"AND then we put the foundation, then we draw her eyes..." Mal muttered to Jeongin, who was staring at her apply makeup on a potato she had borrowed from the family's gigantic kitchen.

It was their third time that day, and she knew that her brothers would be mad. But she didn't care.

"And now we draw her lips!" She spoke finally, and glanced at her younger friend.

And her heart melted in her chest.

He was smiling. Actually smiling. His pearly white teeth, his dimples, the sparkle in his eyes.

Smiling.

Automatically, a smile crept over her face. She pulled his torso towards her and planted a small, soft kiss on his forehead.

"Wow, noona, it looks so pretty! No one can tell it's a potato."

She giggled lightly, then continued to apply the final touches on the vegetable before her.

"What do you think about it now?" She asked, causing him to stare at the potato lovingly.

"I love it... Can we keep it here? I want to look at it every time I pass by."

She nodded, and handed it over to him.

"Keep it."

"Wait, really?"

"Of course! But, don't show it to my brothers. They'll go crazy if they find out I'm putting makeup on potatoes."

He chuckled and nodded.

"Okay, anyway..." Mal began once again, "my moms are in charge of this campaign. It involves all the social cases in this country especially. LGBTQ+, feminism, depression and suicidal thoughts... Things like that. And they wanted me and my friends to design a few posters and to print them, then put them all around the city."

She flicked her fingers nervously.

"What do you think? Would you like to help me out?"

With no hesitation, he nodded in pure enthusiasm.

"Of course, noona! When do we start?"

"Right now?"

He smiled. "Deal."

☂︎

Felix sat down on his bed and let out a groan of the pain that radiated through his back. He allowed a tear to stream down his face and glanced at the other picture he put on the nightstand beside him, which had the sight of him hugging his lover like there was no tomorrow.

He sighed, then turned his attention to the phone in his grip, his eyes tearful at the painful comments before him.

User1: Keep cutting yourself lol.

User2: You're so fat.

User3: Ugly much?

User4: What's with the same pose in every picture? Not cool at all.

User5: Oh God, your face...

User6: I love you, babe.

User7: We love you, don't listen to the haters.

User8: Kill yourself.

User9: Lol Mal deserves better than this slut.

☞User10: Guess why this loser group won Kingdom.

User11: I've seen your video and the rest of the members on PornHub. You should try losing some weight.

☞User12: Great s*x video though. You were moaning like a bitch.

His body trembled and shook as he sobbed, which caused him to lie down on the bed, his face pushed against the pillow beneath him, and continued to sob.

"Why is it so hard to live..?"

He knew that he didn't have to lose more weight, because he was already skinny. Because of dancing and singing, which was probably his future career, he had to maintain a great body, and yet, people were never satisfied.

His heart ached in guilt, regret and-

Knock knock.

His body bolted up at the loud knock on his door. He immediately reached up to wipe his tears, then straightened his voice before he exclaimed an invite to his room.

"Hey, sweetie..." his mother's voice began, and he could notice from her furrowed eyebrows and her curled lips that she was angry, "someone's here to see you."

He sent her a fake smile and stood up slowly, making his way out of the room.

As soon as he reached the living room, he took a short glance at the couch, which was placed in the center of the room elegantly, and his eyes widened in shock.

"W-What are you doing here?"

The girl smirked and stood up, hurrying towards him to tackle him in a tight hug.

"Oh my God, I'm so glad you're okay... I was so worried!" She spoke in a seemingly caring tone, which made Felix almost roll his eyes. Her voice sent chills down his spine, and a wave of fear and guilt washed his insides.

"What are you doing here, Octavia?" He repeated, making her let go of his torso. She continued to take hold of his shoulders, however, and sent him a glare that made him gulp.

"I missed you, babe! How are you? God, I was so worried about you," she pouted, making him grimace, "how was everything?"

"You know, g-good. Everything is fine."

She smirked.

"Anyways... Wanna come talk with me outside? I really missed you..."

He gulped, knowing that she was definitely up to something.

"You need to say no." His mind ordered. "Right now."

"Well, I actually would rather-"

"Go. With me. Outside." She gritted her teeth between each word, making him nod almost immediately and follow her out of the house.

"Octavia, wait..."

___________________