-

In another new school, Jaehyun was still the kid who kept himself away from the other people. He's still the kid who looked really empty and seemed to be done with life but he thought it felt nice to be somewhere far from his old school. But just when he thought he could have some peace, he was wrong.

The kids' parents were a bit too nosy.

"That kid's mother is in prison I heard," one parent said, pointing at Jaehyun who was currently lined up on the playground with his classmates and teacher.

Jaehyun's aunt heard while seated on a bench near them. She looked at them and her eyes went to the boy they were pointing at. Just hearing them talking about his sister and nephew made her blood boil. She thought they didn't even spare some respect.

"Really? What for?" another asked.

"Must be something crazy," one answered.

"She almost killed someone."

"Really?! Do you think her kid would do something bad to our children?"

"Oh, you didn't have to say that! You're making me nervous."

"That kid looks really suspicious."

"You think he's crazy too?"

Out of anger, the little boy's aunt stood from her seat with her hands turning into fists. The parents who have been talking about Jaehyun and his mother looked at her, surprised and scared at the sudden reaction. The aunt was so pissed and thought they could have given some respect.

"You don't know what they've been through and I want all of you to get them out of your filthy mouths!"

She shouted angrily. People around them were looking and a dense atmosphere surrounding them but she didn't care. Although they just got here for a few days, Jaehyun's aunt was ready to put his nephew in a new school, a better one. She just wants Jaehyun to be in a place he can learn properly.

Jaehyun was looking at his aunt, not knowing why she was furious but his teacher went and asked if everything is okay. He wanted to go and ask his aunt but it was best for him to stay back for a while. His aunt looked like she was ready to fight but he has no idea why. He hasn't even seen her this mad.

"Jaehyun, come here. We'll be leaving," she called sternly.

All the boy could do was to grab his backpack that was on top of a table nearby and walked towards his aunt. Both of them out of the school premises and went to the car. His aunt opened the door to the backseat and lets Jaehyun to get in. Then someone called his aunt which made the lady to groan and shuts the door, not wanting to let Jaehyun hear her and his teacher talk.

Jaehyun watched how his aunt couldn't calm down. It must be a really big deal for her.

It took them some few minutes before his aunt just walked away and stepped into the driver's seat. She started up the vehicle and drove away. Jaehyun intently observed the older.

"Jaehyun, tomorrow, I'll be transferring you to a new school, okay?"

The boy furrowed his eyebrows, "Why?"

"Just...I just don't want you there. Also, the school isn't that great anyway. It's better if I'll put you in a better environment."

Right, that was her excuse. Jaehyun doesn't need to hear what she heard from others. It was better this way, in her opinion. It was her way of protecting Jaehyun.

All she wanted was for Jaehyun to live normally.

-

School day and Jaehyun felt really sluggish. It was the same old day. Yesterday was a free day. All he did was to work on his homeworks but had his breakdown. It happens occasionally because of some flashbacks. He was able to carry himself but he would've asked for some help from his aunt if she was there.

Jaehyun feels so bad, almost sick, because of how he feels like he's tired when the day is just beginning. It felt like he's just breathing because he, apparently, needs to. He gets no motivation, or inspiration. He just lives because he needs to, not because he wants to.

He was currently walking down the busy street towards the university he's been attending to, the familiar street, specifically. He's the kind of person who only walks on familiar places. He gets scared when he's in a different place other than his house and the university, except he's with someone he's comfortable with.

Arriving at the school, Jaehyun hid himself under his hoodie. His hands inside his pockets and all he's thinking is to finish this day.

He was just about to go straight into his department and classroom, but he put himself on hold. He stopped when some boy greeted him.

"Good morning, Jaehyun!"

Tae...yong...?

A boy just a tad shorter than him appeared infront of him. Pretty crescent eyes were looking at him and the boy was a little fluffball, a ball of sunshine. Especially, his sweet smile was, impossibly, lightening up Jaehyun's upset, down and gloomy feelings.

He was absolutely the opposite of me.

"You didn't answer my calls yesterday," Taeyong said, "I wanted to check on you."

Oh, that was him.

Because of how Jaehyun was in a straight face, Taeyong got flustered if he said that in a good way, "B-But I'm not pushing you to answer them anyway...but I do want to know if you're good."

Jaehyun looked away, "I was busy."

"Right, I understand that," the boy said, chuckling, "I should have thought about that...Uhm, you have classes, right? I'll walk with you just when we reach the building."

Taeyong likes being with Jaehyun, for some reason. Although they barely know each other, Jaehyun doesn't like him and could find him annoying, he still wants to be there for him. He should maybe be atleast considerate with Jaehyun's feelings. Asking should be his habit.

Jaehyun nodded at what the boy has said before both of them walked side-by-side towards the building ahead.

"You'll be visiting my mother's office every Thursdays, right?" Taeyong asked.

The guy nodded slowly.

"I can pick you up and drive you there," the boy excitingly said, "And you can say no..."

Jaehyun wasn't much of a fan when Taeyong makes him feel like everything is alright. Either he's anxious, upset or angry, everything seems to be valid to him when people think that Jaehyun's condition isn't a big deal and he just made it all up. The man was probably overreacting, they thought.

And some still asks him why he hates people?

They straight up judged and downgraded him when they don't know Jaehyun. They weren't the ones who felt the trauma. They don't know what it felt like to be unloved and be blamed for someone's ruined life. His well-being dropped, rock bottom, and he was so sure that he wouldn't be able to recover.

"Jaehyun? Earth-to-Jaehyun..."

Looking straight into Taeyong's eyes, Jaehyun wasn't so sure anymore.

"I'm sorry..." Jaehyun apologized.

Taeyong shrugged, "You were spacing out. Any problems?"

The man wanted someone to listen to his burdens. He wants someone who can understand and won't judge him. Someone who doesn't think he's weak and can comfort him. Was it bad to wish something like this?

Jaehyun ended up shaking his head no, "I'm going to be fine."

"Jaehyun, I'm always here, just so you know...I'll get going. I'll meet you later," the boy uttered before he goes and left Jaehyun.

Taeyong will probably pretend that he doesn't know how to drive.