Aside from art history

Han Li was bored.

The process of screen printing always felt a bit arduous and bothersome and he couldn't remember why he decided to take this studio class over sculpting. But it was too late to go back now and he was forced to carefully align his screens before passing the squeegee over it.

It was Sunday, and he spent his entire weekend holed up in the studio, trying to catch up and catch a piece of mind as well. Han Li couldn't tell if it was working. He felt listless, staring blankly at his silk screen as he poured ink over it.

His mind was wandering in places he did not wish to go. Of dark memories, red, midnight and sea salt air. But those things had nothing to do with his printing project or the long nights he had spent at the studio. Maybe he needed to divide his time a bit better but the silver bracelet on his wrist felt heavy as it clanged against the screen's wooden frame. He kind of missed seeing Graham in the halls in his janitor blues but those things were unimportant.

Han Li was in desperate need to think about something else.

Did he mention that printing was his least favorite class? That was, aside from art history…

The door clicked open behind him and Han Li didn't even notice, too mesmerized by his own boredom.

"Boo!"

Han Li would never admit to flinching even though the silkscreen threatens to fall out of his twitching fingers.

He took a long drag and slowly set down his print screen. "Simone. Have I ever told you that you're a piece of—"

"I brought Kevin with me," Simone hummed as she shoved a warm cup into Han Li's hand. He could smell the sweet aroma of caffeine and his mind instantly perked up. "And a flat white! Just for you because I'm great and a fantastic friend and wouldn't dare let you think otherwise."

Han Li deadpanned, "I love you."

She grinned, "Good boy."

"…Li?" Kevin smiled shyly and waved, "I saw you in here earlier and didn't want to annoy you but Simone kind of insisted so… You missed Friday, what happened?"

"Ah—" Han Li stuttered, trying to kick his brain back into gear. An easy grin pulled at his lips and he hoped that it wasn't too wide, "Couldn't it be that you're worried about me?" Anndddd, he wanted to kick himself in the balls right after the cheesy line delivery. But he persevered and kept his easy-going demeanor.

His efforts were rewarded, Kevin's face flushed red. An irrational urge took over to reach over and pinch his round cheeks and Han Li, being a person with many impulses was quick to give in. "Hehe, you're cute."

Simone clapped on the sidelines, instantly breaking whatever rose-colored tint that was clouding Han Li's perception. "Aren't you two just adorable? As much as I'd love to sit here and watch, wouldn't it be so much better if we left this dredge of a place? Let's take a walk! Union Day is just around the corner and some places are already starting to celebrate, why don't we check it out?"

Han Li sobered a little hearing the mention of Union Day. He wasn't so sure about a holiday that celebrated hunter's history among the common folk. It seemed strange, disorientating even and put Han Li out of his mood. "I actually have a lot to catch up with from Friday so I'll sit this one out."

Kevin deflated and Simone audibly gasped. She reached out and grabbed his shoulders without any regard to his personal space. "What's gotten into you? Li Han? I've never seen you so hardworking before! Did you eat something bad? Are you sick?"

Han Li clicked his tongue, his arms flailing to push her off, "Stop making fun of me! I'll sue you for defamation. It's Han Li."

Simone stepped back but she was laughing, "Sue all you want, Mr. Li Han! I doubt you could even afford a lawyer. Okay, chop-chop, we don't have all day! Hey Kevin, let's help him pack up."

"O-Oh right, okay…" Kevin jolted forward, hurrying over, and began putting the inks away, completely foregoing the fact that Han Li hadn't even agreed to go with them.

A dragging sigh left his lips, shoulders slumped in defeat. "You guys win," he deflated, trying as he could to suppress the smile on his lips.

…

It was dark outside but New Lidway was bustling. Billboards flashed their electronic displays and neon lights invited people into otherwise dingy alleys where loitering teens scoured after curfew. It was especially lively, with local pubs competing with the best offer around a campus full of stressed-out students itching for relief.

With Union Day close, food trucks were invited to be open later, the bars to offer special deals and special drinks, all to commemorate a day that they didn't truly understand. Union Day was, after all, a very important moment in hunter history and Han Li still couldn't remember which idiot decided to start encouraging the public to celebrate it. Something something, for publicity? Whatever, Han Li long forgot.

"Look over here!" Simone beamed, skipping over to a chalkboard outside a bar. "Get a 'Heroes' Pact' for only fifty bucks, hey that's a lot of beer." There was a playful cartoon drawing of four large pints beneath the bubbly text.

"I thought we were just taking a walk?" Han Li smiled wryly, not sure if he was up for a drink or not.

Simone rolled her eyes but luckily it was Kevin who spoke up, "Um… It's… Monday tomorrow and I have lectures early so…"

Simone sighed, twirling in the middle of the sidewalk, and almost whacked a passerby in the face, "Fine! Have it your way…"

Han Li scowled disapprovingly, yanking her back before she accidentally angered the middle-aged man with washed-out tattoos walking by. "Why are you being such a brat? We can just drink another night, right? Not on a Sunday. Let's go somewhere else."

"Alcohol is perfectly healthy and good for a growing college student, Mr. Li Han. But fine, if you're going to be all goodie-goodie on me then fine. Majority wins."

"Han Li!" he snapped and leaned over Simone with his superior height, arms crossed over his chest. "And you're not growing anymore, Simone, none of us are. Or did you forget that you're an adult? Because I can believe that."

"G-guys…" Kevin stuttered, trying to wedge himself between them but to no avail.

"Didn't you hear that you could keep growing till you're twenty-five? I guess not since you're uneducated and ignorant." Simone grinned, settling her hands on her hips in satisfaction.

"Guys…"

Han Li raised a brow, recognizing a challenge when he saw one. He puffed up his chest and looked down the sharp slant of his nose. "We're all studying fine arts, Simone, do you really think anyone one of us can call ourselves educated?"

Simone flashed her lashes. They might have been occupying the middle of the sidewalk but the two were already beyond caring. "Are you saying that art lacks academic merit? Because that is not true, and you know it."

"GUYS!" Kevin's voice finally, finally cut through them, earning them a few stray stares of judgment.

Kevin was panting, his face red and eyes misty. Han Li felt instantly villainized. He balked, arms unfolding, and internal panic became rife. "We were just messing around…"

Unlike Han Li, Simone was a lot rougher with her approach. She smacked Kevin's arm without remorse, a wide grin on her lips, "Don't worry, Kev! Don't you worry 'bout a thing…"

"Ow…that hurts…"

"Hey, stop that," Han Li sighed, grabbing Simone's wrist to stop her from her playful violence. A scolding scowl was sent her way for good measure to which she only shrugged.

Wordless thanks were in the short boy's eyes as Han Li shook his head apologetically. He really needed to control himself with Simone around, being the menace that she is. "Let's…go somewhere…" Kevin's voice was small, eyes trailed downward like a shy little puppy.

Han Li wanted to ruffle his hair so he did just that. "Where do you want to go, then? How about Simone and I make it up to you, for being so obnoxious earlier."

"Why do I have to get roped into this? I don't care if you're making it up to someone with your own money but don't touch mine—"

"Um… there's a dessert place nearby. How about we go there? It's open late so…"

Any grievances that Simone might have had instantly melted away when she heard the word dessert. "Why didn't you say so earlier? Let's go! Which way is it?"

Han Li wanted to sigh, his head dizzy from the chaotic roller coaster that came with hanging out with one Simone Donella. But the smile on his face wasn't about to fade so easily. That was until his phone vibrated in his pocket and Han Li made the fatal mistake to check it. His mood instantly soured.