One Day At A Time [ATEEZ]

Seven

2014, May

Ever since I first asked her about her birthday, I've been trying to think of what to give her as a gift. But that day has come and I still haven't thought of anything.

I let out a breath as I glance at Yena who's silently walking beside me. It's been months since we became friends but I still don't know what she likes. I just know that she loves chocolate milk and chocolate bread... Should I buy her a small chocolate cake? Or a box of chocolate cupcakes?

"Ugh... my whole body hurts..."

"Hmm?" I look at Yena who's massaging her neck.

"These after school classes are too much for me..." she lets out a really deep sigh, "and I don't even feel like I'm learning anything."

"If the classes are that hard for you, then stop attending them."

"As if it's that easy," she scoffs, looking down. "I've had this conversation with my dad so many times and they always end up with my dad yelling at me and me locking myself in my room and crying for hours."

"Oh..." I look down and keep quiet as I don't now what to say.

"He keeps insisting that attending these classes are the best for me and that I'll only be successful if I study my head off."

"Your dad seems strict..."

"Well, I guess he's doing that because he wants the best for me."

I look at her and see that she has a sad smile on her face. I let out a sigh and look ahead as we walk the rest of the way in silence.

As we're one block away from reaching home, I spot a scene that makes my heart stop beating for a second and my breath to get stuck in my throat. I immediately look at Yena and see that she's still looking down. I can't let her see that... It'll only break her heart...

"Uh, Yena?"

"Yes?" she looks up at me.

"Uh... um..." I bite my lip, trying to think of things to say to keep her from looking at the scene only a few feet away.

"What is it?"

I grab her arm and stop her from approaching it, "it's... you see..."

She looks at my hand and then at my eyes, "come on, tell me... What is it?"

I look down and curse at myself. I'm so bad at these things... Why can't I just think of a lie?

"Choi San."

I look up and see that she's staring right in my eyes. It's been a while since she's said my full name. I get shivers when she says my name again.

"Choi San, tell me what is it that's making you act like this."

I sigh and begin to explain the situation to her, "Nero... it's about Nero..."

"Nero?" she tries to look around but I stop her by grabbing her other arm.

"No! You can't look at her... not now..."

"Why?" she begins to frown. "Why can't I look at Nero?"

"Because... Because I don't want you..."

"Choi San..." as if she has caught on, she stops frowning and tears begin to gather in her eyes, "is she... is she hurt?"

As I nod, her tears fall and she tries to look around again.

"Where is she? Maybe we can take her to the vet and they can treat her."

"No, Yena," I make her look at me, "It's... I don't think we can do anything... it's too late..."