The Project 'Buddy'

~11~

For the next few days, Jungwon had been working well with his group for their project. Everything was almost done, and for now, Heeseung had told them to rest and they could finish up the last part next week.

Jungwon sighed, as he and the others walked out of the library that Friday. Finally, the weekend!

"Hey, do you all want ice-cream?" Heeseung suddenly asked.

"Shit, I can't. I have plans with my cousins! They're in Korea so I thought I spent some time with them," Nicholas apologised and Heeseung waved a hand in his direction, telling him it's fine. Nicholas then bid the others goodbye and headed out first.

Immediately, Sunoo's eyes brightened from looking exhausted a while ago, and he nodded his head eagerly, answering Heeseung's question.

"Jungwon?" Heeseung turned to him, smiling.

"Uh...sure I guess," Jungwon answered, looking at Jake who just sighed and nodded. Sunoo grinned widely and hugged his hyung.

"Are you paying?" Jake asked, and Heeseung shook his head.

"Oh no! Every Friday, as like, a routine, we meet up with our friend, K, who is 2 years older than us. He treats us to ice cream every Friday and we catch up on things. He was from this Uni," Heeseung explained, and Jungwon recalled faintly about a senior named K when he was a sophomore . Everyone has been saying he's pursuing dance now. He was the school's dancer at that time.

"K hyung? Oh! Niki is close with him! I think they go to the same dance class..." Sunoo chimed in.

"How do you know-never mind, there's no point asking," Jake laughed when Sunoo gave him a look of confusion, his expression as clear as day.

"Yeah, Niki probably told you," Jungwon added slyly, causing even more confusion from the older's face.

Heeseung laughed and told them, "Come on, guys. Let's start heading there. K hyung ends work at 5.30 so we better hurry to meet him there on time." The rest of them nodded and the 5 of them started walking towards the school's glass doors.

"Is anyone else joining us?" Sunoo asked, a hopeful tone in his voice.

"Sunghoon can't come today, since he's got some assignment needed done," Heeseung gently informed. Sunoo's expression dropped a bit, but he still smiled and replied, "oh, okay."

Jungwon noticed his best friend's sudden change in mood, and nudged him. "Hey! At least you're getting free mint chocolate!" Jungwon encouraged.
Sunoo perked up at that. "Yeah! It's better than paying for it." He glared at Jake while saying this, and the older put his arms up in surrender.

"You made me pay for my own ice cream when you clearly said you would pay!" Sunoo whined.

Jake rolled his eyes. "That's because you kept on teasing me and so, punishment deserved," Jake said smugly.
Jungwon shook his head in defeat but still smiled. At least Sunoo was happy now. He couldn't bear to see the sunshine suddenly being covered up by dark clouds. He was the only reason things weren't so awkward.

Jungwon looked back to the front, and caught Jay staring at him. When their eyes met, he raised one eyebrow and Jay just smiled, while jerking his chin towards Sunoo.
Jungwon shrugged, and Jay scoffed softly.

They walked for a few more minutes until they reached this Cafe' called, 'I&U' Cafe'.
The inside was quite cute, with beige walls and natural sunlight flowing in. It was pretty big too. Heeseung led the way as all of them headed to the back, where they found a slightly older male, with dark brown hair scrolling through his phone.

"K hyung!"

At the mention of his name, the guy looked up and grinned widely. He stood up and started hugging his friends.
"Wow, it's been so long! Senior year, huh?" K asked, smirking when his juniors all groaned in pain.