"So," Jin begins, giving me a sideways glance as we walk down the corridor. "How long have you and him known each other?" He says 'him' like the word is poison, and I raise an eyebrow.
"Subtle."
He doesn't reply, simply looking at me expectantly, waiting for my answer.
"About four years, now. First day of school, he almost ran me over."
"With his bike?" Jin asks, and I shake my head.
"No, he didn't have one until he turned sixteen. Skateboard. He, er, borrowed it from one of the older kids and they weren't best pleased. He was trying to outrun them."
Jin rolls his eyes. "So even at fifteen he was an asshole."
"I'm getting the sense that you two don't like each other."
Jin doesn't say anything. It's kind of confusing. As far as I could tell, when they first met, they got along fine. I guess I know why Hwoarang doesn't like Jin, after the state I worked myself into a while ago, and I suppose Hwoarang picking a fight with Jin yesterday didn't really help matters. But Jin's mostly indifferent when it comes to things he doesn't like, I've noticed, and Hwoarang usually just gets even more sarcastic than usual, which is why the whole fight thing yesterday was... not really unexpected, but not completely expected, either. It's because of me. I shouldn't have said anything about Jin - after all, I was overreacting, really. As I'm one for doing at least once every twenty-four hours. Hey, I like to think I'm keeping things balanced. Some people are just too damned calm. Like Jin. He doesn't seem in the least bit bothered that less than a day ago he was feeling me up. My face flushes at the memory, and I look away from him.
"Why do you want to know about Hwoarang, anyway?"
"You didn't have to answer me."
"You haven't answered me."
He sighs, stopping, and I stop too.
"Because I'm interested."
"Interested?"
He nods slightly, a slight smirk on his face.
"Well, I figure since I already know your cup size, I might as well find out more stuff about you."
I narrow my eyes, refusing to be drawn in.
"So you asked about Hwoarang?"
"There a problem with that?"
I smile. "Nope. Just a bit strange that you asked about him."
"We've already cleared the jealousy thing up, Xiao." he says warningly, and I grin at him.
"If you say so. But you know, come to think of it, Hwoarang's pretty cute."
Jin arches an eyebrow.
"And he's got that 'rebel' thing going for him..." I walk away a few steps, then turn around. "And he's still single."
"Xiao... stop trying to - "
"You and him'd make a great couple."
"What?!" Jin explodes, and I chuckle at him. One more point for Xiao. That's two so far.
"I can talk to him for you, if you'd like. He's always said he'll try anything once!" I laugh, and Jin glares, striding towards me and pulling me close.
"Funny, Xiao," he growls, lowering his mouth to mine.
I wriggle out of his arms as the bell rings and set off running for my next class, feeling half victorious and half annoyed with myself for willingly walking away from another kiss. But Miharu always says that the more they can't have you, the more they'll want you, so I think I'm gonna try military tactic no. 56: Playing Hard To Get.
"Yep, I thought so!" I call over my shoulder as I go. Jin watches after me, expression a mixture of surprise, amusement, and... something else. Disappointment? In that case, another point for me. Heh. I rule.
When I reach the classroom, everyone's still waiting outside. I wander to the back of the line, looking around to see if Miharu's there, but it doesn't look like it. Maybe she got kept behind in Geography. However, I do spot Hwoarang a little further down the corridor, and set off to go and talk to him. Before I can get there, though, someone pushes past me and knocks my bag off my shoulder, as is a given in our narrow corridors - obviously designed by morons - before lessons start. Doesn't make it any less irritating, though. You'd think people would have a little more consideration for their fellow students these days... and I'm beginning to sound like my mother. Forget I said that.
My pencil case goes skimming across the floor, spilling stationary all over, and I huff in annoyance, kneeling to gather everything back up. I can hear a familiar voice - like nails on a blackboard to my ears - as I stuff the pencil case back into my bag, and as I straighten up, I'm treated to the sight of the owner of the voice. Ayumi, standing far closer to Hwoarang than is needed, is laughing about something, touching his forearm. He sees me and smiles, and I give him a quizzical look, walking over.
"So, I'm free tomorrow if you are." Ayumi is saying, and I roll my eyes. Not again. She does this every week, and every week, Hwoarang gives her the same answer -
"Yeah, why not?"
My jaw drops. That isn't the usual answer.
"Great! I'll talk to you about meeting places later." she says, glaring in my direction. "...Looks like Ling wants something."
I blink as she walks through the double doors and disappears down the stairs.
"Well, I was hoping to start off the conversation with a 'hey, how was your cig break', but... you're meeting her?" I ask in disbelief.
"Something the matter?" Hwoarang asks innocently.
"You do know that's Ayumi, right?"
"Ye-es." he says slowly. "And?" I bristle. I hate when he takes that tone of voice with me. And again with the mother sounding-ness. I'm sixteen going on forty. But with better dress sense, obviously.
"And she's an asshole, and you've never liked her."
Hwoarang laughs slightly, and there's a sort of bitterness to it that I've never heard from him before.
"No, you've never liked her."
"Neither have you!" I cry, irritated. "You said - "
"I know what I said. But things change, Xiao. Don't worry, you still have Kazama"
"You saw me talking to him?" I ask lightly.
"Don't you remember how upset you were the other day?" He asks, sounding slightly disappointed in me.
"Hwo, how long have you known me?" I reason. "You know more than anyone how easily I get worked up about things."
He looks away. "Yeah, but..." he trails off, glaring at the opposite wall.
"Hwoarang?" Ayumi pokes her head around the corner, and I glance back at him.
"You could do so much better." I mumble, and he sighs in response.
"So could you. I'll see you later." he mutters, pushing away from the wall and walking towards Ayumi.
I open my mouth to reply, but don't get the chance. My English teacher comes bustling down the hall, calling us all into the classroom, and by the time I turn around, Hwoarang and Ayumi are on their way out of the double doors. I glare at his back. What was all that about?
And... why am I so annoyed?