98'00

penalty

"Holy shit you have a phone? How??" I ask.

"None of your business." Sunwoo mumbles.

"It kinda is since you're jeopardizing the entire team's legality of being here!" I say.

"That's why I didn't want you to take it out!"

"Ugh, god can you just tell me so we can get rid of it??" I argue.

"We're not getting rid of anything," Sunwoo says. "I'll get rid of you if you tell anyone."

"But how did you even get that in??" I ask.

"I forgot it was in my pocket and they still let me enter the sim." He shrugs.

"And you're 8th faction how do you even have a phone? I don't and I'm in 7th."

"I stole it obviously. And shut it with the questions, so annoying." Sunwoo rolls his eyes.

"Oh my god I'm sick of you," I throw the medical tape at him and his jacket.

Sunwoo falls dramatically as the jacket covers his face. I stand up and I start walking towards Changmin at the opening of the cave.

"Wait, sorry I know you're just trying to help," Sunwoo stands up and jogs after me. I stop walking and I feel him throw his jacket back over my shoulders.

"You're so annoying." I say.

I shake my head as we sit next to Changmin.

"Oh no why are you bleeding??" Changmin asks Sunwoo.

"Cut myself on accident." Sunwoo says.

"You need help wrapping it?" Changmin asks.

"No I got it," he says and unrolls the tape.

"Okay, just checking."

"So Changmin," Sunwoo says.

"Yeah?"

"What was your relationship like?"

"Oh god," Changmin groans and I slightly smile. This should be good.

"I mean how did you guys meet? How do you find love in a world of war?" He asks.

"Did you make that up on your own?" I ask, slightly impressed.

"No i heard it in a movie."

"Figures." I laugh. Sunwoo's gaze seems to linger, as if he's surprised that I smiled at him.
Which should be a surprise because he shouldn't get used to it.

"We met during school." Changmin says.

"Damn you guys have school?" I ask.

"Obviously. He's in the 5th faction." Sunwoo says.

"You guys don't have school?" Changmin raises his eyebrows.

"Well for my faction we have maybe three teachers who are only certified to teach young kids to read and stuff." I explain.

"We just have books." Sunwoo says.

"That explains a lot," I say.

"Like my amazing resourcefulness and independence? Yeah I agree." Sunwoo says to which I roll my eyes.

"It's so interesting actually to come here and learn about what society is like beyond each of our faction walls," Changmin says.

"Don't change the subject with that theoretical shit. So how far have you gone?" Sunwoo asks.

"What?" Changmin raises an eyebrow.

"You know, obviously first base. Second base? Third??" Sunwoo grins.

"What?" Changmin asks again.

"Ugh you're really gonna make me explain? Okay first base is like kissing holding hands. Second is making out, third-"

"How are you this shameless???" I interrupt him. "I'm scarred for life!"

"Please, you're just salty you've never even been to first base." Sunwoo smiles innocently.

"How would you know I haven't?" I frown at him.

"Oh I can just tell."

"Well you're wrong." I lie.

"Mhm. Well if you want, I can be your first base, or second." Sunwoo smirks at me and runs a hand through his damp hair.

"No. I'd rather die, honestly." I push him away.

"Look I don't even know if I'm allowed to talk as if we're still dating." Changmin says. "I really don't know."

"What did she say when you left?" I ask.

"Something along the lines of 'you never listen to me and don't expect me to be here waiting for you when you get back'" Changmin says.

"Woah who said that?" Kevin walks up with Eric behind him.

"My girlfriend before I left." Changmin sighs. "Soren be honest, I feel like there's still a chance she still likes me right? I mean I don't understand girl code but there's a chance right?"

I bite my lip and Kevin and I share a glance. This girl sounds like she's done and forgotten about poor Changmin.

"Yeah....." I say. "For sure."

"Okay, good. We just have to win this and prove them all." Changmin says.

We decide to retire to bed and Sunwoo and I get stuck with night shift together again. I groan because I've talked to him way more than I would've liked to today.

I'm exhausted though, so we barely talk at all. We just watch the night sky grow more dark and the simulated stars shine brightly.

It's weird, how real it all feels. At a certain point you forget that you're just in a game. That the pain you feel is fake. But one thing that they can't take away are the connections you make with your teammates.

I feel my eyelids grow heavier and I decide to close them for just a bit. But of course I end up falling asleep completely.