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Fashionably late he showed up at college. It was rare for him to appear at time or to be precise, at all. He came to an abrupt stop in front of the door to his class, he heard the teacher talking. For a moment he was contemplating wether to enter the room or leave again. 

 

"Um.. uh.." The voice of a boy released him from the decision. He directed a vicious glare at guy with the way too big glasses, the boy flinched back in fear at the sight of his mischievous eyes. Unable to say anything more he just stared at Joon. For a moment silence was dawning. Joon could feel the other's gaze scanning him, although he kept his own eyes focused on a wall, somewhere in the distance. "Quit starting at me as if I was a freaking alien. Are you retarded?  If you wish to enter, do it and if you have a question, spit it out." The boy knocked hastily on the door and rushed in, apologizing quickly.

 

Joon decided to skip class, he missed two classes ealier anyways. The slender nineteen  year old trotted out of the building and leaned against the wall. With a bored expression he placed the end of a cigarette between his voluptous lips and lit it. His piercing glare focusing something in the distance, just like before. Even as the bell rang and the place filled with students, he remained the same, a cigarette between his lips and glaring at whatever was in his way. 

 

"Oh la la, just look at this wonderful, welcoming aura you spread, I feel all fuzzy and warm around you." Byunghee joked as he stepped behind his friend. Joon generally avoided people successfully, Byunghee was one of the few, if not the only one, whom's presence he could withstand. 

 

"Of course, I'm here to give free hugs." Joon joined the sarcasm with an expressionless face.

 

"Hear, hear, I'd hug you, but I wouldn't want to bother you, seeing as how you are occupid with an enourmously big crowd of people standing in line, waiting for a hug of master Joon." The brown haired added with an amused grin and sat down on a nearby bench. 

 

Joon didn't answer but at least looked at his friend now.  

 

"Waiting to turn into a tree? Or what are you doing here, standing around like a homeless man?" Byunghee said mockingly but in a calming tone. Joon dropped the used cigarette on the ground and squashed it with his shoe. "You started smoking again." Byung noticed with a worried but also serious tone, although he made the impression of a carefree guy, he had his serious sides, especially when it came to Joon, even though he wouldn't admit it.

 

"Spare me your long speech." Joon knew his friend and he also knew that this one wouldn't 'overlook' his bad habit just like that.

 

"I guess you know damn well what I'm going to say, therefore I'll keep my mouth shut and won't make your ears bleed, but hey,  if I see you smoking again, finito amigo." Byunghee wagged his index finger, regrained his nonchalant composure again. Joon was thankful that his friend chosen to say nothing, at least for now, it was the last thing he could use at the moment.  "Did the nightmares return?" Byung asked.

 

"How did yo-" Joon attempt to end his sentence but Byunghee cut him off with a grin. "Your ugly dark circles tell stories, you know." A boarder grin plastered on his lips but he then added in a more serious tone. "What was it about this time?" Joon sighed, a mused and long sigh. Should he be honest or lie and move on to make it easier? He chose the former, after all there was one thing Byung and he had in commen, both favored honesty.

 

"The same as always."  He erupted. Byunghee said nothing, obviously waiting for a better answer than that. With another sigh Joon elaborated. "Same city, same apartment, same room... that man." He paused for a split second. "I don't know who he is, besides, his face is always blurry.. but there's something about that man. Something extremely atrocious. Over and over again, in each dream, he kills me." 

 

Joon's fingers shivers almost nervously like a drug addict. Byunghee knew that Joon's nightmares weren't something out of norm, considering what he's been through. Nonetheless, Joon was afraid and it was living hell for him, even though he never admit it,  Byunghee could see it. 

 

"I could view that based on the deepest psychological level. But alas, that won't help you right now.  You know what, let's call it a day, I'll go out drinking with you today, huh? A good 'ol man-evening. You tell me what's on your troubled mind."  A grin crept once more on Byung's lips as he stood up and slung an arm around his friend's shoulder.  

 

"Seriously, I think for that I need more time to give you a good answer, seeing as how our time is damn limited right now, we need to go out and my attention will be all yours then." Joon gave nod in agreement, his expression remained dull. He could trust his friend enough to show emotions, but he refused to, he wasn't sure if he should let the other in. It was risky, because if he did so, he would be vunlnerable. Then again, wasn't he already? He told Byunghee more than he'd ever dare to tell anyone else and Byung was certainly concerned. After all, they've been friends ever since that one incident. Back then Korea was full of painful memories and Joon decided to move to Sydney where he met Byunghee who came to Australia to study. For some strange reasons Byung was the only one who understood him without words and somehow he managed to get close to Joon, he was something like a brother for him, his easy-going, calming way was like a cure to him.

 

The school bell rang again and Byunghee let go of his friend's shoulder. "Woah. Time flies! Teachers are waiting for their victims again, ready for the torture, m'friend?" 

 

"Aren't I always?" Joon said, now hinting a faint smirk.