"You still owe us a karaoke night!" Jackson called out when we piled out the food joint. I laugh it off and give him a thumbs up, signaling that I understood. We all parted ways. JB to his job, Mark and Jackson to their apartment complex, and I to my apartment to do some work. I work at home on my laptop. I'm an employee at a company where what we do is complete assignments at home, and once in a blue moon, we join in a meeting to discuss our work. It's very convenient for me, and it pays well.

Walking to my apartment, I stop when I reach a very familiar place. I was in front of an alley. The same one from last night. The memories play in my head. It seems like long ago. I sigh and continue walking. I didn't get far when I heard a yelp in pain in the same alley.

I run back to see a group of boys beating up someone. I look closely at the scene and couldn't believe my eyes. To my luck, it happened to be Yugyeom.

"Hey!" I called out. The boys stopped and look at me, running towards them. The majority panicked and ran away, but one boy, in particular, stayed for a bit longer. He looked between Yugyeom and I. It seemed like he was debating something in his head. He finally decided was he wanted to do and gave one last final blow to Yugyeom. It seemed to have done the job because his body went limp and fell. The boy runs away before I could get to him. I yell in anger, punching the brick wall.

I look down at Yugyeom. He had bruises on top of the bruises her had earlier. I winced just looking at them.

I guess I have to carry him again. Should be easier without the umbrella this time.

My tiring journey to the house was easier like I assumed. I make it inside my apartment and lay him back down on the couch. I sit across him, on the coffee table. I just stared at Yugyeom.

What am I gonna do with this boy?

--

Hours passed and it was well over 11 pm. I was on the phone with Mark in my room.

"What do you mean he is in the room next to you?!" Mark said in disbelief.

"He's in my living room sleeping."

"It hasn't even been 24 hours since you've last seen each other, and he's already in your place?! How?!"

"I don't know! Just my luck, I guess." I hear Mark sigh.

"You need to do something about this Bambam."

"I know, I know. I will don't worr-" I was cut off with an "AGAIN?!" from the other room.

"What the he-"

"Gotta go Mark, bye!" I hang up and threw my phone on my bed. Rushing into the living room, I see a livid Yugyeom.

"There's no way in hell that this was just a coincidence."

"Do you want me to expla-"

"No, just, don't, ugh!" He pinches his nose and breathes out heavily. "I'm just gonna leave." He storms to the door. Little does he know, I'm not gonna let him go that easy.

"Let me at least take you to the hospital!" I offered. "You are in a dangerous condition. I saw the way those boys ganged-"

"How do you know about those boys?" He turned to me sharply. I freeze in my tracks, scared for a moment, but I held my ground.

"I was the one who scared them away! You can at least accept my help."

"Oh please, I could have done well without you there."

"Really? That's not what I saw when I stepped in to rescue your ass." He came dangerously close to me as soon as I said that.

"Don't you dare say that again." He said menacingly. I backed up from him.

"Ok, I won't. But, at least let me take you to the hospital."

"I refuse." He began his way back to the door.

"How about you stay here? It's way too late to be going home now." He tensed up. "Speaking of home, do you have a home to go to?"

"Somewhat." He murmured. I stared at his back skeptically.

"What do you mean som-"

"I live in that alley goddamnit! Stop asking all these questions!" He bursts out. I stood there in shock.

"I gotta go." His voice wavered a bit. He grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. Somehow, was fast enough to grab his arm before he left.

"Yugyeom! Don't go, let me help you!"

"Why do you care so much?!" He slams the door, yanks my arm, making my body jerk forwards and my back hit the door. He pins me against the door with both of his hands on either side of me. He looks at me with watery eyes.

"Why do you care? No one else did! Not my mom, dad, friends, or Jung-" His voiced hitched and he places his head on my shoulder. He starts to cry. He engulfs me in a hug, and I hug back. I let him cry on my shoulder, despite knowing him less than 24 hours. I had this weird feeling about him. Something told me that I could trust him.

He backs up and wipes his eyes. He puts his arms back on either side of my body, caging me once more.

"Why?" He asks again. His face is even closer this time. Oddly enough, so was mine.

"Because I believe everyone deserves good treatment, no matter their situation."

He stares at me. His eyes dart to my lips, then back up to my eyes. Before I knew it, he closes the gap between us. Our lips connected passionately. I didn't know what caught me more in surprise: the fact that he kissed me, or that I kissed him back.

He backs up in shock. His red mouth was agape, occasionally closing and opening as if he was going to say something. He decided against it and pushed me aside to walk out the door. After the door shuts, I slowly touch my lips.

There were emotions that were going through my mind during that kiss. Excitement and confusion were one of the main ones. But, there was one that was the biggest emotion of them all. One that I've never felt before...

And I'm pretty sure I had a good idea about what it was.