“Hongbin!” screams Hakyeon. Hongbin pretends he doesn’t know the crazy screaming boy. “Hongbin, not the time to joke! Taekwoon got suspended!”

“Wh-What?” Hongbin stammers, eyes growing wide. “Why?”

“You. You’re why!” Hakyeon exclaims, grabbing his friend by the shoulders tightly. “He heard Daewon talking smack about you and he punched the dude.”

Hongbin doesn’t know if he should be grinning or frowning.

“What do we do?” sighs Hakyeon, shaking Hongbin back and forth. Hongbin smiles sheepishly and shrugs.

“It’s only suspension,” replies Hongbin. “Just lend him your notes or something.”

“Only suspension. Only suspension, which will lay on his student records for-EVER,” exclaims Hakyeon in exasperation. “Hongbin, why are you laughing?”

“I don’t know,” he replies, continuing to laugh. “I’m sorry—it’s just. I’m flattered that Taekwoon did that for me.”

“No! Don’t be flattered! It’s awful!”

Hongbin ceases his laughter, but a smile still plays on his lips. Hakyeon looks back at his phone and raises his eyebrows.

“Oh—oh, oh, oh! Taekwoon’s vid-calling me back!”

He taps the “accept” button and Taekwoon is seen lying in bed, hood over his head, and a half-eaten apple in his hand. Before Hakyeon can even utter out a concern, Taekwoon states, “Let me talk to Hongbin.”

Hakyeon makes a face and hands the phone over to Hongbin. For a moment, Hongbin and Taekwoon simply stare at each other, the actual distance between them beginning to feel very small.

“Thank you,” says Hongbin after the period of silence, and Taekwoon’s lips curve up into a slight smile. It’s enough for both of them.