Of Prom and Madness (1/2)
of prom and madness
ft: krystal/kai, yunho/boa, taemin/sulli
pg-15 (bc of some vulgarity), 11.3k words, crack!highschoolau
~in which freshman jung soojung is on her solo crack mission to get herself invited to prom.
for kirakirashahida, this is actually supposed to be your bday fic LAST year but after I lost the soft copy for it, I never had the mood to rewrite it...until a few days ago. i hope you'll like it and i'm sorry if it's a fail crack TT
Homework:
English: pg 12 of textbook due Friday
History: essay on some historical stuff--ask Jinri!!!
Biology: n/a
Chemistry: chemical equations pg 87
Advance Maths: pg 90 no. 1-3 (get answers from Taemin)
--
So, have you found someone to take you to prom? - S.Y
As if. All the hot ones are already taken, and all the not hot ones are not even going. - S.J
You aren’t trying hard enough! - S.Y
Easy for you to say, I don’t have a senior boyfriend like you do, Sunyoung! - S.J
Come on, your sister is THE Jung Sooyeon, how can you not find any suitors to bring you to prom? - S.Y
Uh, because this is a SENIOR prom and no one would even bat an eyelash at my direction because I’m a freshman? - S.J
Hence, your sister??? - S.Y
Her life doesn’t revolve around mine, yknow. - S.J
That’s your loss, then. - S.Y
You’re supposed to be helping me think of ideas, not making me feel like trash! - S.J
Alright, fine, fine! Do you remember the auction to raise funds for prom this Friday? I heard that the S.C is auctioning a pair of tickets for non-seniors to prom!!! - S.Y
What the hell, and you couldn’t have mentioned this earlier??? - S.J
Um hello, have you forgotten that your cousin is the S.C President??? - S.Y
Oh please, like Yunho would tell me what is going on with pr--
--
Homework:
English: pg 12 of textbook due Friday + 250 words essay on why passing notes in class ought to be prohibited due tmr THANKS A LOT MR. LEE
History: essay on some historical stuff--ask Jinri!!!
Biology: n/a
Chemistry: chemical equations pg 87
Advance Maths: pg 90 no. 1-3 (get answers from Taemin)
--
Soojung frowns, her fork still twirling on the same strands of spaghetti on her plate. It’s a little past eleven; recess would be over in fifteen minutes, yet Soojung has barely eaten her lunch that day.
“Are you going to eat that or not?” Jongin is the first to break the silence, and Soojung darts a quick glare in his direction. “What? It’s...just a question.”
“You just broke my train of thoughts, thank you very much.” Soojung sighs, putting her fork down and looking at her best friend in the opposite seat. “Jinri, help me, you have a brilliant brain, and I need your brilliant ideas now.”
Upon hearing her name, Jinri breaks her attention from whatever Taemin is telling her. “What is it, Soojung?”
“The auction is after school on Friday, but I have detention on Friday. What should I do?” Soojung half whines, half cries, banging her fists on the table repeatedly.
Taemin snorts a little too loud, fighting a laugh down his throat when Soojung reaches over to smack him with her fork. Jongin watches on in amusement, since he isn’t from the same class as them. “What happened? Why was Soojung given detention?”
“For passing notes to Sunyoung in class.” Jinri fights the urge to laugh as well, especially since Soojung is giving her a death glare from her seat. “But that’s not the funniest, because Mr. Lee decided to read--”
“Can we please not relive that horrible moment?” Soojung interrupts loudly, stabbing her spaghetti a few times with her fork before pushing the plate away grumpily.
“Whole class knows?” Jongin mouths as subtly as he could.
“Whole class knows.” Jinri confirms, hiding her chuckle with an abrupt cough.
Soojung heaves a sigh so loud that everyone quickly turns their attention back towards her. “What should I do? I can’t go to the auction now because of that dumb detention! Unless...”
Jinri immediately shakes her head at the look and sudden sweet smile Soojung is giving to her. “No, no. No can do, Soojung. Taemin and I are going to Busan this weekend, remember? We’re leaving after school on Friday.”
Soojung’s face falls, Taemin shrugs apologetically. “Sorry, mate.”
Soojung’s attention on them didn’t last for long, as she now diverts her attention to her other best friend who has decided to eat her leftover spaghetti. “Jongin...Oh my dearest Kim Jongin…”
“Vot?” Jongin looks up with a mouthful of spaghetti as he resumes chewing. Soojung remains smiling, leaning closer to him as she waits patiently for him to finish eating.
Jongin reaches for his cup of water. “What? I don’t like the look you’re giving me.”
“Jongin...you know I love you right?” Soojung begins, blinking rapidly. Before she could continue though, Jongin pushes her forehead back with a finger. “No.”
The smile on Soojung’s face disappears as she narrows her eyes. “I haven’t even said anything!”
“Every time you look and blink at me that way, you’re always up to something no good.” Jongin retorts, shaking his head twice. “So forget it, don’t include me in your malicious plan.”
Soojung sulks, though she refuses to give up. Jongin is the only person who could help her now, no way is she giving in so easily. “There is nothing malicious in helping me buy the extra prom tickets! It’s like...queuing up to buy food!”
“Except that you have to bid until no one else bids. I am not buying food that way.”
“This isn’t food!”
“You were the one who compared it to buying food first!”
Taemin and Jinri exchange looks with one another, wondering if they should wait for their friends or leave the cafeteria. Both shrug at the same time.
“Jooooongggiiiiiiinnnnnn! Why won’t you just help me?”
“I have an important football match to watch with Sehun! I’ve promised him since months ago!”
“It’s just stupid football!”
“It’s just stupid prom tickets!”
“Let’s just go.” Taemin whispers just as Jinri nods in mutual agreement. Quietly, the both of them moved away from their seats, sighing in relief when Soojung and Jongin showed no signs to realizing that they’ve left.
“This is my future, Kim Jongin!”
“Stop acting like a brat! It’s just a stupid dance at the end of the year, anyway.”
Soojung gasps out loud dramatically, unaware that recess is already over and people are already leaving for class. “Excuse me? Stupid? Going to Senior Prom in your freshman year is an accomplishment. Prom is the mother of all dances! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. You get worshipped after that.”
“You want people to worship you???” Jongin scoffs, shaking his head a few times out of disbelief.
“No, idiot.” Soojung rolls her eyes. “It’s the recognition that I want. The feat.”
“Going to prom in your freshman year is a feat?”
“Oh,” Soojung throws her hands in the air exasperatedly. “what do you know?”
Jongin stands, wiping his mouth with a tissue as he prepares to leave. “I do know that my football game is more important, so find someone else to fight for the tickets for you, Soojung.”
Soojung rages, pulling her own hair as she watches Jongin leave. “HEY, I’m unfriending you, Kim Jongin, you hear that? UNFRIENDING YOU.”
Jongin stops in his tracks and turns around. He arches an eyebrow at Soojung and smirks slightly. “So can I assume that our ice-cream plan after school today is cancelled? Since I’m paying for them.”
He waits; three seconds, four, and then Soojung flashes a smile. She gets up from her seat and makes her way towards her best friend. “Jongin, Jongin, dearest Jongin...”
Jongin fights the urge to roll his eyes. “Soojung, Soojung, evil witch Soojung.”
She smacks his arm once before flashing another insincere smile in his direction. “You know I was only joking right?”
“Sure, whatever you say.” Jongin shakes his head and walks off, much to Soojung’s dismay.
“You’re still treating me to ice-cream later right? RIGHT???”
--
The second the bell rings to indicate that detention period is over on Friday, Soojung flies out from her seat, smacking her bag squarely onto Nam Woohyun’s face. “Sorry! 911 emergency! Gotta go!” She cries, not looking back even though Woohyun has mumbled something in response. Right now, her priority is to get to the school’s gym where the auction to raise funds for prom is held.
No amount of please, please, please could however, change the fact that when Soojung arrives in the gym, the auction is already over. Her face falls just as she spots her cousin clearing the tables on the stage.
“Yunho! I mean, oppa! I mean, Yunho oppa!”
Soojung tries to brush aside the sudden looks that every student council members are giving her as she waves for Yunho’s attention. When he finally spots her, Yunho nods back and makes his way towards his cousin. “Hey, Soojung. What’s up?”
“Is the auction over already?” Stupid question, but perhaps…
Yunho looks around the empty gym except his council members, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah.” He answers in a tone Soojung could clearly perceive as isn’t this the most obvious thing in the world tone. She closes her eyes and smacks her forehead. “Damn it. Is everything auctioned off already?”
Yunho grins at this question, clearly happy that the auction had been successful. “Yeah, it’s amazing, really. The support from all the teachers, parents and students are--”
Soojung waves her hand nonchalantly in the air, not at all interested at Yunho’s elaboration. “Who got the two tickets for prom?”
Soojung is holding her breath, heart hammering beneath her skin as she waits for the answer. Yunho shrugs, looking behind his shoulder. “Boa, who got the extra tickets for prom?”
Looking behind Yunho’s shoulder as well, Soojung spots a petite senior sweeping the floor. She has never really talked to her before, but Soojung knows who she is--everyone in the school does, given that she’s the student council’s vice president.
Boa glances up and frowns, thinking for a few seconds before answering. “Uh...a freshman named Seulgi, I think?”
If it’s possible, Soojung feels her heart breaking into two.
--
I can’t live my life like this! It’s meaningless! - S.J
Oh honey, I’m really sorry you didn’t get those tickets. Have you tried buying them from Seulgi? I heard she bought them for almost 300 thousand won. - S.Y
Of course I did. She wouldn’t budge, that lil twerp! Jongin is a dumbass, he doesn’t even realize that all sane freshmen have been aiming for this exact same purpose since they stepped into high school! - S.J
Boys will never understand. Jinki didn’t even want to go, yknow, until I convinced him to. Seriously! - S.Y
All those wasted tickets could have gone into better hands! The rule of not allowing non-seniors to go unless if you’re going as dates is stupid. Yunho should change that rule! - S.J
You know he can’t possibly do that. The seniors will cause a riot. - S.Y
I can’t believe my cousin is the S.C President and he can’t even give a ticket to me. - S.J
*hugs*. But why are we writing/passing notes in English class again? - S.Y
We’re rebels, remember? - S.J
Before Soojung could reach over to pass her reply to Sunyoung, she jumps in her seat when her name is called out from the front. “Shit, not again.”
“Soojung! Come here.” Mr. Lee repeats, Sunyoung quickly buries her head into her textbook as she watches Soojung walk to the front from the corner of her eye. Even Jinri glances briefly from her textbook to look at her poker-faced friend.
Soojung puts on her best blank expression, as if she has no idea what is going on and had been quietly doing the homework her teacher had assigned her class to do. “Yes, sir?”
“The student council members are currently having a meeting in their room, could you pass this to Yunho?” Mr. Lee asks, waving an envelope in the air. “This is extremely important, but I can’t leave the class unattended, so since you’re here…”
Soojung mentally breathes a sigh of relief; she isn’t caught for passing notes in class! Huzzah! “Of course, sir.” She says in the sweetest voice she could muster, quite positive that Taemin is gagging for air at the back of the classroom.
--
Soojung nearly gets lost trying to find for the student council room--which is rather ironic given that Mr. Lee had assumed she would know the way there the best. What Mr. Lee didn’t know is that, although Soojung is Yunho’s cousin, she has never actually gone to visit him in his second home in school before.
After all, Soojung has much more important things to do.
Like getting tickets to prom.
She pauses on top of the stairs, contemplating if she should go left or right. Soojung is somewhat sure that the student council room is located on this floor, but she still has no idea where. Shrugging nonchalantly and trusting her own instincts, Soojung sings inky pinky ponky under her breath and turns into the left corridor without hesitation.
After walking a while more, Soojung feels slight triumph in her heart when she finally spots the sign on top of a room by the corner. Making sure that she has gotten the right room, Soojung peers into a slightly ajar window and immediately spots her cousin inside.
“We’ve gathered almost 5 million won from the auction, which of course, is great news.” The student council treasurer, Song Qian, says with a grin just as the members begin to clap happily.
Oh, Soojung pauses by the window, not wanting to interrupt just yet, interesting.
“The highest bidded items are the latest electronic gadgets sponsored by Siwon’s parents, which we’ve gotten 2.6 million won alone from those two items.” Song Qian went on with her report as everyone cheers. Siwon is smiling politely, slightly bashful from all the cheers. “For the designer clothes and bags, courtesy of my aunt, we managed to raise one million won. Followed by the prom tickets for 300 thousand won and Seohyun’s one on one mathematics tuition for a month, which we managed to get 200 thousand won for. Amazing.”
What? People would actually pay for that??? Soojung raises an eyebrow in surprise, but then finds herself nodding instead. People like me who sucks in maths would, come to think about it. And it’s Seohyun! Star student of Shinhwa High who skipped two grades!
Seohyun smiles meekly from her seat, blushing slightly as the older members tease her on who has bidded for her tuition--a senior named Jung Yonghwa who they all know has a crush on her.
Yunho grins. “If he gets too personal, just call any one of us and we’ll go beat him up.”
“But hey, at least Seohyun gets to go to prom with us now, because he’d ask her for sure.” Donghae teases and the younger female turns an even brighter shade of red.
Once Song Qian finishes her treasury report, Siwon speaks up from his seat. “Have you guys asked anyone to prom yet?”
“Are you seriously having this conversation when there are girls in this room?” Although Soojung couldn’t see her, she could recognize the voice belonging to Boa’s.
“Why not? Everyone would be dying to take female council members to prom. Maybe except you, since you’re scary.” Siwon grins, ducking just in time as a pen flies across the room and hits the opposite wall.
“I’ve already asked someone.” After sitting back straighter, Siwon continues in an extremely proud manner, “It wasn’t easy, mind you. But she said yes.”
“I’ve just asked Sooyeon too, and she accepted too.” Donghae gives a lopsided grin just as Soojung clamps a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from screaming out loud. Sooyeon is attending prom??? And she didn’t tell me???
Two other male members join in the conversation as well, but by then, Soojung is no longer paying attention. Sooyeon is attending senior prom. Sooyeon is attending senior prom. Sooyeon is--
“Yunho, you’re not thinking of attending prom solo, are you?” Donghae asks suddenly when he realizes that the president has been silent throughout their conversation.
Yunho merely laughs. “Well, I guess?”
Soojung, who has removed herself from the window to knock on the door, flies back immediately to the spot she earlier stood. What? What?? WHAT???
“It’s not fun attending alone, you should just take someone you know instead, like--” Donghae’s sentence is interrupted midway with a loud screech of ME! TAKE ME! as everyone whip their heads to the direction of the foreign voice.
“Shit.” Soojung quickly covers her mouth and ducks, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Did she just shout out her inner thought to the whole student council to hear? She has half a mind to crawl away when someone calls out her name. “Soojung?”
Soojung barely has the time to cover her face when the rest of the council members appear at the door as well, heads peering outside as she scrambles to her feet. “Yunho, hi.”
Yunho frowns slightly. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Uh, this.” Soojung quickly points at the envelope she’s been subconsciously death grabbing the whole time. She tries to smooth out the crumpled surface before handing the envelope to her cousin. “Mr. Lee asked me to give this to you, he said it’s important.”
Soojung waves meekly at the rest--Siwon, Donghae and Boa--still embarrassed over her slip of tongue earlier. They return her smile before disappearing into the room, leaving Soojung and Yunho standing in the deserted corridor. “Well, I’ll see you later then.” Yunho smiles as well, giving her a pat on the head as he turns around.
It’s now or never, Soojung, it’s now or never-- “Wait, Yunho!”
“Yeah?” Yunho stops abruptly, turning to look at his cousin again. “What’s up?”
“I couldn’t help but to overhear earlier…” She admits sheepishly before pushing herself to say those words bubbling in her throat. “But you don’t have a date for prom yet, right?”
Confused, Yunho merely shakes his head. “No.”
“You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?”
“No.”
“How about a crush on anyone?”
Somewhat amused, Yunho shakes his head again. “Not really.”
Soojung sucks in her breath, lowering her voice as she gestures Yunho to bend down so she could whisper into his ear. “I volunteer as tribute.”
Yunho blinks once, twice, before raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“To prom,” Soojung emphasises rather dramatically. “as your date.”
“But why?”
“Because you don’t have anyone to go with? Because you’re such a nerd?”
“Since when am I a nerd?”
“You’re the president of the student council.” Soojung rolls her eyes as if what she has pointed has been obvious enough. “If you’re not a nerd, then you’re intimidating. No girls want an intimidating prom date. So really, I’m doing you a favor here!” Soojung grins before clasping her hands together. “Please? Please? I really want to go to prom and no one will take me obviously. Please?”
Yunho scratches the back of his neck, a slight smile forms on his face. “Well, if it’s that important to you…”
Unable to contain her excitement, Soojung lets out another squeal, this time, covering both hands over her mouth before she jumps in excitement.
“I have a condition though.”
Soojung stops jumping, though she is still bearing a wide grin. “What, what? At this rate I’d agree to anything.” She pauses. “Anything doable, that is.”
“You see…” Yunho begins, “The student council is actually lacking manpower at the moment, because one of our members decided to quit suddenly last week.”
Soojung’s heart stops for one second, her eyes widening. Is Yunho suggesting that…
“I wouldn’t normally be asking this favor from just anyone--”
Shucks, are you trying to imply that my grades are not worthy enough for the student council? Soojung raises a brow quietly, waiting for Yunho to finish his sentence.
“--but we’re really in desperate need and there is no possible way for an election so suddenly in the middle of the year…”
“I’ll do it.” Soojung says as smoothly as she could, trying to remain calm and not overly excited over the fact that she, a freaking freshman is joining the student council.
Yunho brightens up immediately, his grin forming again on his face. “You would? As a temporary member only though, at least until we get all the workload done.”
Soojung does the scuba-diving OK sign and nods her head as though this is no big deal. On the inside, however, she could feel herself dying. This is sooooo striking two birds with one stone.
“Yes, I’ll become the temporary member of the student council in exchange to being your prom date.”
Yunho laughs. “That’s a deal, then. I’ll inform Mr. Lee soon. Once he confirms everything, you can begin your duty with us. See you later, Soojung.” He waves curtly before disappearing into the room again.
Yes, yes, yes! Soojung is still squealing in her inner mind as she begins walking back, face flushed with excitement. I did it, I did it, I diiiiiiiiid it! She repeats in a sing-song voice, whistling out loud and grinning widely much to the surprise of a random student going to the washroom. I need to tell Sunyoung and Jinri as soon as possible!
I, Jung Soojung, am going to prom!!!
--
Homework:
English: essay on future ambition (because apparently we’re still in elementary school)
History: read chapter 5 aka NO HOMEWORK!!!!!!!
Biology: experiment report ew
Chemistry: read chapter 3 aka Salts aka the WORST chapter ever
Advance Maths: pg 93 no. 2a) - 3b) (get answers from Taemin)
--
When Soojung arrives home that day, Sooyeon is already in her room, a fashion magazine in her hands as Soojung launches herself onto Sooyeon’s bed. “Guess what?”
“Jongin treated you to ice-cream today?”
Giggling, Soojung shakes her head. “Nope.”
“Jongin is going to the movies with you tonight?” Sooyeon guesses lazily, eyes still fixated on her magazine.
Soojung rolls her eyes. “Excuse me, my life doesn’t revolve around that idiot.”
That is enough to catch Sooyeon’s attention as she finally glances towards her sister’s direction. “Then why are you so happy today?”
“Oh before that.” Soojung pauses, reaching for the pillow by the side before grabbing it and smacking it against Sooyeon’s body. “This is for you not telling me that you’re going to prom.”
Sooyeon rolls out of the way, sitting up on her bed instead. “Who told you that?”
“I overheard it today. But anyway, that’s not the point I am trying to make.” Soojung places the pillow down before flashing a bright, wide smile. “Guess who’s going to prom too?” She asks in a sing-song voice that makes Sooyeon furrow her eyebrows in confusion.
“Me, dummy, me!” Soojung doesn’t wait for Sooyeon to guess, erupting into fits of childish giggling as the latter stares at her in pure amusement. “Yunho is taking me to prom!”
“What?” Sooyeon is genuinely taken aback at the sudden outburst. Is her sister joking? “He’s taking you to prom? Why?”
“Yeah. Why are you so surprised? Our cousin is a great man, yknow.”
“No, I’m just...I thought he’d...nevermind.” Sooyeon reaches for her bottle of water on the side table, still frowning. “Why would he take you to prom though? What did you bribe him with?”
Soojung snorts. “Please, I didn’t bribe him with anything. I promised I’d help the student council out as an unofficial temporary member.”
Jessica nearly spits out her drink, erupting into a sudden coughing fit. “What???”
“Dude, why are you so surprised?”
“You??? In the student council??? This is a joke.”
“Excuse me, I’m offended.” Soojung places a hand over her chest, pretending to be hurt over her sister’s statement. “I’m very student council material, okay.”
Sooyeon laughs loudly. “You can’t even solve a math equation properly and Yunho actually chose you to join the student council?”
“Wow, such faith you have in your sister.” Soojung gets down from the bed and sticks a tongue out. “I’m not going to talk to you anymore because I’m going over to Jongin’s. Bye.”
--
Jongin is this close to falling asleep.
When he came back from football practice a while ago, he had wanted to take a nap, but Soojung had showed up out of nowhere.
Now, twenty minutes later, Jongin is still listening to Soojung’s ramblings about how Jinri and her own sister had laughed at her when she told them she just became the student council’s new temporary member.
“Why do they think I’m gonna flop as a member of the student council? I am perfectly capable of carrying out duties and am a very responsible student--”
Jongin nearly snorts out loud at that, but muffles himself quickly with his pillow. He continues to watch Soojung pace around his bedroom.
“--granted that it has nothing to do with maths, I’m perfectly fine in other areas. I am fluent in English and I pass all the other subjects. Why do they look down on me so much?”
“You pass your other subjects with Cs and B minuses.” Jongin mutters under his breath, though Soojung doesn’t catch that. “Um, I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”
“Right? Exactly!” Soojung smacks one palm against the other, snapping her fingers together after that. She beams at Jongin. “See, this is why you’re the best.”
Jongin shrugs. He only said that because he wants Soojung to stop talking. “But wait, how did you become a member of the student council again?”
“Oh, right! I can’t believe I left out the single most important detail.”
Jongin raises an eyebrow.
“I am going to prom!” Soojung squeals, clapping her hands together like a seal and jumping up and down.
“W-what?” Jongin’s eyes widen in pure surprise. “How?”
“That is exactly the reason why I became a student council member! I traded my free time with a ticket to prom. I’m going as Yunho’s date. Nothing romantic, of course, since he’s my cousin and it’s gross to think about us in any other way.”
Soojung jabs a finger at herself. “You see this, Jongin? Perseverance is the key to success. Case in point, moi.”
Speechless, Jongin keeps mum.
“I’m finally going to prom! Aren’t you happy for me?”
“Yeah sure, whatever. Can I sleep now?” Jongin lays down on his bed and waves his hand in the air. “I’m sure you can find your way out, right?”
“Gee, you’re no fun.” Soojung sighs, but her smile doesn’t falter. “I’ll go down to the kitchen and see if you mum needs any help.”
Jongin merely grunts as a reply.
--
Homework:
English: redo essay on future ambition because apparently, eating food in front of the webcam is NOT a legit job.
History: n/a
Biology: reproductive system + genetics = do you hear jongin laughing at the other classroom because i do
Chemistry: Salts worksheet aka you dead bc no one is gonna help you soojung
Advance Maths: Taemin is gonna do it
--
Soojung kind of loves being an unofficial yet official but not really official member of the student council, because she is often excused from class one period after her recess--during the junior and senior recess. The members of the student council usually get a free period after their own recess as well, which means that Soojung is given two free periods after 11.30pm.
While waiting for Yunho’s arrival, Soojung decides to strike a conversation with Boa, who is looking over some documents at the side. “So unnie, have you been asked to prom yet?”
Finding out who would be taking who to prom has got to be the most interesting thing ever, Soojung thinks to herself as she waits for an answer.
Boa laughs, much to Soojung’s surprise as she looks up from the papers she is holding. “I’m actually not going.”
“WHAT?” Soojung exclaims a little bit too loud and everyone turn to look at them. “But why?” She tones down a little, though her expression is still covered in shock. Embarrassed, Boa gestures that nothing has happened to get the others to turn away.
Then, she continues. "Hmm, I guess I'm not that interested? Plus I don’t have anyone to go with and I don’t think I want to go alone."
“B-but,” Sputtering, Soojung is at a complete loss for words. “But you’re the Vice President, you make prom happen!”
“That’s not true, Soojung. Everyone plays an equal role.” Boa smiles and shrugs. “I don’t know, I don’t really mind, to be honest.”
Soojung is completely dumbfounded. “But what about your ticket? Won’t it be a waste?”
“I haven’t bought one, actually.” The older female admits sheepishly just as Yunho enters the room with a box in his hands.
“So here’s what we’re going to do,” Yunho announces as he places the box on the table. “We are going to form two groups, one group in charge for today’s junior/senior recess. And the other for tomorrow.”
Soojung nods absentmindedly, her mind still in a state of confusion over what she has learned. How could a female senior not be interested in prom? What is this utter sorcery?
Song Qian comes over and taps her shoulder then, signalling that they’re in the same group with Yunho and Boa for today’s duty in recess. “Wait, what are we doing today?” Soojung snaps herself out from her trance as she follows Song Qian out from the room.
“We’re going to set up a counter in the cafeteria for the junior and senior students to nominate candidates for Prom King and Queen.” Song Qian explains patiently, and Soojung gasps.
Prom King and Queen! I totally forgot about this!
“Freshman and Sophomores aren’t allowed to nominate?” She asks, slightly disappointed when Song Qian shakes her head. “They aren’t even going, unless they’re the dates of a senior. In that case, they’d be able to vote during prom itself..”
“Oh.” Soojung says and looks ahead at the back of both Yunho and Boa who are carrying two boxes each. “What are they carrying?”
“Forms to fill in. Each student is allowed to nominate 5 candidates. And then we’ll have to tally and narrow the candidates down to the top 5 for each King and Queen.”
Just then, Boa laughs at something Yunho says, hitting him on the side with the box she is carrying as she remarks, “Don’t say that!”
Soojung frowns. What is this odd feeling that I’m getting…
She glances at Song Qian and realizes that the latter is as stoic as ever. Song Qian catches her gaze and returns one of her own as well. “Are you finally seeing it?”
“S-see what?” Soojung has this feeling she doesn’t want to know the answer to that question. Song Qian doesn’t reply, the four of them entering the empty cafeteria. There are five more minutes for the junior/senior recess, and they move quickly to set up their counter by the entrance.
“Are you guys allowed to nominate as well?” Soojung inquires, stealing a glance at the president and vice president huddling together at the other end of the table.
“Yeah.” Song Qian replies curtly and begins to arrange the forms on the table. She pauses for a while, looking up to see what Soojung is doing--or seeing, as a matter of fact, and Song Qian finds herself smiling slightly. “You’re seeing it, aren’t you?” She whispers to Soojung and Soojung nearly jumps in surprise.
“What?” She asks, and Song Qian merely shakes her head. “Actually, can I ask you something?”
Song Qian nods, and Soojung leans in to whisper her question into Qian’s ear. “Do you know what is the relationship between the two beings at the other end of the table?”
Upon hearing that question, Song Qian begins to laugh. “So you did see it!”
Soojung is annoyed now. “Oh my god, see what???”
“Them.” Song Qian replies, nodding at Yunho and Boa’s direction. “They’re the most obvious thing in the world.”
“But I thought they aren’t together?” Soojung is now confused. The last time she has checked with her cousin brother, he has mentioned that he doesn’t have a girlfriend at the moment. There is a sudden uncomfortable feeling that Soojung couldn’t shake off, no matter how much she tries. She watches how Song Qian shakes her head again.
“They aren’t.”
Before Soojung could inquire further, Boa calls Song Qian to follow her somewhere, leaving Soojung alone with her cousin brother. The recess bell goes off at that moment, and Soojung knows the cafeteria would soon be pouring with hungry and noisy students.
So before that would happen, Soojung decides to seize the opportunity and asks Yunho the question that is suddenly bothering her.
“Yunho, if you aren’t taking me to prom, who are you planning on asking? I’m sure you’re not actually really going to attend prom alone, right?”
Soojung holds her breath.
“Hmm?” Yunho shrugs rather nonchalantly before answering; “Probably Boa.”
Crap. “Do you like her?”
“That’s crazy, she’s my best female friend.” Yunho shakes it off with a laugh. “We actually made a promise with each other that if we don’t have any prom date by the last week before prom, we’d attend it together.”
Soojung could almost feel every ounce of air being suck out from her body.
Oh my god, she mentally gasps, what have I done?
(part 2)
ft: krystal/kai, yunho/boa, taemin/sulli
pg-15 (bc of some vulgarity), 11.3k words, crack!highschoolau
~in which freshman jung soojung is on her solo crack mission to get herself invited to prom.
for kirakirashahida, this is actually supposed to be your bday fic LAST year but after I lost the soft copy for it, I never had the mood to rewrite it...until a few days ago. i hope you'll like it and i'm sorry if it's a fail crack TT
Homework:
English: pg 12 of textbook due Friday
History: essay on some historical stuff--ask Jinri!!!
Biology: n/a
Chemistry: chemical equations pg 87
Advance Maths: pg 90 no. 1-3 (get answers from Taemin)
--
So, have you found someone to take you to prom? - S.Y
As if. All the hot ones are already taken, and all the not hot ones are not even going. - S.J
You aren’t trying hard enough! - S.Y
Easy for you to say, I don’t have a senior boyfriend like you do, Sunyoung! - S.J
Come on, your sister is THE Jung Sooyeon, how can you not find any suitors to bring you to prom? - S.Y
Uh, because this is a SENIOR prom and no one would even bat an eyelash at my direction because I’m a freshman? - S.J
Hence, your sister??? - S.Y
Her life doesn’t revolve around mine, yknow. - S.J
That’s your loss, then. - S.Y
You’re supposed to be helping me think of ideas, not making me feel like trash! - S.J
Alright, fine, fine! Do you remember the auction to raise funds for prom this Friday? I heard that the S.C is auctioning a pair of tickets for non-seniors to prom!!! - S.Y
What the hell, and you couldn’t have mentioned this earlier??? - S.J
Um hello, have you forgotten that your cousin is the S.C President??? - S.Y
Oh please, like Yunho would tell me what is going on with pr--
--
Homework:
English: pg 12 of textbook due Friday + 250 words essay on why passing notes in class ought to be prohibited due tmr THANKS A LOT MR. LEE
History: essay on some historical stuff--ask Jinri!!!
Biology: n/a
Chemistry: chemical equations pg 87
Advance Maths: pg 90 no. 1-3 (get answers from Taemin)
--
Soojung frowns, her fork still twirling on the same strands of spaghetti on her plate. It’s a little past eleven; recess would be over in fifteen minutes, yet Soojung has barely eaten her lunch that day.
“Are you going to eat that or not?” Jongin is the first to break the silence, and Soojung darts a quick glare in his direction. “What? It’s...just a question.”
“You just broke my train of thoughts, thank you very much.” Soojung sighs, putting her fork down and looking at her best friend in the opposite seat. “Jinri, help me, you have a brilliant brain, and I need your brilliant ideas now.”
Upon hearing her name, Jinri breaks her attention from whatever Taemin is telling her. “What is it, Soojung?”
“The auction is after school on Friday, but I have detention on Friday. What should I do?” Soojung half whines, half cries, banging her fists on the table repeatedly.
Taemin snorts a little too loud, fighting a laugh down his throat when Soojung reaches over to smack him with her fork. Jongin watches on in amusement, since he isn’t from the same class as them. “What happened? Why was Soojung given detention?”
“For passing notes to Sunyoung in class.” Jinri fights the urge to laugh as well, especially since Soojung is giving her a death glare from her seat. “But that’s not the funniest, because Mr. Lee decided to read--”
“Can we please not relive that horrible moment?” Soojung interrupts loudly, stabbing her spaghetti a few times with her fork before pushing the plate away grumpily.
“Whole class knows?” Jongin mouths as subtly as he could.
“Whole class knows.” Jinri confirms, hiding her chuckle with an abrupt cough.
Soojung heaves a sigh so loud that everyone quickly turns their attention back towards her. “What should I do? I can’t go to the auction now because of that dumb detention! Unless...”
Jinri immediately shakes her head at the look and sudden sweet smile Soojung is giving to her. “No, no. No can do, Soojung. Taemin and I are going to Busan this weekend, remember? We’re leaving after school on Friday.”
Soojung’s face falls, Taemin shrugs apologetically. “Sorry, mate.”
Soojung’s attention on them didn’t last for long, as she now diverts her attention to her other best friend who has decided to eat her leftover spaghetti. “Jongin...Oh my dearest Kim Jongin…”
“Vot?” Jongin looks up with a mouthful of spaghetti as he resumes chewing. Soojung remains smiling, leaning closer to him as she waits patiently for him to finish eating.
Jongin reaches for his cup of water. “What? I don’t like the look you’re giving me.”
“Jongin...you know I love you right?” Soojung begins, blinking rapidly. Before she could continue though, Jongin pushes her forehead back with a finger. “No.”
The smile on Soojung’s face disappears as she narrows her eyes. “I haven’t even said anything!”
“Every time you look and blink at me that way, you’re always up to something no good.” Jongin retorts, shaking his head twice. “So forget it, don’t include me in your malicious plan.”
Soojung sulks, though she refuses to give up. Jongin is the only person who could help her now, no way is she giving in so easily. “There is nothing malicious in helping me buy the extra prom tickets! It’s like...queuing up to buy food!”
“Except that you have to bid until no one else bids. I am not buying food that way.”
“This isn’t food!”
“You were the one who compared it to buying food first!”
Taemin and Jinri exchange looks with one another, wondering if they should wait for their friends or leave the cafeteria. Both shrug at the same time.
“Jooooongggiiiiiiinnnnnn! Why won’t you just help me?”
“I have an important football match to watch with Sehun! I’ve promised him since months ago!”
“It’s just stupid football!”
“It’s just stupid prom tickets!”
“Let’s just go.” Taemin whispers just as Jinri nods in mutual agreement. Quietly, the both of them moved away from their seats, sighing in relief when Soojung and Jongin showed no signs to realizing that they’ve left.
“This is my future, Kim Jongin!”
“Stop acting like a brat! It’s just a stupid dance at the end of the year, anyway.”
Soojung gasps out loud dramatically, unaware that recess is already over and people are already leaving for class. “Excuse me? Stupid? Going to Senior Prom in your freshman year is an accomplishment. Prom is the mother of all dances! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. You get worshipped after that.”
“You want people to worship you???” Jongin scoffs, shaking his head a few times out of disbelief.
“No, idiot.” Soojung rolls her eyes. “It’s the recognition that I want. The feat.”
“Going to prom in your freshman year is a feat?”
“Oh,” Soojung throws her hands in the air exasperatedly. “what do you know?”
Jongin stands, wiping his mouth with a tissue as he prepares to leave. “I do know that my football game is more important, so find someone else to fight for the tickets for you, Soojung.”
Soojung rages, pulling her own hair as she watches Jongin leave. “HEY, I’m unfriending you, Kim Jongin, you hear that? UNFRIENDING YOU.”
Jongin stops in his tracks and turns around. He arches an eyebrow at Soojung and smirks slightly. “So can I assume that our ice-cream plan after school today is cancelled? Since I’m paying for them.”
He waits; three seconds, four, and then Soojung flashes a smile. She gets up from her seat and makes her way towards her best friend. “Jongin, Jongin, dearest Jongin...”
Jongin fights the urge to roll his eyes. “Soojung, Soojung, evil witch Soojung.”
She smacks his arm once before flashing another insincere smile in his direction. “You know I was only joking right?”
“Sure, whatever you say.” Jongin shakes his head and walks off, much to Soojung’s dismay.
“You’re still treating me to ice-cream later right? RIGHT???”
--
The second the bell rings to indicate that detention period is over on Friday, Soojung flies out from her seat, smacking her bag squarely onto Nam Woohyun’s face. “Sorry! 911 emergency! Gotta go!” She cries, not looking back even though Woohyun has mumbled something in response. Right now, her priority is to get to the school’s gym where the auction to raise funds for prom is held.
No amount of please, please, please could however, change the fact that when Soojung arrives in the gym, the auction is already over. Her face falls just as she spots her cousin clearing the tables on the stage.
“Yunho! I mean, oppa! I mean, Yunho oppa!”
Soojung tries to brush aside the sudden looks that every student council members are giving her as she waves for Yunho’s attention. When he finally spots her, Yunho nods back and makes his way towards his cousin. “Hey, Soojung. What’s up?”
“Is the auction over already?” Stupid question, but perhaps…
Yunho looks around the empty gym except his council members, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah.” He answers in a tone Soojung could clearly perceive as isn’t this the most obvious thing in the world tone. She closes her eyes and smacks her forehead. “Damn it. Is everything auctioned off already?”
Yunho grins at this question, clearly happy that the auction had been successful. “Yeah, it’s amazing, really. The support from all the teachers, parents and students are--”
Soojung waves her hand nonchalantly in the air, not at all interested at Yunho’s elaboration. “Who got the two tickets for prom?”
Soojung is holding her breath, heart hammering beneath her skin as she waits for the answer. Yunho shrugs, looking behind his shoulder. “Boa, who got the extra tickets for prom?”
Looking behind Yunho’s shoulder as well, Soojung spots a petite senior sweeping the floor. She has never really talked to her before, but Soojung knows who she is--everyone in the school does, given that she’s the student council’s vice president.
Boa glances up and frowns, thinking for a few seconds before answering. “Uh...a freshman named Seulgi, I think?”
If it’s possible, Soojung feels her heart breaking into two.
--
I can’t live my life like this! It’s meaningless! - S.J
Oh honey, I’m really sorry you didn’t get those tickets. Have you tried buying them from Seulgi? I heard she bought them for almost 300 thousand won. - S.Y
Of course I did. She wouldn’t budge, that lil twerp! Jongin is a dumbass, he doesn’t even realize that all sane freshmen have been aiming for this exact same purpose since they stepped into high school! - S.J
Boys will never understand. Jinki didn’t even want to go, yknow, until I convinced him to. Seriously! - S.Y
All those wasted tickets could have gone into better hands! The rule of not allowing non-seniors to go unless if you’re going as dates is stupid. Yunho should change that rule! - S.J
You know he can’t possibly do that. The seniors will cause a riot. - S.Y
I can’t believe my cousin is the S.C President and he can’t even give a ticket to me. - S.J
*hugs*. But why are we writing/passing notes in English class again? - S.Y
We’re rebels, remember? - S.J
Before Soojung could reach over to pass her reply to Sunyoung, she jumps in her seat when her name is called out from the front. “Shit, not again.”
“Soojung! Come here.” Mr. Lee repeats, Sunyoung quickly buries her head into her textbook as she watches Soojung walk to the front from the corner of her eye. Even Jinri glances briefly from her textbook to look at her poker-faced friend.
Soojung puts on her best blank expression, as if she has no idea what is going on and had been quietly doing the homework her teacher had assigned her class to do. “Yes, sir?”
“The student council members are currently having a meeting in their room, could you pass this to Yunho?” Mr. Lee asks, waving an envelope in the air. “This is extremely important, but I can’t leave the class unattended, so since you’re here…”
Soojung mentally breathes a sigh of relief; she isn’t caught for passing notes in class! Huzzah! “Of course, sir.” She says in the sweetest voice she could muster, quite positive that Taemin is gagging for air at the back of the classroom.
--
Soojung nearly gets lost trying to find for the student council room--which is rather ironic given that Mr. Lee had assumed she would know the way there the best. What Mr. Lee didn’t know is that, although Soojung is Yunho’s cousin, she has never actually gone to visit him in his second home in school before.
After all, Soojung has much more important things to do.
Like getting tickets to prom.
She pauses on top of the stairs, contemplating if she should go left or right. Soojung is somewhat sure that the student council room is located on this floor, but she still has no idea where. Shrugging nonchalantly and trusting her own instincts, Soojung sings inky pinky ponky under her breath and turns into the left corridor without hesitation.
After walking a while more, Soojung feels slight triumph in her heart when she finally spots the sign on top of a room by the corner. Making sure that she has gotten the right room, Soojung peers into a slightly ajar window and immediately spots her cousin inside.
“We’ve gathered almost 5 million won from the auction, which of course, is great news.” The student council treasurer, Song Qian, says with a grin just as the members begin to clap happily.
Oh, Soojung pauses by the window, not wanting to interrupt just yet, interesting.
“The highest bidded items are the latest electronic gadgets sponsored by Siwon’s parents, which we’ve gotten 2.6 million won alone from those two items.” Song Qian went on with her report as everyone cheers. Siwon is smiling politely, slightly bashful from all the cheers. “For the designer clothes and bags, courtesy of my aunt, we managed to raise one million won. Followed by the prom tickets for 300 thousand won and Seohyun’s one on one mathematics tuition for a month, which we managed to get 200 thousand won for. Amazing.”
What? People would actually pay for that??? Soojung raises an eyebrow in surprise, but then finds herself nodding instead. People like me who sucks in maths would, come to think about it. And it’s Seohyun! Star student of Shinhwa High who skipped two grades!
Seohyun smiles meekly from her seat, blushing slightly as the older members tease her on who has bidded for her tuition--a senior named Jung Yonghwa who they all know has a crush on her.
Yunho grins. “If he gets too personal, just call any one of us and we’ll go beat him up.”
“But hey, at least Seohyun gets to go to prom with us now, because he’d ask her for sure.” Donghae teases and the younger female turns an even brighter shade of red.
Once Song Qian finishes her treasury report, Siwon speaks up from his seat. “Have you guys asked anyone to prom yet?”
“Are you seriously having this conversation when there are girls in this room?” Although Soojung couldn’t see her, she could recognize the voice belonging to Boa’s.
“Why not? Everyone would be dying to take female council members to prom. Maybe except you, since you’re scary.” Siwon grins, ducking just in time as a pen flies across the room and hits the opposite wall.
“I’ve already asked someone.” After sitting back straighter, Siwon continues in an extremely proud manner, “It wasn’t easy, mind you. But she said yes.”
“I’ve just asked Sooyeon too, and she accepted too.” Donghae gives a lopsided grin just as Soojung clamps a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from screaming out loud. Sooyeon is attending prom??? And she didn’t tell me???
Two other male members join in the conversation as well, but by then, Soojung is no longer paying attention. Sooyeon is attending senior prom. Sooyeon is attending senior prom. Sooyeon is--
“Yunho, you’re not thinking of attending prom solo, are you?” Donghae asks suddenly when he realizes that the president has been silent throughout their conversation.
Yunho merely laughs. “Well, I guess?”
Soojung, who has removed herself from the window to knock on the door, flies back immediately to the spot she earlier stood. What? What?? WHAT???
“It’s not fun attending alone, you should just take someone you know instead, like--” Donghae’s sentence is interrupted midway with a loud screech of ME! TAKE ME! as everyone whip their heads to the direction of the foreign voice.
“Shit.” Soojung quickly covers her mouth and ducks, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Did she just shout out her inner thought to the whole student council to hear? She has half a mind to crawl away when someone calls out her name. “Soojung?”
Soojung barely has the time to cover her face when the rest of the council members appear at the door as well, heads peering outside as she scrambles to her feet. “Yunho, hi.”
Yunho frowns slightly. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Uh, this.” Soojung quickly points at the envelope she’s been subconsciously death grabbing the whole time. She tries to smooth out the crumpled surface before handing the envelope to her cousin. “Mr. Lee asked me to give this to you, he said it’s important.”
Soojung waves meekly at the rest--Siwon, Donghae and Boa--still embarrassed over her slip of tongue earlier. They return her smile before disappearing into the room, leaving Soojung and Yunho standing in the deserted corridor. “Well, I’ll see you later then.” Yunho smiles as well, giving her a pat on the head as he turns around.
It’s now or never, Soojung, it’s now or never-- “Wait, Yunho!”
“Yeah?” Yunho stops abruptly, turning to look at his cousin again. “What’s up?”
“I couldn’t help but to overhear earlier…” She admits sheepishly before pushing herself to say those words bubbling in her throat. “But you don’t have a date for prom yet, right?”
Confused, Yunho merely shakes his head. “No.”
“You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?”
“No.”
“How about a crush on anyone?”
Somewhat amused, Yunho shakes his head again. “Not really.”
Soojung sucks in her breath, lowering her voice as she gestures Yunho to bend down so she could whisper into his ear. “I volunteer as tribute.”
Yunho blinks once, twice, before raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“To prom,” Soojung emphasises rather dramatically. “as your date.”
“But why?”
“Because you don’t have anyone to go with? Because you’re such a nerd?”
“Since when am I a nerd?”
“You’re the president of the student council.” Soojung rolls her eyes as if what she has pointed has been obvious enough. “If you’re not a nerd, then you’re intimidating. No girls want an intimidating prom date. So really, I’m doing you a favor here!” Soojung grins before clasping her hands together. “Please? Please? I really want to go to prom and no one will take me obviously. Please?”
Yunho scratches the back of his neck, a slight smile forms on his face. “Well, if it’s that important to you…”
Unable to contain her excitement, Soojung lets out another squeal, this time, covering both hands over her mouth before she jumps in excitement.
“I have a condition though.”
Soojung stops jumping, though she is still bearing a wide grin. “What, what? At this rate I’d agree to anything.” She pauses. “Anything doable, that is.”
“You see…” Yunho begins, “The student council is actually lacking manpower at the moment, because one of our members decided to quit suddenly last week.”
Soojung’s heart stops for one second, her eyes widening. Is Yunho suggesting that…
“I wouldn’t normally be asking this favor from just anyone--”
Shucks, are you trying to imply that my grades are not worthy enough for the student council? Soojung raises a brow quietly, waiting for Yunho to finish his sentence.
“--but we’re really in desperate need and there is no possible way for an election so suddenly in the middle of the year…”
“I’ll do it.” Soojung says as smoothly as she could, trying to remain calm and not overly excited over the fact that she, a freaking freshman is joining the student council.
Yunho brightens up immediately, his grin forming again on his face. “You would? As a temporary member only though, at least until we get all the workload done.”
Soojung does the scuba-diving OK sign and nods her head as though this is no big deal. On the inside, however, she could feel herself dying. This is sooooo striking two birds with one stone.
“Yes, I’ll become the temporary member of the student council in exchange to being your prom date.”
Yunho laughs. “That’s a deal, then. I’ll inform Mr. Lee soon. Once he confirms everything, you can begin your duty with us. See you later, Soojung.” He waves curtly before disappearing into the room again.
Yes, yes, yes! Soojung is still squealing in her inner mind as she begins walking back, face flushed with excitement. I did it, I did it, I diiiiiiiiid it! She repeats in a sing-song voice, whistling out loud and grinning widely much to the surprise of a random student going to the washroom. I need to tell Sunyoung and Jinri as soon as possible!
I, Jung Soojung, am going to prom!!!
--
Homework:
English: essay on future ambition (because apparently we’re still in elementary school)
History: read chapter 5 aka NO HOMEWORK!!!!!!!
Biology: experiment report ew
Chemistry: read chapter 3 aka Salts aka the WORST chapter ever
Advance Maths: pg 93 no. 2a) - 3b) (get answers from Taemin)
--
When Soojung arrives home that day, Sooyeon is already in her room, a fashion magazine in her hands as Soojung launches herself onto Sooyeon’s bed. “Guess what?”
“Jongin treated you to ice-cream today?”
Giggling, Soojung shakes her head. “Nope.”
“Jongin is going to the movies with you tonight?” Sooyeon guesses lazily, eyes still fixated on her magazine.
Soojung rolls her eyes. “Excuse me, my life doesn’t revolve around that idiot.”
That is enough to catch Sooyeon’s attention as she finally glances towards her sister’s direction. “Then why are you so happy today?”
“Oh before that.” Soojung pauses, reaching for the pillow by the side before grabbing it and smacking it against Sooyeon’s body. “This is for you not telling me that you’re going to prom.”
Sooyeon rolls out of the way, sitting up on her bed instead. “Who told you that?”
“I overheard it today. But anyway, that’s not the point I am trying to make.” Soojung places the pillow down before flashing a bright, wide smile. “Guess who’s going to prom too?” She asks in a sing-song voice that makes Sooyeon furrow her eyebrows in confusion.
“Me, dummy, me!” Soojung doesn’t wait for Sooyeon to guess, erupting into fits of childish giggling as the latter stares at her in pure amusement. “Yunho is taking me to prom!”
“What?” Sooyeon is genuinely taken aback at the sudden outburst. Is her sister joking? “He’s taking you to prom? Why?”
“Yeah. Why are you so surprised? Our cousin is a great man, yknow.”
“No, I’m just...I thought he’d...nevermind.” Sooyeon reaches for her bottle of water on the side table, still frowning. “Why would he take you to prom though? What did you bribe him with?”
Soojung snorts. “Please, I didn’t bribe him with anything. I promised I’d help the student council out as an unofficial temporary member.”
Jessica nearly spits out her drink, erupting into a sudden coughing fit. “What???”
“Dude, why are you so surprised?”
“You??? In the student council??? This is a joke.”
“Excuse me, I’m offended.” Soojung places a hand over her chest, pretending to be hurt over her sister’s statement. “I’m very student council material, okay.”
Sooyeon laughs loudly. “You can’t even solve a math equation properly and Yunho actually chose you to join the student council?”
“Wow, such faith you have in your sister.” Soojung gets down from the bed and sticks a tongue out. “I’m not going to talk to you anymore because I’m going over to Jongin’s. Bye.”
--
Jongin is this close to falling asleep.
When he came back from football practice a while ago, he had wanted to take a nap, but Soojung had showed up out of nowhere.
Now, twenty minutes later, Jongin is still listening to Soojung’s ramblings about how Jinri and her own sister had laughed at her when she told them she just became the student council’s new temporary member.
“Why do they think I’m gonna flop as a member of the student council? I am perfectly capable of carrying out duties and am a very responsible student--”
Jongin nearly snorts out loud at that, but muffles himself quickly with his pillow. He continues to watch Soojung pace around his bedroom.
“--granted that it has nothing to do with maths, I’m perfectly fine in other areas. I am fluent in English and I pass all the other subjects. Why do they look down on me so much?”
“You pass your other subjects with Cs and B minuses.” Jongin mutters under his breath, though Soojung doesn’t catch that. “Um, I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”
“Right? Exactly!” Soojung smacks one palm against the other, snapping her fingers together after that. She beams at Jongin. “See, this is why you’re the best.”
Jongin shrugs. He only said that because he wants Soojung to stop talking. “But wait, how did you become a member of the student council again?”
“Oh, right! I can’t believe I left out the single most important detail.”
Jongin raises an eyebrow.
“I am going to prom!” Soojung squeals, clapping her hands together like a seal and jumping up and down.
“W-what?” Jongin’s eyes widen in pure surprise. “How?”
“That is exactly the reason why I became a student council member! I traded my free time with a ticket to prom. I’m going as Yunho’s date. Nothing romantic, of course, since he’s my cousin and it’s gross to think about us in any other way.”
Soojung jabs a finger at herself. “You see this, Jongin? Perseverance is the key to success. Case in point, moi.”
Speechless, Jongin keeps mum.
“I’m finally going to prom! Aren’t you happy for me?”
“Yeah sure, whatever. Can I sleep now?” Jongin lays down on his bed and waves his hand in the air. “I’m sure you can find your way out, right?”
“Gee, you’re no fun.” Soojung sighs, but her smile doesn’t falter. “I’ll go down to the kitchen and see if you mum needs any help.”
Jongin merely grunts as a reply.
--
Homework:
English: redo essay on future ambition because apparently, eating food in front of the webcam is NOT a legit job.
History: n/a
Biology: reproductive system + genetics = do you hear jongin laughing at the other classroom because i do
Chemistry: Salts worksheet aka you dead bc no one is gonna help you soojung
Advance Maths: Taemin is gonna do it
--
Soojung kind of loves being an unofficial yet official but not really official member of the student council, because she is often excused from class one period after her recess--during the junior and senior recess. The members of the student council usually get a free period after their own recess as well, which means that Soojung is given two free periods after 11.30pm.
While waiting for Yunho’s arrival, Soojung decides to strike a conversation with Boa, who is looking over some documents at the side. “So unnie, have you been asked to prom yet?”
Finding out who would be taking who to prom has got to be the most interesting thing ever, Soojung thinks to herself as she waits for an answer.
Boa laughs, much to Soojung’s surprise as she looks up from the papers she is holding. “I’m actually not going.”
“WHAT?” Soojung exclaims a little bit too loud and everyone turn to look at them. “But why?” She tones down a little, though her expression is still covered in shock. Embarrassed, Boa gestures that nothing has happened to get the others to turn away.
Then, she continues. "Hmm, I guess I'm not that interested? Plus I don’t have anyone to go with and I don’t think I want to go alone."
“B-but,” Sputtering, Soojung is at a complete loss for words. “But you’re the Vice President, you make prom happen!”
“That’s not true, Soojung. Everyone plays an equal role.” Boa smiles and shrugs. “I don’t know, I don’t really mind, to be honest.”
Soojung is completely dumbfounded. “But what about your ticket? Won’t it be a waste?”
“I haven’t bought one, actually.” The older female admits sheepishly just as Yunho enters the room with a box in his hands.
“So here’s what we’re going to do,” Yunho announces as he places the box on the table. “We are going to form two groups, one group in charge for today’s junior/senior recess. And the other for tomorrow.”
Soojung nods absentmindedly, her mind still in a state of confusion over what she has learned. How could a female senior not be interested in prom? What is this utter sorcery?
Song Qian comes over and taps her shoulder then, signalling that they’re in the same group with Yunho and Boa for today’s duty in recess. “Wait, what are we doing today?” Soojung snaps herself out from her trance as she follows Song Qian out from the room.
“We’re going to set up a counter in the cafeteria for the junior and senior students to nominate candidates for Prom King and Queen.” Song Qian explains patiently, and Soojung gasps.
Prom King and Queen! I totally forgot about this!
“Freshman and Sophomores aren’t allowed to nominate?” She asks, slightly disappointed when Song Qian shakes her head. “They aren’t even going, unless they’re the dates of a senior. In that case, they’d be able to vote during prom itself..”
“Oh.” Soojung says and looks ahead at the back of both Yunho and Boa who are carrying two boxes each. “What are they carrying?”
“Forms to fill in. Each student is allowed to nominate 5 candidates. And then we’ll have to tally and narrow the candidates down to the top 5 for each King and Queen.”
Just then, Boa laughs at something Yunho says, hitting him on the side with the box she is carrying as she remarks, “Don’t say that!”
Soojung frowns. What is this odd feeling that I’m getting…
She glances at Song Qian and realizes that the latter is as stoic as ever. Song Qian catches her gaze and returns one of her own as well. “Are you finally seeing it?”
“S-see what?” Soojung has this feeling she doesn’t want to know the answer to that question. Song Qian doesn’t reply, the four of them entering the empty cafeteria. There are five more minutes for the junior/senior recess, and they move quickly to set up their counter by the entrance.
“Are you guys allowed to nominate as well?” Soojung inquires, stealing a glance at the president and vice president huddling together at the other end of the table.
“Yeah.” Song Qian replies curtly and begins to arrange the forms on the table. She pauses for a while, looking up to see what Soojung is doing--or seeing, as a matter of fact, and Song Qian finds herself smiling slightly. “You’re seeing it, aren’t you?” She whispers to Soojung and Soojung nearly jumps in surprise.
“What?” She asks, and Song Qian merely shakes her head. “Actually, can I ask you something?”
Song Qian nods, and Soojung leans in to whisper her question into Qian’s ear. “Do you know what is the relationship between the two beings at the other end of the table?”
Upon hearing that question, Song Qian begins to laugh. “So you did see it!”
Soojung is annoyed now. “Oh my god, see what???”
“Them.” Song Qian replies, nodding at Yunho and Boa’s direction. “They’re the most obvious thing in the world.”
“But I thought they aren’t together?” Soojung is now confused. The last time she has checked with her cousin brother, he has mentioned that he doesn’t have a girlfriend at the moment. There is a sudden uncomfortable feeling that Soojung couldn’t shake off, no matter how much she tries. She watches how Song Qian shakes her head again.
“They aren’t.”
Before Soojung could inquire further, Boa calls Song Qian to follow her somewhere, leaving Soojung alone with her cousin brother. The recess bell goes off at that moment, and Soojung knows the cafeteria would soon be pouring with hungry and noisy students.
So before that would happen, Soojung decides to seize the opportunity and asks Yunho the question that is suddenly bothering her.
“Yunho, if you aren’t taking me to prom, who are you planning on asking? I’m sure you’re not actually really going to attend prom alone, right?”
Soojung holds her breath.
“Hmm?” Yunho shrugs rather nonchalantly before answering; “Probably Boa.”
Crap. “Do you like her?”
“That’s crazy, she’s my best female friend.” Yunho shakes it off with a laugh. “We actually made a promise with each other that if we don’t have any prom date by the last week before prom, we’d attend it together.”
Soojung could almost feel every ounce of air being suck out from her body.
Oh my god, she mentally gasps, what have I done?
(part 2)