Jaemin walks leisurely on his way to school, appreciating the peacefulness in their neighborhood at this hour. It's 6:20 in the morning, people are preparing to head to their workplace, school or whatever errands they need to go to.

He has more than enough time, the school's flag ceremony doesn't start until 7:00 am. Plus, he gets to switch his armchair with Donghyuck's, his tanned male friend would usually arrive around 6:35.

And that's also the usual time one of the strict guards checks in at the main gate.

He definitely has time.

Once he arrives at school, he smirks seeing it as one of those nonchalant guards assigned at the main gate this morning. Yup, just like he predicted.

Letting himself in, he shoots the elder man a cheeky smile before heading towards the TVL building nearby. He meets Kim Yerim, a Tourism student, halfway through the staircase; their classrooms are right next to each other.

"Where are you heading off to?" He asks, a single backpack strap resting on his shoulder.

"Meeting Danielle, we're going to get some coffee." The girl replies before noticing Jaemin's entire look. "Seriously, Jaem?"

"What?"

Rolling her eyes at Jaemin who's pretending to not know what she's talking about, she gestures to his figure. "You're going to get in trouble."

"Relax, I'm wearing a white T-shirt, majority of the people won't realize I'm not wearing my school polo." He lazily waves her off with a cheeky smile.

"Maybe not today." Yerim mutters, "it's early in the morning and you're not wearing your uniform. Tsk."

"I forgot to wash it yesterday when I came home."

"Whatever you say, Jaem. Try telling that to Renjun and your class adviser later." Yerim snickers quietly before taking her leave.

Jaemin just shrugs his shoulders and continues walking up to the second floor, relieved their classroom was already opened. Since he doesn't have the key to it.

✮

Just as Yerim told him, Renjun glares upon seeing Jaemin not wearing his complete school uniform this early in the morning.

Jaemin tries to explain to him, but for the sake of his care for his friend, Renjun can't let this slide whatsoever. "Jaemin, do you realize we're going to have a flag ceremony this morning and teachers will notice you wearing a white T-shirt instead of the school's polo?"

Donghyuck was amused, laughing at Jaemin's dismay. "Well... I'll just-"

"And no, you cannot try to hide here and miss the flag ceremony, we have attendance. Then once the flag ceremony is over, you'll get an earful from our class adviser, you know how strict she can be."

"Oh fuck that."

"Language, Jaem." Renjun scolds him, biting his inner cheek. He lets out a stressful sigh.

"Why not wear a jacket?" Donghyuck suggests. "It is pretty windy outside today."

Jaemin perks up, a wide smile plastering on his face. "That's a great idea, Hyuck!" Turning to Renjun, the latter raises a brow. "Mind asking if you know someone who will let me borrow their jacket?"

Renjun does know a few people who usually bring a jacket or hoodie with them, "you're not wearing my little brother's hoodie." He says abruptly.

"What?" Donghyuck bursts out laughing as Jaemin blinks in confusion.

"I'm serious, man. That's just weird." Renjun continues to say, grimacing at the thought.

"Dude, it doesn't have to be your brother's hoodie. Not like I would wear it anyway." Jaemin rolls his eyes, "do you know someone- anyone else? Who's wearing a jacket today?"

"Well, I saw Mark wearing one..." Renjun starts off, Jaemin's eyes glimmering in hope at that. But soon, his hope was shattered once Renjun continued to say, "but he's kinda sick today."

"That's a bust." Jaemin mutters, starting to stress out once he checks the time. "The flag ceremony is about to start in a few minutes!"

"Bummer, welp- see you at detention, Jaem!" Donghyuck sarcastically comments as he stands up, the three of them start heading out of the classroom to join the other students at the open field.

"There's got to be someone who can lend me their jacket for the day." Renjun hears Jaemin mumble beside him, they try to cover their friend as much as possible when they pass the teachers' tables; Jaemin walking hastily down the stairs.

In fact, Renjun does recall a certain someone- other than his younger brother- wearing a varsity jacket this morning.

And they walked to school together too.

He silently groans in annoyance at Jaemin's stupidity. "I'll be back." He grumbles, leaving his two friends for a moment at their class' line.

A minute later, Jaemin was chewing on his fingernails as Donghyuck was grinning at him in amusement; he couldn't wait to hear Jaemin get an earful later.

Renjun then comes back.

And at last, with him was a varsity jacket that seemed to be just about Jaemin's size.

"Here." He hands it out to his friend, Jaemin quickly puts it on, ignoring Donghyuck's disappointed frown. "Don't ruin it, you'd be dead meat if you rip that shit up."

"Awh sweet!" Jaemin couldn't stop grinning as he checked himself out. "I won't ruin it. Thanks, Junnie!" Not even meeting Renjun's eyes.

"I'm being serious, dude. The owner loves that jacket as far as I know."

"Does the owner usually wear a vanilla scented perfume?" Jaemin flashes his friend a smirk, who seemed a bit dumbfounded. "And keeps a few candies in his pockets?" Pulling out a few sweets from the jacket's pocket.

Renjun smacks his bicep and glares. "Stop being a total weirdo, dude."

"Yeah, man. Who the hell sniffs a stranger's jacket and takes out shit from their pockets?" Donghyuck comments with a lighthearted laugh.

Jaemin could only shrug his shoulders, the stress wearing off as he opens up one of the candies from the owner's pocket. "Want one?"

Donghyuck takes one as well, smiling at the sweet taste of the candy flavor. Renjun, who watches the scene unfold before him, clicks his tongue at them.

"You guys are seriously a nuisance."

"Well, that's not nice." Frowning, Donghyuck lets himself get pushed around by Renjun who arranges their line.

Jaemin snickers behind him, chewing on a gummy candy this time.

✮

Author's Note:

Yeah, I attended a strict public school. I didn't mind, it helped us being disciplined kids in and outside of the school :D

And I'm kinda proud to boast how I never once, got in trouble about my school uniform. I always wore them neatly and would wear the Girl Scout uniform on Fridays even though I'm not officially part of it lol.

Well, it did give us extra points 🤷‍♀️

We can still have a small pass from some teachers if we're wearing a white shirt; in case our school blouse/polos were dirty or something. Since they're white (our uniforms were simple). Still pretty hard to get a pass especially when you're in the morning session... On a Monday.

Except if we're wearing the scout uniforms, then that's a big no-no because it's disrespectful.

Anw, this was a fun chapter to write ^^