SANCTUARY

chapter 12

"Thanks, but what's the catch?" I wasn't so sure if all of this was for free, or he had some plan up his mind. He's been oddly too nice these days. "Not to be offensive or anything. The world is deceiving. We've both learned it the hard way."

"There's no catch. There can be good people, they're just rare," Haechan replied. "I'm not trying to make the whole world a better place. That's too much of a responsibility. I'll just make your world a bit better somehow."

"And what was that supposed to imply?" I catechized without falter, not wanting to be mistaken.

"Take a guess, maybe one of them is right," Haechan hummed a broad response to my question. "I'll head out again."

He rushed out of the room and I was left alone yet again. It was becoming a habit that he would keep me wondering about his words, that it left me frustrated.

"Lee Haechan, you're complicated," I sighed.

"Arf arf!"

"Let's play with your toys," I cooed and grabbed a couple of her toys and played with her.

⌨

A painful and dreadful week had passed. I was free from my red days and it was the usual Friday morning, cramming and finishing all the assignments that were due later in the afternoon. Submitting a few minutes before the deadline became a habit. As long as it was passed, that's all that matters at this point.

"I thought you were responsible but I see you cramming all the time," Haechan mocked. He stretched his body and faced towards me. "Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yeah, why?" I nonchalantly asked, typing down my answers.

"Good. Let's all go hangout tomorrow," Haechan responded. He patted Star and looked at her with a smile. "Yes, we're bringing you as well."

Star started barking and jumping around on Haechan's bed, which distracted me but gave a smile on my face. She suddenly jumped off Haechan's bed and went up on mine.

"The betrayal," Haechan acted hurt, which later on led to the two of us bursting into laughter. "I thought you loved me?"

"Bark bark!"

Star waggled her tail and climbed onto my lap. She laid down and quietly stayed.

"Why do you want to go?" I asked out of curiosity, as always. I was one to ask many questions. When it came to reciting in class, that was another story. "Just asking."

"I don't know, maybe because it's been forever since I last hung out with my friends? It's my treat anyways, I was a pain in the ass to them," Haechan mumbled. "I always am, what am I saying?"

"You're not to me," I outrightly replied, looking at him.

He got up and made his way to the door, but turned around to reply to me.