He was about to enter his room when he heard Kangin, “Donghae…”

Donghae turned to him but did not say anything.

“Is everything alright?” Kangin again

“Yes.”

“You look pale.”

“Just tired.”

“That’s not how you look like when you’re tired.”

“Please…” dismissing Kangin, “I just want to rest.” then he opened the door and close it before Kangin could ask him again.

He threw himself on the bed. His mind is blank. He doesn’t want to think further.  He can’t afford to be back there. Not again…

“What are we doing here?” Donghae was wondering why they were ducking their heads

“Ssshhh! Keep quiet!” Hyukjae hissed, then he signaled Donghae to duck even lower which he did of course

Hyukjae leaned to him then whispered, “When I say GO, we will run towards that direction okay?” pointing to a flower bush about 5 meters away.

Donghae did not understand why they would need to do that but he still nodded.

BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!

“Go!” excited Hyukjae told him then he went down the small stool he used to reach the button then started running towards the bush leaving Donghae behind who was surprised with his sudden departure

Donghae’s eyes widen in fear when he saw that a scary heavy built ahjumma is on her way to open the gate. That’s when he realized what Hyukjae just did. He ran towards the bush like he was running to save his dear life.

"Hah...haah...haaah..." Donghae, who was trying to catch his breath while Hyukjae was laughing at him.

“You should have seen the look on your face.” Hyukjae said while clutching his stomach, hurting from too much laughing

“It’s not funny.” Donghae pouted his lips, “What if we got caught?” he asked with a worried look on his face

“That’s nearly impossible.  She can’t run fast with that load of fats!” then Hyukjae started laughing again

8 yr-old Donghae did not laugh with him. “Yaya Mina is fat. Did you make fun of her too?”

The naughty little boy stopped laughing when he realized what Donghae was trying to convey to him.

“Okay. It won’t happen again.” Hyukjae promised while scratching the back of his head, a habit he does whenever he feels guilty about something.

Donghae smiled at his bestfriend. He finds him adorable whenever he does that. He almost looked like an innocent, naive boy. “Almost…” he chuckled.

“Hyukjae…” he softly called his name, then remembered that mean guy from school, “Eunhyuk.” The guy who would probably be enjoying  his arm on a cast right now if not for the shock which engulfed his entire being when he saw him. He really looks like him. If Hyukjae had been alive, he would have looked like him. No, possibly even better…but shorter. He smiled. He remembered how Hyukjae would pout his lips whenever their teacher asks him to be at the front half when they fall in line while he was always at the middle part.  He closed his eyes and imagined that scene… His pouting lips. That guy Eunhyuk’s lips. They are the same…he thinks so. His jawline.  His eyes. He used to feel safe with just one look at those