I haven’t been able to purchase an expensive gift for Byunghun. He was looking at me, eyes gazed into mine. The back-alley where he had  been skateboarding fell into silence. Everything was still. Just like a hummingbird. He lifted the cake box from the skateboard, looking at the cake with earnest eyes.

“Make a wish.” I grinned, waiting with a smile fleeting on my face. He blew the candle's light out. I filled the space with an optimistic cheer. "A year older, pretty boy."

“Done.” L.Joe touched the nape of his neck. “I don’t usually do this, In-Na. Thank you for the cake and skateboard.”

“Jiyong-Oppa helped with the gift,” I confessed. “I baked the cake. He picked out the best skateboard that we can both afford.”

“Y-You baked?” L.Joe stuttered. A bitter note of disbelief evident on his face. “Did you screw up the ingredients this time round? If I’m not present for school on Monday, you know what happened to me.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help snickering at his statement. “We can always share the cake, Byunghun. That way, we can both fall sick and not attend our classes.”

He placed the cake to the side, lifting up the skateboard that both Jiyong and I have picked out for him. A smile warmed his lips as he stepped on the board. He glided around, almost too swift. All that could be heard were the sounds of his wheels against the pavement. His footwork was rather impressive. I was caught off-guard, staring intently at how he made it all seem so flawless.

“What did you wish for?” I inquired, throwing the studded black jacket that I have borrowed towards his direction. I stepped on my board, moving around the concrete ground. He looked up at me, shaking his head. Laughter escaped from his lips.

“It’s like you could read what’s in my head.” L.Joe layered the jacket over his navy crew neck. Delicately, he swiped his disheveled fringe to the side, attempting his usual board tricks as I watch and learn.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I inquired, heightening the speed on my wheels. Comparing the skateboard that I was on, the thrill on mine multiplied, comparing it to what he was experiencing. My board was splintered and I had scratched my initials on it. The wheels weren’t polished, making the tricks unnecessarily heart jolting.

I took a shaky breath, “I can’t read you, Byunghun.”

“I wish. I made a wish, in hope that she knows that I care for her,” L.Joe responded with a look that I couldn’t break through. “Always do. I make a wish that miracles will happen. Miracles aren’t bound to happen to me but this time, it’s different. She’s a miracle to me."

He whispered, "Another thing, it might seem greedy but - I wish that she could read through me.”

“Who is she?” I blurted, ruffling my head in confusion. He gave a smug smile, ignoring my questions all together.

“Are you in love?” those words escaped freely from my lips, halting my speed with the pressure from my feet.

“Falling deeper every day.”

He was right. I couldn't read him.

I pulled the wig back on my head, feeling warm from the time spent with L.Joe. We had our fair share of skateboarding, usual bickering, sarcasm-coated conversations and pure laughter.  He refused to share a piece of his emotions; his heart remained guarded about the girl who he has fallen in love with.

At the end of the day, we were just two beings, fighting our way out of this weary battle. It was