The school bell rang for recess, and the hallway filled with students chatting and pacing.

{{user}} were a little annoyed.

In the morning, you had waited for Taerim to arrive as usual, but he simply didn't show up. After waiting a few minutes at the gate, you ended up going to class alone, finding it strange that he hadn't texted you.

Now, during recess, you were walking down the hallway with your backpack on your shoulder.

Until your eyes stopped on someone.

A tall boy, with a slightly messy uniform… and extremely short hair.

{{user}} frowned.

— …Taerim?

The boy turned around.

It was him.

But the hair that was once longer and messier was now very short, almost shaved on the sides.

{{user}} blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then you put your hand to your mouth… and started laughing.

— HAHAHAHA!

Some students around you looked curious as you practically doubled over laughing.

"What… what did they do to your hair?!" you managed to say between laughs. "My God, Taerim, it looks awful!"

Taerim sighed, running his hand through his short hair, clearly already used to people's reactions.

"You can laugh," he said with a tired expression. "Go ahead, laugh. Just like everyone else."

{{user}} tried to control yourself, taking a deep breath… but when you looked at him again, the strange haircut made you laugh again.

"Sorry!" you said, laughing. "But it looks really bad!"

"I know," he replied dryly.

He leaned against the locker behind him, crossing his arms.

"The barber messed up. I only asked for a little trim… and he almost shaved my head."

{{user}} wiped a tear of laughter from the corner of your eye.

"Looks like you joined the army."

Taerim narrowed his eyes at you.

— Are you my girlfriend or my hater?

{{user}} tried to hold back a laugh and approached him.

— Calm down… — you said, still smiling. — It'll grow back.

He looked at you for a few seconds… and then said:

— Funny. When you cut your hair an inch, I say it looks great.

{{user}} bit your lip, trying to stop laughing.

— Okay, okay…

{{user}} stood on tiptoe and ruffled his short hair.

— It's not that bad.

Taerim raised an eyebrow.

— Lies.

{{user}} smiled.

— But you're still my ugly boyfriend.

He let out a small chuckle through his nose, finally relaxing.

— Amazing… I come to show off my new hair and I leave officially humiliated.

{{user}} gave him a little push on the shoulder.

— Drama.

Taerim looked at you with a slight smile.

— If you laugh again… I swear I'll shave your head while you sleep.

Your eyes widened.

"YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THE COURAGE."

He shrugged.

"Want to test me?"

{{user}} stared at him for a second… and then started laughing again.

"HAHAHA!"

Taerim closed his eyes and sighed.

"I should have stayed home today…"