The next day came, and she and Tao were silently copying the notes that were written on the board. Out of nowhere, she felt a light nudged on her elbow. She looked up at to her seatmate, but instead of answering, he discreetly slides a note towards her desk.

Reading it, it said: “I heard about what Luhan-gege did the other day.”

Glancing back, Tao gave her a frown. “I’m fine. No worries,” she smiled reassuringly, just in time before their teacher observed them. A few seconds passed and another note was made, but this time, IU couldn’t smile anymore. “I’m apologizing, but it doesn’t mean that he was wrong IU.”

Feeling apprehensive, she wanted to answer the man, but whatever words she was about to say, it was drowned by the sound of the bell ringing, and her seatmate, leaving her hanging and feeling much worse than before.

She felt sick. Guilty. Mad. Insensitive.

She left them behind; pushing away her only friends. Days wouldn’t even leave her unscathed. Tears were in her eyes and before she could even burst up, she stood from her chair and ran to someplace that can be a refuge.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Someone asked, momentarily breaking the silent atmosphere she’d given herself. Gazing up, she saw Jin, who was giving her an inquisitive look. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” slightly irritated for the unneeded worry he had earlier.

She apologized guiltily. “I came out to take a breather,” she lied, hoping that the follow-up smile was enough to cover the feelings she was harboring. She especially didn’t want to talk about it, and most of all, IU didn’t want to bother him with her problems.

“Okay,” he quickly responded, seemingly convinced with her answer. “Oh and I brought you something,” he said enthusiastically. IU watched him expectantly as she took notice of the case he was holding in front of her. Though very much aware of the content of the bag, she still couldn’t hide her joy, as soon as Jin presented her with the shiny brown guitar.

“I..Wh- How?” She said, not able to register the words she was going to say. Jin’s small thoughtful act, was enough to turn her emotions around... although temporarily.

He grinned brightly. “You like it? I remembered you playing with the old guitar in the piano room, so I thought of a great idea of buying you a new one.”

Her fingers grazed the unscathed strings and the newly polished wood. “This is too much Jin, I couldn’t…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to give the guitar back to her friend.

But Jin held his hand. “I’m not taking it back. I bought it for you, so please. Please just accept it, I’d feel disappointed if I’m going to take it,” he said, batting his eyelashes as he tried to charm his ways on the young lady. Heaving a sigh of defeat, she took the guitar back into her arms, and whispered a s