CHAPTER 11: Tangible Tension

WOOYOUNG
•••

Waking up the next morning felt bittersweet, my mind still reeling over yesterday's events. I was grateful for the fact that San respected my wishes regarding the matter, and instead made an attempt to lift my mood. However, I still felt uncomfortable about the dynamic between us. Yesterday was a moment of weakness for me, something I didn't want anyone, especially him, to witness. Now I have to deal with sharing a class with both him and Felix first thing in the morning, and end my last class with him. Therefore, there was no possible escape.

Finishing up my shower routine and dressing myself, I stepped out of the bathroom to see San still asleep. It was currently seven and I knew it would be best to wake up and leave before he would wake up. I needed some time to myself before having to deal with him all day.

Quietly stepping out of our dorm room, I made my way to the Science building for class. The weather outside was colder than yesterday, with the sky covered in clouds above. The storm was on and off throughout the night, giving a good reason for the temperature drop in the morning's atmosphere. My body, however, shivered and I could feel myself slowly getting a headache.

Last thing I need is to get sick on my third day of school...

Ignoring the feeling, I continued my walk to class, putting on a smile to at least convince myself that I could manage the long day.

Reaching the lecture hall, I noticed I was the only one inside as I walked over to my seat. Deep down, I knew what happened in the diner wasn't my fault, but the embarrassment I endured was too much to bear. Having all eyes on me while being drenched in water was an indirect sign that the job wasn't meant for me.

I sighed heavily, muttering to myself as I slumped in the chair. "At least there's another interview on Saturday... Th retail job opportunity..."

Felix stepped inside with his headphones on, glancing at me with wide eyes before rushing over to his seat next to me. "Woo? Why are you here so early?"

"I just wanted to be."

"Woo..." He said sadly, taking off his headphones. "Are you alright..?"

I nodded, plastering the best smile I could put on. "I am. I just don't want to talk about yesterday."

"Understood."

He took his seat silently and began taking out his lecture supplies. "I just want you to know that I get why you did what you did, and if it was me, I would've done the same thing."

Hearing that brought tears to my eyes, but I held them back and gave a simple nod. The fact that he could respect my decision without any explanation made me feel seen and vulnerable. Turning to him, I spoke in a whisper. "..You can?"

Felix smiled sympathetically. "Of course I can, Woo. You're not the only person who experienced something horrific in an interview. Trust me."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I too applied for that diner position before, during summer actually."

My eyes grew wide. "You're lying."

He chuckled. "I wish I was. Unlike your situation, my situation was drier, but still embarrassing. I did my entire test shift with the back of my pants ripped, and it was actually Yeonjun who noticed it at the end. I could've taken the job, but..."

"...but you were too embarrassed." I finished his sentence with a soft smile.

"Exactly." He smiled back, rubbing my head gently. "Don't worry about what happened... Everyone there who witnessed it knows it was a true accident and I wouldn't be surprised if you still get a callback. And don't worry, my boyfriend and cousin will keep it to themselves and I will too. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Feeling the tears come back, I pulled him into a hug and buried my face in his neck. "T-Thank you..."

"Aish..." Felix playfully cursed, returning the hug. "Anytime..."

The sound of other students down the hallway made us pull apart, with both of us exchanging soft smiles of understanding. However, a pressing need to address something came to me. "Felix, listen. I don't want anyone else to know that I applied for that job, or others. Can you promise me that you'll keep it a secret?"

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Why would you want to keep it a secret? Almost everyone has a part time job while going to school?"

"It's personal...but please? Can you promise me?"

"Fine I promise, but only if you keep me up to date with your jobs and interviews!"

I giggled, noticing San walk inside the room. "Deal. I'll share them with you. Speaking of that, I have another one on Saturday..."

Felix gasped, but quickly composed himself as San sat down next to me. "Good morning, Wooyoung. Good morning, Felix." San said with a sleepy smile.

Both of us nodded in acknowledgment while Felix greeted him with a smile. "Good morning, San."

It wasn't until Felix elbowed me to greet him that I complied unwillingly. "Morning, roomie..."

"Wow, I think we're making progress. I lost my real name and got a nickname instead." San teased.

"Yeah, yeah." I rolled my eyes playfully. "Baby steps."

Professor J walked inside at exactly nine, gathering all attention on him as the room quickly silenced itself upon his arrival. "I hope you all have read the syllabus as I asked, because by next week, you will have your first quiz on the first five chapters."

One female student raised their hand with a confused look on her face. "But the syllabus for this week and next only covers the first three chapters?"

"So I suggest you take the hint my dear and read ahead." Professor J smirked. "This class isn't for the faint of heart, so you have until next lecture to drop this course if you feel as though the workload will be too much. Last thing you want is to fail a class like this, especially for those who are just now beginning their studies here."

Well shit...

"Well...looks like I won't have a social life anymore." Felix muttered to himself.

Sam leaned over and whispered in my ear with a smirk. "Want to study together?"

"I rather eat dirt."

The lecture went by in a blur, and I could feel my headache only grow worse in pain as we walked out of the classroom. San groaned, "That class will be the death of me, I swear."

"I mean, yeah? You were practically sleeping majority of the time." Felix rolled his eyes. "I'd be surprised if you actually learn something in there."

The two continued their bickering and all I could do was endure it, trying my best to block out the noise. Based on how I was feeling, I knew without a doubt that I was getting sick. However, I still had two classes left and the interview on Saturday to go to.

"Well, I'll see you two on Friday." Felix waved goodbye before walking the opposite direction from us.

San glanced at me and raised an eyebrow in concern as we continued our walk to the stairwell for my class. "Woo...are you feeling alright?"

I scoffed, putting on my best face as I turned and answered. "I'm fine, San. I appreciate your help yesterday, but I don't need you to care about me. You saw me weak once, and it's not happening again."

Without waiting for a response, I pushed the doors open and began my walk up the staircase slowly. Each step felt like a struggle, but I continued to ascend as best as I could to Chemistry.

Pull yourself together, Woo...

•••

I barely managed to make it through the day, with my body finally reaching its limit as I stepped into my dorm. Stripping off my outside clothes for my pajamas, I collapsed on my bed from exhaustion. The room was empty, which I was grateful for as I couldn't take any more sympathy acts from San. The entire English class was just him encouraging me to sleep while he took notes for the both of us, but I refused to give in and continued to stay awake the entire lecture.

Now, I'm paying for my stubbornness as my body is now shivering..

Grudgingly, I climbed underneath the covers and tried to get warm, wrapping myself up as tightly as I could. The entire dorm building and rooms had heat circulating through, but my body felt as though I was freezing. A sudden yawn escaped me, the day's tiring events beginning to take effect as my eyes began to flutter close.

"Maybe one quick nap won't hurt..."

A few hours passed before I woke up to sounds of movement being made around me.

Removing the covers from my head, I noticed it was now dark outside and San was briskly moving around the room, his eyes constantly moving and searching for something as he was fully dressed in formal clothes. "S-San?"

His eyes darted to me, giving me an apologetic smile. "Did I wake you? I'm sorry, I'm just trying to find my necklace before I leave."

"Leave?" I asked, slowly sitting up in my bed. A chill took my body, causing a coughing fit to occur in response. "W-Where are you going? What time is it?"

"It's after seven...Wooyoung, are you sick?"

I shook my head, but he walked over and place his cool palm against my forehead. "Woo... you're burning up."

"I'm fine." I pouted, swatting his hand away before attempting to get out of bed. "Describe the necklace you're looking for...maybe I can help."

"No you don't. You're staying in bed and I'm not leaving anymore." San instructed sternly, pushing me back up and placing the covers over me. "You should've told me you were sick."

"San, I am-"

He gave me a look and instantly, I shut my mouth and sighed. "Fine... but don't stay here because of me. Based on how you are dressed, the event must be too important to miss."

San rolled his eyes. "Honestly? I was dreading on actually going and now, I have a good reason to miss it. Now, you rest and I'll go get you some soup."

"W-Why are you doing this...?" I asked quietly, another cough escaping.

"Because I don't want you contaminating our dorm room with your germs for too long." He teased.

I scowled at the male, causing him to laugh loudly, his eyes creating crescent moons and his dimples popping out as he took off his coat. "I'm kidding, Woo...Despite our weird living arrangements, I'd like to think that if the roles were reversed...you would do the same for me. I'll be back, going to get a cold rag."

A faint blush on my cheeks grew as I watched him go into the bathroom, a small scoff leaving me as I sighed. "Whatever..."

•••

I finished drinking the soup San brought from a local restaurant while he was setting up his laptop to play a series for the both of us to watch. The body chills had finally stopped, and with combination of the medicine he also gave me, I could feel myself slowly getting better.

Together on my bed, he finally sat back with a proud look on his face. "All done. Ready to start?"

"I guess. Out of all the types of series to watch, you're willing to watch a BL drama?" I teased.

San rolled his eyes. "You're the one who suggested it and I'm honestly not surprised. I don't care what we watch."

I giggled, leaning up to press 'start' on the show before leaning back against the pillows. "Just wanted to make sure."

The series began with the introduction of the two male leads, both living completely opposite lifestyles: the nerdy, shy guy and the bad boy. It was a series I've watched multiple times already, mostly for the plot and the steamy scenes between to two characters that occur throughout the entirety of the drama. So I practically knew what was going on and what was bound to happen.

As each scene passed, I discreetly glanced at San, who seemed to be immersed into the storyline. His eyes were glued to the screen, subconsciously biting his bottom lip and silently gasping at certain parts. Part of me wanted to know what he was thinking, but I refocused my attention back on the computer screen. However, one the more intimate scenes was on display, a hot passionate shower between the two guys.

The way the two were touching each other, sensually and lovingly, while making love inside the shower was intense to watch without feeling turned on. Glancing back at San, I noticed how his breathing was shortened while watching. I bit back a laugh. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah.." he cleared his throat, "I'm fine."

"We can stop watching if you want? I know this scene is intense to watch."

San scoffed playfully. "Intense? It's not like I haven't done this before."

Now my curiosity was peaked as I raised an eyebrow at him. "Done what? Watch a BL series or do the act in the shower...?"

"Both." He turned to me and smirked. "Definitely both."

My face heated up at the thought of him fucking someone just like the character on the screen. "Oh...Well, which character were you then...?"

San leaned closer to my face and whispered softly. "Obviously the bad boy...and I definitely wasn't going as slow as he was..."

Oh my...

Clearing my throat, I turned away from him. "Aish...let's focus on the show."

It seemed as though he had a different idea, his finger gently turning my face back to him, our lips inches apart. "I rather focus on you...you knew this scene was coming, didn't you?"

"And if I did...?" I whispered, trying my best to keep my composure under his gaze.

San smirked. "Just imagine with me for a moment, hmm? Us two, in a hot steamy shower...touching on each other just as sensually as they are, and instead of being gentle and soft...I fuck the life out of you and make you cum in more ways than one..."

My body shuddered as all the blood rushed to my lower member. He looked down and noticed the bulge, smiling to himself as he slowly trailed his hand down to it. "Are you turned on, Woonie..?"

"Ugh...Fuck this."

Grabbing his face, I smashed our lips together, not caring about what would happen next between us in this moment.