"My parents are getting divorced," Taehwan blurted out. The heavy sigh in the quiet night felt good.

Yoojin patted the boy's hand on the red table of the convenience store; she knew what it was like to have tough parents. It must be hard for Taehwan. She was grateful that she had Youngbin, especially since they were the same age.

"My friends don't really get it because they all have loving families. They're all good at stuff so their parents are happy and they're happy. I know I didn't do anything wrong, and my parents are always fighting but why do they have to do this? Why aren't they satisfied?" Taehwan rambled.

"My older sister lives well off somewhere else and doesn't really care these days about what we're doing. Maybe she knew they were getting divorced," he finished.

He took a break to drink some more, his cheeks settling into a deep pink. The sky of royal blue casted shadows onto the small, red table. Yoojin wasn't sure what made her fidget more – the smell of alcohol or the humidity.

"I'm sure she still cares about you; she's probably wondering how to handle herself and you. And like you said, it wasn't your fault. You're so smart and talented in everything and they must be proud of you. Adults have their own problems and sometimes, they want to put themselves first. To do this, they also probably believe you're mature enough, which I know you are," Yoojin comforted him.

Taehwan nodded wobbly, amazed at how she was always right. He grinned at the girl opposite him, feeling better.

"Yeah, life's shit," he slurred.

The girl's eyebrows shot up. He had never sworn before.

"Okay, let's get you home. I think you've had enough," Yoojin said, getting ready to call a taxi.

"No," Taehwan shouted with a sniffle. "I want to be the guy who gets to walk you home."

Yoojin couldn't think of any other solution. "Fine. But once we get there, I'm calling you a ride home."

He accepted and got to his feet, gripping the last bottle of soju. Yoojin gently pried it out of his fingers and put it back into his bag. As they started walking, Taehwan moved sloppily. Yoojin bit her lip. She tried holding his arm to keep him steady but when he leaned too much towards her, she tried to keep her distance. His breath stank of alcohol.

The night shadows gripped her heart as they journeyed through a narrow street just one block from her house. Suddenly, Taehwan's hand brushed against her bare thigh just under her school skirt. She immediately jumped away. Her heart raced 100 kilometres an hour. The darkness. The alcohol. The small street. Yoojin thought she was fine but why did it seem like there was no air?

Taehwan came closer and as she retreated, her back hit the wall.

"What's wrong?" the boy frowned down at her. "I wasn't too close, was I? Come on, you like me too. All this time you always helped me, even when I was hurt. Don't be shy now."

Yoojin swallowed.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression but I don't like you. Please, can you give me some space?" she stuttered, trying to breathe.

"Have you been teasing me all along? At least give me a kiss," Taehwan begged.

His big hands grabbed her arms and the contact on her skin sent a cold shiver down her spine. Yoojin tried pushing him away, but he was like a brick wall. As he leaned closer, his hands crept to her collarbone and her neck. The ghost of touches trailed down to her chest and she felt sick.

Yoojin couldn't move. Her body was trapped between his and the wall. Even turning her head to the side was futile as he now had her face locked in his grip.

"Taehwan," Yoojin whispered.

His face was inches from hers. Tears pricked her eyes. Finally, her voice was working better.

"Get off me! Stop!" she demanded.

Taehwan was in his own world with his crush. She was so beautiful with her long black hair and brown eyes. Just as his lips were about to touch hers, a fist came flying by and landed on Taehwan's cheek, knocking him off the girl. It was Wooyoung. His chest was heaving, his hair was dishevelled, and the fury is his eyes was like a bull.

Yoojin's knees felt weak as she sunk to the floor, trying to find air anywhere. Turning to the intruder, Taehwan glared at him.

"Who the fuck are you to interrupt? Yoojin and I were having fun," the black-haired guy shouted.

Wooyoung simply punched him again in the face and the boy clutched his nose in pain. Pounding his face into the concrete sounded nice too.

"Wooyoung," Yoojin gasped, shaking her head.

He understood straight away and kneeled down next to the girl. Moving lightly, he put his arms around her.

"Breathe, Yoojin," Wooyoung instructed. "Look at me, I'm right here. Everything's okay."

He kept his promise; he protected her. Wooyoung slowly took big deep breaths and Yoojin followed along. Finally, she felt the ground beneath her feet and could slightly see her reflection in Wooyoung's dark eyes.

"Thank you," Yoojin whispered.

She leaned her head against his hard chest, his heart was a metronome ticking fast. His sharp scent was refreshing and safe.

"Yoojin!" Taehwan groaned. "Who the hell is this guy?"

His nose had stopped bleeding now – leaving red around the edges. He was tilted like the leaning tower of Pisa, but he was destroyed that his crush seemed to have feelings for another guy. From what he last remembered; she didn't have a boyfriend.

Yoojin stood up and Wooyoung followed, slightly shielding her from him. She stared at Taehwan.

"This is Wooyoung, a guy I have something with," she answered vaguely. "Let's just forget about tonight and get you a taxi home. You're way too drunk right now."

Wooyoung called a cab, and they waited by the main street with Taehwan. When it came shortly after, they made sure that he left safely. The twilight sky watched the couple as they walked to Yoojin's front door.

"Thank you, again," she gave a small smile.

"I'd do it any day," Wooyoung told her. "I was coming over to give something to Youngbin, but I'll just do it tomorrow."

Yoojin nodded though her mind was still foggy.

"I'm sorry. Can I hug you?" she asked.

Wooyoung nodded and she wrapped her arms around him. She sniffled, pulling in the tears.

"I didn't think that would ever happen again. I didn't think I'd have a panic attack. I just, didn't realise that I was so broken," Yoojin poured out.

"Have you seen me? I'm more broken. My mum hates that I'm boxing. I used to beat up people for money when they probably didn't even deserve it, but I never questioned it. I hung out with bullies at the clubs. Like you said, it was wrong. I'm so messed up," Wooyoung admitted.

"Maybe we can be broken together."

"No, let's keep fixing each other up together," said Wooyoung, pulling away to stare deeply into her eyes.

His sincerity caught in her throat. She nodded, unable to cover her blooming blush. Instead, she ushered him to go home before it got too late. He said goodbye and she watched him leave through the spotlights from the streetlamps. When he turned the corner, she entered her house with a smile.

When Yoojin had to next go to the academy, she was nervous. She entered as usual to find Taehwan at his favourite easel. Biting her lip, she went to her normal spot next to him. Since they got there early, they were the only ones in the room.

"Yoojin," the boy turned to her.

He vaguely remembered what happened the other night and he wanted to pull all his teeth out. Never in his whole life did he think he would make his crush so scared. It was eating him from the inside, but he thought it would be better to address it in person.

"I want to really apologise for last time," Taehwan bowed his head in shame. "I was too drunk and upset – I know that's not an excuse and I feel awful about it, so I understand if you hate me. But I promise I won't ever do it again and I won't touch you again. I really don't want to lose you as a friend."

Yoojin carefully observed the guilt in his eyes. She wanted to forgive him, but she could still feel the shivers from that night. The friendly hugs and pats they used to do, or even helping an injury, would have to wait.

"It really hurt me and brought back memories from my past. I'm sorry but it might take a while for us to go back to how we used to be," Yoojin decided.

Taehwan nodded strongly. "Take as much time as you need and come to me when you're ready. I'm always here for you."

"Thank you."

She really did appreciate him and how he was always very caring to everyone. As she set up her painting supplies, he did the same.

"Also, I hope the other guy makes you happy and I wish you both all the best," Taehwan commented.

Yoojin fluttered as she thought of Wooyoung. "Thank you. He does make me happy and we're unofficially official."

The other boy laughed. Students coming in weren't surprised to hear him and soon, the session started.

The following days, Yoojin and Wooyoung were too busy with midterms to do anything else. Right after the exams, it happened to be Wooyoung's birthday on Friday. Of course, he didn't prepare anything, but Yoojin went to his place straight after school. Knowing his style, she simply brought some popcorn, a cupcake and the small present. She even made sure Huiyeon didn't sing for him at school.

When Yoojin and Wooyoung arrived at his house, they headed to his room. It was cosy with the walls painted grey and the bed in the corner. A desk was pushed against the left wall and a single camellia rested in a vase. Draped over the back of the chair was a blue hoodie with pink and black paint splatter on the back. Yoojin smiled to herself but decided not to comment on it. Everything was neat, even his boxing gloves hanging on the handle of his wardrobe.

After dropping her bag on the floor, Yoojin gave Wooyoung his present and the food.

"Oh my god, he's so cute! When'd you get him?" Yoojin exclaimed when she saw the large teddy bear on his bed.

She gave the soft toy an enormous hug. Wooyoung paused. It was the present he bought for their first anniversary, but it never happened, and the big thing had been living on his bed ever since.

"I got it for you. It's a very belated birthday present," Wooyoung said, sitting down on the bed next to her.

"So, it's a new present, huh? Then why does he smell like you and his fur's a bit ripped here?" Yoojin showed him a small patch on the side of the bear's tummy.

Wooyoung sighed. "He was lonely so I may or may not have been cuddling him in bed."

Yoojin giggled when she imagined him snuggling up to the huge bear. Then, she thanked him for the present, already adoring the fluffy guy. It was Wooyoung's turn next as he opened up his present. The small box revealed a keyring of red boxing gloves. Embroidered on it was the letters 'WY'.

"Wow, it's beautiful. Did you do the writing?" Wooyoung asked.

The girl nodded. "It was really hard."

"Thank you."

Then he opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. It was a black and white drawing of Wooyoung mid-motion hitting a punching bag with his fist a few centimetres away from it. His eyebrows were pulled together, and his mouth was in a tight line. Life seemed to be pouring out from his big eyes in the picture.

Wooyoung gasped. "I've always loved your art, and this is just amazing. I love it – it's my favourite gift ever. You're really talented, you know?"

Yoojin blushed but felt her confidence step up a notch. She smiled widely with her chin held high.

"Thank you. It took a really long time and that's probably my second favourite drawing I've done of you," she said.

Her first favourite was for her to keep, of course.

After that, it was time for the mushy bit – the cake. They huddled closely on the bed. Wooyoung stuck a small candle on the cupcake and after making a wish, he blew it out.

"What did you wish for?" Yoojin asked. "This?"

Yes, she took that chance to copy his move from last year. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. He reacted straight away. The fire was burning from her lips to her heart. They were one with each other. When they pulled away, they were both on Cloud 9.

"I can't tell you my wish or it won't come true," Wooyoung smirked. "But that was definitely the highlight of my birthday, kissing the girl of my dreams. And if possible, I want to keep being able to kiss you."

"Is this you asking me out again?" Yoojin eagerly wondered.

Wooyoung thought for a bit, a teasing look in his eyes. "No, I think I'll save that for later. As you said, we probably shouldn't have our kind-of anniversary on another birthday. I promise I'll ask you out officially soon though. Look forward to it."

"I will."

So, they decided to start their relaxing night. Leaning with their backs against the head of the bed, they propped Wooyoung's laptop on their laps. They binge-watched a mystery Kdrama while eating the cupcake and popcorn. Throughout, Yoojin kept making silly comments and Wooyoung would crack a smile in response.

As the night dragged on, they had an amazing time but sadly, Yoojin had to leave. She went home giddy even though it wasn't her special day. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Cuteeee, am I right? I need myself a boyfriend. Cries.