“Good morning.” Mrs. Yeon greeted Wonwoo. He politely responded with a smile.

“Ahjumma, I’ll get going.” He quickly made his way to the front door when he saw his step brother walked down the flight of stairs. It was not like he hated his father’s new son. But he didn’t like him either. He could not see the point of being nice to him when one day Wonwoo would be leaving and they would never saw each other ever. But then again, nobody knew his plan to escape the household after finishing high school.

“What about breakfast?” the middle-age-woman showed her concern as she followed right behind. Her two hands were already too busy making some toasts, frying eggs, boiling the soup and fluffing the rice. He didn’t want to interrupt her. It wasn’t like it wasn’t normal for him to not have breakfast before going to school.He did not need to become another burden.

“I’ll get something at school.” He reassured her with another smile. Mrs. Yeon felt bad. Wonwoo always had to leave the earliest because his school were at least thirty minutes away from the train station.

“Have some apple juice. I made this just now.” She offered the glass to Wonwoo which then he took a big sip from.

“I’ll come earlier tomorrow to prepare breakfast.” She offered, still feeling guilty about him leaving without anything to eat.

“I don’t have much appetite these days. You don’t have to make me anything. And get some more sleep.” He said to Mrs. Yeon. He felt sorry for the woman. when he saw the eyebags and more wrinkles forming at the corner of her eyes. She was already tired as she was and had to juggle between the housekeeping job and taking care of her sick daughter at the care centre. He could tell the woman already fall

“Count me out for dinner. I’ll be home late.” He told her and bowed after finished tying the shoelaces on the pair of brand-new flashy white Nike Sneakers. The look of concern spread on the old lady’s face. Sometimes, her kindness terrified him. Deep inside, he knew that she genuinely cared about him. She was like a grandmother figure that he never had. Knowing that someone in the household sincerely show him a little kindness made him felt safe. Nevertheless, considering the way his father treated other people, he knew that it was only a matter of time that Mrs. Yeon will be kicked out of the house.

…..…..…..…..

The ride to school was awfully and excruciatingly long. He hated Monday rush. The huge crowd on the train made him gasped for fresh air. When Wonwoo got off the train station, he still had to walk for another ten minutes before he arrived at the main entrance of the school. He could tell he was earlier than usual. There was nobody else walking ahead of him.

After bowing to the security guard, he made his way to the old classroom where he hid his basketball. As much as he tried avoiding it, he couldn’t deny that sometimes, he missed playing basketball. It used to be part of his life. It was a way to escape reality. When he was on the court, he felt that nothing else mattered, that he was free. That was why when his father told him to quit, his heart sunk, his dream shattered to pieces.

As he walked close to the basketball court, Wonwoo noticed a familiar figure. At first, he thought he was seeing things but when he walked closer the girl immediately reacted, moving her body far from him as possible as if he was some kind of virus.

“What’s the occasion?” he asked as he continued walking to the center of the court.

“I just needed some fresh air.” she answered as she stared at the ground.

“Is the ground more interesting than my face?” he asked with a straight face as he continued playing. Bona stayed quiet. Honestly, she didn’t know how to get away from the situation. If she saw he was walking towards her, she would’ve taken off as fast as a flash, which was a lie. Something had been bothering her for a while.

Normally, Wonwoo would have waited for her to finished her shift and secretly escorted her back to her house. She pretended like she didn’t know and never really intended to confront him about it as long as he kept his distance. But for the past few days, since the day she saw Sojung, Wonwoo didn’t come to the café at all. And that was over a week ago.

“Did you start cram school?” she asked with hesitation.

“I don’t do cram school.” He answered coldly. This time, it was her turn to stare at the net while she was looking at him desperately for longer response.

“Some guys at the café asked if you’re not going to come anymore. Also, Soyeon eonnie wants you to try the new recipe.” She told him. Wonwoo was quite surprised that she could talk without him forcing the words out of her. There was a part of him that almost burst out laughing at the adorable sigh of her.

“I’m not going there anymore.” He told her frankly.

“Why?” her response sounded more desperate. He kind of enjoyed teasing her just to see her reaction. Usually, he was the one who talked and she was just standing still or trying to run away from him.

“Just because.” he answered and she stayed silent while fiddling with her fingers.

“I’ll tell them that.” She said in a much silent tone. Before today, she wanted to believe that she was still going to see him and that he would walk her home every night. Bona silently picked up her backpack to leave when she saw Wonwoo seemed no longer interested in the conversation. Not that she had anything more to say.

“Oi, Kim Bona.” He called her name. His voice sent shiver down her spine.

“Oi, Kim Bona. You have to keep your promise.” The voice repeated in her head. For a moment, she thought she had lost it. Bona bit her lip to contain the burden in her heart. Now she knew why the reason the wanted to avoid Wonwoo so badly. She knew why she never wanted him to call her by her name.

Before she was able to get the grasp of reality, Wonwoo was walking towards her. She couldn’t help but flinch. But he walked past her only to pick up his backpack.

“Take your stuff back.” he took out her drawing tools from the bag. That was from over a month ago but he never got the chance to return it properly and asked about the guy in the school uniform.

“Thank you.” She thanked him while avoiding his gaze again.

“We don’t have a reason to see each other again, huh? I guess this is goodbye.” Bona swore her heart sunk. She hated it. She hated that she knew for a fact that she would miss her company.

“Don’t say things like that lightly. Saying goodbye and never seeing other people again for the rest of your life. Don’t say that.” She almost screamed. The crystal beads finally made its way, streaming down her crimson cheeks.

“Are you crying?” he asked the obvious while frantically trying to make her tears stop. Wonwoo crouched down to match her eyes. At this point, she no longer cared what he did. Her head was crowded with thoughts.

“I’m sorry for treating you that way. At the café and in the art room too.” She apologizes as she tried to wipe the tears off her face.

“Okay, you don’t have to cry.” He still attempted to comfort her.

“I’m sorry, Doyoung-ah.” She blurted out. The name caught both of them off guard. Bona slowly backed away from Wonwoo. After realizing what she just did, Bona apologized to Wonwoo and ran back to her homeroom.