing boring old glasses, he suddenly looked like a dog who was offered distasteful food. His roommate, seeing his changes in mood, put his hand to his heart and unenthusiastically said, “Ouch. I’m so hurt. I’m not being welcomed. In my own dorm. Which I also own. But, oh! LiLi cares not! Why doust thou not welcome me?” he asked although he already knew the reason.
“Shut up, Jin. Go die in a corner.” Li-Zhen replied coldly. Jin only laughed dryly and then brought in his groceries. Then he said with a commanding tone rather than that of a person asking for a favor, “help me with these,” he put the bags of groceries on the kitchen table and started sorting them out.
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Li-Zhen grumbled and complained for a while while laying on his belly on the couch then decided to finally help Jin. Li-Zhen could feel the cold atmosphere that Jin came home with. He’s known Jin for a long time and knows very well not to talk to him when his vibe is off. But Li-Zhen just can’t keep his mouth shut. “So…” he started, putting the canned food inside the pantry, “youuuuuuuuuuuuu didn’t… You brought home groceries. How very unusual. Normally, you would get home with a slightly warmer face than this, uhhhhm, let’s say you’d be more, uhhhhh, well your face is the same otherwise ahahaha… Hmm, anyway, uhhh… You know we’re frineds, right? Okay. So, uhm, iiiiffff I could help lessen the burden just a li~ttle bit.” he kept dragging on the conversation.
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Of course, he didn’t want to provoke Jin by asking directly. He babbled on and on about how he always tells Jin his own problems and how they’re friends. Jin put away the last plastic bag. He shook his head. “I never asked you to share. This isn’t a testimony,” he said shutting the cupboard a bit too abruptly. Li-Zhen flinched at the sound of the cupboard slamming. He decided to just shut his mouth.
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He already knew what was wrong anyway; Jin fought with his girlfriend and stress-shopped. When it happened the first time, Li-Zhen was excited because of all the groceries, “What’s happening? Oooh~ Why’d you buy so much~? Can you share?” he’d ask happily and innocently. Over time, he observed Jin’s face and vibe was kind of different than the rest of the days.
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He doesn’t want to piss him off even more. No matter how pleasant it sounds when Jin gets annoyed, the fought-with-girlfriend type of annoyance is taboo. And so, he only went back to his bed. Jin went to the opposite side of the room where there was a study desk with a lamp at the head of another bed which was Jin’s. He sat down on the uncomfortable, sturdy wooden chair and then switched the lamp on.
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Oh no, Li-Zhen thought, he’s going to stress-study.
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…
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The next morning, Li-Zhen woke up facing the wall. He turned around to where Jin was and saw that he was still awake. Are you fucking kidding me? He laughed within himself. Jin creaked his head toward Li-Zhen and pulled his lips back into an unsettling smile, “Good morning,” he said, his voice not even hoarse as if he just woke up from 10 hours of sleep. But the bags under his eyes begged to differ. Li-Zhen stared at Jin with a blank face.
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This guy is unbelievable. Just why. And how. What is this guy thinking. Just- what.
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Li-Zhen watched Jin walk around the house while getting ready for school as if he had more sleep than him. Li-Zhen felt like he had a minute of sleep and couldn’t even lift his head. Sometimes, he felt like Jin’s not human. Li-Zhen always thought that Jin was slightly bipolar. After studying all night, shopping his wallet dead, acting so scary like a tiger, Jin would go robot mode the morning after.
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Jin buttoned up his uniform and then turned to look at Li-Zhen, “Are you not going to school?” he asked. Li-Zhen lazily scrambled out of bed, “It’s 5 fucking 30 in the fucking morning.”
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“Still. No shame in coming in early.”
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Li-Zhen decided to not argue any further and crawled back to his bed and tried to sleep. But he simply couldn’t with Jin bustling about. He frequently changed position until he ended up with his legs and feet up against the wall and his upper half of the body dipping down at the side of the bed, his whole body upside down. He continued to watch Jin get ready for school in that position, then watched Jin open the door of the room and go outside to the living room. He heard the front door open then close. Finally, he can relax.
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But there’s no time for that. Jin took almost an hour to get ready so Li-Zhen didn’t get his “extra” sleep. It was already 6:20 and Li-Zhen had to get ready. He quickly got up then, without even combing his hair, washed his face, put on his uniform, shoes, and took his bag then dashed out the door.
He didn’t bother about his looks. He’s already handsome as he is. With his ruffled hair and undone collar, rather than looking like a madman, he looked like a protagonist in a story. He had bright, green eyes with long, golden eyelashes. Everywhere he goes, it’s as if shimmer and glory follow him around. The new teacher they had was strict; arriving at 6:35 is already considered late. Inside, Li-Zhen was stressed out to the max, but outside, his plump, red lips still curled into a smile, as if he was planning mischief. People say he’s handsome, and girls say he’s pretty, but what would match him is the word “beautiful.” He looked at his watch; 5:25. “10 minutes left,” he snickered, “bring it on!”.
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He ran as fast as he could. Li-Zhen, even though small compared to his gigantic classmates (He’s 5 ft 7 in), he was a great runner. In under 8 minutes, he had arrived at the school. He swept past the student-in-charge who was checking the bags. “Hey! Li-Zhen, you motherfucker! come back here!” the student-in-charge took 5 steps toward Li-Zhen’s direction but stopped immediately. He won’t waste another perfectly good morning running after that golden-haired brat. “Cut me some slack, Taejun!” Li-Zhen smirked.
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…
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“Mr.Jian. Right on time.” the new professor said with a blank face. Even though it was hard to believe, he wasn’t being sarcastic. “Take a seat.”
Li-Zhen, still panting and sweating from all the running, went to take a seat near Jin. There were only 10 students inside including him. Everyone else was late. The professor looked at the clock then rubbed his temple, “Unbelievable,” he whispered.
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A few minutes later, a swarm of students forced their way inside. It was 7:15. They were all late. The professor waited for all of them to settle in their seats then slammed the blackboard. “How very disappointing!” he said, “All of you are late and you dare show your face in here!” The students dropped their heads, mumbling excuses and complaints. Li-Zhen can’t hold in his laugh. If it wasn’t for Jin elbowing his side to stop his outburst, he would’ve been sent out by the professor for laughing. “If you knew you were going to be late, then you could’ve at least tried to make it in time, like Li-Zhen!”
Li-Zhen leaned back and felt all eyes stare at him. ‘Ah. Fuck. Why’d he have to use me as an example?”
It was now Jin’s turn to hold back his laugh. Li-Zhen elbowed his abdomen to prevent him from embarrassing both of them.
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…
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A few girls stole glances at Li-Zhen, gossiping, “How is he popular?” one girl asked. “Oh, come on! Isn’t it obvious? Because he’s friendly, unlike you! You’re just jealous aren’t you!” one of her friends said, slightly slapping her back. Their group started laughing because of this. “Yeah, Na-Yeon! You’re just jelly, hahaha!”
Li-Zhen sighed a sigh of relief. If it wasn’t for the friend of that girl, they could’ve strayed into spreading unacceptable rumors about him. Good thing the fire was extinguished before it even started.
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Jin approached Li-Zhen’s table with his group of friends. A guy raised his hand toward Li-Zhen, “Li, my guy!” Li-Zhen returned his high-five. “Junghyeon!” he said. “Are you going to basketball practice with us?” Junghyeon asked.
“With my height? No, thank you.”
“Aww come on! You have the best-of-the-best skills!”
“Ha. You’re only saying that-” Li-Zhen suddenly pulled Jin by the arm, “This guy had girlfriend issues!” he said, instantly changing the subject. The crowd roared then showered Jin with questions and suggestions. A girl from across the cafeteria shouted, “GIVE HER FLOWERS!” her boyfriend beside her contradicted, “NO! WHAT IF SHE’S ALLERGIC? GIVE HER CHOCOLATES!”
Another guy who was still in line said, “TREAT HER TO A RESTAURANT! A FANCY ONE!!”
Li-Zhen raised his left brow, “As if! This peasant doesn’t have any money!” he mocked, “Give a few cheaper suggestions!”
Then suddenly, the cafeteria server shoved a tray towards a kid after getting the kid’s share, “JUST SAY SORRY!” the server said. The women praised the server’s suggestion, but most of the men roared in disagreement.
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Jin started to sweat, not knowing what to do. He sunk further into his chair. Everyone silenced then looked at him, waiting for his answer. It seems that an eternity passed before Jin finally mumbled something. No one heard. “Wat.” Li-Zhen said. “I said,” he straightened his back “FINE! I’LL SAY SORRY!”
The servers and the students fell silent for a while. Then a guy said, “A true man!”
The students (and the servers) boomed with agreement.
“TRULY! A TRUE MAN INDEED!”
“I CONCUR!”
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…
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5 minutes later, the coup de atre ‘walked’ in the school’s hallway. Not really ‘walked’ since putting it in that way would make it sound more peaceful than it actually is. They were sort of walking while wrestling each other. Li-Zhen and Jin were the only ones standing upright; Jin stood with his back straight, his hands on his sides. Li-Zhen walked with his upper-body leaned back a little, hands in his pockets. Junghyeon was playing a teasing game with Ji-Ho, but Ji-Ho wasn’t playing the game with him.
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“Stop sticking yourself to me, we’re almost in the classroom,” Ji-ho said, pushing Junghyeon away from himself.
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Junghyeon still reached for Ji-Ho’s cheeks as Doosik tried to pry him away from his body, “Yow nyo fuuun (you’re no fun)!!”
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“Get the fuck off of me.”
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Ji-Ho unexpectedly got off of Junghyeon like a nice, obedient person that he isn’t then whimpered like an abandoned dog.
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Meanwhile, Li-Zhen
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