“Agh, its awkward now.” Kyong groaned from his place on the couch, where he faced Courtier who was leaning against the bench. He had just finished telling him about the party and how Enock had responded to the death of his mother, confession. He was blown away by it. Not because he was rude or disingenuine, but because he was sympathetic, and not only that, but he was empathetic. He really cared. No one had ever really cared about the feelings of the spoilt brat prince. No one but Courtier. 

Courtier felt an inner warmth. He could sense a true friendship coming on for Kyong. And he couldn’t be more thrilled. “It sounds like you might have found yourself a true friend.” 

“You think so? I don’t know if anyone could replace Louella.” Kyong chewed on his lip, knowing that if Louella knew that he had a new best friend, it could potentially make her go crazy. Not that she was crazy, but they had always been so close, that one could debate, they were soulmates. If anything were to threaten that, it could hurt her in a real way. Especially since he was in a different county, and she could see it as a threat to him ever coming back. 

“You are allowed to have more than one friend.” Courtier reassured him, observing him in a fatherly way. Speaking of which, he was a bit saddened by the fact that the king had only contacted him about Kyong and had no contact with Kyong directly. It was customary in Korea for parents to love from a distance, a bit more ‘distant’, than other nations, in the sence that they would send their child to another country for a better future, which could be seen as the ‘pushing the bird out of the nest’ kind of love. But to not even check up on him directly, hurt even Courtier a bit. Kyong hadn’t brought it up though he wondered if he was hurting.

“True. I just never have.” he pondered.

“How are you going with your social media presence? Have you been checking?” 

Kyong looked up, “Am I supposed to be laying low or posting?”

“It can’t hurt to check in.” Courtier shrugged.

“Okay.” Kyong said, flicking open instagram. He clicked on his profile. 4 million followers. It had dropped dramatically. He winced. He flicked out of instagram, opening the photo app. He scrolled through the images from last night. There was one with him, Elliot and Enock with their arms around each other's shoulders. Elliot had his tongue out and a red cup in his hand. He flicked to the next image where no one had a drink and decided to post that one. The last thing he needed was an undersage drinking scandal. It was one thing to drink behind closed doors, but another to expose it to the world. He posted the second picture with the caption, ‘go team’. And flicked the app shut. He hovered over the messenger app. There was a message from Louella that he hadn’t yet replied to. They needed to finish last night's conversation but he didn’t know how. He opened her message and just looked at it. He glanced up at Courtier who was now busying himself in the kitchen. He looked back down at the message. 

“At Least explain to me why you didn’t tell me you were leaving so soon? I would have understood. I just wanted to say goodbye.”

He tapped out a quick reply, “It’s not a goodbye. I didn’t want to see you cry. It makes me feel… awkward.” 

There was a ten minute interval and then, “Awkward… ha. How long have you known me?”

Kyong sighed, knowing that if he was going to fix things with Lou, he would need to call her up and have a normal chat, just like they always did. He dialled her number and waited for the dial tone. Just like at the party, she picked up but didn’t say anything right away. When Kyong didn’t say anything either, she decided to break the silence, “Hello…?”

“Hi.” He breathed.

“So, are you going to tell me why you were at a party instead of studying?” Louella said wryly, and all Kyong could do was imagine her. The way her rare blonde hair hung low around her shoulders. They were fast friends, Kyong and Louella. They both looked different - he with his green eyes and her, which her hair. Her hair was a trait that she had gotten from her mother, who was only half Korean and the other half, british. Her mothers hair was a shade lighter than Louella’s but it made no difference to the kids who teased her for being different. Though, in the same light, they always wanted to touch it. Now in her teen years, the fascination with her hair and Kyong’s dragon eyes had changed. No longer did people talk about their features because they were strange, now they were their most desirable attributes. 

“Are you going to tell me why you’re so worried about me going to a party?” he replied, mockingly. “You are one of the richest and most privileged heiresses in all of Korea. Don’t you have important things to be doing, than worrying about me? Where are all your friends from school?” Louella was always surrounded by friends, and Kyong didn’t know why, despite her popularity, she was still so invested in his life… Sure, they were lifelong friends, but even childhood friends drift apart most of the time. 

“Because I love you!” She blurted out way too quickly… following with a quick, “As a friend! As a friend!” When all Kyong did was say, “Uh…” and scratch his head.

“Besides, all my friends here are different. They aren’t as close to me as you and I are, and besides…” She paused, “They keep talking about you like you’re never coming back. Everyone in Korea is…” “People think you’re dead or something.” 

Kyong put her on speakerphone and pulled up Instagram. His post had failed. He reposted it and said, “There. Now no one will believe I’m dead.” 

“What do you mean, there? What did you do?”

“Look at Instagram.” 

There was some clicking and then some gasping. “Your father will never let you come home now!”

“Don’t worry, Lou. I am also studying hard. Work mixed with play. I’m on the basketball team, and after that party, I’m going to keep my head low. I will be back home before you know it. 

Louella breathed in slowly, “Ky, you know that I know you better than anyone. I know who you are underneath the bratty exterior and the surface-level fashion and the confidence that you throw out there, the girls you keep on your arm just so that people think you are some playboy, but I know the truth. I know who you are deep down, really.”

“And who am I?” Kyong’s skin felt hot but he didn’t know why. 

“You are just a teenage boy with mother issues, and father issues, like everyone else.”

“Hey!” Kyong started before she interrupted with,

“I’m not finished. You are kind and you are caring and you are funny, and overall, you are the most talented basketball player I know, possibly the best in Korea. And I’m a bit worried you are going to run away with BLACKPINK.” 

Kyong could hear her grin through the phone.

“And who are you?” He bit on his bottom lip, just a little. He felt a familiar warmth in his belly. The same warmth that he had felt when their hands touched, the last time that he had been with her. 

“I’m just a girl.” She smiled through the phone.

“Mm.” He murmured. 

“Who do you think I am?” She asked, hopeful.

“Who do I think you are…” He really thought. He thought about the way her blonde hair blew in the soft breeze and about how her lips bowed perfectly at the top, right under her nose. “You are…” 

“Kyong. You should get some rest.” Courtier was standing in his Pajamas, glaring at Kyong with squinty eyes. And suddenly the warmth that he was feeling drained and he realised that he had been flirting. Like he was in a warm, bubbly trance of sorts, with his best friend of all people. 

“I…uh...I have to go.” He said quickly. Louella seemed to realise at the same time what was going on.

“Yes. me too. Uh, have a good day at school.” the phone beeped and Kyong turned his parm to see the screen. “Did she just hang out up on me?” He made eyes with Courtier. “Yes. I’m going to bed now.” He smiled. “I was just catching up with Lou.”

“How is she?” Courtier asked sleepily.

“She’s good.” Kyong smiled, for a different reason this time.