As much enjoyment the cafe was, it was now time to get back to reality and that meant heading back to shop. Though along the way I couldn't help but poke fun at Suho's redning face. Coming into view, the familar steps led us to the even more familiar doors, the jingle now seeming more like a habitual tune fading into the background. Once inside, Suho headed to the back, returning with his uniform in tact and although time seemed to be flying by when I had asked what time it was, sadly it was only a mere 10:30.

What had that lady said again??.....5?

Gosh, why did that seem so far from now?

Unable to hold in a sigh, Suho seemed to notice my dismay and looked at me questiongly.

"You alright?"

I gave a light shake,

"I don't understand."

He tilted his head,

"Understand what?"

My mind wondered back to the boy, his blank eyes flickering in and out of my head,

"Why time moves so slowly."

The young man merely nodded his head a question on his mind,

"Are you waiting for something?"

I looked out the window, watching people as they walked back and fourth out of view, none wearing uniforms,

"More like a someone." I muttered and upon hearing my response the young man next to me seemed to be in a way somewhat disappointed.

"Oh, a friend?"

I tilted my head to the side,

What is a friend?

"Um I guess." I answered not wanting to sound like a complete fool.

Suho nodded, and looking around he bit down on his lip looking as if he was contemplating something. After a moments thought, he looked back at me, his face once again turning a light shade of pink,

"Well...if you want, yo-ou could stay here. I don't think they would mind. In-in fact we could use the help."

His eyes kept darting back and fourth and upon the gesture I couldn't help but smile,

"Really?"

This time he looked up and we locked eyes,

"Of course."

____

I would be lying if I said that coming here was a bad idea. In fact, I don't even know what everyone was so worried about, I mean sure some humans were seemingly rude, but the majority were actually really nice. Especially this one old lady who came in here wanting to buy her grandaughter a whole basket of facial creams and beauty products, I mean I have no idea what they were, but it sounded lovely. Though I don't quite understand this whole concept of makeup. From what the other workers told me, I guess it is a bunch of stuff you put on your face to make yourself prettier, which I don't get why anyone would want to put powder and marker on their face, but it seemed like the biggest hit. Young people all the way to old ladies came in buying boxes and boxes, though I found it quite weird that only girls were buying it. Waving to an older woman who had just boughten a box set, I smiled and turned to Suho who was stacking products,

"Suho, I have a question."

He reached trying to place the box on the top shelf,

"Shoot."

I furrowed my brows,

"Shoot what?"

I could hear him laugh,

"I mean what's your question?"

I perked up,

"Oh? Why is it that only girls buy this 'makeup' stuff?"

It must of been a weird question since he stopped stacking,

"Well who else would buy it, animals?"

I thought about it,

"I don't think animals would buy it. I mean how would they even put it on...?"

Turning and noticing my face deep in thought he began to chuckle,

"Are you really thinking about it?"

I looked up at him,

"Well I'm just curious. Why only woman? Do guys not wear makeup?"

Brushing off his hands, he picked up another box, placing it on the counter,

"No, guys do not wear makeup, well I mean some do, but their..."

He trailed off and curious I tilted my head,

"Their what?"

He looked at me, before shaking his head,

"Nothing. Guys do not wear makeup."

"Oh."

Opening the box, he just looked at me curious,

"You seem disappointed."

"Kind of, don't guys want to be pretty too?"

His actions coming to a halt, he bursted out laughing. All I could do was stare at him horrified,

"Y-ou, oh my I can't- I can't breath. You ar-are really strange you know that."

I just looked at him blinking,

What was strange?

Getting a glare from the store manager, he coughed once again putting things away. Once finished, he came back over to me,

"Look around the store. What do you see?"

I did as he said and looking around I noticed the lack of males,

"Um...there are lots of girls."

"Right. And why do you think that is?"

I shrugged, how was I supposed to know,

"Because all of these things," he began picking up a bottle that read, Lavander Scented Hand Lotion,

"Is for woman."

"Why?"

This time it was him to shrug,

"Because they want to smell nice, be pretty, have good hygene I guess."

I nodded, it all somewhat making sense,

"And what about men? What do they do?"

"We, well we're just born naturally perfect."

I just looked at him and laughed. Deflating his ego, his mouth fell agape,

"Yah. Why are you laughing?"

I simply shrugged,

"I don't know it seemed funny."

About to say something, he turned something grabbing his attention.

"Great." He sighed, and I looked at his now frowning face,

"Something wrong Suho?" 

"School must be out."

I followed his line of sight and watched as a group of girls entered the store all wearing uniforms...

Wait.. uniforms?

I felt a smile come to my face. Turning back to Suho I asked for the time,

"Time? 5:10." He replied, watching as the girls ran about squealing.

Remembering what the lady said, I jumped in excitment, turning back to the window. Jerking my head around, I seeked the boy from earlier, and upon noticing the familiar boy, I couldn't help the full fledge smile that came to my face,

"Oh, there he is."

Suho, looking from me out towards the window, tried to see what I spotted,

"Who?"

I simply turned back to him,

"Sorry, but I got to go. Thanks, I had a great time."

Skipping to the door, I was just about to leave until I heard my name being called out. Turning back to Suho, I watched as once again he turned red, his hand scratching the back of his neck,

"If you want, you can help out anytime."

I smiled,

"I'd like that." before opening the door and leaving.

Once outside, I looked around frowning when I couldn't find the boy I had spotted only moments ago.

Where did he go?

Going around a corner, I was about to call out his name when I heard familiar voices. My ears perking up, I followed the sound only to be led to an alleyway.

"Look who we have here. It's the little deer." The boy spat, looking down at his victim.

"You mean little blind deer." The other sneered, making the other three laugh.

"And he's all alone. Where's the other freak, huh? She finally figure out how useless you really are and decided to leave?"

More laughter,

"Now I almost feel sad. Almost."

With this the boy kicked out his leg, making the boy infront of him, jerk back against the wall and slide to the ground. Watching this, I could no longer hold in the anger seeping out of me and unconciously I growled through my teeth. Striding forward, just as one of the boys turned around confused by the new noise, I threw out my leg, sending him to the ground.

"What the-?"

Looking at the boy now crouched on the ground in pain, the other two just looked at me,

"You again?"

This time the other guy stepped towards me, throwing a sloppy punch, and I ducked, kneeing him in the gut. He gave out a groan, and quickly dropping, I kicked out my foot towards his leg, making him come to his knee's. Crying out in pain, I shot my hand forward, hitting him straight in the nose and watched as he collapsed. The guy from the ground earlier must of finally recovered because now he was getting off the floor coming straight at me. Throwing a punch, I dodged left, hooking him in the gut, and he threw another sloppy punch, this time I grabbed his arm, hooking it around his own neck. Coughing, I just tighten my grip, until he passed out, his body dropping to the ground. Looking at the two people knocked out on the ground, I finally looked up, who I assumed was the leader was left. He simply looked at me, his hands in his pockets, unfazed by the two unconcious boys on the ground,

"My my, kitty has claws."

I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of his words,

"Something funny?" He sneered and I just shook my head.

He turned looking at the sagging boy below him, and kicked his foot. As the boy whimpered, I felt a rumble through my chest,

"I still don't know why you are doing this? I've told you before, he's broken. Obsolete."

I looked at the boy with his head hung low, before looking back up, locking eyes with the bully.

"Maybe to you, but to me you seem to be the one who's broken."

He must of not liked being called broken, because the next thing I knew, he was coming at me. Throwing out a punch, I blocked it, only for him to hook me on the side, bringing up my leg, I cut him off, but taking that to his advantage, he swiped out his other leg, nicking me and sending me to the ground. I used the fall though to my advantage, and dropped my arm, sliding around to swip him off his feet. He ground from the impact as he hit the ground, and rolled onto his side, pulling something out of his sock, he turned swinging out at me. I put out my hand caught off gaurd, and felt something slice against me. I hissed in pain and as he got up he smirked. Looking at my hand that was now bleeding, he came at me once again. Throwing his arm out, I blocked it, grabbing his hand, and hitting it down on my knee so that the object fell out of his hand. Glittering against the floor, he ground from the pain, and I brought his hand out, stricking him in the throat. He coughed, and bringing his hand up and over his head, I pulled up making him scream out. Shoving him down into the ground, I hissed in his ear,

"I told you not to mess with him."

He spat, looking back at me.

"Stupid ."

I didn't know what that meant, but I assumed it was bad. Giving a snarl, I kicked him in the side of the neck, knocking him out. Taking a breath and dusting myself off, I walked over to the boy who was croutched against the wall. Taking his hand, I felt him jerk in fright,

"It's me." I said and I felt him relax a bit.

Getting him up off the ground, I led him out of the alley way. Too deep in thought, Luhans question brought me back to reality,

"Um Jae.. are-are you alright?"

I tilted my head confused at his question,

"Yeah, why?"

"Be-because your ha-hand?"

I looked at my hand, forgetting about the cut. I shrugged,

"It's just a cut. I'm fine."

He came to a halt, making me also come to a stop,

"A cu-cut. That means that...your blee-bleeding."

Seeing his worry I tried to reasure him,

"It's no big deal, just a small wound."

Giving a small nod, he then began jerking his head around,

"Um, whe-where are we going?"

This time it was me who stood there shocked, I looked around sheepishly,

"I- I don't know truthfully." 

It must of seemed funny to him because he finally gave out a small chuckle. Taking a second, he tilted his head down, shuffling his feet,

"Can we go to my house then?"

I simply state a,

"Um...sure."

And with that, I took his hand, this time letting him lead the way.

_____

Coming to a stop at a small house, the boy let go of my hand, taking a step forward. Putting out his hand, he placed it on the railing, slowly walking up the steps before coming to an opening. Feeling around, he came across the lock, and pulling the slide up, he placed his finger on the scanner, a click soon following. Taking a step forward, he turned to the side, gesturing me to follow. I didn't move and for a second their was only silence. He furrowed his brows,

"Jae, you still there?"

I nodded,

"Yeah, sorry." 

Walking up the steps, I followed him into the home, and hearing the door shut behind me, he walked around, his whole body seeming to be in comfort. I watched as he walked with much more ease, knowing were everything was, and as he disappeared down a hallway, all I could do was take in the scenery around me. Looking around the room, I spotted what I assumed to be an image, well thats what I remember people saying when they held a paper like thing in their hands having them on it, and if I remeber correctly the thing that had light flash out of it was called a camera, of Luhan when he was younger, but I didn't recognize the people around him.

"Who are these people in the photo?" I called out only to be replied with a,

"Who? My parents?"

I looked down at the man and woman next to him, all wearing smiles. Running my hand over the image I copied the word,

Parents.

"What are parents?" I asked aloud and my ears perked when I heard footsteps coming closer and closer,

"Parents? You know, your mother, your father."

I shook my head. It's not like I knew this concept of mother and father. All I knew was the wind, and the forest, and all the animals that belonged inside. Well that and God, was God my parent?

"Nope." I replied and I watched him frown,

"Are you an orphan?"

Again I tilted my head,

"What's an orphan?"

"Someone who doesn't have parents, or family."

I thought about it,

"I- I guess."

We were both silent for a moment,

"Oh, I'm sorry."

I didn't know why he was apologizing, but seeing as he looked down I tried to change the subject,

"So, your parents. Where are they?"

Uh-oh if anything his face seemed to look even darker. I watched as he placed his hand on the table sighing,

"Well um, you know how I said I was in an accident?"

I nodded before remembering that he couldn't see and replied with a small yes,

"Well um, my mother was also with me at the time, um but, she-she didn't survive."

My brows furrowed,

"You mean she died?"

I felt him in breath, and his hand on the table began to shake,

"Um yeah, and since that day and with me being, um, bli-blind and all, my fat-ther couldn't take it so-so he just le-ft-ft one day-y."

I thought about it,

"He just left, like for good?"

He drew out a shaky breath,

"Y-yeah, fo-for good."

Taking it in, I looked around the house, this time the comfortable silence, now turning into an earie morose. 

"Who takes care of you then?"

I watched as he let go of the table, a fake smile on his lips,

"My aunt. Sh-she comes around every once and awhile to-to make sure I'm alright. Provides fo-od and clothing. You know the usual."

Before I could ask anymore questions, he turned around again walking down the hallway. Stopping halfway he turned,

"We should probably get you cleaned up."

Taking a breath, I followed him down the hallway as he lead me to what I believed he called the bathroom. Letting me step in first, I walked in and yelped when I found a stranger staring at me.

"Jae y-you alright?"

I couldn't answer him and instead looked straight ahead at the person infront of me. It was a girl, and she seemed to be as still as I was. I opened my mouth ready to ask who she was, but was shocked when she also opened . Quickly shutting my own, I was even more shocked when she also shut hers. Luhan took a step in, and I turned towards him, again yelping when I turned back to see another one of him. Looking back and fourth I pointed between the two,

"Lu-luhan. Why are there two of you?"

He just seemed confused by my question,

"Two of me...?"

I nodded furiously,

"Yeah, your standing right infront of me, and there's a girl."

He thought about it,

"Two of me...a girl...you mean the mirror?"

I took in the word looking at the strange object. Moving my hand I watched in shock as the girl also moved her hand,

"What is a mirror?"

"Glass that shows your reflection."

I thought about it, and remember the time at the river, when I saw my face. Taking a closer look at the girl, I realized that the girl was me and gave a sigh of relief.

"Oh, a mirror..."

He chuckled before muttering,

"Your so strange."

I tilted my head to the side,

Why do people keep saying that?

Gesturing me to sit, I sat on a white round object and watched as he sat across from me, pushing a box open. Pulling out something, he held out his hand,

"May I have your hand?"

I warily stuck out my hand, and as he took it I grunted from the pain,

"Sorry." He said before opening a wipe,

"Now this may sting a bit."

Before I could ask what, he brought it to my hand making me growl out unintentionaly,

"Yah!"

He blinked up at me,

"Did you just growl?"

I gave a cough,

"What? I was just a bit surprised, that's all."

Trying to take back my hand, he held it,

"If you move it'll only makes it worse."

Taking a breath, I calmed myself down, letting him go back to work. After, cleaning the wound, he then began to put on this jelly like substance, topping it off with a cusion thingy and wrapping it up. While he wrapped up my hand, I couldn't help but watch the boy infront of me curiously. Being so close, I could now notice the little details that I hand't before, turning to the side I stated,

"You look like a girl." without thought.

The boy in front of me flinched and with a sigh replies,

"I get that a lot." his head seeming to shift downward. 

Noticing that he took what I thought was a compliment the wrong way, I brought up my hand moving it to his forehead. Feeling his hair inbetween my fingers I added,

"I didn't mean that in a bad way."

This time I pushed his bangs to the side, dropping my hand so that my fingers traced along his cheek, down to his chin,

"In fact,"

I thought back earlier to what all those girls were saying in the store, when looking at each other,

"I think you are very pretty."

I felt the boy infront of me began to laugh, my hand still on his chin vibrating along with his movements,

"Did I say something funny?" I asked.

I thought this was what one would call a serious moment.

Shaking his head a bit from side to side he stated,

"You don't call guys pretty."

I tilted my head to the side,

"Then what do you call them?"

He sighed,

"Handsome, manly..."

I thought about it, smiling, I once again brought my hand back to his cheek cupping it. Taking in his face, I tried to remember all the little details I could. I also breathed in his scent, the memories of that fateful day once flittering through my mind, and I thought that I couldn't, no wouldn't, loose him again.

"Well then Luhan, you are very handsome, and manly."

I watched as like Suho, his face began to turn pink, and he slowly brought his hand up, placing it over mine,

"Thanks."

All I could do was smile at the boy in front of me.

That same boy from eleven years ago.

The boy I vowed to protect.

I knew I had made the right decision by leaving the forest.