A cold hospital room glowed dimly with the light of a nearby lamp. A young boy was sleeping in a chair in the corner, hugging his knees to his chest. His brown hair was swept across his forehead as his head dropped to his shoulder. The boy's father lay in the bed, a respirator over his mouth.

The man pressed a button on a remote next to his pillow and a doctor walked into the room. He pointed to a notebook and pen on the table next to the bed. The doctor handed them to the man and waited patiently for him to write something down. He scribbled down a phone number and a name along with a short request.

When the doctor read the message on the page, he looked back at the weakening man on the bed.

“Mr. Lee, are you sure?” he asked, pushing his glasses up to make sure he read it correctly.

The man nodded.

The doctor glanced toward the boy sleeping in the chair and sighed. “All right. I'll call first thing in the morning.”

*~*~*

Hyukjae yawned and stretched as he entered the kitchen. He ran a hand through his red hair while reaching for a carton of strawberry milk in the refrigerator. Just as he went to sit down, the phone rang. Groaning, Hyukjae stood up and grabbed the phone from the kitchen counter.

“Hello?” Hyukjae raised an eyebrow. “Sure, I can get him. Hold on for one moment.” He turned and leaned out the kitchen doorway and yelled, “Appa! It's for you!” Hyukjae's father emerged from the next room and asked who it was. “Some guy from a hospital in Mokpo.”

Sitting back at the table, Hyukjae watched his father carefully. He sipped the strawberry milk quietly and tried to gauge his father's reaction.

“Yes, that's me,” Mr. Lee said into the phone. “How can I help you?”

“My name is Kim Kibum,” the doctor informed. “Last night, I received a request from one of my patients. Unfortunately, he died last night of a critical illness. He left me this phone number and I was instructed to call you, sir. I think it would be best if you came here for yourself. There is a matter we must talk about.”

“Yes, of course. But may I ask who it is that died?”

“Lee Dongmin, sir.”

Hyukjae watched as his father's features contorted in shock. “I see. I can be there by this afternoon. Yes. Thank you.” He hung up the phone and placed it back on the counter.

“What was that all about, Appa?” Hyukjae asked, his fingers fidgeting with the straw in his milk.

“A friend of mine from high school died last night. They want me to go and settle some matter.”

“Oh. I see.” Hyukjae flicked red hair out of his eyes. His phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and read the text from his friend. “Well, I'll see you later, Appa. Sungmin wants to meet up before school. Hope things go okay.” he hopped off his chair and finished his milk, tossing the carton in the trash and heading upstairs to get dressed.

Lee Hyukjae was eighteen years old, smart, and popular. He was known for having a good sense of humor and serious dancing skills. He came from a good family, the only child of a loving mother and father, and had two best friends he trusted with his life. He had a slight Casanova complex, mostly due to the many confessions he received daily from girls and guys alike. With his thin frame, fiery red hair, pale skin, and both cute and y features, who wouldn't fall for him?

In his room, Hyukjae quickly changed out of his pajamas into his uniform. He checked himself out in the mirror, messing with his hair until it fell nicely over his forehead. He smiled his signature gummy smile and grabbed his bag and went back down the stairs.

His mother was in the kitchen also. She was talking to her husband but stopped when Hyukjae entered the kitchen to grab something quick to eat on his way to meet Sungmin.

“Honey, your father and I are both going to Mokpo to meet with Doctor Kim. We'll be home late, so make your own dinner, okay?” she told him.

“Yes, Umma. Don't worry. I can handle it.” Hyukjae smiled again and kissed his mother's cheek before running out the door.

He met up with his best friend, Sungmin who was already sitting with his boyfriend Cho Kyuhyun at their favorite cafe, Sapphire Dream. They waved Hyukjae over and began talking about petty things and how awful their math teacher was.

12/21/10