Jongin wasn’t at school the next day. And the next day. It was Friday, though. He’s got training every Friday, last time I checked. Baekhyun and the boys hadn’t ask me any questions so I figured Jongin hadn’t mention it to them. Yet. I acted rather myself for the last remaining days of that week. Although, some bits of my days were almost like a hazy dream.

I still managed to keep my head, though. Working on Spines after school and on weekends really helped a lot. Nobody suspected anything as I plastered my face with a smile I rehearse before going to work and school. I smiled at the customers and pretty much everyone who smiled at me. Not even Aunt Sora. She hadn’t suspected anything, not even about mom. I looked over her at the cashier as she spoke to one of our loyal customers and I thought she’d kill me once she found out that I’ve been keeping mom’s secret. I caught her frowning at me, though, on one Sunday night. She inquired why I’m still at the shop when there’s school tomorrow morning. I told her that I was just missed working late at the book shop.

“What?” I asked her uncomfortably as she peered into my eyes inquiringly.

“Are you alright?” aunt Sora asked genuinely as she slightly my hair. “You look disturbed.”

I gulped. Alright, maybe she did suspected something.

“I’m okay.” I said, giving her the best smile I could ever gather in my heavy face.

“Just remember, if you need anything, I’m here, okay?” she said, giving me a quick yet warm hug and kiss on top of my head.

“I know.” I said.

-----

Min Jee was back on Monday. She was waiting for me by the lobby when I halfheartedly arrive at school. She hugged me as though we hadn’t seen each other for ages. Well, we haven’t been separated for that long. Five days is equivalent of ages for us.

“Ow! ow!” Min Jee cried and I realized I just hugged her real tight.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” I said, pulling away from her. Oddly, there was a lump forming in my throat and my eyes were getting moist.

“Aww, you missed me that much?” Min Jee said teasingly, slightly nudging my shoulder.

“Yeah…I missed you…” I said, forcing a chuckle as I wiped and blinked away my tears. “So much. I’m so glad you’re back.” I told her genuinely.

Min Jee pouted. “Well, I’ll never leave you again.” she said, putting her arms around my shoulder and then we both started walking to the lockers. She started telling me how she surprisingly had fun on their retreat. She bragged that it’s because she organized it herself. “Is everything okay?” she suddenly asked. I was leaning on the locker beside hers, waiting for her before we climb upstairs for our first period.

“I’m okay.” I said. Then Min Jee peered into my eyes as though, looking for something. “Tell me more about your trip. Did you take photos?” I asked her, pulling a smile on my face as I attempt to change the subject.

Min Jee took one more moment to stare into my eyes and then she started showing me the photos she’d taken and continued telling me stories about her recent trip.

As I walked down the hallway, my feet were getting numb as I approach our homeroom. I took a deep breath as I held the door handle and slid the door open. He was the first one I saw when I stepped in. His voice was also the first one I heard because he was laughing so hard along with his seatmates. Not even once or in slightest bit, he acknowledge me when I went to my seat, which was not too far from where he’s sitting. He’s taking no notice of me, only this time I know, even if I try to talk to him, I’m forever nonexistent to him.

Yixing and Sehun, though, greeted me when they came in. Although, they were more excited when they saw Jongin sitting on the back. They started talking and laughing excitedly, completely oblivious that their best friend and I were done. I couldn’t help but wonder if Jongin had already mentioned it to them.

When the bell finally rings for lunch, I quickly gathered my things and joined our classmates who swiftly exited our homeroom. I made a beeline to my locker and bumped into Min Jee. I still haven’t told her about our break-up. To be honest, I don’t know how to tell her, she likes Jongin too much for me.

“What are we going to eat for lunch?” Min Jee asked me as I opened my locker and stuffed my books inside. “I’m starving.”

Lunch, I thought. I had completely forgotten about lunch. When Jongin wasn’t around, I ate lunch with Yixing, Sehun and Baekhyun. That’s how it always had been even before we started going out. But now that we’re done…

“Hurry up, Hana.” Min Jee prodded, glancing at her wrist watch. “Baekhyun’s already saved our usual spot.” she added as I closed my locker.

“I don’t think—” I began.

Min Jee grabbed my arm and pulled me to the cafeteria. The cafeteria was already packed when we arrived. After grabbing our lunch trays, we saw Baekhyun waving at us on the far right corner of the room. I reluctantly followed her. Baekhyun was sitting all by himself, though. When Min Jee asked him, he said that Jongin and the boys will be there in a minute. The three of us talked for a moment, mostly, I just listened to them talk. I was trying to finish my lunch fast so that I wouldn’t have to see Jongin. But a part of me (the dominant part) wants to stay and see him even just for a brief moment.

The heavens quickly answered my secret prayer. Within a minute, Yixing and Sehun arrived along with Jongin who ignored me yet again while Yixing and Sehun beamed at me as they settled on their seats. Surprisingly, though, Jongin sat on the chair opposite mine. I sneaked a glance on his face, I was expecting him to shoot death glares at me because I was eating with his friends. But he wasn’t. He was busy eating his food, he didn’t make eye contact with me, he’s just there. Eating quietly and chewing his food thoughtfully, his expression indifferent while our friends were busy chatting and having fun. Meanwhile, I couldn’t taste anything I was eating. Jongin was the first one to finish his food and got up from his seat. He nodded his head once towards everyone in the table except me. I was invisible to him.

“I can’t eat with you guys anymore.” I told Min Jee as we head back to the lockers area.

Min Jee huffed a breath. “Are you and Jongin fighting again?” she asked, a little impatiently. “It was rather obvious back there during lunch. I had to kick Sehun’s shin to keep him talking.”

“So you guys noticed.”

“Are you serious?” Min Jee said, “I could cut the tension between the two of you with a knife. What’s going on?”

“Jongin and I...” I began, as we reached her locker. “We’re not together anymore.”

I looked up at Min Jee who was looking at me seriously, she’s studying my face. Then, she heartily laughed out loud.

“Okay, you almost got me there!” she giggled. Then, she stopped when she noticed my grim expression and swore loudl