Hyukjae was really starting to feel weird around Donghae, and he didn’t know why. Every time he saw him, he just had the urge to get away from him and avert his eyes from looking at him directly. In other words, he was starting to feel uncomfortable and awkward.

                But Donghae seems to be feeling otherwise. He actually felt more at ease with Hyukjae near him, and basically stuck to him the whole trip to the mall since he was still unfamiliar with everyone else. Of course, there was Sungmin, but Kyuhyun scared the crap out of him so he didn’t dare go near him.

                At the moment, Hyukjae and Donghae were following behind the others as they walked through the exit. They were debating where they should go and what they should do, and something as simple as this can never just be settled so easily.

                “Okay, how about this? Why don't we play a game of soccer, and whoever wins get to choose what we’ll do today,” suggested Sungmin with a smile.

                “That’s a great idea Sungminnie hyung!” Kyuhyun was smiling and dazing at Sungmin with heart shaped eyes as his face was practically sparkling. Donghae could only watch in utter silence at the scene.

                “Soccer? But we don't have a soccer ball.”

                “Actually we do,” Jong Woon said, taking off his helmet to reveal a soccer ball resting on top of his head. Everyone deadpanned at the sight and only Jong Woon found the situation to be normal. “Well, are we going to play, or what?”

                “Oh we’re going to play,” Young Woon said. He smirked as he held the soccer ball in his hand. “And my team is definitely going to win!”

                “I can't believe I lost,” Young Woon said, dejectedly on his hands and knees. His teammates rubbed the back of their heads in sympathy; they weren’t the best of players . . . “I can't believe I got stuck with you guys! If only Jung Soo was here!”

                The others were just looking at him as Heechul was bellowing loudly with laughter, clearly aware of the situation. “HO, HO! Looks like you couldn’t beat the all powerful diva, you raccoon!”

                Kangin’s team: Ryeowook, Jong Woon, Dong Hee, Kyuhyun, Zhou Mi, Henry

                Heechul’s team: Hangeng, Siwon, Kibum, Sungmin, Hyukjae, Donghae

                “Wah, I wanted to be in the same team as Minnie hung!” Kyuhyun whined, covering his face. He looked up and glared at Donghae and pointed a finger in his direction. “Not to mention, why did he have to be on his team!”

                Donghae could only deadpan at the sudden outburst from a fourteen year old kid. Seriously, that kid has problems . . .

                “Wow, I didn’t know you played so well Donghae!” stated Siwon. He was sweating all over. Kibum nodded at him from behind to show that he agreed.

                “Do you usually play?” asked Hangeng. Donghae nodded. “Why don't you try out for the soccer team?”

                Hyukjae smiled a bit, drinking his water. “A little later there hyung, I asked him to try out before.”

                Donghae nodded. “I was actually. But I wasn’t sure if it was okay just to come in and ask.”

                Hyukjae waved a hand in front of his face. “Don't worry, Young Woon hyung is the captain of the team.”

                “Eh?!” Donghae looked to Young Woon who was still on the ground. But he doesn’t seem like it, especially after his performance today . . .

                “Don't let looks deceive you, he was playing poorly because he had a poor team with him,” Heechul said. “I mean, didn’t you see Ryeowook on the field? He practically ran away from the ball when it came toward him and Jong Woon would just get hit on the head with it.”

                Well that’s true . . . He looked at Young Woon who suddenly sat up and looked to Donghae with a smirk.

                “Well, would you like to try out for the team? We need more players, especially since soccer season is right around the corner.”

                Donghae smiled and Hyukjae nudged him. “Well?”

                “I guess . . . it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

                “Then it’s settled, try outs are Friday after school, so don't be late!” Donghae nodded again and he glanced at Hyukjae. He was giving him a gummy smile.

                Well, at least he doesn’t seem mad anymore, Donghae thought, feeling relieved.

                “Okay! Since my team won, I get to decide what we do today!” Heechul declared, giving everyone a cold smirk. Everyone couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy; whenever Heechul makes that smirk, it’s never a good thing . . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

                How the hell did we get into this mess?!

                The members (A/N: Well since I already mentioned that they called themselves Super Junior, I might as well use that :P) were truly regretting letting Heechul decide what they should do for the day; mostly because they were feeling embarrassed at the location they were in.

                They were all sitting in the salon, getting pedicures, manicures and even getting their hair permed.

                “Hyung, did you want to come here because you wanted to get pampered?” asked Hyukjae. He was getting his nails done.

                “Of course!” Everyone sweat dropped. “Just what else would you expect from me? Plus, it’s been a while since I had this!”

                “Hyung, you must like dressing like a girl,” Kyuhyun said, squirming in his seat as the ahjummas were putting rollers in his hair.

                “Why wouldn’t I?  With a face like mine, it’s impossible to let it go to waste!”

                “But Taemin beats you in this category.”

                “I don't mind, even I acknowledge him as a pure pretty boy!” Heechul said, proudly thinking about his ‘pretty boy dongsaeng’. “After all, I was the one who raised him to be like that!”

                “I didn’t know you were his mother hyung,” Kyuhyun said, rolling his eyes.

                “Why you little—!”

                “OW, HYUNG THAT HURT!” Kyuhyun yelled, holding the top of his head. “Minnie hyung!!”

                That kid always seems to call on Sungmin a lot, Donghae thought. Donghae blankly looked in the mirror as they worked on his hair. In the reflection, he watched as the others were playing around with each other as usual, laughing and playing jokes on one another. Somehow, that scene made Donghae feel a little lonely.

                I feel like an outsider . . . they all have known each other for a long time now. I feel like I’m intruding . . .

                WHACK!

      “Yah, why are you spacing out?” Donghae looked to see Hyukjae looking at him with a curious expression.

                “Hm? Oh it’s nothing really.” Hyukjae raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it.

                “It didn’t seem like nothing since you were sighing heavily.”

                I was sighing? “Well it doesn’t concern you,” Donghae said. “Don't worry about it, it really is nothing.”

                Hyukjae just looked at him. He wanted to get the answer out of Donghae, but he sensed that he shouldn’t at the moment. I’ll just ask him again later . . . And with that thought in mind, he left to go get his pedicure.

                But he didn’t notice that Donghae was staring at him in the mirror as he walked away; he secretly wanted Hyukjae to keep on insisting for the answer. But did he really want to tell him what was on his mind?

. . .

. . .

. . .

                “Sorry I’m late guys, the principal had me take care of some stuff back at the university,” Jung Soo said, huffing and puffing. His condition clearly showed that he ran his way here.

                “Don't worry about it, we know how busy you are hyung,” said Henry, digging into the plate of noodles Zhou Mi had gotten him.

                “So, what did you guys do while I was gone?”

                “Not much, just the usual,” stated Heechul.

                “Then why is everyone’s hair permed?”

                “It’s a long story,” stated Young Woon.

                “Well I have time,” he said, plopping down in his seat next to him. Donghae was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. He never really gotten to hang out with a lot of people back in Mokpo, and he only seemed to realize it now this late into the day.

                To be honest, I actually have no experience to what a real friend is. He sipped his juice as he watched the others once again. It was so bright and cheery with this lot, and it seems as if there’s nothing that would bring them down.

                “You’re making that face again,” Hyukjae stated, drinking his water. He wasn’t looking at him directly, but Donghae could tell he was talking about him.

                “What face?”

                “The same face you made at the salon. What’s on your mind?”

                Donghae stayed quiet and sipped his juice. Should he tell him? He could trust him, but how will he react? Would he laugh? Would he comfort him? All these thoughts were running through Donghae’s head and he didn’t like how he was over thinking everything.

                Aish, get a grip Donghae, you’re going to hurt your brain if you keep this up.

                “Well?” Hyukjae asked, patiently waiting for an answer. “What’s up?”

                “Do you know what a true friendship is?”

                Hyukjae blinked; he wasn’t expecting a question like that. “Um, I guess? Why do you ask?”

                “Hm, I was just curious,” Donghae said. He looked to the others and smiled a bit at the lively atmosphere they were creating. “Seeing how all of you are so close, I guess I was wondering what it felt like to have so many friends that care deeply about each other.”

                Hyukjae stared at him, raising an eyebrow. “Donghae . . . don't you have friends back in Mokpo?”

                Donghae shook his head. “Not like this. I would hang out with them at school, but they never invited me over to go anywhere after school unless they needed help with homework or needed a favor.”

                He sighed a little. “Honestly, I don't think they are considered friends since I never even got to know their contact numbers.”

                Hyukjae softened as he listened. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, but at the same time, he was starting to feel even more determined than before to get Donghae to be a normal teenage guy; something he had already decided since that time he was invited to his house.

                “Well you don't have to worry about that with us here,” Hyukjae said, giving him a huge grin. “We already think of you as a friend, and hopefully, a brother if you want!”

                Donghae stared at him and his lips slowly curled into a smile. “I’d like that.”

                “But first things first,” Hyukjae said, a mischievous glint. “HEY GUYS, WHO WANTS DONGHAE’S NUMBER?!”

                Donghae was taken aback when all of them suddenly started to fling themselves at him and kept asking for his number profusely. Donghae was getting a bit flustered and  practically fell backwards in his chair, to which everyone helped him up.

                Jung Soo looked at Hyukjae. “You’re really too mice to Donghae.”

                Hyukjae shrugged. “Well what can I say? I’m just a nice guy.”

                “But you only do this kind of stuff for Donghae, are you sure you only find him as a friend?” Heechul was smirking at him this time and Hyukjae blushed a bit, getting to what he meant.

                “YAH HYUNG, I’M STRAIGHT!”

                “Well, I never said you weren’t, now did I?”

                Hyukjae looked at him flushed in the face and Heechul snickered as he caught him. Aish this hyung . . . He looked at Donghae who was smiling being surrounded by so many people. Ah oh well, at least it’s Donghae.

. . .

. . .

. . .

                WAIT, DOES THIS MEAN I LIKE ?!

♦{Author's Note}♦

Hehe, I think this chapter was a bit more sad and fluffy than I expected ^^ 

Thanks for reading, and I hoped you enjoyed it! ^^