The two beaten boys made their way back to Haeun. She looked much calmer now that Taeyong and Yuta were cleaned up and not at each other's throats.

"Firstly, I'm sure this isn't a punishment for you, but I would like one of you to switch rooms," she told the boys. "I know you both share a room with Sicheng, and I don't want anything you do to disturb his sleep and rest. I'm afraid that having both of you in the same room might set something off again. I get that sometimes people don't click. Though, I would really like you both to make an effort to sort this out."

"I'm not switching," Yuta spoke up.

"I'm not going to switch," Taeyong gave him a weird look.

"So you'll settle your differences and get along?" Haeun crossed her arms while waiting for an answer.

The two boys glanced at each other, but didn't say anything.

"I'll need you both to apologize to each other as well."

Yuta grimaced while Taeyong scrunched his nose. They were both extremely stubborn with one another.

"I know how you both are," Haeun let out a short chuckle, "neither of you want to admit that you were at fault. I get it. I want you both to apologize at some point. Just please, no more attacking physically or emotionally. I won't make you switch rooms if you do not want to. Plus, your punishment. You're both on duty for trash, sweeping the deck and front porch, and cleaning the windows for this whole program under supervision. Windows, you will only need to do once but the others are daily. You will not receive a day off in the rotation since you will need to do these the whole time you stay here. Understand?"

Taeyong gave a short nod and Yuta bit the inside of his cheek before flashing a tight smile.

"Thank you, boys." Haeun walked away and the two boys soon split away from each other.

———

Shin-Hye sat in the study, staring out of the big window. The sky was shifting to a light orange and pink as the sun started to sink in the horizon. Her mind jumped back and forth. Mostly about her brother, Seungwoo, who she really appreciated. She also thought about her parents and how they were doing on their own. Ever since she split from them, Shin-Hye hadn't had much contact with them and neither has her brother.

Her mind traveled deep until she was completely lost; swept up in her own head. Shin-Hye often thought a lot. She didn't realize how much she did and how unhealthy it could be. Especially if they went too far.

Wandering on the trail of her mind, she wasn't aware of the couch she sat on move underneath her as Johnny sat in the empty spot. She was only snapped back to reality when Johnny spoke.

"Hey, Shin-Hye," he started.

Shin-Hye almost flinched from surprise. She turned to see Johnny leaned back against the couch with an almost empty glass of water. "Hey, Johnny. What's up?"

"I was just walking around after getting some water to wash down my medicine. I saw you sitting in here alone and thought I could stop in to say hi."

Shin-Hye let out a short laugh, looking down at the soft, tan rug on the floor. There was a short pause before she started speaking. "Do you mind if I ask you about your medication?"

Johnny quickly shook his head in response. "No, it doesn't bother me." He gulped down the last of the water and sat the cup on the coffee table in front of them. "It's just a pill that I take for my anxiety. It helps ease my stress levels and reduce my chances of an anxiety attack."

"How often do you get anxiety attacks?" Shin-Hye softened her voice and tilted her head as a sign of sympathy.

"It's all very random. On good days, I have none. On bad days, I could have several panic attacks. They usually last about twenty to thirty minutes. It also depends on how much stress I have. With my medication, it reduces everything."

Shin-Hye nodded as she listened to him. "Can you ever stop one from happening, or pull yourself out of one?"

Johnny bit the inside of his cheek. "It's hard, but there are ways people can overcome their panic attacks when they happen. Personally, I haven't been able to pull myself out of one. My parents were always there to soothe me if I happened to get one, even though I took my pill." Johnny's eyes turned to the window and watched the world outside. The view showed an open yard outside the house that was surrounded by trees. It was a decently sized property with a beautiful presence. "Anyway, what was on your mind when I came in here? You seemed lost in thought."

Shin-Hye joined him in staring out the window. "Nothing in particular, really. Pretty much everything was on my mind. I think a lot."

"Anything bothering you?"

Shin-Hye let out a short laugh. "When is something not?" she muttered under her breath.

Johnny looked back to Shin-Hye. "Try not to let things get to you. Trust me, I know it's hard, but it's better to stay on the brighter side." Johnny took his glass and got up from the couch to leave the room. "I'll see you around, Shin-Hye."

———

Taeil and Doyoung were the last ones to do their chore of the day. They waited until the end when everyone was done dirtying the dishes so they could clean them all. Doyoung would scrub and rinse while Taeil dried and put them away.

"I'm glad we were paired," Taeil started with a friendly smile.

"Yeah?" Doyoung let out a short laugh. "Why's that?"

"We haven't really talked yet and I've been wanting to get to know you more." Taeil walked back to Doyoung's side, ready to dry the next item.

Doyoung felt a spark of happiness fill his chest. He's never really had anyone say that they were happy to talk to him. Only memories of being outcasted. Doyoung wondered if Taeil knew more about him, if he would still be as friendly.

"You know, I'm actually really happy to be here," Taeil admitted. Doyoung looked up from the pot he was scrubbing to briefly make eye contact with Taeil. "I feel like we all connect in one way or another. Even Taeyong and Yuta. The both of them are just broken people hiding themselves with a bad guy personality." Taeil exhaled sharply and leaned against the counter. "Plus, the counselors are so nice and supportive."

"You seem to have a pretty positive outlook." Doyoung laughed softly.

"I've been told that I look at everything positively, except for my condition." Taeil drew in another large breath and slowly let it out, still supporting himself against the counter.

Doyoung finished rinsing the pot and placed it on the counter. Taeil took the pot and started to dry it off. He stood up straight and started to walk to the drawer that it belonged in. As he continued, Taeil began to slow down while having a subtle limp. He bit his lip as his leg gave a shooting pain. Doyoung glanced to Taeil and did a double-take when he realized his limping and slow walk.

"Are you okay?" Doyoung asked, leaving the current plate sitting in the sink and the faucet running. He stood next to Taeil with a gentle hand resting on his shoulder.

Taeil was breathing heavily and used one hand to hold the pot while the other rubbed his leg. "I'm just experiencing a lot pain right now," he managed to say.

Doyoung took the pot form Taeil, quickly putting it away and returning. He wrapped his arm around Taeil to support him as Doyoung directed him to a chair in the dining room. "You should sit down for a little bit."

Taeil didn't fight it. He let Doyoung help while limping along. Taeil plopped onto the seat, looking relieved. "Thanks, Doyoung."

"Of course. Is there anything else I can do? Do you need water? A pillow?" Doyoung's expression showed genuine concern.

Taeil's smile returned as he regained his breath. "I'm fine, Doyoung."