Changbin didn't see a point in going to school the next day, so he didn't. His mother didn't disagree with his decision, because that wasn't the first time something like this happened.

He spent most of the time in his room, trying not to feel anything and trying not to regret ever blocking Felix's number. It wasn't that hard to do. Changbin just had to disconnect from his feelings and emotions, and he was all set. It made him feel like a stranger in his own body, but that made him deal with his situation a lot better.

Since Changbin didn't come down from his room a lot, he didn't really know what was going on in the living room. He hoped his mother wouldn't let Felix see him, because that was the last thing he wanted. He wouldn't want anyone seeing him in this vulnerable state he was in.

When 12 PM arrived, all Changbin could think about was when he ate at the back of the school with Felix next to him, the blond talking about something that usually didn't make sense. Felix talked about too many random topics, so it was hard to keep up with him sometimes. Changbin liked those times, but now, he wouldn't get to experience them again.

It's for the best, Changbin thought. Felix was better off without him anyway.

_______

When evening came around, Changbin's curtains were pulled down, as they usually were whenever nighttime drew near. He never wanted his room to get cold, because once it did, it'll be hard to restore the room's original warmth.

His room was also getting dark, but Changbin didn't move from his spot on the bed to turn on the lights.

His mother came in a few moments later to ask if he wanted to eat his dinner now, to which he replied that he'll take it later. His mother nodded, before shutting the door once more. She always listened to him, and always let him to what he wanted because she trusted him that much. But sometimes, Changbin wondered if her willingness to listen to him stemmed from a fear that he'd hurt her if he wasn't allowed to do what he wanted. Afterall, he was a monster, as Jisung had said.

Listening to his thoughts would achieve nothing beneficial in the long run (because every single one of them was negative), so Changbin blocked them out for the time being, and instead listened to his heartbeat.

It was steady and predictable, and very slow, which was usual for demon hybrids like him. The only time his heart would beat quickly was when he was enraged, or when he was in love.

He remembered his heart racing when he got angry at Jisung and Hyunjin yesterday, and he remembered his heart beating at the same pace when Felix held his hand or smiled at him.

What did that mean? Was he in love with Felix? Changbin shook his head. No, he wasn't. He and Felix hadn't even known each other for a month, and he couldn't like someone like Felix. Felix wasn't interested in Changbin like that anyway.

A soft thump distracted Changbin from his thoughts, and he stared at the curtain blocking him from the view of Felix's house.

A balled up paper was next to the drawer that Changbin usually stored his books in, and Changbin walked up to it and took the paper. He opened it up, feeling confused yet curious as to what was inside.

Hey Changbin, it's Felix. Are you doing good in there? I couldn't text or call you since you blocked me :(

I'm sorry for bugging you, but I hate seeing you sad, okay?

I know I won't be able to get you to talk to me today, so just do something for me

Smile, okay? You'll feel better, trust me

I'd love to see your smile. I bet it's beautiful

Sorry if this letter(?) is so short. Another one's coming in a few seconds

As soon as Changbin was done reading, another paper ball entered through the window. The half demon didn't know how Felix managed to get them inside his room without missing, considering the distance between their rooms.

Changbin, are you smiling?

Changbin wished he wasn't.

I know you're reading this, even if you aren't responding. 
Okay. Compliment time:

As I said before, I really like your eyes. They get really dark at night, and reflect the stars in the sky. I remember when I took that walk with you. It was almost as if I could literally see the stars in your eyes.

They're really expressive too. I know when you're happy or sad just by looking at them.

When you're happy, they shine, and crinkle at the sides, forming pretty little crescents.

When you're sad, it's almost as if they're hidden by boundaries, and they become hard to read. They lose their smile, and they don't sparkle anymore.

I like it when you're happy, even if I haven't seen your smile yet, because that means I get to witness the galaxy in your eyes.

Are you smiling yet?

It's okay if you aren't. I'm just glad that you were able to read this.

Have a nice night Changbin.

In the house opposite the half demons's own, Felix perched himself on the window sill, liking the feeling of the cool wind blowing against his hair. Maybe that was why Changbin wasn't out today; because the atmosphere was so cold.

He stared hopefully at Changbin's window, and hoped that the shorter would pull those curtains apart and reveal himself to Felix.

The Australian hoped too much, because Changbin did not show up, and the level of disappointment that followed afterwards was alarming.

_______

Changbin didn't go to school the next day either, because he still wasn't ready to face anyone. He promised himself that he'd go to school tomorrow, but for now he'd spend his day wallowing in his misery because he didn't know how to do anything else.

Felix came inside his house today. Changbin knew this because he overheard Felix and Changbin's mother talking when he was walking towards the living room to get something to eat. He quickly changed his plan and ran back into his room before Felix could see him.

Changbin hoped that if he continued doing this, then Felix would leave him alone, because the Australian didn't deserve to be treated like how he was being treated by Changbin. Jaeha and Jisung wouldn't ignore Felix or pretend that he didn't exist, like how Changbin was doing.

Changbin missed Felix's smile.

_______

Changbin's mother had left a note in the kitchen stating that she needed some ingredients and if Changbin would get them for her, along with the money that he needed. What he needed to buy was already listed, and he already knew the supermarket he had to go into.

With a heavy heart and a tight chest, Changbin quickly showered and dressed up, not forgetting to wear his beanie and mask, as usual.

He ignored everyone and everything when he entered the bus that was going to take him to town, and the people surrounding him ignored him too. As soon as the bus stopped movie Changbin got out, along with some girl that he'd never seen before.

She had bright red hair that looked silky in the sunlight, but that wasn't what drew Changbin's eyes to her. It was her ears. They were pointy and very prominent, along with her bright hazel eyes. She had earphones in both of her ears, and bobbed her head to the music coming from them while simultaneously ignoring the judgemental looks she got from the passers-by.

It was obvious that she was an Elf, but people like her weren't really common around here. Her ears commanded too much attention, but she wasn't hiding it. In fact, she wasn't hiding any part of herself that would prevent anyone from seeing who she really was, unlike Changbin.

"Sorry," Changbin muttered when their shoulders accidentally touched. He didn't even know why he was apologizing when the girl wouldn't even hear him anyway.

Surprisingly, she turned to watch him, and smiled. It was a kind of smile that revealed she knew more than she was letting on. It was almost as if she could read Changbin, and know what he'd passed through just by a single glance.

She nodded at the demon hybrid, as if saying, It's okay. You're okay, and then she went her way.

Changbin was confused as to what had just happened. The Elf looked at him as if she knew him, and the smile she'd given him was encouraging and sweet, despite how brief it was.

The girl's smile comforted him for a while because at least she could relate to him, even if he'd probably never see her again.

_______

As soon as Changbin entered the supermarket, he grabbed a basket and busied himself with finding the ingredients he needed to buy.

Soft, gentle music filled the place, and it calmed Changbin, since he'd always liked that type of music. He'd managed to get most of the ingredients, but then he encountered problems in getting the last one because it was placed too far up, and he couldn't get it even if he tip-toed.

It was embarrassing, but it wasn't like he could decide not to buy it. He had to find a way to get that bottle of seasoning, but he didn't know how.

A guy grabbed one of them at that moment, startling Changbin. The half demon looked at him to see his face, but it was obviously useless because the guy's face was covered with a mask too. But unlike Changbin, he had a cap on instead of a beanie.

"Did you want this?" The guy asked, pointing to the bottle in his hands.

Changbin nodded, and the guy gave it to him. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Changbin prepared to leave when the guy told him to wait. He stopped, watching as the stranger neared him and stared at him.

"Uh, your eyes--they're very familiar," the stranger continued. "I have them too. See?"

Slightly red irises stared back at Changbin, and the half demon kept on looking, very surprised.

"Are you perhaps a demon hybrid too?" The guy asked, his eyes forming half shaped moons. He was smiling.

"Y-Yes," Changbin admitted. He inwardly wanted to facepalm himself, because he'd never seen this guy before and he was already telling him what kind of hybrid he was.

"Me too," the guy replied. "My name is Chan, by the way. What's yours?"

"Changbin. I...have to go now."

Chan nodded, but he followed Changbin to where the cashiers were located and waited for the half demon to buy the stuff he needed.

"Are you going home now? Sorry if I'm being intrusive," Chan chuckled, "but I haven't came across another half demon before. I'm half demon, half human. You?"

Changbin tightened his hold on his bag of ingredients. "The same."

"Coincidence that we met here, right?"

Changbin stared at Chan, who had now pulled down his mask as soon as they'd stepped out of the supermarket. Chan looked human for the most part, but everything became obvious when he grinned, which exposed his teeth. It was the canines that gave it away.

"Yeah."

"Uhm, I'm guessing you have somewhere to be, but I'd like us to talk sometime," Chan said. "Can I have your number?"

Changbin nodded. He had more of a reason to trust Chan, now that the taller prove to be an actual demon hybrid. "Sure."

Chan grinned again, and after they'd exchanged numbers he left, leaving Changbin to his thoughts.

He'd met two different creatures that weren't human today, which was more than he'd ever encountered in quite some time.

_______

When Changbin finally came back home, it was getting late, so he quickly ran up the front steps only to stop in his tracks when he spotted Felix next to the door.

"Hey," Felix smiled once seeing him.

Changbin shoved his hands into his pockets, and greeted the Australian too. "Hi."

"Uh, your mom wasn't home, and I knocked and no one answered, so I figured you'd left too. So..."

"So you waited," Changbin finished.

Felix nodded. "Okay, that must seem very stalkerish of me, but I swear I have a good reason."

Changbin walked towards the door, and brought out the keys.
"What is it?"

"I missed you."

Changbin stopped moving. "You didn't."

"I did. I missed you so much."

Changbin finally unlocked the door and opened it.

"Can I come in?" Felix asked.

"...Where are your parents?"

"On a date," the taller grinned, and even though Changbin's mind told him to not let Felix inside the house, he ended up doing so anyway.

Changbin blamed it on how cold outside was, because Felix would surely start freezing if he stayed out too long. He was just being considerate. That didn't mean that he'd suddenly start talking to Felix again.

"I feel warm again," Felix beamed, dramatically collapsing on the couch. He looked up at Changbin's form and grinned. "Thanks for letting me in, Changbin."

Changbin just shrugged, and entered the kitchen to put the ingredients where they were supposed to be. After he was done, he turned around only to see Felix standing just a few feet away from him. Momentary panic coursed through his veins at seeing the Australian so close to him, and it didn't help that Felix started laughing right that second.

"I got my revenge alright," Felix remarked, and Changbin walked past him, anger and shame influencing his movement. "Changbin? Do you want to talk?"

Changbin shrugged, heading in the direction of his room.

"...Do you want me to leave?"

Changbin paused, looking back at Felix. The younger's expression was an odd mixture of nervousness and hope, and Changbin found himself looking away. "I don't know."

Guilt flooded Changbin's system when Felix nodded.

"Okay."

"Felix..."

Felix walked up to Changbin and pulled him in for a hug, which confused Changbin because he rarely got hugs, and the one Felix was giving him now made him feel weird. And safe. And okay. Felix's hair grazed the back of Changbin's neck, and it tickled, but also burned at the same time. Felix's racing heartbeat felt irregular against Changbin's slow one, but they somehow worked well together.

What was happening?

"I'll see you tomorrow at school Changbin. That is, if you're coming," Felix said the second he pulled away. His arms stayed a moment too long on Changbin's waist, but the shorter didn't mind it. "You should come. School's lonely without you."

Changbin nodded. "Okay."

Felix then released Changbin from his hold, and shot a small smile at the older male before heading towards the door. "I'll, uh, see you later, I guess."

"Felix?"

Felix bit his lip. "Yeah?"

Stay a little longer. "I'll...see you at school tomorrow."

Felix gave him a thumbs up, before disappearing.

Changbin wasn't sure what conjured up this next thought, but he felt like an idiot. A really big one.