It had been a year but the mark was still there. I always tried my best to hide it from others so that they won't see and question about it. Honestly, I didn't know how to answer them. I was still dumbfounded to how I got it. One night, I searched it up and only the results of fictitious things about vampires popped up. I didn't believe those. “Vampires don't exist.” I told myself that night but the more I doubted that, the more it was stuck in my head. I started questioning if they really existed because...the bite mark was too different from other insect bites. Could it be a vampire's bite?

“We're getting late, Youngjae.” My brother spoke from outside my room. I flinched while I was busy taking a closer look at the mark. “I know, I'm coming!” I shouted and covered my shoulder with the uniform. I grabbed my bag and opened the door, just to see one of Youngbin's grin. “What's up with you?” “What's up with you?” “Tsk, what time is it?” “7:50 AM.” “You lied again!”

“Ey, we have a new student. You know what I have to do if we have one.” “Your class has one?” “Yup. You?” “It's been 2 years since we last got our new student. Anyway, the student got transferred at grade eleven?” “It looks like it.” “Jeez, is it going to work out for the person? He or she is going to study there for only two years.” We made our way down to the living room. “Maybe their parents aren't really trying hard to make him top the class.” “What a lucky person. Mom, we're leaving!” “Okay. Get there safely.” “You take care while we're gone.” Youngbin said before he shut the door.

“So you don't know if it's a boy or a girl?” I asked as we walked side by side. “Not this time. I don't know why. They just told me "We have a new student." and just left it like that.” “Let's just hope it's not a girl that will have a crush on you again.” He laughed. “You don't like it when some other girl has feelings for me, eh?” “I don't like it because I feel bad for the girls. They don't know who they're actually crushing on.” I cringed at him and he rolled his eyes.

“It's not like I'm going to say yes to one of them. They just like me because of my looks.” “Looks?” I laughed. “You think you're that handsome, huh?” “Great way to hurt my feelings.” “I'm just kidding~ come on, the new kid must be waiting already. Let's hurry.” I ran and left him behind. “Hey! Can you please stop kidding around with me being not handsome?!” He shouted from behind.

“Jake~!” I squealed as I saw him entering the gate. I ran faster to reach him. “You're early.” “Yeah, where is Youngbin?” “ *panting* I swear Youngjae...if you ever run off like that again...oh hi Jake.” “Exercise more, grandpa.” I pat his back. “You little—” “Youngbin, we're in front of the school.” Jake spoke calmly. “It won't be nice if they see the class captain cursing to the juniors.” He finished his sentence. Youngbin snickered. “You're just lucky today.” “It's actually because you suck every day.” “LEE YOUNGJAE—” “Youngbin...” “Okay.”

We walked in the school building. “Hm? Nobody's in your classroom, yet.” I said and looked at Youngbin. “Maybe he's on his way right now.” “Or maybe he is still sleeping?” Jake added. “I'm gonna go with the 'sleeping'. Let's go, Jake.” “You're leaving me alone?” “It would be better if you are the first and only one the new student sees. Good luck!” I gave him two thumbs up and left for my classroom with Jake.

Once we took a turn, Jake directly held my hand. “When are you going to tell him?” “I'm warming him up. It won't be long before I finally tell him.” “It's so tiring to act like we're only friends, in front of everyone.” “Hang in there.” I pinched his cheek, not knowing someone was watching us.

៚ · •

After school, Sunoo joined us. “Where were you during the lunch break?” “Nowhere?” “You're ditching lunch again, huh?” “I never said that. Hey, so?” I nudged Youngbin. “'So' what?” I sighed. “Tsk, who is the new kid?” “You have a new student? We do too!” Sunoo interrupted. “Turns out he's a boy.” “Thank goodness.” Jake gave me the anxious look discreetly. He's overthinking already, this guy. “It would've been a mess if he was a girl.” He loosened up after hearing my next words. I won't have the guts to take interest in someone else in our school other than Jake. I smirked a little.

“He reached right after you two left.” “Looks like he was really on his way.” “Nope, he added that he overslept.” “Oh...how is he like?” “Are you taking interest in someone you haven't even met?” He suddenly asked, making me flustered. Jake silently chuckled. “No way~ what made you come up with that?” “You're asking too many questions about him at once.” “I never did—” “Enough and hear me out!” Sunoo spoke out loud. We all focused our attentions on him. He smiled. “Where is Sunghoon?” Youngbin groaned and continued on walking. “He had to hurry home, again, today.” Jake answered. “You're alone again, huh?” Sunoo pouted and patted Jake's head.

My right shoulder started to sting from my shoulder strap brushing onto it continuously. Fork, this always happens. I started to shift the shoulder strap little by little here and there but it didn't help. “Are you okay?” Sunoo suddenly asked, catching the other two guys' attention. “What's wrong?” Youngbin spoke up quickly. “She looked really uncomfortable.” “Are you uncomfortable?” Jake asked as well. Saying 'yes' would make them interrogate me more. And they'll eventually find out that I have been hiding something from them, and everyone. “I'm—”

“Youngbin?” A voice rang out from behind and we all turned our heads in unison. Standing there was an unfamiliar figure. Well at least for me, Jake and Sunoo. But why do I feel like I've seen that before? “Oh, what's up? Need any help?” “Actually...yes? If you don't mind.” “Ask away—” Sunoo nudged Youngbin's arm. “Is that the new guy?” “Yeah?” We all looked at him.

“Hi, my name is Lee Heeseung.”

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