The Genius

Chapter Thirteen

"So, I'm getting to robot fight this weekend. Do any of you want to come?" Ben asked.

It was lunchtime and everyone was busy doing something. Aiyana was on her phone reading. I was working on an assignment, while Ji-Hun was on a study site on his phone and reading through the forums.

"You guys," Ben groaned, resting his head on the table. "Listen to me!"

"I'm sorry," I said, looking up from my notes. I'd heard him, I just hadn't just answered. "I'll come, no need to panic."

Ben gave me a small smile before turning his attention to Aiyana and Ji-Hun who had abandoned what they had been doing to look at him. "So, are you guys coming?"

Aiyana shrugged, itching between her filled in eyebrows. "Why not? I need something to do on Saturday anyway."

"I'll come," Ji-Hun started as he picked up the triangular sandwich he'd been ignoring from his lunch tray, "but you'll have to take me there or text me the address."

"I will." Ben grinned excitedly as he answered Ji-Hun. "I've modified my robot and I can't wait to use it," he chattered. Aiyana rolled her eyes at him before returning to reading on her phone.

Ben usually participated in robot fighting events once a month or two. Aiyana and I really didn't see the appeal in watching tiny contraptions try to destroy each other, and they weren't really complex looking, to begin with. We usually ended up chatting outside on the patio until Ben finally lost a round and came out to meet us.

"Can I see it before Saturday?" Ji-Hun asked, referring to Ben's robot. Ben's face brightened at the question, making him turn his full attention to Ji-Hun. Aiyana and I were soon forgotten as he chattered on to him.

I returned to doing my assignments until the lunch break ended. The rest of the school hours passed by quickly and it was soon school over.

I waited outside the school building for Ji-Hun since his IT teacher had decided to keep everyone in his class for a few more minutes. I stared down at the floor from my position at the top of the stairs as I thought about the arcade we'd agreed to go to today.

My gaze moved to the now empty parking lot, wondering how long it would take before Ben and Ji-Hun came out.

"Whoa, you're still here?"

I jumped at the sound of Ben's voice, turning to find him walking out the school's door with Ji-Hun following behind.

I shrugged, walking down the stairs. "I'm going somewhere with Ji-Hun, and that's why I'm still here," I said, watching as Ben raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, so I have to walk home alone today?" he asked, turning to face Ji-Hun as he got down the stairs. "Where are you guys even going?"

"I just want to hang out with Wyatt today and that's all," Ji-Hun answered, running a hand through his dark hair. I watched them bicker for a while before Ben let out a sigh of defeat.

"Fine, I'll talk to you later today I guess," he said before turning and walking ahead of us.

"You didn't tell him?" I laughed, watching Ji-Hun blush in embarrassment. Ben threw fits for that sort of thing. He didn't like being left out and Ji-Hun should have at least told him.

"I forgot — no, I really didn't think I had to tell him," he admitted, watching as Ben disappeared from sight. We waited a bit before we started walking. The arcade wasn't far of, it was on the way to our homes, and I'd already told my mum to expect me home later than usual — not like she would have noticed if I wasn't around in the first place.

The walk was silent apart from the sound of our feet stepping on the pavement as we moved. Ji-Hun gestured towards the arcade with a smile when it was in sight.

"I haven't been in there, you?" he asked as we continued to walk.

"I've been there a few times but I haven't been in there in over a year," I admitted.

"So, you won't have an idea of the games they have now?" he asked, making me nod.

We soon got to the front entrance of the arcade. I looked on in confusion when Ji-Hun opened the door for me, but I didn't question him. I hugged myself almost immediately as I walked in. I'd completely forgotten how this particular arcade ran its air conditioners twenty-four seven irrespective of the weather.

"Are you okay?" Ji-Hun asked as we headed to the line to get us coins.

"Not really," I admitted, rubbing my n***d arms with my palms in other to warm myself up. It was fruitless. Ji-Hun gave me a sorry look, but his expression changed suddenly and he was soon going through his bag. I watched as he pulled out a cream sweater before looking at me.

"Here... That's if you're comfortable with wearing someone else's clothes..." He trailed, probably rethinking his idea. I shook my head at him, reaching to tug the end of the sweater.

"I don't mind," I mumbled. Ji-Hun stared at me for a while before letting go of the sweater. I pulled the sweater over my head, wiggling my arms through the soft sweater arms. By the time I had it on completely we were in front of the line. I tried to pay for myself but Ji-Hun insisted on paying for my coins as well as his.

The woman behind the counter gave us a smile when she handed the coins to us. It creeped me out, mostly because it was one of those smiles people gave you when they knew something you didn't know.

"Do you want something warm to drink? You're still shaking. I never knew you hated being in cold places... Should I get you the drink?" Ji-Hun asked as we walked about the arcade trying to decide on what game to play.

I shook my head, contradicting my own reply by shivering. I heard Ji-Hun sigh.

"Wait at the leisure corner. I'll check if they have anything hot for you to drink," Ji-Hun said, feeling my warm face with his hand before walking away. I felt my face warm up even more as I watched him leave. I shook my head, heading to the sitting area.

Ji-Hun soon came back with a cream paper cup of warm liquid. He took the space beside me on the red couch I was sitting on before handing me the drink.

"What's this?" I asked, raising the cup of brown liquid to my nose.

"It's hot chocolate," Ji-Hun muttered. I nodded before taking a sip. It was a bit flat- bitter even, but it was warm and a big relief to how I was feeling at the moment. I continued drinking, taking the cup away from my mouth to cringe when the bitterness finally caught up with my senses.

"Who the hell makes bitter chocolate?" I complained. Ji-Hun laughed, taking the cup from me.

"Should I hold on to it?" he asked as I hugged myself, feeling a lot warmer. I shook my head, watching with mixed emotions as Ji-Hun drank the rest of it.

"Come on, let's play some games before it gets late," he said, crumpling the paper cup when he finished the drink before tossing it into the nearby dustbin. I nodded at his suggestion, getting up with him before wandering about until we found a game to play.

I was soon laughing and having fun, trying my best to destroy Ji-Hun in whatever game we decided to play. I almost forgot how chilly the place was- almost. Anytime I shivered I'd feel Ji-Hun hand rub my back in comfort or he'd give me a worried look and would ask if I needed another drink. I'm not sure if he knew the odd attention he was giving me was actually causing shivers of its own.

We didn't finish the coins we got, but we got to trade them back for money at the counter before leaving.

I sighed in relief when we walked out the doors of the arcade, the warm air hitting my face and subsiding my shivering. "That place was an actual refrigerator. Why in the world do they always have their air conditioners on?"

Ji-Hun laughed, putting his hands in his pockets as we got to the pavement. I looked up at the sky, noting that the sun had seemingly left the clouds. Checking my watch I saw that it was six thirty in the evening. School had ended more than three hours ago.

As we approached Ji-Hun's usual stop he halted in his tracks suddenly before turning to me. "Err, do you mind if I walk you home?"

I raised a brow at him. "I don't understand. You want to walk all the way to my house and then back to yours?" I asked, watching as he shrugged. He didn't say anything, he just looked down at the pavement like he was... disappointed.

I sighed, looking up ahead. "There's no need to do that really," I muttered in a low tone, turning to watch him nod in agreement.

When we got to Ji-Hun's stop I paused, giving him a small smile before thanking him for today.

"It was fun, wasn't it?" He asked in response. I smiled, nodding before making to leave. I turned sharply, remembering I still had Ji-Hun's sweater on.

"God, I'm sorry," I apologized as I made to take it off.

"No, it's fine. You can keep it," he insisted, shaking his head as I tugged at the end of the sweater in attempts to remove it.

"I can keep it?" I asked in confusion. He nodded, his fringe bouncing with the motion.

"Keep it as in I have to wash it and return it, or keep it as it's now mine?" I asked, trying to understand what he meant. Ji-Hun chuckled, letting his perfect teeth show before he started to full on laugh.

"Gosh Wyatt, you're making this hard. You don't have to return it. It's yours. That's what I meant," he sighed quietly, using his fingers to rearrange his bangs as he cast his gaze on the concrete floor.

"Oh." That was all I could get out afterward. We stood there awkwardly until Ji-Hun spoke up and said he had to leave. I nodded at him before watching him walk away. I didn't start heading home until he was out of my sight.

As I walked home I started to wonder why he'd let me keep his sweater. I soon found myself tugging at the end of one sleeve, before bringing it to my nose. It smelt like something fresh out of a washing machine with its strong smell of washing soap and softener. My cheeks warmed up when a wave of disappointment hit me.

I shook my head, sighing in frustration at my thought. What in the world had I expected it to smell like in the first place?

My cheeks only flamed more when I mentally answered the question without thinking. I bit my bottom lip, choosing to ignore the revelation. I shoved my palms into the pockets of grey jeans as I tried to concentrate on something else... anything else.

Why in the world was I subconsciously thinking of Ji-Hun?