"Hyung!" Eric called, knocking on Juyeon's door. "Can you drive me to school today?"

"Aren't you old enough to drive yourself now?" Juyeon called back.

"Yeah, but I like being a passenger more than a driver..."

Juyeon opened the door, his eyes sparkling with silent laughter.

"You know your school is like, on the opposite side of town than mine, right?"

Eric sighed. "Why can't we go to the same school?"

Juyeon smiled sadly, ruffling his hair. "You know we can't afford to send both of us to that school."

"But it should be you," Eric protested, crossing his arms and starting a conversation they'd had thousands of times. They always came to the same ending, Juyeon adamant in his thoughts, and Eric confused.

"You're the eldest. And you're their real child."

"Don't say that," Juyeon scolded, as always. "What, you're their fake child? No. You're their kid too."

"But I'm adopted. Shouldn't they treat you better than me?"

"Are you wishing for those cliche evil parents right now?" Juyeon asked, laughing at him.

"No..." Eric said, pouting. "I just think you deserve better."

"You got into the school," Juyeon said gently. "Not me. Stop feeling guilty."

"But you didn't even apply," Eric whispered. "You didn't even try."

"Hush," Juyeon scolded again, leading Eric to the kitchen, where their mom was making breakfast.

"Good morning angels!" She said happily, giving each of them a hug. "Did you sleep well?"

"I'll finish making breakfast," Juyeon said, not answering their mom's question. She turned her bright eyes to Eric instead.

"I slept well," he assured her, sitting down next to her at the table. Juyeon put the scrambled eggs on plates and handed them out to the three of them.

"Your father is coming home early today..." Mom said slowly, looking down at her hands, which were resting on the table.

"Why?" Eric asked, worry coursing through him. Dad never missed work. He never left early. Unless something was wrong.

"He just has something to talk about..." she said, trailing off, shooting Juyeon a helpless look.

"Do you know what it is?" Eric asked, looking at the two of them. "What's wrong?"

His mother laid her hand over his. "Don't worry about it, sweetie. Everything is going to be okay. I promise."

But her eyes were telling him that she was worried about whether or not she'd be able to keep that promise.