After the break, they all went back to school. Except…

“Hey, Tiff. Have you seen Yul?” Jong asked.

“No, why do you ask?”

“Nothing… It’s just… I haven’t seen her all day. Do you happen to know where she is?”

“She might be sick. If that’s the case, then she’s at her apartment.”

“Oh, thanks Tiff. You’re the best.”

Looking for Yul? Sigh… Why are you always looking for her? No, Tiffany. Stop. You like Siwon. Not Jonghyun, okay? Aish! I have to sort my feelings out.

After school, Jong went to Yul’s apartment to find her but to no avail.

Where could she be? Then, as if on cue, his mind lit up. The bakery, of course!

Jong rushed there and surely, he found Yul.

“Yuri!”

“O-oppa?” Yul looked surprised.

“Yul! I’ve been looking for you the whole day! What are you doing here? Why didn’t you go to school?”

“I’m working, oppa.”

“But, you could’ve just come here after school.”

“Oppa, let’s just talk later, okay? Customers are waiting.”

“Oh, sorry. I’ll help.”

After the bakery closed…

“Talk, Kwon.”

“I was working here the whole day.”

“Why?”

“I… needed money.” Yul said uneasily.

“Don’t you earn enough? Yul, you can’t skip school be-”

“Oppa, you don’t understand!” Yul sounded frustrated.

“Yul…”

“I don’t have money to pay for my tuition. I don’t have money to pay for my rent fees. I don’t have time to go to school anymore! Heck, they won’t even allow me there because I got no money! I don’t even have a place to stay anymore!!” Yul yelled.

“Yul… I-I’m sorry…”

Realization hit Yul on what she’s done. “No, oppa… I’m sorry.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why should I? You’re not my boyfriend.”

Why did that sting? Tsk… Never mind.  “Even so. I am your friend.”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Yul, what are friends for?”

“Being there when you need them?”

“Exactly. Now, I am here for you whenever you need me. Understand?”

Yul nodded.