"Read 8:32 AM."

Two minutes ago. So where was the response? He's read them all - the cascade of suggestions that I had sent every few hours each day - but not once has he replied. And possibly worst of all...

He's not here. 

The general noise of the lecture hall was nowhere near the level it was at the day before yesterday. Most pairs had chosen to work at other places, whether it was on campus or off. Some, of course, took the opportunity to keep the grand hall to themselves, working through the tiny desks as they cooperated. 

I'm out of patience. Fine, Bai Yul; you're forcing my hand.

I scrolled through my phone, clicking the green call icon and putting the device up to my ear as my gaze returned to my laptop screen, scanning the group photo. 

The phone rang on and on and on, until the guy's personalized voice message began playing.

I hung up, not waiting a moment longer to click the call icon again. The phone rang with no answer, and I didn't hesitate to repeat my actions. Once, twice, thrice, four times, and then finally, seconds after I had begun the fifth call-

"Hello, Shion." His voice indicated the presence of a smile, but the curt words couldn't hide his irritation. He cleared his throat, the annoyance disappearing quickly as he continued. "So sorry for not responding. It's just, your suggestions are just not quite...how do I say this...attractive? If you just relax and let me take care of the whole thing, I'll make sure everything is-"

I cut him off mid-sentence.

"Meet me before the end of this class with a decision. Choose one of the topics I sent."

"Ah," He paused, then hummed, sucking air through his teeth. "Today? Today is just not possible, you see. I am just so busy - helplessness in life, you know? So-" 

"Bai Yul," I interrupted him again, speaking rapidly but making sure to enunciate clearly, "Meet me today, before the end of class, or consider that job at the Marivik Press as good as gone." 

I didn't wait to listen to his surprise, hitting the red button to end the call. 

I released a breath, relaxing into the plush seat behind me as I nonchalantly set a hand on my laptop. My index finger tapped against the cool surface as I observed the photo once more, my lips quirking up to mirror the mens' expressions. 

"Posted Yesterday at 6:53 PM"

Each one of the soccer bros was smiling, Mr. Editor-in-Chief standing at the center of the group. His right arm hung over his enthusiastic buddy, while his left was over a grinning guy with a man-bun. 

Yuriy works fast. 

Two fingers slid over the touchpad to refresh the page, my lips pursing a tad after seeing no new changes.

A gray rectangle with the word "pending" stood out, another exhale silently leaving me. 

It wasn't completely necessary, but this little detail could have brought me some time - and my impending fib some authenticity. 

Truthfully, I didn't have strong feelings towards this assignment. There were no expectations nor desires to be chosen as a team leader, but becoming a team member was another story. As a team member, I could buy at least a year of time before being forced to choose a future. Not getting on a team had to be on my terms, and my terms were simple: complete the presentation with an adequate amount of work from me and my partner. I begrudgingly respected Bai Yul's slippery tactics, but I wouldn't allow that machine gun to break my chances before we even began.

The wait didn't last long. Only twelve minutes had passed when one of the double doors speedily opened, a man with parted hair scanning the room after closing the door behind him. His eyes eventually landed on me, his usual smile nowhere to be seen as he sped his way up the stairs to reach my row with his green striped tie swinging. 

Should I stand up? Or keep sitting? No, it's probably better to keep sitting. Can't show weakness! Standing up would be weakness...right?

I wordlessly shuffled in my chair, straightening out my back as he approached. 

Bai Yul released a short, tight laugh before speaking, coming to a stop at my side. He didn't sit down.

"What did you mean when you said I wouldn't have a job?" 

I met his rigid gaze, waiting a beat before replying. 

"What topic did you choose?" 

He shook his head, a smile that didn't reach his eyes spreading across his lips. "Shion-"

"Topic. Or I won't hesitate." 

Bai Yul's brows raised at my threat as his smirk stood frozen. Then, he closed his eyes and audibly exhaled, raising an empty hand and shaking his index finger at me. 

"I don't buy it. I've looked into your family recently. You don't have that much power - barely any, actually. You can't fool me, even with that carriage of yours." His hand shifted, opening palm-up as he gave a pragmatic shrug. "And if you can't fool me, a peasant, do you think you're fooling the other nobles?" Bai Yul glanced to the side, his eyes meeting mine as he gave a brisk shake of his head along with a look of matter-of-fact skepticism. "I'll tell you right now: you're not. Everyone who takes a moment to investigate would know that you're still on the verge of bankruptcy - an old tiger without teeth."

I didn't say anything, and his lackadaisical appearance didn't change either as he scrutinized me. 

"Oh," The monotonous syllable was drawn-out as I turned towards my laptop, "Then it's good that I don't even need to use nobility to knock you down." 

Bai Yul snorted, although his tone was laced with obvious apprehension. 

"Excuse me?"

"I'm friends with Yuriy. The one you immensely dislike."

I looked up as the machine gun sneered, a whistling chuckle leaving his lips as he set his briefcase on the chair next to him and raised a hand to adjust his gold-rimmed glasses. 

"That's it? Yuriy already knows I fucking hate him, and he can't do anything to me. He doesn't come from a strong family either."

"You're right, he can't directly hurt you, but your Mr. Editor-in-Chief can. His decisions regarding new hirings are due by the end of the week, right?" 

"What about it?" His eyes narrowed just a sliver. 

"Well, guess who's Mr. Editor's new best friend?" I took the chance to keep speaking as Bai Yul's features stiffened, "Do you think Yuriy will sit still if he finds out the guy who hates him is trying so hard to become one of the Press's newest reporters? Especially now, with Mr. Editor at his side?" I halted, giving the situation some time to fully sink in before pushing past the finish line. "So, for the last time: what is your topic of choice?"

I shot Bai Yul a flat smile, the remnants of his own expression fading as we watched each other. Seconds crawled by, the distant murmurs of students working on their projects filling the thick atmosphere between us. 

Come on, come on, come on...

Finally, he looked away, blowing a long puff of air out of his mouth. His eyes darted around as he aimlessly peered at the ceiling, and then he slowly turned back to face me. 

"Fine," Bai Yul made a gesture, glancing away and back again before repeating his gesture, "Fine. The fourth one you sent."

"Good." I nodded, "I'll finish the presentation in a couple of days and email it to you. Oh, text me your email soon."

I sat soundlessly after that, and Bai Yul stood soundlessly. His eyes didn't leave mine as he swallowed, his lips widening a bit. But, he didn't say anything, his mouth closing as the man swiftly lifted his briefcase, spun, and walked away. I traced his green tie as he steadily passed the rows, watching it twist out of sight as he reached the double doors and slipped out. 

My back slumped immediately, my head plopping onto the chair as I sighed heavily. 

Threats are hard. Especially fake ones. 

I definitely wasn't friends with Yuriy, and in a building this big, it was hard to coincidentally meet (main characters excluded, of course). I had no actual intentions of bringing my threat to fruition; eviscerating the reporting pursuits of that slippery, fashionable eel was a little too cruel.

I had no doubt that Bai Yul believed in my ability to do harm; I just hoped he didn't test it. 

A/N: Thanks for reading and commenting! What'd y'all think?