This closet is cold. I’ve been in here for so long. Tears well up in my eyes. Someone, save me. I don’t like this. I start sobbing. The girls earlier didn't just tie me hands up, they also put tape on my mouth. I didn't eve have lunch yet. What did I do to deserve this? That's right, I like Safer. That’s what I did. This is all because of him. Save me. I start singing “Save Me” by BTS (방탄 소년단) to try to comfort myself. If I ever get out of here, I won’t tell Cait. He would worry about me too much. Safer probably wouldn't come looking for me and Jerk isn’t in my class, so he has no clue that I’m gone. Then, there’s a knock at the closet door. It opens. Safer embraces me in his arms and caresses my hair.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.” He looks at my face and touches my cheek. “This might hurt a bit, but hang in there.” Safer pulls at the tape over my mouth and I hold back tears. Immediately after, I say “it’s cold in here.” He removes his sweater and pulls it over my head.

“Max, I’m sorry. I never wanted this to happen. I might a little too late but,” his lips connect with mine as we share a kiss. “I love you. I love you a lot. And I’m sorry I didn't tell you before.”

“How long have you liked me, hyung?” I can't believe we kissed like a second ago.

“I had a sort of attraction to you, but I didn’t really know until Hilton kissed you and… T-touched you. I was really mad when he touched you in those places. Even angrier when he kissed you. You probably don’t like me so I'll just leave.”

“No! I.. I’ve also lied you for a long time. Ever since I first saw you, to be honest.” I hug him tightly. “I’ll tell you now, hyung, I love you!” I tell him.

He grabs my torso and moves his hands lower.

“If you want me to stop, just tell me.” His hands go up the sweater he leant me and I feel his warmth. He kisses me. Then, we part. Then again, he kisses me. And we part. The next kiss isn't like the others, he lifts me up on his lap as he kisses me. I’d say that the difference in this kiss is that it’s longer. His hands move further up my chest. He stops.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to touch you like that.” He starts to panic. “You probably hated it.”

“It’s fine. In fact, I really enjoyed it.” He stands up and holds out his hand.

“I’m glad.” He flashes a small smile. “Now, let’s go find the people who did this to my precious, smol bean.”

We walk the corridors, looking for some bully-looking girls. I had told him that it was a trio of girls in our class.

“They’re big fans of you.”

“Big enough to hurt you. I didn’t ask anyone to hurt you.” We finally reach the classroom. The three girls see me and pretend they don’t know what we’re talking about when we confront them.

“We didn’t do anything of the sort! He just wants your attention, don’t be fooled by a loser like him, oppa.”

“Then explain why you have his shirt in your hand,” hyung challenges.

“This isn’t his shirt it’s someone else's,” they reply.

“I can’t think of anyone with a body smaller than Max’s. So stop lying to me and admit that you locked him a storage room all the way at the other side of the building, tied his hands up, taped his mouth, and made him stay there, in the cold, without a shirt!” At this point everyone's attention is on us.

“He was practically asking for it! Sticking so close to you and Hilton, how could we not take action?! He was tainting you, oppa!” Tainting,that’s a new one.

“Tainting? I like Max and he likes me! And I don’t recall asking you; anyone, to ‘take action’!” Hyung is really mad at them. “You know what? It doesn't even matter anymore. Max has been through enough without you bullying him. So stop and don’t ever come near us again.” Us. That's cute. “Understand?”

“We understood, oppa,” they mutter.

“Oh, and, don’t call me ‘oppa’.” Hyung grabs my hand and storms out of the room. He walks out the doors and into the courtyard.

“Which way is your apartment?” I point left and we continue in silence.

“Why are you here so early?” Bro asks as he opens the door.

“Cait-hyung, I like Max!” Bro stands there in silence, registering Safer’s words.

“You like my little brother? Max, do you like him?” I nod ‘yes’ and Bro continues his conversation. “If it’s you, then I approve!”

“Stop trying to rhyme, it’s sad,” I tell him. “Don’t you dare try to create a ‘follow up’ either. It’s embarrassing.”

“Alright, but don’t yell at me. And Safer, be gentle with him in bed, ‘kay?” How dare you?! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, CAIT WOOD! I SWEAR ON MY LIFE!

“So, can I kiss you?” Safer asks. Bro has gone back to Daegu, where he belongs. I sit on Safer’s lap.

“You can.” Safer kisses me and we keep doing so until he stops and says,

“Let’s move somewhere more comfortable.” We make our way to my bedroom and he lays me down on my back. “You're so beautiful, Max.” He starts kissing my neck.

“That tickles, hyung!” I pipe. I’m filled with embarrassment as he touches my belly button.

“Why are you so cute? I never dreamed I’d be doing this with you, here.” Hyung lays down beside me. “Don’t let anyone come between us, Max. I love you and you love me, so please, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.” He embraces me in his arms and we fall asleep. I wish this moment would last forever. But sadly, this is my unlucky life and such a thing like hell does exist on planet Earth, school.