Chapter 2– Escalation

“Out of all people…” Sunwoo muttered, dragging his feet down the hallway after class. The project paper crinkled in his grip. “…why did it have to be him?”

“Aw, don’t sound so disappointed,” came the deep voice at his shoulder.

Sunwoo jumped. Eric had matched his pace without a sound, his hands in his pockets, tall frame looming effortlessly.

Sunwoo scowled. “Stop following me.”

Eric leaned down just enough to smirk into his face. “Can’t. You’re my partner now.”

“I’d rather work alone.”

“Tough luck, Shorty. Teacher’s orders.”

Sunwoo quickened his steps, hoping to shake him off, but Eric simply lengthened his stride. It was infuriating how easily he kept up, like a shadow he couldn’t get rid of.

They reached the library, and Sunwoo ducked into a corner table. Before he could open his bag, Eric pulled out a chair and sprawled into it like he owned the place.

Sunwoo’s eye twitched. “You don’t even have your notebook.”

Eric smirked. “Why would I need it? You’ll do all the writing.”

“Oh no.” Sunwoo slapped the table. “We’re not doing this your way. You don’t get to slack off while I—”

“Relax,” Eric cut him off, leaning back lazily. “You’re the brain. I’m the muscle. It’s called teamwork.”

Sunwoo stared at him in disbelief. “What does muscle even do in a history project? Lift the textbook?”

Eric chuckled, low and dangerous. “Careful. Keep talking like that, and I’ll show you exactly what these muscles can do.”

Sunwoo’s face flamed, and he quickly shoved his nose into the open book. Why does he have to say things like that out loud?!

Minutes ticked by. Or rather, Sunwoo tried to study while Eric entertained himself.

He tapped his pen against the table. “So serious. Are you writing an essay or a love letter?”

“Shut up.”

He leaned over suddenly, close enough for Sunwoo to smell his cologne. “If you’re writing a love letter, at least spell my name right.”

Sunwoo snapped his head toward him, eyes blazing. “Do you ever shut up?”

Eric’s grin widened. “Not when you make faces like that. Seriously, you’re fun when you’re angry.”

“I’m not here for your entertainment!”

“Too late. You already are.”

Their bickering earned a sharp shh! from the librarian. Sunwoo wanted to sink into the floor. Eric, on the other hand, looked positively pleased with himself.

By the time they finally left, Sunwoo’s head was pounding, but Eric looked fresh, smug, and irritatingly satisfied.

As they parted ways outside, Eric gave him a mock salute. “See you tomorrow, partner.”

Sunwoo glared. “I’d rather die.”

Eric winked. “That can be arranged.”

Sunwoo stomped away, muttering every curse word he knew under his breath, while Eric’s quiet chuckle followed him down the hall.

The classroom buzzed with noise the next morning. Sunwoo slid into his seat, praying for a quiet day. Of course, that prayer was doomed the moment Eric strolled in, bag slung over one shoulder, all swagger and smug grin.

“Morning, partner.”

Sunwoo’s pencil nearly snapped in half. “Don’t call me that.”

Eric smirked, leaning against Sunwoo’s desk. “Why not? We’re closer than anyone else in this room.”

“Closer?” Sunwoo scoffed. “You didn’t even touch the project draft.”

“Correction—” Eric tapped Sunwoo’s notebook with one long finger. “I supervised.”

“You distracted me!”

“Exactly. Quality control.”

Sunwoo wanted to throw his pencil at him. Instead, he forced himself to focus on his notes. But Eric wasn’t done.

Halfway through the lecture, a crumpled note landed on his desk. Sunwoo opened it discreetly.

Your handwriting’s ugly.

He clenched his jaw. Scribbled back: At least I can write, unlike you.

Seconds later, the paper returned. Don’t need to. Got you for that.

Sunwoo’s nostrils flared. He scribbled furiously: I am NOT your servant.

Eric glanced at the paper, then smirked and wrote: You’re my partner. Big difference.

Sunwoo bit his lip, fighting the urge to slam his head into the desk. The teacher’s droning voice barely registered anymore. All he could think about was throttling Eric.

—

By lunchtime, things escalated. Sunwoo was balancing his tray when Eric slid beside him in line.

“Careful, don’t trip. Wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”

Sunwoo shot him a glare. “Move before I spill soup on your head.”

“Bold. I like it.”

Eric followed him through the cafeteria like an oversized shadow. Sunwoo dropped into an empty seat, but Eric sat directly across from him, plucking a fry from his tray without permission.

“Hey!”

Eric popped it into his mouth, eyes glinting. “Mm. Tastes better when it’s yours.”

Sunwoo smacked his hand away from the tray. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Thank you. I try.”

They went back and forth like that until the bell rang—Sunwoo’s temper barely holding, Eric’s smirk never fading.

—

After school, when Sunwoo thought he was finally free, Eric blocked the gate with his arm.

“Move.”

“Nope.”

Sunwoo’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want now?”

Eric leaned closer, his shadow swallowing Sunwoo whole. “I want you to admit it.”

“Admit what?”