The next morning, Uy Phong was absent from class again.
After yesterday's clash, whispers spread quickly. Everyone suspected something was off between the trio—Uy Phong, An Phong, and Vy. Their bond, once unshakable, now looked fractured. Even Vy and An Phong couldn't hide their weary faces. Their eyes flicked toward the empty seat, but no one dared to speak.
At that same hour, Uy Phong pushed open the basketball club room door. The place was deserted—first period had only just begun, and outside, a few students were jogging in P.E., visible through the glass. He slung his bag to the side, picked up a ball, and started moving. Spin, dribble, jump shot… every motion sharp and practiced, yet his gaze hollow, as if talking himself through something only he could hear.
After a while, he hurled the ball away and collapsed onto the floor, arms braced behind him, catching his breath. Pulling his bag closer, he dug out a notebook and pen, forcing himself to study.
"Crazy… Cutting class just to study here? Sulking like a kid," he muttered under his breath, a self-mocking smile tugging at his lips as he stared up at the ceiling—searching for someone to confide in, though knowing no one was there.
The room was vast and silent, broken only by the scratch of pen on paper. Every so often, he glanced toward the glass, imagining eyes peering in from the outside classroom. He shook his head and dismissed the thought.
Still, something gnawed at him. A knot, an itch he couldn't untangle. Why did An Phong call me a liar? What have I ever done to him? And Vy—why the sarcasm? What the hell is wrong with them? The frustration churned hotter. If anyone should be angry, it's me. Who gave them the right to look at me like that? And why… why has it all come to this?
"Damn it, my head hurts! I don't know—I don't know anything!"
He raked both hands through his hair, then slammed his notebook against the floor again and again. Thud. Thud.
"Loud as hell, you lunatic."
"Shit!" Uy Phong jerked upright, whipping toward the voice.
Up in the bleachers, a figure sat up straight. Uy Phong squinted and recognized him.
"What the hell are you doing here, making noise this early, you freak?" Thien Hung's voice was groggy, his yawn stretching into a lazy shoulder roll.
"I should be asking you that, idiot. Skipping class to nap here? Couldn't at least speak up? You've been lying there all this time?"
"Yeah… I was sleepy," he yawned again. "And look who's talking. Mr. Model Student, cutting class to… what, study in secret? You came to school but didn't step into class. Weird flex."
"None of your business."
"Oh, I see. Sounds like… you're sulking over a lover's quarrel, huh?" Hung's grin spread wide, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Uy Phong didn't answer—just shot him a knife-sharp glare, sighing as he raked a hand through his messy hair. His silence made Hung pause, brows furrowed in thought. Then he slipped into his sandals and clambered down the bleachers.
Reaching his friend, he nudged Uy Phong's leg with the tip of his shoe. Uy Phong's glare grew colder, but Hung only chuckled, amused. He patted Uy Phong's shoulder a few times, half joking, half serious.
"Come on, let's grab breakfast. You can brood and rant later."
"Not hungry. I already ate."
"Oh? At home? Mom and Dad's cooking? Lucky you. Treat me, then."
"You broke?"
"Left my wallet in class. If I go back, the teacher'll bust me. Already told my juniors to cover for me—say I'm sick. If I stroll into class now, I'm done for, and they'll get dragged down with me." Hung smirked at his own scheme.
Uy Phong didn't reply. After a moment, though, he stood up. Taller than Hung by a bit, his shadow fell over him, but their eyes still met level. Seeing the silent consent, Hung beamed, threw an arm around his shoulders, and tugged him along.
The cafeteria during first period was empty, a rare calm.
After ordering a steaming bowl of noodles, Hung spent a full minute groaning about his good fortune, then devoured it like a man starved for days. Across from him, Uy Phong sipped his Coke, watching with mild disgust.
Halfway through slurping, Hung suddenly remembered.
"By the way, why the long face? Something happen?"
"Chew before you talk," Uy Phong muttered, grimacing at the sight of half-mashed food in his friend's mouth.
"Fine, fine." Hung shrugged and dove back into his bowl.
Uy Phong clicked his tongue, shook his head, and took another sip of Coke.
When the meal was finally over, Hung leaned back with a satisfied groan, patting his full stomach with a grin.
"Man, lifesaver. Thought I'd starve 'til noon."
His gaze slid to Uy Phong, who sat across from him, expression calm but shadowed. The contrast pulled the smile from his face. Narrowing his eyes, he asked softly:
"…You really fought with your girlfriend?"
"Are you insane? I don't have a girlfriend."
"What? You? Handsome, popular, and not a single girl? What a waste. You should find someone soon. Having a girlfriend is great, trust me—so many things you can do together."
Uy Phong raised an eyebrow as Hung began ticking them off on his fingers. "Like eating together, walking to class, watching movies, and… yeah, plenty more."
Rubbing his forehead, Uy Phong sighed, as though already exhausted just listening.