The next morning, we had been up bright and early aside from the sleep over last night keeping us up. We had made a simple breakfast; cereal and poptarts for Sehun and my personal smoothie made from frozen fruits and toast for me. “Ready to go?” I asked prepared and ready to go. It was a bummer slightly because I wasn’t actually going to be staying for school. I waited by the door, handling the keys. I stared at them in thought. I had to make sure to get a spare made before the end of the day. Sehun strolled down the stairs with the University’s uniform. We wore them on special occasions, but as for new students/transfers, they needed to wear them for the first month. It was sort of embarrassing but it let people know; the teachers more importantly. They were looked out by properly.

“I prefer jeans and a t-shirt, but this will do.” He said shrugging off the fact his regular attire at his old college was more to his comfort zone. I smirked, “Don’t worry about it. It only lasts for a month, you know that.” I unconsciously fixed a strand of his hair and he just puffed his cheeks smugly. “Sorry,” I laughed a bit and looked up at him with a smile. Him being  good looking as always, I was scared the girls at the school would him. I mean they would look like es by his side. The guy was a plush toy with blunt features that could turn you off if he used it at the right time, which I was counting on happening 24/7. “No worries, let’s go. I want a detour before this ceremony thing starts.” He rushed us out the apartment and I locked the door behind myself. “It’s a welcome gathering. Since it’s the new year of transfers and new students attending, they’re giving you all a welcoming; more or so a chance to get to know the school and its spirit.” I explained as we walked down the halls. Sehun sighed as he nodded. I rolled my eyes knowingly he had no interest in being a part of it but he had no choice. He would be seated in the group of “new comers” up on the stage, introduced and they would announced them publically to their classes. Our school really had no shame on putting every student on blast academically and I wondered where Sehun was.

After we got in the car, I started the engine patiently. “I don’t want to be so rash about this subject, Huan..” Sehun spoke once I drove onto the main road. I furrowed my brows, figuring out a way to maneuver from the driver in front of me that insisted on going 35MPH on a 40MPH speed limit. “What’s that?” I asked, not offended but I still frowned. I could sense Sehun become angered because he shifted slightly in his seat. “I talked to Aunt on the phone earlier yesterday about you being . I didn’t understand why you didn’t go back to school. She said you were fully healed by the time you got back.” I noticed he was regretting asking me as I looked over to him, a little too long because I felt the wheel turn too much. My focus went blank but I still remained aware of the road as I regained sanity. This is why he was my closest cousin; like a brother. He couldn’t help but find out why I was damaged, not just physically. It was understandable, although I’d never had to explain it before. “That’s just what I wanted, Sehun.” I said. “I was frightened; unwilling to put myself out there because I literally would cringe, jump or flee from anything that touched me or spoke to me. I was scared because as I was being , I knew I could’ve had a chance of just being tainted and thrown aside by some sly Casanova. But my pride or even just being myself caused his own pride to weaken mine and it backfired on me.” Hearing heavy breathing I sighed, “What I’m saying is that I questioned my character and wondered if that’s what made me face my death bed. It was a slight depression I’m guessing but I didn’t see some shrink or anything, I honestly just wanted to isolate my safety for just a little while..” I said making myself laugh it off a bit. Did it sound crazy? Maybe it did, but in some way, I figured it worked because I had slowly regained my pride in the process.

“So, yeah. I didn’t feel comfortable going to school where people depended on me being ME. I didn’t want the pressure and I sure as hell wasn’t going to push myself when I knew I couldn’t even speak to my best friend, who accepts everything about me.” I stared over at him once more and he blinked madly. “I see. I’m sorry you had to fight such things. You didn’t deserve it. I just wish I could’ve had a piece of him.” Sehun said with hatred. I couldn’t help but laugh. “You want to sign a petition, because I swear you’re not the first person to say that.” I reached my hand over for his. “Everything is fine now. I’ll be coming back next semester.” I assured. Sehun smiled just enough for him to lose the blunt expression he carried. “Saranghae, Huan.” I smiled in response. “Saranghae, Sehun.”

“Here we are.” I announced as we pulled up in the parking lot. Groups of students were outside either chatting with their friends near their cars or walking inside the school’s entrance. Sehun stared through the window with wide eyes. “It looks cooler up close.” He admired. I chuckled. “Wait till you see inside.” I agreed. We unbuckled our seat belts and he took hold of his bag as I took my purse. We got out together and I inhaled slowly.