The 1 Rule - haobin

i'm here

As rain pours outside, Hao puts a raincoat over himself that he borrowed from my closet

"What am I even supposed to say to Cho when I get back?" Hao asks, putting the hoodie on, hiding his face

"Have you never lied before?" I ask

"Of course I have"

"Okay, then you'll know once she asks you. Never plan out your lie beforehand" I say, picking up his bag to give it to him, and Hao nods

"Right. Hey, could you keep my bag for the night? It'll get wet if I go outside with it" Hao asks. I nod, putting his bag back on the ground

"Sure. Are you sure you don't want to stay over?" I ask. Hao shakes his head and smiles lightly

"No, don't worry about it. I'll be fine as long as my phone doesn't get wet" he says and I laugh. Hao opens the door and waves to me lightly, before turning away and walking into the cold rain. I watch him round the corner to walk to his house, and close the door carefully

"He's gone?" I hear Jude ask, and I jump up after seeing her right behind me

"No, Jude, he just went out to inspect the rain" I say, rolling my eyes. Jude nods

"Can you make me some food?" she asks. I look at her and sigh. As I'm about to say no, I remember what Hao told me a few hours ago. Maybe it's time that I actually take care of my sister. She's still a human being, and a vulnerable one if I may add

"Sure. What do you want me to make?"

"Wait, really?" Jude asks, surprised

"I won't do it if you don't tell me what you want to eat"

"Sorry. Just some soup is fine. My throat sorta hurts" Jude says, patting at the front of her neck. I nod and head to the kitchen

"I'll call you when the food is ready"

---

"Thanks" Jude mumbles as she takes the soup from my hands, placing it on the dinner table and sitting down. I feel surprised to see how she puts her phone away, looking up at me

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asks

"I'm good. I ate many snacks before this" I reply. I can't help but see how Jude looks disappointed while nodding, so I take a seat

"I'll accompany you" I say. Jude nods, but doesn't smile. I know she's happy, but just doesn't show it.

"How's school? Are your grades okay?" I ask, not knowing how to start a conversation

"They're fine," She says, her mouth stuffed with food. I nod. Should I ask her about them? It is my job as an older brother..

"How about the... uh- the bullies?" I ask. Jude looks up, face suggesting frustration and agitation

"They couldn't be more annoying," Jude says, rolling her eyes halfway. I laugh

"You're not supposed to be joking about bullies. Why did you get yourself in that situation anyway?"

"I dunno. I felt bad for Yujin. He seemed so helpless, and because I know that I could put up with it longer than him, I just decided to step in their way" she says. I look at her, thinking deeply. How is it that such a rude girl can be so kind to people she doesn't even talk to

"Are you Yujin's friend?"

"No. I tried to talk to him a few times, but he avoids me. I guess he feels guilty" Jude says, shrugging. I nod. We stay in devouring silence for a while, until I feel a certain pang of guilt