─────── 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐏 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑    𝟏𝟒 ───────

[18 | 02 | 23, 7:48am]

The first Monday back from even a short holiday can be dreadful to say the very least.

And that's exactly what it felt like for Heeseung walking in through the school gates.

"Hey, Riki! Jake!" he called out to his friends, standing just a couple of meters away.

The two turned their heads, faces meeting with Heeseung who was striding up to them with a basketball secured to his side with his arm.

"Hyung, what's up?" Jake greeted, pulling him in for one of those 'man hugs'

"Nothing much," Heeseung replied, at the same time greeting Riki in the same manner. "Just don't feel like being here right now."

"Tell me about it, I have double science and it's not looking good," Riki complained.

"Aw man that sucks," Jake sighed.

Heeseung looked around, seeing a small group of students leave via the back exit, out to the fields. "Hey guys," he began, his lips twitching upwards, "want to hit the basketball courts?"

The two were puzzled at his sudden request, but having nothing better to do, they agreed.

"Sure, we have 40 minutes since the first period anyways," Riki shrugged.

"Yup, let's go," Jake smiled, leading the way for them. (the urge to write 'les gaurr'😭)

The weather outside wasn't the best to be frank. It was the middle of February, and the clouds were gray with splatters of white clouds here and there. The sun was shining, yet the light seemed miserable and bleak. It was estimated to snow sometime towards the end of this week. Students were wrapped up in their winter gear consisting of puffer jackets, gloves, hats and scarves. Winter was never a cheerful time of the year.

"Fucking hell, it's freezing," Riki shivered, rubbing his bare hands together to create some warmth.

"It's going to be like this up until this time next month I think," Jake rolled his eyes. He was most definitely not a fan of the cold. Summer was more his vibe.

As they were walking past the soccer pitch, they bumped into Jongseong who appeared to have walked out from behind the bleachers with some girl.

"Still going at it, even in this weather Jongseong?" Heeseung raised his eyebrow judgingly.

It was no secret to anyone what goes on behind the bleachers. All sorts. It was secluded, hidden from the eyes of everyone. Perfect for deviant teenage behavior.

It was also Park Jongseong's favorite place to be on a school day.

"You know how it is hyung," Jay playfully smirked before winking at the girl behind him.

Her only response was a bashful giggle and then she hurried away.

"Anyways," Jongseong rolled his eyes, his mood changing immediately. "Where are you all off to now?"

"Courts," Heeseung said.

"Ahh, right. Well, see you later then?"

"Yeah," Heeseung confirmed.

"Hmm, ok. Well, I'll be off. Adios," Jongseong saluted them goodbye, and rushed off to catch up with some girl from the cheer team.

"I heard you'll be cheering for me next week Minah..."

His flirtatious words trailed off as he got further and further.

"Why's he always like this?" Heeseung tsked in disappointment.

"Mph, you know how he was brought up," Riki passed them knowing looks as they began walking again.

Jake chucked, putting his arms around his two friends and trying to lighten the mood. "Guys, chill. That's not our issue now, let's go and have some fun yeah?"

The three made the rest of their way to play until the morning bell would ring.

[8:01am]

Aera was sat by herself in the cafeteria, examining Dana's diary.

Jiu, who was walking past, spotted her. "Aera, hi!" she cheerfully greeted, making her way around the table to the other side. She placed her violin case down, taking a seat. "What are you doing?"

Aera looked up, pushing back her curls behind her ears. "Oh, hi. Uhm.. I'm just reading through something."

"What?" Jiu furrowed her brows.

At first, Aera was hesitant, but after looking around her surroundings once she told Jiu anyways. "Dana's diary," she whispered.

"Her diary?" Jiu blinked. "But I thought Yeram had it or something."

"Yeah, she did," Aera nodded. "But she gave it to me this morning to see if I can find anything."

"And have you?"

Aera's shoulders dropped, "Aish, not really." She looked down, setting the books on her lap. "I feel a bit useless, you know? I should be doing the most as Dana's best friend but it's like I'm not even doing the bare minimum."

Jiu's eyes softened. She put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "Hey, come one now. It's ok. You can't tell yourself that."

"Ughh, I hate this so much. Why did someone have to do that to her?! She was such an angel."

Silence.

Jiu thought carefully about what to say, Aera was on the edge and she didn't want to say something that would send her off. "Well, that's just how it is for everyone. This is so corny but its like they all say, 'When you walk into a garden, which flowers do you pick first?' That's how it works for life and death here too. All the good ones leave first."

Aera ran her fingers through her hair, "I guess you're right. Thanks."

"No problem," Jiu reassured, beginning to get up. "Oh and Aera?"

She looked up at her, "Yeah?"

"Start looking from the beginning. The starting point is always the key moment."

And with that Jiu took off.

Aera gulped, looking back at the book in her frail hands. She slowly opened it again, flicking all the way back to the very beginning.

The other side of the cover, on the inside, was the first thing that had anything on it. And there were a number of different sticky notes scattered across the page.

Aera's eyes however only stopped on one.

[8:16am]

Ahyeun locked her locker, picking up her bag from the floor and putting her textbook inside. She took out her phone, checking through her unread messages.

As she was making her way to Maths, her first class of Mondays, she had a strange encounter.

Cho Doyoung bumped into her as she bended round the corner of the hallway.

"Oh shit," Ahyeun cursed as she pulled back from the sudden collision.

"Are you ok?" Doyoung asked, holding both her shoulders up to prevent her from falling.

She flicked her hair away from her face, looking up from the ground. "Yeah, yeah.. I'm fine."

Upon seeing her face, Doyoung froze, taking his hands off her instantly. "Oh- Ahyeun, it's y-you."

She smiled, "Yeah, it is."

"Hah.. erm.. Yeahh," he stuttered.

Aheyun looked around worriedly, "Are you ok?"

He shook his head, gulping. "No, I'm fine. I just- have to go."

"Um, ok? See you around?" Aheyun frowned, confused at his panicked state.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever," he quickly replied, brushing past her.

Ahyeun turned her head with his movements, watching him rush away.

She turned back around, her bewilderment deepening. "That was weird," she mumbled. But just shrugged, continuingly along her way.

[8:23am]

"You know what you should do Jookyung?" Heeseung said, making his way to the bench where his coat and bag was.

She crossed her arms, "Yeah what?"

"Stop being such a lazy ass and learn how to do something productive."

Jookyung scoffed, rolling her eyes back. "Like what genius?"

He zipped up his coat, making eye contact with her for a brief moment. "Learn how to cheer for my team."

She almost burst out laughing, "In other words you're trying to get me to basically worship you?"

Heeseung slung his bang across his shoulders, smiling. "I mean, if that's how you want to put it, I don't mind."

"Lol, suck my dick. I would never," Jookyung retorted as the two began walking back into school together.

"You don't have a dick," Heeseung grimaced. "Dumb bitch."

"Yes, I do," she curtly replied in a calm tone. "And it's definitely bigger than yours."

"Tch, shut up."

"Aww, sorry," Jookyung pouted mockingly. "Did I hurt your ego?"

"I actually hate you sometimes," Heeseung gritted his teeth.

"Yet you're still here- talking to me and walking alongside me."

"As if you weren't the one just casually watching me play for 20 whole minutes just now."

"Uhm actually-"

"Actually nothing. Shut up."

She scowled, hitting his arm. "Jerk."

Heeseung looked down at her small figure, "Did you think that hurt?"

"I don't know, did it?"

"Not really, you're actually pretty weak."

"It's not fair that you're so much taller than me. Otherwise I would've totally beaten you in a fight," she confidently spoke out her thoughts.

"You're wearing killer heels yet you're still just at my shoulders," Heeseung chuckled.

"Don't even start," Jookyung groaned as they walked into their class. "My height isn't exactly my focal point."

"Then what is? Your attitude? Maybe even your big mouth?"

"LEE HEESEUNG!!" she shouted, hitting his arm again. "Shut up!"

"Mr. Lee and Miss. Go please let's not have this argument in my class. Feel free to sort this out after you're out of here," their Business teacher sighed.

"Ah no it's fine sir, there's nothing we need to sort out," Heeseung smiled at his teacher. "Isn't that right?"

Jookyung fakes a smile, beaming widely. "Yeah, totally."

Her face dropped right after, and she walked off, going to her seat.

Heeseung gradually went to his, taking his place. He opened up his workbook, looking up for a second to make eye contact with Jookyung.

She squinted her eyes, sending him off with a middle finger.

He chucked as she turned back around in a huff.

———