This probably the first chapter of this book that I'm proud of...

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"I'm back." Baekhyun's voice was meek.

"You are." Chanyeol stated bluntly. He glanced at the brunet's shirt. "How have you been?" His table-mates watched, seemingly entertained. Chanyeol's eyes were flat as he ran a hand through his now-silver hair. Baekhyun had to admit, the change was stunning.

Baekhyun fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, suddenly intimidated. He looked around for Kyungsoo, but he was gone. Chanyeol cleared his throat quite loudly, waiting impatiently for a response. "So..."

The brunet gulped. "Ah, sorry..." Baekhyun wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. Today was not supposed to go this way at all. Chanyeol was supposed to be happy to see him again.

"Never mind. Where did Kyungsoo go? I wanted to talk with him." Chanyeol stood up briskly. "It was nice seeing you again. Bye." He strolled off, his arm brushing past Baekhyun's chest. Baekhyun watched him swat at the spot as he wove between the seats to where Kyungsoo was standing. He turned away when he saw Chanyeol smile for the first time in nearly two years.

"Baek? Is that you?" Baekhyun spun around at the mention of his nickname. Jongin was sitting behind him, smiling brightly.

"Hey. Long time no see."

"You betcha!" Jongin seemed more welcoming that Chanyeol, at least. His face fell. "I'm sorry about Chanyeol. He's really..." Jongin presses his lips together.

"Detached?" Baekhyun smiled.

"Ah Baek. Don't try to euphonize it. I know that you were his friend and all, but... you'd have to be blind to not see it."

"To not see what?" Baekhyun chewed on his inner cheek.

"He's popular," Jongin stated, as if two words would explain everything. And just to further clarify, "We're in high school."

Baekhyun sighed.

"He's a jerk, Baek. I'm sorry there's no better way to put it. He's a damn jerk." Jongin was sympathetic.

"Hey, don't bad mouth him behind his back," Baekhyun protested.

"Why not? Isn't that what he always does?" Jongin smiled bitterly, chewing on a gummy bear. He held the bag out to Baekhyun. "Want some?"

Baekhyun reached into the bag and pulled out a small handful. "Thanks," he said. "But two wrongs don't make a right." He put a green gummy—must be lime—into his mouth and chewed.

"It keeps me from exploding," Jongin grumbled. "I must be doing something right."

"Maybe." The brunet was resentful. He could tell that Jongin was just talking for the sake of killing time. He didn't believe what he said.

"Don't tell me you still like him." Jongin's face spoke volumes.

"I don't." Baekhyun shook his head forcefully, too forcefully. "I'm just surprised, I guess." Baekhyun sat down next to Jongin.

"Don't let your feelings get in the way of your clear judgement."

"Aren't you his friend?"

"Used to be his friend. I also like Kyungsoo. Does it matter?" Baekhyun followed Jongin's gaze to where Chanyeol and Kyungsoo were sitting, heads together as they laughed over someone's phone. Jongin's phone pinged, and he silenced it as soon as he realized that it was from the giant. "He still thinks I'm his friend." Jongin quickly stood up when Chanyeol signaled for him, his face expressionless. "But it doesn't matter," he sighed. "You'll soon learn that no one crosses his path. I hope you never have to experience anything like this." His last words were tossed over his shoulder as he put distance between himself and Baekhyun. The brunet was relieved that Jongin didn't invite him to go as well.

"Hey, what's wrong?" A tap on his shoulder caused him to turn around. "Wasn't this supposed to be a happy reunion? Why are you alone?" Jongdae continued to pester Baekhyun.

"Nothing's wrong. Not with me, at least." Baekhyun mumbled the last bit.

"What?"

"I'm not the one you should be looking out for."

Jongdae rested a hand on the brunet's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I should've came with you. Kyungsoo's oblivious to it all. Honestly, I couldn't stand it anymore. It isn't Minseok that's too much to handle. It's Chanyeol," he said. "But that's not something you say in front of Kyungsoo. I'm surprised that he was so friendly with you. He knows that Chanyeol liked you at one point."

"Why are you and Jongin acting like I'm going to be going here? This is a one time thing."

"It's not. Baek, you've been selected for the exchange program." Jongdae's face held no trace of joking.

"How do you know?" Baekhyun shook his head, his emotions running wild. On one hand, this was a dream come true. On the other, this was a nightmare.

"I saw the list on accident one day." Jongdae was apologetic.

"Who else knows?" Baekhyun's anxiety was acting up again, and he began to rapidly brush his fingers up against his thumb in a snapping motion.

"Just Jongin. You can trust Jongin with your life." Jongdae sighed. "He's one of the few people that are still good at heart."

"How long is this exchange program?" Baekhyun's fingers sped up.

"It starts next semester, and lasts up until the last day of school."

"Oh." Baekhyun's heart plummeted.

"I really hope that either Jongin or I am in some of your classes."

"Yeah..." Baekhyun didn't really know how to react. How are you supposed to react when someone tells you that you're transferring back, even if it's only temporary?

"We're probably starting soon, you should go back." Jongdae looked like he wanted to kick himself. "And I'll go get Kyungsoo, I suppose. He won't leave Chanyeol's side until someone tells him to." Jongdae looked Baekhyun square in the eye. "And when you see him again, act like nothing happened. Don't let him know that we told you anything. He won't treat you so kindly if you do."

"Alright." Baekhyun sighed. "See you in a bit, Dae." He held out his hand. "Gummy bear for luck?"

Jongdae grinned. "Thanks." He took one and popped it into his mouth. "Go."

Baekhyun turned and trudged away, full of resent towards his old crush.

Jongdae walked into the cafeteria, immediately locating Kyungsoo, who was sitting next to Chanyeol and laughing his head off.

"For real?" He heard Kyungsoo say as he walked closer. "He actually thought that... he's still as uncool as he was two years ago, and he though you would talk to him? I can't believe it. The only reason I'm putting up with him—and believe me, it's sickening—is because I don't want him to start crying or something. It would cause a scene. The guy looks like he would crack if someone went up to him and yelled at him."

Chanyeol nodded. "I though he would be different. It was hilarious stringing him along for that one year though. The highlight of my school career." His voice was monotone.

"Ahem. Kyungsoo?" Jongdae finally spoke, slightly appalled.

"What do you want?" Jongdae could taste the venom in his voice.

"To let you know that we have to go back."

"Whatever. Give me a minute."

Jongdae balled his hand into a fist. He was this close to snapping. How dare they!

"Dae. Can I talk to you?" Jongdae was relieved to hear Jongin's voice.

"Yeah, what's up?" He turned his attention to Jongin.

"Breath, Dae. In, out." His voice dropped. "Don't let them get to you," he said. "If you want to, you can go. I'll see to Kyungsoo. He'll listen to me more than he will to you."

Jongdae smiled weakly. "Thanks, JongJong."

"Of course. Go now, before Kyungsoo does something else."

Jongdae turned around and ran.

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Who agrees with Jongin when he says that Chanyeol's a jerk?

<3

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