“She’s gone?” Hyukjae’s face was in shock, sweat running on his forehead.

“I’m sorry man.” I shuffled my feet, uncomfortable near the break-dancing club. I had consulted with some classmates for the time and location. Beats echoed from the room, where laughter and squeaks reigned.

“Man, I…” Hyukjae shook his head. “It only seems like yesterday when I saw her laughing with me.”

“I know. I feel your pain.” I put my hands in my pockets. “Right before she died, she told me to tell you she still loved you, just as a brother.”

He grinned. “Oppa. When we were friends, I had her call me that if she needed me.”

I nodded with understanding. Oppa, older brother. “She also said that events just happened the way they happened, that it wasn’t your fault.”

I fell silent, waiting for a reaction from Hyukjae. He stared at the floor, then smiled. “Thanks for telling me, Jongwoon.” He clapped my back. “Well, I owe you now. Whenever you need help, just find me, okay? See ya later bro.” He headed back inside the practice room, waving to me.

Before this, I would have thought him insensitive, how easily he went back to reality. But now, I understood. Hyukjae hadn’t treaded the issue of Karen being dead lightly. Instead, he went for a distraction before he could break down. Death is a cruel condition.

*

Did I mention I love distracting myself? XD Ahh I’m so bad… Anyway, as you can tell I'm doing a massive uploading, since I finished writing the fanfic. Some of it I have been writing over Thanksgiving break, so I'll tell you when they come around so you can understand my author notes XD