It wasn't easy, at first, to quit speaking cold turkey. Especially not for someone like Jeongmin. He used to be loud and exuberant. He used to chat about anything and everything under the sun. He used to be so carefree and sweet your teeth would hurt.

According to the majority of the population, something in him just snapped, at the beginning of their last middle school year. No one really did anything to him, it seemed, he just... stopped caring. No one piqued his interest anymore; no matter how close they had once been. And eventually, his former 'friends' realized something.

None of them had a single clue about Jeongmin's life. None of them could even say, for sure, how many siblings the boy had, or if his parents were divorced or together. Maybe he didn't even have parents, who knew? Certainly none of them. And the saddest thing was; only a few felt regret over the situation.

None of them tried to contact him after he'd left to a high school that specialized in music.

Ironic enough, he wanted to be a singer when he was older. So far, in the two years he'd been at the school, he'd managed to avoid singing in all three choir classes he enrolled in. It was some crazy miracle, he knew, but he wouldn't mind singing if it was asked of him. He was never asked, so therefore he never sang.

That doesn't include all the private lessons he-- and the majority of his Advanced Choir class-- got from the vocals teacher. Those were required, and he'd be damned if he let his silly, stubborn experiment get in the way of his future career.

Yes, he did realize he'd have to start talking again, but as long as that day wasn't today, he'd be fine.

“Jeongmin-ssi.” the teacher called out very suddenly, causing said boy to snap his head out of his thoughts and to attention. “Why don't you sing the next song for us?” her smile was gentle enough; she knew that Jeongmin's voice was pleasant-- if not beautiful. She figured it would be good for him to sing in front of his classmates.

He nodded simply, hands fiddling with the lyric sheets in his lap. Just as he prepared himself; clearing his throat and opening his mouth to sing, a rather loud, harsh voice beat him to anything he had planned.

“Are you kidding me?” the girl scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Jeongmin didn't look up from his lap, waiting for her to finish. “He can't even talk. What makes you think he can sing? I don't even know why he goes to this school. He's obviously too stupid.”

Jeongmin swallowed carefully, still looking down at his paper. He chose not to let this get to him-- he knew this girl thought she was the best at everything and was offended that the teacher hadn't called on her. Instead, he looked up, his gaze pointed directly at her as if to say 'You done?'.

She didn't say anything more.

Briefly, he studied the lyrics. It was short enough-- only two stanzas in literary terms. He couldn't help but think that the teacher did this on purpose; so he didn't have to sing for too long. However, he knew the song very well and didn't need the metronome that was ticking in the corner.

He took a deep breath, standing and staring at the wall directly across from him as he began to sing. The teacher, who had been scolding the girl for her cruel comment, immediately paused to admire Jeongmin's voice as it spilled from his lips.

Ah, poor bird.

Take thy flight.

Far above the shadows,

of this sad night!

Oh, poor bird.

High in flight;

high above the mountain tops

on this cold night.

Little bird,

fly away.

High up on a mountain top

on this sad day.

The entire class was silent as the sweet melody spilled into the room, filling their minds eye with imagines of a small, feeble bird taking flight and struggling to maneuver through strong, frost-bitten winds. The lyrics pooled gently into his underused throat, his tongue pulling them out in a sweet, soft manner.

He hadn't realized he closed his eyes, but when he opened them, he was met with a slightly stunned class. His teacher only smiled knowingly, walking away from the girl-- whose mouth was horridly agape-- and back to her music stand at the front of the room.

“I know we haven't really sung altogether as a class yet this year, but I'd like to start today. After all, this is the advanced class and all you shy people--” Jeongmin didn't miss the look pointed at him. “can't go on with not volunteering.

“So, we will start with a three part harmony, using the song Jeongmin just sang and two others.”

The rest of the class proceeded on as expected. Jeongmin didn't like the fact that other people could hear him, but he had to admit; it was a very nice change up from learning the dynamics of singing and listening to others' solos.

At lunch, Jeongmin found himself in his usual spot-- the quiet classroom shoved in a secluded corner. The room was used to teach French for only one hour in the morning. Not many people cared to take the class, so Jeongmin was certain no one would bother him as he sat there. The teacher had been long gone by now, however he always forgot to lock his door upon his departure.

He figured it was so students, much like him only actually enrolled in French, could come in during breaks or their free hour and study up on a few phrases. The teen knew almost for certain that no student actually did that and that the teacher could just take the safer route and lock his door before he left to his other classroom that was used to teach World History.

Jeongmin reflected on his day so far as he nibbled on his homemade (by him) lunch. First, he acknowledged Minwoo in second hour, then he sang in third. He could practically hear the buzz following him as he walked down the halls. The entire situation made him uncomfortable and he wished today had been as mundane as the rest of the year had been.

He sighed, packing up the lunch he didn't have much of an appetite for and began looking at the posters that littered the wall; reminding the students of key phrases of the foreign European language. He had taught himself quite a bit of French, in his days of sitting here; waiting for the lunch hour to be over. It was almost a routine of his to recite sentences in his head, or maybe reading one of the children's books at the back if he was feeling on top of his game.

Je parle francais. I speak french. J'ai parle francais. I spoke french. Je veux parler francais. I would like to speak french.

Le chat a mange le poisson. The cat ate the fish. Le poisson est mange. The fish is eaten.

As the list in Jeongmin's head dwindled down to clothing and fashion, he heard footsteps approaching quickly down the hallway. He quickly dismissed it, going back to reciting the words in his mind. That is, until, the footsteps rushed into the very classroom in which he took residence.

“Ah! Jeongmin hyung!” a startled voice shouted suddenly, causing said boy to jump out of his trance. “What are you doing here?”

Even though he knew he wouldn't get an answer from the shorter, yet older male, Minwoo still asked the question, successfully breaking the silence of the room.

Jeongmin simply stared at Minwoo with wide eyes, following his frame as he trailed along the room, muttering things like 'thank god the room was open' and 'I hope no one stole it...'

And, answering the unasked question, Minwoo said, “I think I left my phone in here during first hour... It must have fell out of my bag, or something. This is the only classroom I haven't checked.”

The other boy stayed silent, trying to distract his eyes from raking Minwoo's body as he crouched onto his hands and knees, searching for his mobile device under the desks. He never knew that Minwoo took French, and the fact that he did made him just a bit more attractive (platonically, of course) to Jeongmin.

In his trying not stare, he turned his head to the teacher's desk; kept clean and tidy. It was easy to spot the neon blue sticky note so out of place on his desk, and even easier to notice that it was attached to something. He stood, gaining a closer look in doing so. He picked up the object, examining the note on top.

Ask class about this tomorrow.

He peeled the note back, revealing a blank screen. He pressed the button at the bottom of the rectangular object, revealing a suddenly bright picture of an animated lion, tongue poking out the side of his mouth.

“Hyung! You found it! Where?”

Jeongmin had to mentally shake his head at the wallpaper of his phone before holding up the note, presenting both things to Minwoo.

“Uwah, you're a life saver!” the younger pulled him into an expected, tight, embrace that sent him off balance, hand shooting out to grip the side of the desk for support. “How could I repay you?”

Minwoo had to know that he'd never get a real answer, because as soon as the question rolled off his tongue, so did a suggestion. “Let me buy you ice cream after school!”

Jeongmin had to admit he didn't have anywhere to go after classes ended, and he couldn't really say no to such a cute, pleading face. So he nodded. Just once; a short, affirmative nod. And he found himself smiling at the way the younger's face immediately brightened. Not a wide smile, but a smile nonetheless.

“Thanks again, hyung!” Minwoo said as he bounced back to the doorway, grabbing his nearly forgotten schoolbag on his way out. “Meet me here after school!” Jeongmin had to chuckle to himself as the younger boy stumbled over his own excited legs, almost tripping in the process.

No Minwoo... When did you manage to crack the ice?

The final bell resounded through the small classroom, and Minwoo was the first to react. He stood quickly, slinging his bag over his should as he grabbed all the loose papers and writing utensils off his desk. He rushed out the door before anyone else could, intent on heading directly to the French room.

However, his friends had different ideas.

“Minwoo!” he heard a familiar, deep voice call from behind him. “Minwoo-ah, wait up!”

However much he didn't want to stop, he did because he didn't want Kwangmin to be angry with him-- even if it wasn't a serious anger. So he waited, watching behind him as the older male caught up. “Hey, hyung. Where's Youngmin?” the younger looked around for his the other, tall, lanky twin.

“He had Geography last, so he's probably near the main offices.” Kwangmin answered casually as they bustled past crowd after crowd of chittering teens, following Minwoo's discretion. “Where are you going in such a rush, anyway?” he taller snickered, thinking Minwoo had a date with some girl they'd never met before. Minwoo was always going on dates with the upperclasswomen; none of them could resist his cute charm, and he simply couldn't say no.

“He probably has another date to go on.” Youngmin's voice suddenly rang into their conversation, making the pair of them wonder how long he'd been there and how he got there in the first place.

“No.” Minwoo stated bluntly. “I'm taking Jeongmin hyung out for ice cream.”

“So, a date.”

“Wait, hyung?”

“Yes, Jeongmin hyung.” Minwoo sighed, exasperated. “He's the one who found my phone so I figured I should repay him.”

The twins exchanged meaningful glances before Youngmin decided to speak up. “Minwoo... Are you talking about Jeongmin? Lee Jeongmin?” his tone was disbelieving. How could their friend-- let alone anyone-- get Jeongmin to agree to such a thing? “The ice king?”

“Don't call him that, hyung!” Minwoo protested, whipping his head to frown at the offender. “He's really nice, I just think he's really shy.” he nodded at the end of his sentence, as if to prove, even to himself, that his theory was correct.

Youngmin simply rolled his eyes and shook his head, dropping the subject. Minwoo was just too trusting and caring sometimes, if you asked him.

Within another small moment, they were walking down the hallway connected to the French room. As soon as they turned the corner, however, they spotted Jeongmin's figure, sitting beside the door. Minwoo smiled and yelped a greeting, raising his whole arm to wave. Jeongmin immediately reacted, looking up with a soft gaze.

The twins had to admit it was impressive. Then again, Minwoo had a certain charm about him that simply no one could resist. He was just too cute and bubbly; to deny him was to feel a horrid, crushing guilt until you changed your mind.

“Hyung, you're here!” Minwoo said brightly. Jeongmin stood when Minwoo approached him. “Why are you waiting out here?”

Jeongmin gestured toward the door, referencing the fact that it was locked. The teacher came by after school to lock up, and Jeongmin actually got scolded for being in there, as he was not a student enrolled in French and had 'no business' being in the classroom.

Minwoo smiled sheepishly, muttering an apology before turning to the twins. “By the way, these two are my friends, Youngmin and Kwangmin.”

The pair greeted the shorter male, who did nothing in return. He just stared. He didn't know what else to do. If he were back in middle school, certainly he would greet a new friend with a happy expression and a laugh. He would have been extremely welcoming. But now, he was blank. The twins also seemed intimidated by him, which didn't really help his nerves.

Thankfully, Minwoo broke the tense silence. “Are you okay if they come along?”

Jeongmin turned his head toward the speaker with yet another soft gaze. He nodded once, showing that he didn't really care either way. The twins watched in awe. Their Minwoo was quite the magician.

“Great! Let's go, then.” he bounced toward the doors at the end of the hallway and pushed them open, revealing a soft autumn scent as the other three followed slowly behind.

“Thanks for finding the brat's phone, by the way.” Youngmin said, nudging Jeongmin in a playful way. The older male tensed up immediately. “He wouldn't shut up about it.”

Kwangmin nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that thing's like his life source. If you touch it he goes berserk on you.”

Jeongmin started to get very nervous as the three of them chatted away. He wasn't paying particular mind to the words and phrases floating through the air, but he knew he didn't have a place in them. He ignored the conversation-- something about a shared Guitar teacher-- and replaced their words with numbers. He counted his steps. 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. Just like in his dance class. One. Two. Three. Four. The numbers had sanity in them. He could review dance steps in his mind. Safe, familiar, dance steps.

He didn't have to think about the way he went out of his way to not step on the cracks in the sidewalk. He didn't have to think about how his stomach twisted with butterflies for some odd reason nor did he have to think about whatever memories lay in wait at the back of his mind.

Before Jeongmin knew it, they were outside an ice cream shop. It had a cheesy title and a sign referencing the fact that you could pick as many toppings as you want. To tell the truth, Jeongmin didn't really care for ice cream. And to tell the truth again, Jeongmin really had no clue why he had agreed to come along. But he was here now and he didn't really see a point in turning back-- free food, right?

He didn't want to be a bother to Minwoo, so he got plain ice cream and refused toppings. He didn't really want them, anyway. After trying his hardest to convince the eldest to get at least a few strawberries, he gave up and set the two cups down next to the cashier. Jeongmin couldn't help but note how Minwoo's treat was more fruit than ice cream.

Soon enough, the twins placed their purchases down as well, but Minwoo quickly refused. “No way, you guys have to buy your own!” he huffed, pushing the two intruding cups away. “I'm only treating Jeongmin hyung because he found my phone!”

Youngmin and Minwoo bickered for a while while Kwangmin simply rolled his eyes and paid for the extra ice creams.

Finding a spot to sit down and enjoy, the quartet contently munched on their sweet desserts, leaving much room for conversation. The three freshmen chatted away, reminiscing and retelling their personal day's events. And although the doe-eyed youngsters kept glancing at him, as if making sure he were still breathing, Jeongmin mainly ignored the stares and played with his food.

He was, however, listening intently. He liked to learn everything he could about a person before he revealed himself. Youngmin and Minwoo fought a lot, like an old couple. Kwangmin was the glue that held them together. He was there to mediate the situation if it got too out of hand.

Jeongmin tried to think of a place that he could fit in with the trio, but failed. There was absolutely nothing he could offer for them.

“Ahh...” Youngmin sighed, rising from his feet and stretching. “We should probably get going, Kwangie. Mom wants us home before five.” he grabbed his bag from the floor and slung it over his shoulder lazily. Kwangmin followed suit with a curt nod.

Minwoo jumped up, throwing his trash away. “I'll walk you guys home.” he said brightly. Jeongmin wondered how he could be so happy all the time. He had tried it once before, and it was simply exhausting.

The mute boy sat there and fiddled with his spoon, not wanting to intrude. They didn't live in the same area, anyway, so he figured he'd just leave on his own. That is, until Minwoo tapped him on the shoulder and smiled.

“Aren't you coming?” Jeongmin's face softened yet again, at that bright smile. He stood and followed the three out the door, feeling a bit lighter than usual.

“You know, Jeongmin, people have been talking about you all day.” Youngmin said as they walked down the sidewalk toward the crosswalk where Jeongmin would have to part ways. “Everyone's pretty worried, they figure you caught the flu, or something.”

He was only trying to joke in a playful manner, but it came across hurtful in his usual, blunt tone. Minwoo glared at him for being so sharp. The two bickered for a while, too caught up to realize Jeongmin had already made his way in the opposite direction of them, toward his own neighborhood.

Kwangmin was the only one to offer up a small farewell. “See you later, hyung.” he waved and smiled gently.

Jeongmin didn't say anything.

A/N: Thanks for reading! And, if you didn't read the story feed, yes I did change the title, you're not crazy. I just thought the previous one was too long (even though it's like one of my favorite lyrics evar!!111!!11!!!!!) 

Hope you're enjoying it so far!