-^* Are we clear? *^- | Haobin

-^* 13 *^-

Holy fuck.

I stopped in my tracks and glanced down.

"It doesn't make sense..."
Yuxuan turned around and glared at me.
"What do you mean?"
"Why would he come and visit my family if I kissed Gyuvin, and why would Gyuvin lie to me all this time?"
Yuxuan sighed.
"Hao never told me why he forgave you after that. The next time I spoke to him was when we were on the plane home to China after exams. By that time he was too shaken up by you forgetting him to tell me about anything at all."
"Did Gyuvin ever speak to you?" I asked as a tear dropped from my eye.
"The first year? Yeah. He wouldn't stop crying and apologising. I told him he didn't do anything, he seemed to think you'd broken your leg in an accident or something. He thought it was all his fault and was worried you'd never be able to dance again."
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologise to me, I'm not Hao, and I'm certainly not that first year either."

I thanked Yuxuan and left him in that park, he seemed to have other things on his mind. When I checked our messages to thank him again, the old grainy profile picture was gone, so was the highlight with pictures of Hao. All that was left was a picture of that bridge we'd walked across, the dead blossoms covering the dark wood.

It seemed I'd never meet Yuxuan again after that day. And at that time, I somewhat understood him. Maybe he wasn't that hate-able. After all, he had probably stayed by Hao's side while he was basically grieving the me he knew, and our relationship. I suppose Yuxuan was just a bit too protective over Hao, and I was growing to understand why.

Now it was time for me to figure out the gaps in what I'd been told. Between after the fight, my fall, and what Gyuvin and I had talked about on the football field.

I suppose I had to find out from the only people who knew, Gyuvin and Hao.

But before that, I wanted to consult my own mind. Perhaps I could dig deep enough to find out something for myself.

I sat at the bleachers, watching as the sun set. The wind blew my hair out of my face, making my ears red from the coldness.
"Why are you out here alone?"
I turned my head slowly, squinting from the brightness of the low, orange shine of the sun as a boy stood engulfed in it. He moved a step over, blocking the light from my eyes.
He was that first year in the school council. He'd just joined recently, by recommendation of teachers. All I knew about him was that he was very ambitious, and despite being the vice president of his class, was very eager to help out just as much.
He tilted his head to the side and smiled brightly, he looked nervous.
"I was just...watching the sunset."
"At school? A bit boring isn't it?" He laughed, sitting beside me.
"Not here. When I sit right here, I can feel the stress lifting off my shoulders. Try it, look out over the forest over there and breathe in slowly."
He raised and eyebrow and looked ahead, taking a deep breath in, and letting a deep breath out.
"Relaxing isn't it?"
"A little..." he laughed again, "why are you stressed though?"
He turned back to me and met my eye, his expression laced with worry.
"It's nothing-"
"Please tell me! Let out all your worries, I'm good at relieving worry, trust me."
I laughed and sighed.
"If you're that talented I suppose I'll have to..." I went silent for a moment, my smile fading, "I have my first big dance performance coming up soon, and I'm scared I'll mess it up..."
"Mess it up?! Aren't you like...the best dancer in the school? You won't mess it up."
"You don't know that-"
"How about this, I'll come and cheer you on. All you need to do is keep practicing as much as you can. To be honest...I saw you practicing at the beginning of this year in the gym hall and it made me join the dance club because I thought you were so cool. I've been wanting to ask you to teach me for so long but I never had the courage, you're a little hard to approach..."
"Hard to approach? Why?" I burst out laughing, my worries seeming to fade, "usually people tell me I'm easy to talk to..."
"That's exactly why. So many people talk to you, it's like you're friends with everyone! It's scary talking to someone that popular~" he whined.
"Well I'm not scary anymore am I?" I chuckled, ruffling his hair.
He sighed and looked away. His ears were turning red, but I assumed it was from the cold.
"I suppose not. I can see why you're friends with everyone..."
"I'm glad I live up to my reputation-"
As I went to say more, my phone began to ring. He turned back to look at me.
"Ah- it's my mum, I should be going...make sure you come and watch though, I owe you one. I admit it, you really are good at making worries disappear."
As I went to leave, he grasped my coat. I turned around.
"My name's Gyuvin, just so you remember me."
I smiled endearingly.
"It's nice to meet you, Gyuvin. I suppose you already know my name?"
"Mm!" He nodded, "I'd be a fake fan of you if I didn't, Sung Hanbin."
"Call me Hyung. Anyway, I have to go now, I'll see you at my performance!"
I waved and left him there. Once I was far, I glanced back and watched him as he still stood there, looking back at me.
What a cute kid.