In Between Time | Seongjoong

08

Seonghwa's device was now in Hongjoong's hands. The vibrant red head was brimming with hope and excitement. Once he reached his house he quickly made his way into his room. He squinted as he tried to read the faded handwriting. Hongjoong spent hours into the early morning in an attempt to figure out how the two devices functioned together.

"Hongjoong, sweetie, it's time for..." His mother walked in the same tired look on her face. Hongjoong had been so concentrated he hadn't even noticed her presence.

"Hongjoong have you been up all night?" She moved closer to him but kept her distance. Hongjoong turned around dark circles under his eyes.

"Yeah I've been working on something...for us," He spoke his voice hoarse from not being used since he came in the door yesterday.

"Mom, I promise I will fix this." He stood to grasp her hand into his.

"Sweetie...please just get ready for school." His mother's hand cupped his cheek before she turned to leave. A tear slipping from her eye as she watched her son fall apart once again.

Hongjoong had to take the second bus for once which he hated. This is when the bus would be extremely crowded with kids from his school and there'd be lots of noise. A handful of teens waited on the benches and Hongjoong had nowhere to sit, he was dead tired but did not regret his choice to stay up. A herd of kids came down the sidewalk just as the bus was pulling up. It filled quickly as the people filed on and Hongjoong was left to stand again.

Hongjoong shook his head as he held on to the bar above him. The rocking of the bus and the way he swayed made him feel sleepy. A passenger pulled the line alerting they need to get off. The bus came to halt jerking Hongjoong's body into the person next to him.

"Sorry," he tiredly bowed.

"Hongjoong?" Seonghwa peered around to see his face.

"Seonghwa!" Hongjoong stared at the familiar uniform the same one he was wearing.

"I thought I saw you at the bus stop but i've never seen you at out school so I wasn't sure,"

"You look absolutely terrible." Seonghwa added taking in Hongjoong's appearance.

"Gee thanks...I stayed up all night updating the notebook and you know." Hongjoong sighed laying his head against his arm.

"I see, if you need any help at all you have my number don't be afraid to give me a call." He smiled.

Hongjoong hummed in response closing his eyes continuing the ride in silence. Finally the bus stopped and Hongjoong realized he had actually fallen asleep. In a panic he raised his head to be met with a smug look on Seonghwa's face.

"Morning," Seonghwa, out of habit, smoothed down Hongjoong's hair as he would with San.

"I'm so sorry." Hongjoong apologized once more.

"You should go to the infirmary. Let me walk you there." Seonghwa guided Hongjoong off the bus and into the school building.

"Seonghwa I'll be fine enough to go to class I can just sleep at lunch."

"Then you'll skip lunch and be hungry the rest of the day. At least go for one class period I'll come back for you." With a pout Hongjoong let Seonghwa lead him to the infirmary.

"I can give you the notebook after school I don't have it with me."

"I'll walk you home then but I have rehearsal directly after school. Can you wait for me?"

"Yeah, what time?"

"Just come to practice with me, a lot of girls hang around to watch us anyways so you'll be fine. See you later." Seonghwa scurried off as he heard the bell.

"Hm, there's something about him." Hongjoong whispered.