Sentience

23

Maybe Belle had realized, and maybe she did not, but Changmin had put his effort into making the incident in the pool three days ago unnoticed.

During these three days, he saw Belle had fallen into a slump. How could he not anyway when the girl that used to be bright around him suddenly became quiet? Changmin had made sure that he would be standing outside her class after every dismissal, even if he did not have classes around that time.

Not that he was worried about any consequence after seeing her break down. It was just because he existed to prevent her from falling into that state.

"Are you sure you don't want me to follow you?" Changmin questioned as they trailed the gravel sidewalk towards the main gate together; Chanhee was walking behind them, slightly far.

"I'm fine," she flashed a small smile. "You have a plan with Chanhee, don't you?"

It was right. The two boys had a plan to go out together after class; Chanhee wanted to go to the playground Changmin had always gone to see Mother. Chanhee wanted to take some pictures for the photography project there. However, glancing over his shoulder to see his best friend, Changmin was sure that the latter wouldn't be complaining if he cancelled the plan. Because it was related to the girl.

"Belle!" It was then that a loud voice was heard from a distance, the two whipped their heads forward just to find Jinwoo running towards them with open arms. He crashed into his sister, hugging her leg tight.

Changmin couldn't help but study the emotion on the siblings' faces. While Jinwoo was happy that he finally reunited with his sister, Belle looked bitter about it. She must have not been okay yet since the birthday party.

The male knew he needed to step in, for Belle to be at ease. So, he crouched down, matching his eyes with Jinwoo as he flashed his dimple smile.

"You're lucky that I have a gift for you!" He beamed, making Jinwoo let go of Belle's leg. He then rummaged into his bag, pulling out some candies for the toddler. "This is your favourite, right?"

Jinwoo vigorously nodded. He was so engrossed in the gift he received that he couldn't notice that Belle had started moving towards the car driven by their mother at the curb. But, Changmin did. So, he took the role of Jinwoo's brother for a while, holding his hand and dragging him to the car as well.

"Hey, boy..." Changmin slightly shook Jinwoo's hand, making the toddler look up. "Can you promise me one thing as the payment for the candies?"

"Yes, I can!"

"Good, then!" Changmin paused, pretending to think as he looked up to the sky making the boy anticipate. Then, he locked his eyes again with Jinwoo and continued, "Promise me you have to be a good boy and do not disturb Belle for the next few days. Can you do that?"

The request might have sounded too hard for Jinwoo to carry out. He pouted and his eyes were all misty.

"Why?" He sadly questioned.

Changmin breathed in, pulling the boy closer to him. "Belle is not feeling well. So, you have to let her rest. Later, when she has recovered, then, you can play with her again."

Their gap with Belle ahead was approximately 5 feet; not that far. She might have heard the small conversation the boys had and that was what Changmin intended to. And though, she pretended like she never cared, Changmin could see from her back that she felt at ease.

Closing the door after Belle climbed in the car and bidding her mother goodbye had been the boy's routine. And the what-to-do list would complete only after the glimpse of the car finally disappeared from his view. Although he felt so heavy to let her go without seeing her smile, but, at least he had completed the basic thing he needed to do for her.

"What you're going to do with your photography project?" It was then that Chanhee questioned as soon as he parked himself next to Changmin, watching the car speed off in the driveway. "Looking at it, I think Belle will need more time to heal."

"I'll find some ways," Changmin breathed out before he nudged his friend. "Let's go. We can't miss the sunset at the playground."

Chanhee then blew air out, aiming it at the fringe that covered his forehead. Watching Changmin leisurely lead the way while leaving him behind with a lot of questions felt so wrong. So much wrong.

"Ji Changmin!" His yell made the said boy halt, brows furrowed as he glanced back at the pretty boy. "What exactly happened to Belle? Why are you not telling me anything?"

"Because it has nothing to do with you."

"Huh!" Chanhee scoffed, stomping his feet towards his friend in the process. "Belle is still my friend. Can't I know anything? Or... did you plan to keep her only to yourself? Then, you should admit it first. That you and her are dating!"

"Why are you so angry right now?" Changmin's eyes widened; he truly did not understand why his friend was too worked up. It was so abnormal of Chanhee.

"I am not!" The pretty boy stomped his foot on the ground.

Chanhee did not plan to be nosy or stick his nose on someone's problem. But, it was frustrating to see Changmin stressing out alone. He knew whatever feelings the long-neck boy was having were related to Belle's sudden personality change, which Chanhee felt useless for not being able to help along. He might have looked sassy sometimes, but, he cared about all his friends.

On the other hand, Changmin gritted his teeth as he spun on his heels again to resume walking. He was disturbed as well at the untold feelings that had engulfed him three days ago.

"Changmin!"

"Belle almost died!" Changmin gave in as he yelled, his hands balled in fists at the frustration welled up inside him.

"What?" At the moment Chanhee frowned, Changmin turned back to see him; his eyes were misty.

The long-neck boy took a step forward to his friend, sternly remarking. "She almost died in front of me, Chanhee. She almost drowned."

And another step, "If I was late, even for another one second, we might have lost her."

At the next step, Changmin felt so sore inside as he recalled his sister reminding him not to get into Belle's family problem. "None of us... could do anything to help her get out of her problem..."

Silence fell upon the two, only the sound of the wind could be heard. Chanhee then let out a sigh as he studied Changmin's body language. Honestly, Changmin could get over it easily, he could've recovered from the shock after seeing Belle drown easily. Yet, he chose not to. He chose to stay behind at that time.

"You saved her, didn't you?" Chanhee asked, closing the gap between them. "She's breathing today because of you. Right?"

Changmin shrugged, holding back his tears. "Think so."

"Then, you've carried out your part," the other boy assured as he placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"But, she's still sad..." Changmin sighed to the ground. "You see it yourself. She becomes..."

"That doesn't matter," Chanhee cut him. "Sadness is only a phase. Belle wants to be in the sadness then, let her be. Sooner or later, she will be over with it."

"But..."

"Ji Changmin," Chanhee cut him "You might have expected too much because you tend to push yourself over the limit. You're too expecting that you can help one overcome sadness easily. A human is not a robot, bro. Pain will heal with time."

"Belle is fragile, Chanhee."

"Yes, she is. We all know that. But, you have to remember that pain is actually to build one become stronger."