Chapter 15: fifteen
Kim York tried to scrunch up his body as much as possible. His unruly spiky hair poked his neck but the large white hoodie, he wore, didn't let him feel uncomfortable.
As usual, he saw a couple of weird and even scared gazes falling his way.
Of course, with his appearance, York was often categorized as a scary guy with pale face, strange countryside haircut, blackish under eye dark circles and finally a towering height of 188cm.
York couldn't do anything to change his looks or physique. Even after being ridiculed as a slender man for most of his school life. Why can't people accept him how he is? Why does he need to change for others to acknowledge him?
Also he didn't expect this to change after coming to a prestigious global university.
What was the use of good grades and nice temperament? If you don't look good, there's only difficulties in your life. That's the harsh truth of life and no amount of debate on this will change York's view.
Everyone's just all talk and no work.
And funnily, York wasn't a complete Korean either. He shared a bit of his genes with his Canadian mother after all. Unfortunately York felt that his mother's genes went to waste on him.
York never intended for this University in the first place. He wished to attend the small community university in his hometown but his Uncle threatened him to not let such an opportunity go.
A good recommendation notice—or just a round-about way of continuing this dreadful mistreatment.
Honestly, it was more bad here. But in between this, York found the chirpy and always laughing Hilary Grates, a foreign transfer.
Hilary was the very first person who didn't mind sitting beside him during lectures and helping him out with anything related. Maybe that's how their relationship improved and they became best friends.
Almost an hour ago, York received a text from Hilary, informing him that they would lunch today and canteen and then leave for their lecture at 1:30pm.
York tugged his grey face mask up his pale lips and stationed himself under a large tree, waiting for further information from his bestie.
York waited and waited but no follow up text came for Hilary, which also made him worried. Hilary has always been too straightforward and open—that he easily gained people's displeasure.
He ringed up Hilary a couple of times but met with no response, which alleviated his worries.
Could Hilary possibly have really gotten in trouble?
Man, how can he leash that alive Ping pong ball?
York moved from the shade of the tree and wandered towards the main office building that came to his sight.
The main square was getting cleaned and from the banners and boards, York guessed it was for the Food Challenge that was supposed to take place today.
Moreover the more he advanced, York saw no signs of Hilary. Hilary should be around here even if he's late.
Then, from nearly 25m away, York noticed Hilary, peeking enthusiastically inside a gym.
York was confused, hence he immediately went towards Hilary and carefully put his hand on Hilary's shoulder.
Hilary was silently enjoying the harmonies scene inside the gym, when a cold large palm suddenly fell on his shoulder.
"Kyaah!" With a large ear piercing shriek, Hilary jerked up, crashing on the entrance of the gym.
York was surprised too. He thought that Hilary was hurt and quickly bent down with an ashen face, his voice raising.
"Hilary..? Hilary!"
Upon hearing the shout, the boys in the gym who were in their own world, snapped out and gazed in the direction of the resounding shouts.
Seunghwan saw the familiar person from before now laying on the floor with a stupefied face and raised his brow.
Wasn't that the person he had a misunderstanding with?
Donghyuck, the one with more awareness than others, ran to Hilary and York, questioning. "What happened?"
York saw a pretty short guy coming to his help and cried out in a teary voice. "Hilary.. m-might be hurt."
Donghyuck helped the fallen guy sit up and expertly checked Hilary's arms and legs for any injuries.
By that time, others including Min had joined them.
"It's okay. I'm not hurt." Hilary brushed his elbows and shyly bit his lip.
Again he invited himself in an embarrassing situation. Now what was Hilary going to say? That he was peeking? No way.
York felt relieved after seeing a scratch-less Hilary and held his bestie's hand tightly.
Seunghwan took the initiative and crouched down. "Excuse me, are you here for something? I really didn't stalk you though."
Hilary flushed and stammered a reply. "No. I understand."
"Then?"
Hilary looked at the guys around him and shrunk back towards York.
Min put an amiable smile on his face and pleasantly leaned near Hilary. "Why don't you and your friend first come and have a seat properly?"
Chanwoo took the job to bring the chairs.
York helped Hilary up and was only now able to catch his surroundings. This gym was not very brightly lit like the others and wasn't properly ventilated as well. But the gym gave off a different vibe.
Chanwoo bought the folded chairs and let York and Hilary have a seat, while others stood circling them.
Hilary took off his cap, letting his creamy blonde locks fall on his shoulder and blinked slowly. Tugging the mask down to his chin, Hilary finally looked up and hesitantly asked. "Are you guys in the cheerleading club?"
York had no idea who these guys were but hearing Hilary, he could fathom the few faces he had seen before.
The one who answered Hilary was Seunghwan. "Yes, we are."
"Oh um, so were you guys practicing?"
Min hummed at Hilary and clarified. "I newly joined and they were helping me with the basics."
Hilary sighed and raised his head, staring directly at Seunghwan. "I'm sorry for misunderstanding you."
Seunghwan waved off the apology with a complacent nod. "You know ballet right? Actually I was wondering if you'd like to join our club. But I made a mess of it that day. Didn't I?"
Hilary's hands stopped moving. With a puzzled and expectant expression he implored. "Eh?"
Join the cheerleading club? What's this sudden thunder of blessing?
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone