07:00 AM

Fri, August 09

Dearest Jongdae,

Only a minute ago I received a text from you, and you don’t know what I…

I feel so thrilled that you messaged me. I bet it’s Lu who passed my number on to you. I have this enormous grin splitting my face in two and Shark’s asking if I’m all right.

Am I fine? Honestly? It feels like my heart’s going to explode from sheer joy. But I hope that doesn’t happen – can’t afford to visit hospital before I go to your party.

You called me ‘Minnie.’ Do you remember you used to call me that back then? I guess not. I guess it’s only me who remembers about us, because I didn’t have many friends, you know. That's okay, though. There must be a reason why you couldn't remember me, I understand. 

‘Yo Minnie,

Be at your community park at 6. Xing will come get you.’

This was what you’d sent me.

Well, see you at either school or party tonight.

-*-*-

Minseok’s parents consented to him attending the party. They were nothing but over the moon that he was cultivating friendship. He did not tell them about Jongdae, Yixing, and tattoos, however. His parents associated tattoos with cigarettes and drugs and gangsters. They would not want him to be acquainted with such people.

Was Jongdae a gangster, then? He wished he would get to know that tonight.

Minseok did not encounter Jongdae at school. He was probably busy preparing the party venue.

As the end of lesson hours drew near, Minseok became nervous, because – what was he supposed to wear for the event? He only had casual, ordinary clothes and a couple of suits, nothing fashionable. Luhan rescued him from worrying any further about this matter, offering to lend Minseok his outfit.

-*-*-

Luhan turned up at Minseok’s house at five bearing a backpack. The former dragged Minseok to his bedroom and hunted in the backpack, threw a black leather jacket and a sleeveless net vest at him, before diving into his wardrobe to fetch dark-colored jeans.

He eyed the vest apprehensively. If his mother saw this skin exposing garment, she would kick both him and his best friend