I'm going to apologize now for any stupid typos. My autocorrect was killing me. I'm not sure if I caught all of the errors.

- § -

The next morning, Baekhyun stood in front of the school he would be attending for then next semester and stared. He just stood there, reading the name of the school tacked on in a shiny sans serif font. Why am I even here? What is even going on?

He, of course, is early. There are barely any students on campus, so Baekhyun made himself comfortable on a bench. Well, as comfortable as one could be on a cold metal bench with no back rest. Cheap.

It was only when he pulled out his phone that he realized that the frenemies chat was blowing up again.

It seemed that everyone was on, and when Baekhyun actually did a head count, he realized that Kyungsoo was in fact missing.

Jongin was the first to notice Baekhyun.

Hi! Are you excited? :)

No, not really. I'm already at the school, actually. Where are all of you?

On the bus.

The same bus?

Not all of us.

I hope that you're in a few of my classes. As of now, I don't see any one of these fools until sixth, excluding lunch, of course.

Aw, that's a pity.

Baekhyun!!!

Of course, that was none other than Kim Jongdae.

'Sup Baek?

Minseok.

...

And of course, Chanyeol would have nothing to say.

Ew, what is he doing here?

Never mind. Baekhyun would perfer Chanyeol's reaction over Kyungsoo's any day.

Yah! Kyungsoo, be nice!

Actually, just be nicer.

Baekhyun smiled. Jongdae would always stick up for him.

Speaking of Jongdae... Baekhyun swore that he just heard his voice...

"Byun Baekhyun!"

Baekhyun grunted as Jongdae barreled into him, sweeping him up in a massive hug. "I can't believe it's already been a month!" His words were slightly muffled by his scarf. "Time flies!"

Baekhyun hummed in agreement as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and slipped it back promptly when he realized it was from Chanyeol. Jongdae didn't need to know Chanyeol was texting him.

The wait was short, as Jongdae had a bad attention span and a lot of friends. As soon as his back was turned, Baekhyun pulled out his phone again.

Hey, did I hurt you much last month? I forgot to ask last night.

I'm really sorry.

It's alright. There's a bit of a bruise left.

My knee really hurts though, I've been trying to hide it.

Aw, I was hoping I didn't throw you that harshly.

Where are you? I'm at the school.

On a bench, resting.

"Hey." Baekhyun looked up from his phone at the sound of the baritone voice. "Erm, welcome?" Chanyeol smiled. He sat down next to the brunet.

"I was hoping for a warmer welcome," the brunet grumbled, rubbing his arms in an attempt to keep warm. "It's cold enough to snow."

Chanyeol scooted closer to the shivering brunet. He took off his winter hat and placed it on Baekhyun's head, making sure it was snug and that it was low enough to cover Baekhyun's ears. The little pompom bounced then drooped backwards. "Better?"

Baekhyun smiled warmly, his cheeks flushed red from the cold (and not embarrassment). "Much. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I've hurt you enough already." Chanyeol tapped his foot distractedly. He pulled out a sheet of paper from his pocket. A pencil and a pink marker followed. "Let me see your schedule, so I can finish this chart."

Baekhyun pulled out a slightly wrinkled sheet of paper and put it in Chanyeol's gloved hand. He looked at it and uncapped the pink marker, putting dots on a sheet of graph paper. He recapped the marker then scribbled on the paper in a scrawling font.

"Wow, poor Jongin. No improvement," he chuckled. "At least you have the same free period as the rest of us. Well, most of us." He scanned his chart. "At least one of us is in every one of your classes. None of us are in your homeroom though." Baekhyun frowned.

"You have four periods with me in total. English, Math, Gym, and our free period. You're sitting with us during lunch too."

"How many classes do I have with Kyungsoo?" Baekhyun asked, unable to read Chanyeol's chart.

"Two, and... I'm in one of them." Chanyeol closed his eyes. "May luck be on your side. I hope we sit far far away from you. I'm going to apologize now, for anything that I might do."

Baekhyun was confused. "What? Why?"

"I can't say. I'm sorry Baek. Stay away from Kyungsoo. And stay away from me when Kyungsoo is around." He was cut of by the screech of a school bus, and when the giant caught sight of the number, he cursed. "Speak of the devil."

Chanyeol threw Baekhyun's timetable back at him. "Put it up!" He hissed, tucking everything he had had into his bag. He took his hat back and scooted to the edge of the bench.

"Chanyeol, should I leave?" he asked, suddenly terrified.

"Too late." Chanyeol look back at him, mouthing an I'm sorry. Kyungsoo was surely close enough to hear them.

Suddenly, his so-called enemy was on his other side. Baekhyun looked to Chanyeol for help, but his lips were set into a straight line. His brimmed with guilt as he kicked Baekhyun's shin swiftly, his toe knocking into the bone and making Baekhyun yelp, then hiss with pain as he bent down to cover the injury. Without missing a beat, Kyungsoo's foot collided with his hand, and even Chanyeol flinched.

Baekhyun felt his eyes water out of anger. He stared at Chanyeol, who only looked back helplessly. Help me, the brunet pleaded with his eyes. Chanyeol didn't move.

While Baekhyun was distracted, Kyungsoo swung his foot again, this time making sure to tear at the skin on the back of Baekhyun's hand.

Baekhyun grunted at he watched blood seep from the wound. He stood up, teeth gritted and jaw clenched tight, hobbling away unsteadily, searching for the help he had pleaded of Chanyeol, but didn't receive.

Chanyeol had to watch and Jongin ran up to the brunet, helping him inside the school with a gentle aura. That should be me!

When he felt Kyungsoo's lips on his, he was appalled, but couldn't pull away. He wanted to. He wanted to so badly. But he couldn't. He forced himself not to gag and kiss Kyungsoo back. To kiss Baekhyun's tormenter back.

- § -

Happy belated birthday to our dear Sehunnie! <3

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