Felix notices the crew first. He grabs Athena's wrist and pulls her hurriedly towards the group.

"Hey girlies!" Somi exclaims.

"I'm not a girl," Felix says, pouting.

"Could've fooled me," she replies.

Athena holds in a laugh as Felix crosses his arms with a huff. The group was only partially there, with Seungmin and Changbin missing.

"Where are the other two?"

"Athena," Jisung starts, "when are those two ever early?"

Athena rolls her eyes. "More like when are you ever early. It's a surprise that you actually are here right now."

Jisung swats at Athena but she dodges with a giggle. The group travel towards the back of the school to find a playground. It was always odd; a playground behind a high school, but it became the place for Athena's friend group where they could escape school at school. There, they felt like kids again and though it was only a few centimeters away from the school building, it was a safe haven that they all held in their hearts. 

Athena smiles at Felix and makes a grand gesture with her hands and arms towards the playground. "Welcome to our kingdom of fun."

Felix raises an eyebrow. "Kingdom of fun?"

"Well, it's just a playground but nobody ever comes out here unless they're babysitting kids so we claimed it as our own," Somi explains.

"And now it's yours too," Athena murmur.

A blush spreads across Felix's cheeks, hiding his galaxy of freckles. His heart exploded at those words and he couldn't help but smile brightly.

"Let's play tag!" Jisung suggests.

"Okay!" Somi agrees. "Feet in the circle now!"

"Which song shall we do?" Athena asks.

"Dip, Dip, Dip?"

"Perfect." Athena smiles. "Dip, dip, dip, there's a party on the hill would you like to come..."

~~~~

Seungmin and Changbin arrive a few minutes later, happily joining the game of tag. Hiding underneath the playground set, Athena pulled out her phone and checked the time.

8:10

She sighs. School started in ten minutes and she had to go speak to the principal before the first bell.

"Hey guys?" Athena calls out.

They all turn to her. "Yeah?"

"I've gotta go to the office but I'll see you later," she says, holding in a laugh at their synchronization.

They all mumble shouts of understanding and wave goodbye. Athena waves back and starts her trek towards the school doors. Just as her hand clasps onto the door handle, her other hand is held by someone else.

"Do you want me to come with?" 

Felix. Somehow, it was always him worrying about her like crazy. If anything, Athena would've loved for him to join her but she knew this was something she had to do by herself. Plus, if she planned on getting Felix to obtain friends and not become an outcast, she needed to avoid being seen with him so often.

Athena shakes her head. "No, it's okay, I'll be fine."

The boy eyes her. He didn't think that she was fine but he also didn't want to intrude. Athena watches as Felix slowly releases her hand and then smiles brightly.

"I'll see you in class then," he cheers.

"Yeah, see you in class," Athena says with a smile.

As Felix runs back to the rest of the group, Athena takes a deep breath before pulling on the door and marching into the building.