Hana didn’t feel like doing anything at school. She stayed in the Student Council office and finished all the work she could finish the whole afternoon. She even skipped class.

This is so not Hana but she couldn’t get to be in the same class as L.Joe. Not for today.

Everything seemed to be wrong.

“Are you okay, Pres?” Jihyun asked her.

Hana looked at her secretary and nodded. “Yes. I’m just a little stress about these things.” She pertained to the papers she is reading.

Well, is that even the reason?

Jihyun, knowing that Hana is somewhat half lying, gave her a queer look. “Did you fight with Jiho?” She asked carefully.

Hana looked back at her and shook her head. “No. Why?” She asked.

Jihyun shrugged. “You just look so sad about something and I only see you like this when you have a misunderstanding with Woo Jiho.” She replied as she went to her desk and did her work as well.

Hana sighed hard as she looked away and blinked back. She didn’t want to be like this. She didn’t want to be affected. She didn’t want to feel hurt.

But heck, her heart feels so.

She sighed as she continued her work. This has to stop.

She dumped L.Joe because she wants him to be with Minji.

Now, L.Joe is doing what she wants him to do, she is feeling this pain? No. She can’t lose to this pain.

She should mark her words.

She said it and she’s going to live with it.

And of course, on top of that, she doesn’t want to hurt Zico. She doesn’t want to be the reason for his heartbreak. Or at least, not so soon. Not this soon.

She loves Zico. He gives her strength. She can’t hurt him like that.

Even if she’s going to.  In the future.

--

L.Joe walked inside the house and saw Ahjumma preparing for dinner already.

Ahjumma looked at him. “Oh, Byunghun, why did you leave early today?” She asked as she prepared the table.

L.Joe just smiled and walked to the stairs.

He didn’t feel good at all. He didn’t feel happy at all. Everything is down. His whole system is down.

He didn’t want to do that. He didn’t want to do that grand thing for Minji because he knows what he is feeling. He didn’t want to lead her on more. Or at least, he didn’t want to hurt her more when the time comes.

He was starting to be cold because he thought maybe through that, Minji would get tired and would eventually fall out of love and break up with him. That would be a better solution to this engagement thing, right?

Making them hate you so that they would be the one to break up with you and that would solve all your guilt feelings.

Or at least, that’s what he thought.

He sighed as he reached their room to change clothes.

Seeing the bed like that, he missed Hana.

In the morning, she was too busy with something in her desk and he couldn’t even see her looking at other’s way. She didn’t come to class the whole afternoon.

Did she see what he did?

Is she happy now?

Now that he did what she wants him to?

Right, he did that because Hana said he should not hurt Minji. He did that as a favor. He did that to please Hana.

Gosh. Isn’t he pathetic now?

Making a girl tell him what to do?

Pleasing her by hurting himself?

Is this how THE L.Joe turned out to be?

He took a deep breath as he walked down to eat dinner.

Hana’s not around yet. Maybe she’s having fun with Zico or doing a stressful proposition in the Student Council Office. Eitherway, she is not around. And he can’t help but worry about her.

“Did Hana tell you that she’s going to be home late?” L.Joe couldn’t help but ask Ahjumma.

Ahjumma looked at him and shook her head. “She didn’t.” She replied.

L.Joe heaved a deep sigh as he ate in sadness.

Ahjumma looked at L.Joe and she could tell that something is wrong with him. She probably has a clue on what he is troubling about but she doesn’t want to intrude his personal space. It’s true that she almost was his mother but she doesn’t have the right to tell him what to do.

“Maybe she’s out with friends.” She guessed.

L.Joe nodded. “Yes. Maybe.” He replied as he continued to eat.

--

“Hana, aren’t you going home yet?” Jihyun asked Hana.

It’s past 7PM and they are still in the school premises.

Hana looked at Jihyun and smiled. “Just have to finish this. You go ahead.” She told her.

Jihyun hesitated for a bit but Hana just gave her an assuring smile. “O…kay.” She replied as she looked at her still questioning.

Hana smiled. “I’m serious. You can just go. It’s fine with me.” She repeated.

Jihyun nodded and fixed her things. “If that’s what you say.” She replied.

Hana smiled and continued her work.

She has been working for more than 5 hours already and she almost finish it all. Almost. Just this last one.

She wanted to clear her head from all the drama that’s why she is doing this. She wanted to stop thinking about L.Joe and Minji and Zico and love and hate and friendship. Even just for a while.

She signed the last paper and it was 15 minutes to 8PM in her watch. It’s so late. Are there still buses in this hour?

She sighed as she organized the papers and prepared her things. Now, she has to go home. And deal with L.Joe and her confused feelings again.

She has to be happy right?

She has to be happy because L.Joe finally dropped the cold shoulder he is giving Minji and he even apologized in front of the whole student body.

This is what she wanted.

This should make her happy and contented.

Or not.

She walked to the bus stop and waited. It’s strange because she usually waits alone but today seemed to be extra lonely. She seemed extra sad because her mind is all over the place and she doesn’t know what to think first.

Then she thought of L.Joe again.

Is he home now?

Has he eaten dinner?

Or is he with Minji now?

Are they having fun together?

Heck. Even that mere thought makes her sadder than ever. What the hell is wrong with her?

*BEEEEEEEP*

Hana looked at the car that stopped in front of her. It’s the car she always sees. It’s the car she once had ridden. It’s just the car and her heart is beating like hell already.

The mirror rolled down and L.Joe peeped in the window. “Hop in, Kim Hana.” He told her.

Hana stood there and stared at L.Joe. What is he trying to do? Why isn’t he with Minji? Why is this story so confusing?

L.Joe raised his brow. “Hop in, Kim Hana.” He repeated. “There are no buses in this hour. Or they are but they are certainly full because it’s rush hour.” He added.

Hana suddenly snapped out of her thoughts. “Okay.” She replied as she opened the passenger door and hopped in.

L.Joe looked at Hana who seemed so uncomfortable in her seat. He leaned closer to fasten her seatbelt because she stupidly forgotten to do that due to her anxiety. “You should fasten the seatbelt when you ride a car, Kim Hana.” He told her with his face close to her.

Hana was taken aback and was wide-eyed, looking into L.Joe’s eyes.

L.Joe looked at Hana’s shocked expression. He couldn’t help but feel the urge to kiss her right now. But he couldn’t. She’s not going to like it and that’s the last thing that he wants. Make Hana hate him.

Hana gulped and nodded. “Sorry.” She whispered too softly.

L.Joe backed away. He went back to his seat and focused on the road. Not saying anything anymore.

Hana heaved a sigh of relief before she awkwardly looked out at the city lights.

In the back of her mind, she is still thinking of why L.Joe came? How come he knew that she was still in school? Or is this all a coincidence? Maybe he dropped Minji off and he just happen to pass by and saw her and stopped over. All these possibilities and many more. All these are running inside Hana’s mind.

“Don’t think too much.” L.Joe suddenly spoke.

Hana looked at him. He was focused on the road but Hana knows that he knows she is looking at him.

“I came to school to pick you up because I was worried.” He added.

Just like that, her questions are answered.