Shin hurriedly go to his next class. The brief encounter with Alec had left him feeling a bit disoriented, but he pushed the thoughts aside and focused on his studies.
By lunchtime, the initial shock of the collision had worn off, leaving behind a lingering sense of curiosity. As he made his way to the cafeteria, Shin couldn't help but wonder if he would see Alec again.
As he entered the cafeteria, his eyes scanned the crowded room. There, at a table near the window, sat Alec and a group of friends. A pang of disappointment washed over Shin as he realized that approaching him now would be too awkward.
Determined to avoid any further encounters, Shin quickly grabbed his tray and found a secluded table in the corner. As he ate, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
Just as he was about to finish his meal, Shin felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Alec standing beside him, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Well, well, well," Alec said. "Looks like we're destined to keep running into each other."
Shin couldn't help but smile. "I guess so."
Alec sat down across from him. "Mind if I join you?"
Shin nodded, his heart pounding in his chest.
As Shin and Alec sat down at their table, the cafeteria began to fill an amidst of chatter, a rumor began to spread like wildfire. It was said that Shin had managed to get into the university by selling his body to wealthy benefactors.
Shin felt his blood run cold as he heard the whispers. The rumor was completely false, but he knew that once a rumor started, it could be difficult to stop.
Alec noticed the change in Shin's demeanor and asked what was wrong. Shin hesitated before explaining the rumor.
"Don't worry about it," Alec said, his voice firm. "It's just a rumor. People will eventually forget about it."
But Shin knew that rumors could have lasting consequences. He had already faced discrimination and prejudice because of his family's financial situation, and this rumor would only make things worse.
Just as Shin was about to respond, a group of students approached their table. One of them, a particularly arrogant-looking girl, sneered at Shin.
"So, I heard you're a little...easy," she said, her voice dripping with contempt.
Shin felt his face flush with anger. He was about to retort when Alec stood up and faced the girl.
"That's enough," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Leave him alone."
The girl looked taken aback. She had never seen Alec so angry before.
"Or what?" she challenged.
Alec stepped closer to the girl, his eyes narrowing. "Or I'll make sure you regret ever saying that."
The girl backed away, her face pale. The rest of the students quickly dispersed, their eyes wide with fear.
Shin watched Alec with a mixture of gratitude and admiration. He had just stood up for him, and in doing so, he had sent a powerful message to the entire cafeteria.
As Alec sat back down, Shin reached out and took his hand. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Alec squeezed his hand. "You're welcome. Don't let those rumors bother you. You're a good person, and you deserve to be treated with respect."
Shin smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. He knew that with Alec by his side, he could face anything.
As the cafeteria began to empty, Alec turned to Shin and said, "Hey, want to hang out after class? We could grab a bite to eat or just chat for a while."
Shin hesitated. He knew that spending time with Alec could put him at risk of further rumors, but he couldn't deny that he was starting to enjoy his company.
"Sure," he finally replied, his heart pounding in his chest.
To be continued...
[🦆✨ And I'll leave a brief introduction of Shin and Alec in the com-sec but might add some additional info as the story goes.]
