WooYoung couldn’t stop thinking about girls. Well, two girls in particular: Dara and SooYoung. He had no clue what he thought of Dara anymore. He still loved her, but he couldn’t spend time with her anymore because she was too busy stalking G-Dragon. He couldn’t stop loving her, though. He’d tried, he really had. He knew that she wasn’t perfect, but to him, that didn’t matter. And then there was Soo. She was quickly becoming one of his closest friends, and he’d completely forgotten NichKhun’s theory of her liking him. He didn’t want to seem oblivious, but he really didn’t know if it was true or not, and he didn’t want to make assumptions.
He knew he couldn’t bother his brother, as he was stressed out about something that he wouldn’t mention, but he was in desperate need of help. He didn’t know who to turn to. The boys with the most girl experience were Taec and Nich, and although Woo though Taec was a nice guy, he wasn’t sure if he was the best advice-giver. He had no clue what was up with Junho and NichKhun, either. For the past week, both of them had been extremely quiet and he was almost positive there was something both of them weren’t telling him.
He sighed and rolled over on his bed so that he was facing the back of Khun’s head.
“Hey Nich,” He didn’t look up from his laptop, where he was typing away feverently.
“Hmm?”
“I need your help.”
NichKhun snorted. “When do you not?”He groaned and swiveled around. “What is it this time?”
“It’s about Dara.”
His best friend let out a frustrated sigh. “Let go. That’s all I have to say.”
“But—“
“Look, I know it’s hard, but you have to learn from your mistakes. Dara’s a mistake. She’s a nice girl, but she’s just not…mature enough. She’s living a fairytale, and she’s dragging you into it. I know what I’m talking about.” He ran both hands through his hair. “She’s being so unreasonable. We’re third years. We graduate next year. All of us have so many important things to worry about. Does she think we have time for drama?”
WooYoung stared at his friend for a long time without saying anything, and then finally opened his mouth. “What’s going on with you and Junho?”
“It’s not anything.”
“It is something,” Woo insisted. “You always say that we’re growing apart, but you’re not doing anything to mend our relationship, either. I know I’ve made some stupid mistakes for a girl, and I don’t want to repeat them, but this isn’t right. We’re friends.”
NichKhun tugged his caramel-colored hair, a habit that he was slowly picking up from SooYoung. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I think I know something,” he looked around the empty room, “about Junho’s past.”
WooYoung’s eyebrows went up. “Explain.”
Nich thrust a thick folder into his hands. “This is a list of people and names that I found in one of his notebooks. I tried my best to connect them to each other, but I can’t make much sense of it. Take a look inside.”
**
Yoona and Taec walked down the long hallways, their hands entertwined. Yoona held her head high, her long hair swaying from side to side for the first time since elementary. She had never felt so free before. With Taec’s help, she’d gotten over her humiliation, and was now living the way she wanted to. It was her senior year, anyways. She wanted to live it to its fullest with the ones she loved.
She looked at her now-public boyfriend and smiled. He squeezed her hand and together, the new It Couple walked on.
**
“Oh. Ma. GAWSH! That dress is soo cute!”
SooYoung couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Jessica’s broken English and horrible pronounciation. She watched on as Sunny, Yuri, and Jess fawned over Bom’s clothes. SooYoung found it weird how she’d come just a week before Yoona was thrown. It was almost as if someone had planned it all out. She stared at Sunny, who was stuffing discarded clothes into a black trash bag. Just a month and a half ago, she would have been scurrying around the room trying to pick those clothes up for herself before Yuri threw them out. She’d been so miserable in their group; and she’d also been a bit pathetic, trying her best to please everyone in WooYoung’s friend circle and throwing herself around to make people like her.
What had changed?
SooYoung kept staring, and soon, they locked eyes on each other. SooYoung raised an eyebrow and gave Sunny a quizzical look, which she fully ignored. Instead, she wrinkled her little nose ever-so-slightly and turned away in what SooYoung supposed was disgust. She wasn’t surprised. She frowned and got up, ready to exit before the girls made her slave to one of their fashion shows, when she noticed a shadow cast on the floor, close to the window. She whirled around but only saw the four girls, now in the bathroom. There was no way that shadow had been any of them. The Dolls were all size zeroes. That shadow…hadn’t been.
Someone had been watching them, but who? And more importantly, why?
**
An hour later
Sunny stared at the back of Seungri’s head, instead of working on her music-making skills, contemplating what shape it was. She suddenly remembered that time in the café when SooYoung had been scrutinizing WooYoung’s pear-shaped head.
She lightly tapped Seungri on the shoulder and he looked up from his sheet and gave her a small smile.
“Hey there.”
“Hello,” Sunny said, leaning forward. “So, Seungri, how are your parents?”
Seungri’s face fell. “They’re okay. I’m still working on making money.”
Sunny pouted. “Poor, poor Seungri. There’s nothing in your life to cheer you up, is there? Not even a girl. That’s unfortunate.” She let her hands wander to his collar. “Don’t you ever get tired of doing things for others?”
“No…”
“Don’t you ever want to do anything for yourself?”
“Um…”
“Look, Seungri, we both know that I’m a close friend of yours, and I’m the only person besides Daesung who knows your secret. And I’m available.”
Seungri raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying—“
“Mhmm.”
Sunny looked around to make sure the teacher wasn’t looking—he wasn’t. She praised herself silently for choosing the very back seat and yanked Seungri by the collar so that their noses were touching.
“So…what do you say?”
Seungri thought for a moment, then shrugged.
“Why not?”
Sunny nodded briefly. That was the answer she’d been hoping to hear.
**
Junho, NichKhun, SooYoung, Minzy, Daesung, and WooYoung were all sitting at a round table during lunchtime, all of them talking in little groups among themselves.
Minzy was the first to notice when the cafeteria went silent.
“What’s wrong?” she asked loudly.
They all turned to look in the direction of the double doors to which everyone was pointing. None of them saw anything unusual: Yoona and Taec were walking in, looking like the perfect couple that they were. But…what was that? Two blonde heads followed them. CL and G-Dragon sauntered in, their chins held high, firmly holding hands.
“They’re not…” Daesung didn’t finish his sentence.
“I think they are,” SooYoung whispered back.
Usually, with the exception of Minzy and Daesung, other people’s love lives weren’t something that really interested this group, but this was different. Everybody was staring at WooYoung, who was staring at Dara. She had a shocked expression on her face, her fork lifted up, spaghetti dangling dangerously from the end. It seemed as if none of the other seniors or juniors had known, either. Most of them had interested expressions, but nothing matched the astonished look on WooYoung or Dara’s face.
“When did this happen, exactly?” Junho asked quietly, casting glances at G-Dragon.
As if on cue, the double doors opened once again, and in walked in Sunny and Seungri. Daesung made a choking noise.
“What is going on with the world?” NichKhun muttered.
“They are close friends. Maybe we’re judging too quickly. Maybe we’re judging both couples,” WooYoung said, but he didn’t look so sure either.
“Sure doesn’t look very friendly,” SooYoung mumbled. Sunny’s arms were thrown around Seungri’s neck in a careless way, and every two words she said to him contained the word “oppa”. They all watched on as she planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Yup, definitely not judging,” Minzy said. Daesung kept staring at his cousin, who gave him an apologetic smile as they passed by. Sunny turned around and gave SooYoung a satisfied smirk.
A wave of realization sweeped over SooYoung: this was a game that Sunny was playing, and Soo was one of the chess pieces. How had she been so stupid and missed it? She was an enemy to Sunny all along, and she hadn’t even noticed.
I’m not stupid enough to get myself involved in your immature games, she thought, but I am going to find out what sort of trouble you’re stirring up. Something just isn’t right about all of this.
She watched as Sunny whispered something to Seungri, got up from their table, and strolled over to Suzy’s table. She sat down, ignoring eye contact with the monotone girl, while she spoke in a low voice. Suzy nodded, then slipped an envelope into Sunny’s hands. They nodded at each other, and Sunny walked back.
SooYoung was reminded of those questions in the back of magazines: There is something that isn’t right about this picture. Can you figure out what it is?
**
After lunch
All of the third and fourth grade students were gathered around the bulletin board when Taec and Yoona reached it.
“What’s going on?” Yoona craned her neck, trying to get a good look at the board.
Taec chuckled and lifted her up. “Read what it says.”
Yoona peered at the board. “Family Christmas Event: Each student is required to bring at least one member of their family (cousins, parents, siblings, etc.) to our special gala. All students are required to submit at least one piece of work, such as a painting, a written piece, or a special performance. The event will take place on the weekend before Winter Break. Be there. Be ready.”
Taec hoisted Yoona down and frowned. “That barely gave us any information. Sounds like something Principal Ha would write.”
“This is insane,” Yoona stuck out her lower lip. “They’re just asking for trouble, aren’t they?”
*
“Have you heard about it?” Minzy yelled, storming into History of Dance class. “This is insanity. Ha is crazy, he really is. The old man has some nerve to plan something like this. We’re teenagers. The last thing we want to do is bring our families to the only place where we can get away from them. And they expect us to perform for them? Give me a moment, I need to rant.” She started pacing up and down, muttering to herself.
“I think it’s an okay idea,” WooYoung shrugged. “Better than the six-weeks final.”
“That’s ‘cause you have a cool brother,” SooYoung said, making a face. “I’m an only child. I’m gonna bring my mom.”
NichKhun stretched lazily. “My family’s in Thailand, so I don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Lucky,” Jessica said, seating herself on the seat across from him and stretching her long legs over his. He pushed them aside, got up, and switched seats. Jessica followed. NichKhun rolled his eyes.
“I have to bring Krystal, since the ‘rents probably won’t want to come,” Jessica continued. “I hate her,” she added, as if everyone was dying to know.
“You guys are all lame,” Minzy stopped pacing. “I’m bringing my dad. He’s the bomb.”
WooYoung shook his head and smiled as everyone kept discussing who they were going to bring. He took out his cellphone, hoping Teacher Lee would be late, per usual.
“Hey, hyung? We’re having an event at my school. You’re invited.”
He knew he couldn’t bother his brother, as he was stressed out about something that he wouldn’t mention, but he was in desperate need of help. He didn’t know who to turn to. The boys with the most girl experience were Taec and Nich, and although Woo though Taec was a nice guy, he wasn’t sure if he was the best advice-giver. He had no clue what was up with Junho and NichKhun, either. For the past week, both of them had been extremely quiet and he was almost positive there was something both of them weren’t telling him.
He sighed and rolled over on his bed so that he was facing the back of Khun’s head.
“Hey Nich,” He didn’t look up from his laptop, where he was typing away feverently.
“Hmm?”
“I need your help.”
NichKhun snorted. “When do you not?”He groaned and swiveled around. “What is it this time?”
“It’s about Dara.”
His best friend let out a frustrated sigh. “Let go. That’s all I have to say.”
“But—“
“Look, I know it’s hard, but you have to learn from your mistakes. Dara’s a mistake. She’s a nice girl, but she’s just not…mature enough. She’s living a fairytale, and she’s dragging you into it. I know what I’m talking about.” He ran both hands through his hair. “She’s being so unreasonable. We’re third years. We graduate next year. All of us have so many important things to worry about. Does she think we have time for drama?”
WooYoung stared at his friend for a long time without saying anything, and then finally opened his mouth. “What’s going on with you and Junho?”
“It’s not anything.”
“It is something,” Woo insisted. “You always say that we’re growing apart, but you’re not doing anything to mend our relationship, either. I know I’ve made some stupid mistakes for a girl, and I don’t want to repeat them, but this isn’t right. We’re friends.”
NichKhun tugged his caramel-colored hair, a habit that he was slowly picking up from SooYoung. He hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I think I know something,” he looked around the empty room, “about Junho’s past.”
WooYoung’s eyebrows went up. “Explain.”
Nich thrust a thick folder into his hands. “This is a list of people and names that I found in one of his notebooks. I tried my best to connect them to each other, but I can’t make much sense of it. Take a look inside.”
**
Yoona and Taec walked down the long hallways, their hands entertwined. Yoona held her head high, her long hair swaying from side to side for the first time since elementary. She had never felt so free before. With Taec’s help, she’d gotten over her humiliation, and was now living the way she wanted to. It was her senior year, anyways. She wanted to live it to its fullest with the ones she loved.
She looked at her now-public boyfriend and smiled. He squeezed her hand and together, the new It Couple walked on.
**
“Oh. Ma. GAWSH! That dress is soo cute!”
SooYoung couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Jessica’s broken English and horrible pronounciation. She watched on as Sunny, Yuri, and Jess fawned over Bom’s clothes. SooYoung found it weird how she’d come just a week before Yoona was thrown. It was almost as if someone had planned it all out. She stared at Sunny, who was stuffing discarded clothes into a black trash bag. Just a month and a half ago, she would have been scurrying around the room trying to pick those clothes up for herself before Yuri threw them out. She’d been so miserable in their group; and she’d also been a bit pathetic, trying her best to please everyone in WooYoung’s friend circle and throwing herself around to make people like her.
What had changed?
SooYoung kept staring, and soon, they locked eyes on each other. SooYoung raised an eyebrow and gave Sunny a quizzical look, which she fully ignored. Instead, she wrinkled her little nose ever-so-slightly and turned away in what SooYoung supposed was disgust. She wasn’t surprised. She frowned and got up, ready to exit before the girls made her slave to one of their fashion shows, when she noticed a shadow cast on the floor, close to the window. She whirled around but only saw the four girls, now in the bathroom. There was no way that shadow had been any of them. The Dolls were all size zeroes. That shadow…hadn’t been.
Someone had been watching them, but who? And more importantly, why?
**
An hour later
Sunny stared at the back of Seungri’s head, instead of working on her music-making skills, contemplating what shape it was. She suddenly remembered that time in the café when SooYoung had been scrutinizing WooYoung’s pear-shaped head.
She lightly tapped Seungri on the shoulder and he looked up from his sheet and gave her a small smile.
“Hey there.”
“Hello,” Sunny said, leaning forward. “So, Seungri, how are your parents?”
Seungri’s face fell. “They’re okay. I’m still working on making money.”
Sunny pouted. “Poor, poor Seungri. There’s nothing in your life to cheer you up, is there? Not even a girl. That’s unfortunate.” She let her hands wander to his collar. “Don’t you ever get tired of doing things for others?”
“No…”
“Don’t you ever want to do anything for yourself?”
“Um…”
“Look, Seungri, we both know that I’m a close friend of yours, and I’m the only person besides Daesung who knows your secret. And I’m available.”
Seungri raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying—“
“Mhmm.”
Sunny looked around to make sure the teacher wasn’t looking—he wasn’t. She praised herself silently for choosing the very back seat and yanked Seungri by the collar so that their noses were touching.
“So…what do you say?”
Seungri thought for a moment, then shrugged.
“Why not?”
Sunny nodded briefly. That was the answer she’d been hoping to hear.
**
Junho, NichKhun, SooYoung, Minzy, Daesung, and WooYoung were all sitting at a round table during lunchtime, all of them talking in little groups among themselves.
Minzy was the first to notice when the cafeteria went silent.
“What’s wrong?” she asked loudly.
They all turned to look in the direction of the double doors to which everyone was pointing. None of them saw anything unusual: Yoona and Taec were walking in, looking like the perfect couple that they were. But…what was that? Two blonde heads followed them. CL and G-Dragon sauntered in, their chins held high, firmly holding hands.
“They’re not…” Daesung didn’t finish his sentence.
“I think they are,” SooYoung whispered back.
Usually, with the exception of Minzy and Daesung, other people’s love lives weren’t something that really interested this group, but this was different. Everybody was staring at WooYoung, who was staring at Dara. She had a shocked expression on her face, her fork lifted up, spaghetti dangling dangerously from the end. It seemed as if none of the other seniors or juniors had known, either. Most of them had interested expressions, but nothing matched the astonished look on WooYoung or Dara’s face.
“When did this happen, exactly?” Junho asked quietly, casting glances at G-Dragon.
As if on cue, the double doors opened once again, and in walked in Sunny and Seungri. Daesung made a choking noise.
“What is going on with the world?” NichKhun muttered.
“They are close friends. Maybe we’re judging too quickly. Maybe we’re judging both couples,” WooYoung said, but he didn’t look so sure either.
“Sure doesn’t look very friendly,” SooYoung mumbled. Sunny’s arms were thrown around Seungri’s neck in a careless way, and every two words she said to him contained the word “oppa”. They all watched on as she planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Yup, definitely not judging,” Minzy said. Daesung kept staring at his cousin, who gave him an apologetic smile as they passed by. Sunny turned around and gave SooYoung a satisfied smirk.
A wave of realization sweeped over SooYoung: this was a game that Sunny was playing, and Soo was one of the chess pieces. How had she been so stupid and missed it? She was an enemy to Sunny all along, and she hadn’t even noticed.
I’m not stupid enough to get myself involved in your immature games, she thought, but I am going to find out what sort of trouble you’re stirring up. Something just isn’t right about all of this.
She watched as Sunny whispered something to Seungri, got up from their table, and strolled over to Suzy’s table. She sat down, ignoring eye contact with the monotone girl, while she spoke in a low voice. Suzy nodded, then slipped an envelope into Sunny’s hands. They nodded at each other, and Sunny walked back.
SooYoung was reminded of those questions in the back of magazines: There is something that isn’t right about this picture. Can you figure out what it is?
**
After lunch
All of the third and fourth grade students were gathered around the bulletin board when Taec and Yoona reached it.
“What’s going on?” Yoona craned her neck, trying to get a good look at the board.
Taec chuckled and lifted her up. “Read what it says.”
Yoona peered at the board. “Family Christmas Event: Each student is required to bring at least one member of their family (cousins, parents, siblings, etc.) to our special gala. All students are required to submit at least one piece of work, such as a painting, a written piece, or a special performance. The event will take place on the weekend before Winter Break. Be there. Be ready.”
Taec hoisted Yoona down and frowned. “That barely gave us any information. Sounds like something Principal Ha would write.”
“This is insane,” Yoona stuck out her lower lip. “They’re just asking for trouble, aren’t they?”
*
“Have you heard about it?” Minzy yelled, storming into History of Dance class. “This is insanity. Ha is crazy, he really is. The old man has some nerve to plan something like this. We’re teenagers. The last thing we want to do is bring our families to the only place where we can get away from them. And they expect us to perform for them? Give me a moment, I need to rant.” She started pacing up and down, muttering to herself.
“I think it’s an okay idea,” WooYoung shrugged. “Better than the six-weeks final.”
“That’s ‘cause you have a cool brother,” SooYoung said, making a face. “I’m an only child. I’m gonna bring my mom.”
NichKhun stretched lazily. “My family’s in Thailand, so I don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Lucky,” Jessica said, seating herself on the seat across from him and stretching her long legs over his. He pushed them aside, got up, and switched seats. Jessica followed. NichKhun rolled his eyes.
“I have to bring Krystal, since the ‘rents probably won’t want to come,” Jessica continued. “I hate her,” she added, as if everyone was dying to know.
“You guys are all lame,” Minzy stopped pacing. “I’m bringing my dad. He’s the bomb.”
WooYoung shook his head and smiled as everyone kept discussing who they were going to bring. He took out his cellphone, hoping Teacher Lee would be late, per usual.
“Hey, hyung? We’re having an event at my school. You’re invited.”
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WooYoung had had a rough day, and was now taking his anger out on a salmon roll.
“Slow down,” his brother warned, taking his chopsticks away from him and devouring his sushi. “You don’t need this food. All the fat goes to your cheeks, anyways.”
For the first time since he’d come to Seoul High, WooYoung had used his free period to meet up with his family. He had mixed feelings about it: guilt for not doing so sooner, happiness because he’d missed his brother so much, and anxiety, because he knew that his brother was going to ask about Dara.
“Hyung*, do you have a girlfriend?”
*(older) brother
“Wouldn’t you know if I had one, moron?”
“Well, it’s not like you have to share your private life with me, you know.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t. Too busy.”
“With what? Zelda?”
“Yes, actually. The new one came out, have you heard? I’m buying it tomorrow. But don’t tell mom.”
“As if.”
“So, now, for the much anticipated question: How is your love life?”
“Sucky, thanks for mentioning it.”
“Did you take my advice?”
“Well, kinda.”
WooYoung filled him in on everything that had happened in the past four weeks, including his sneaking out, the big fight in H.O.D class, and everything else.
“Wow,” his brother pushed the sleeves of his blazer back and leaned back in his chair. “That’s quite a dilemma you’ve got there. You know what I say? Try to concentrate a bit more on your friends. It seems like Nich and Junho are going through a rough time as well, and if you focus on them, it might actually get you somewhere. Besides, bros before hos, remember?”
“Yeah, you’re right. There’s definitely something fishy going on with Junho. I don’t know what it is, but I’m pretty sure it’s not girl-related.”
“Good for you. Hey, isn’t that Eunhyuk headed over here? Holy hell, it is. I haven’t seen him in forever.”
WooYoung grinned. He loved his brother’s friends. They were, to simply put it, awesome: amazingly talented, good-looking, and friendly. They got along with everybody and although they didn’t game intensely like Woo’s brother, they were pretty into StarCraft too.
“Yo,” Eunhyuk plopped down next to WooYoung. “How’s it goin’, little one? Heard you got into that fancy-shmancy school. Any hot chicks over there?”
“Some.”
“Woo’s got one, but she’s a bit crazy. She doesn’t like him. Look at him. Who wouldn’t like those chubby cheeks, that charismatic smile, the button nose?” His brother said, pinching his cheeks.
WooYoung rolled his eyes, causing Eunhyuk to laugh.
“Do they have good dance teachers over there?” he asked earnestly. Eunhyuk was the best dancer WooYoung had ever seen, even better than Junho or SooYoung, and he could rap up a storm. “Maybe I should come over there.”
“Bro, beware. They’ve got major drama, those third years.” His brother moved onto WooYoung’s other plate and wiped that one clean as well.
“How ‘bout the seniors? Any available girls?”
“Well…there is one,” WooYoung couldn’t help but smile. “Her name’s Yuri, and she’s totally your type. Want me to set you up with her?”
“Thanks bro. You’re the best. Oh, look who’s coming. It’s Fishy. He can’t go anywhere without me, you know.”
Donghae, his brother and Eunhyuk’s other best friend, walked over and slapped Eunhyuk on the head.
“You idiot! You just got up and left without paying the bill, and I had to wash the dishes because I didn’t have money on me. And now you’re eating again? You’re a pig, really. And you—“ he pointed at Woo’s brother, “you have the nerve to let Monkey here eat sushi without me? You really are something.”
“Don’t hate me ‘cause I’m beautiful,” his brother said, shrugging easily and eating yet another sushi roll.
WooYoung watched them goof around wistfully. He, NichKhun, and Junho hadn’t been like this for weeks. He wanted everything to go back to normal, but he didn’t know what to do.
“If only there was a reset button,” his brother said, reading his thoughts.
That comment instantly started a rap battle between Donghae and Eunhyuk, and developed into a song, with WooYoung’s brother providing the main vocals.
“Just press the reset, reset. If only you could press the reset, reset.”*
*This whole thing is a huge Super Junior reference. I urge you to do some research.
**
CL piled her long, blonde hair on her head, swiped some lip gloss on her lips, and took a deep breath before knocking on the door of the music room. When nobody answered, she slowly turned the knob and let herself in.
“G-Dragon? Are you there?
A single piano key was struck, given her the answer.
“I need to talk to you.”
G-Dragon looked up, his dark eyes rimmed with purple circles, his mouth drawn into a frown.
“What do you want?”
“I wanted to ask you something.” She came over and sat next to him on the piano bench. “Do you like Dara?”
CL wasn’t one to beat around the bush.
“She’s a good girl and everything but…no. I mean, I can’t think of her like that when she keeps trying to come onto me, you know? She doesn’t give me a chance to even sort out my thoughts.”
“Good,” CL said firmly.
Good?
“I have a proposition for you. It will guarantee keeping her off your back, I promise.”
“What is it?”
**
Suzy picked up her lunch tray and plunked down next to Taec, who was wolfing down a turkey sandwich.
“Hey, Elf Ears.”
Taec looked up.
“Hi,” he said, his mouth full.
“So, how are you?”
Taec stared at the girl, not sure how to respond.
“Ah, I’m good. I’d ask how you were, but we’re not exactly friends, and I’m sorta wondering the reason for why you’re here right now more than how you are.”
“Well, I want to change that. I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Why, though?”
“No reason. Should there be a reason, elf? It’s called being friendly, for god’s sake. Jeez.”
She got up and walked away, blowing her cheeks in and out, a habit she’d picked up from watching WooYoung.
**
On the other side of the room, NichKhun and Junho were seated at a table, awkwardly eating their lunch. Junho was eating salad with one hand, and writing in his Composition notebook with the other. NichKhun opened his mout to ask what was wrong, but a squeal drowned his voice out.
“Oppa!”
“Oh my gosh,” he muttered, burying his head in his hands. “Someone save me now.”
“Oppa, how are you? You should really eat more.”
“Jessica, go away, please.”
“Aish, but you’re really ruining all my fun. I’m giving you a free pass to be with me, and you’re passing it by. That’s really dangerous, NichKhun. You know that, right?”
Junho stared pointedly at NichKhun, waiting for him to give the right answer.
“I really don’t care, you know that right?”
Jessica smile turned into a grimace. “Look here, Thai boy: I’m accustomed to getting exactly what I want, and I will stop at nothing to get a boy. Tell me—is there another girl?”
“Actually, yes. She lives in Thailand, and we’ve been together for four years. You wouldn’t want to cross her.”
Junho gave him a doubtful look. NichKhun winked; he nodded back, understanding the situation.
“Oh well. She’s in Thailand. She’ll never know.”
And now, for the ultimate bomb….
“She’s prettier than you.” NichKhun shut his eyes, grinning.
“What?!?! NichKhun Horvejkul, I’m going to make you regret the day you said that. Just you wait and see. Jessica gets what she wants, and Jessica will get you, no matter what it takes.”
She stormed off, Bom and Yuri following close behind like lost puppies.
“May I question why she was talking in third person?” Junho said, stabbing a cherry tomato.
“Maybe she thinks she’s the Incredible Hulk or something,” NichKhun said, pleased that they were on speaking terms again.
He decided to take it to the next level.
“Junho, what’s bothering you?”
He looked up from his salad. “What do you mean? I’m fine.”
“You’re not, and you know it. Is it a girl? Family stuff?”
Junho heaved a sigh and ran a hand through his perfectly-mussed hair. “Maybe.”
“You know, you never talk about your parents, or your siblings. Is there…a reason for that?”
Junho opened his mouth, closed it, and shook his head.
“I can’t do this. Not here, not now.” He pushed back his chair and left, leaving his Composition notebook behind. NichKhun couldn’t resist the urge; he picked it up and flipped it open. The first few pages were full of song lyrics, but towards the end, there were graphic pictures and names—lots and lots of names. Girl names, boy names, names of places…
NichKhun took out his own notebook and copied down everything he saw, and quickly placed the book back. It was time for him to do a bit of detective work; dig deep into Junho’s history. He just hoped he wouldn’t find something he wasn’t looking for.
**
SooYoung wiped the sweat off her forehead, hoping nobody was watching. She watched Sunny go into the auditorium and caught the door with her foot before it closed, and then went in.
She hid inside a house stage prop and watched on as Sunny wordlessly climbed up the ladder to the projection room, and plugged a flash drive into the main computer. She typed in a password and messed around with the settings before clicking enter. She unplugged the flash drive with a satisfied smirk and exited the auditorium, walking past SooYoung obliviously.
SooYoung shook her head.
“What are you up to now, Sunny?”
**
NichKhun couldn’t believe his eyes. Everything he was searching up…All this information…It didn’t add up.
Gang Heng-Yi, 1962 – Sent to live with guardians after receiving severe beatings from both her older siblngs and her mother.
Cho Gyung,2002 – Sent to boarding school after police found out about the abuse his father put him through.
And then there were orphanage names…Numbers of lawyers.
None of it made sense.
“Junho, what are you hiding?”
**
3 hours later
“Will all students please report to the auditorium immediately? All students report to the auditorium. We will have an assembly.”
Everyone shuffled into the large auditorium, calling their friends over and stretching over the seats to save spots.
WooYoung placed himself between NichKhun and SooYoung, who both looked worried. SooYoung kept looking around for someone, and NichKhun watched Junho’s every moment with intensity.
What was going on?
Principal Ha stepped up to the podium. “Silence, children. We have gathered you here for a presentation about colleges. It is mainly for the third and fourth years, but we want the younger ones to get an idea of what they want to do as well.”
The lights dimmed, and a video started. It was a blurry image of two people on a swing. The camera came into focus, and WooYoung could make out Yoona and Taec, sitting together closely and laughing about something.
“Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest,” a background voice said. “So is forbidden love. Is that why they chose it?”
SooYoung gripped WooYoung’s arm.
It cut to an image of Yoona dancing while Taec applauded her on; them singing a song together at the karaoke; and lastly, the two of them sharing a deep kiss.
“Nothing stays a secret at Seoul High.”
The lights came back on, and everybody stared at each other. SooYoung’s nails were digging into Woo’s arm. She sprung out of her seat and sprinted toward Sunny, who was sitting beside a shaken Yoona and stroking her hair.
Principal Ha looked as shocked as everyone else.
“What just happened?” he boomed into the microphone. “Whose idea of a joke is this? Who’s behind this? I demand to know!”
*
SooYoung ran up to Sunny, who was comforting Yoona.
“It’s gonna be fine,” she heard her say.
“You bitch!” she yelled, yanking Sunny up by the arm. “Why would you do something like that?”
Sunny’s eyes sparkled. “I’m sorry but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You were in here the other day doing something with the computer. What is wrong with you?” she said in a low voice, not wanting anyone to overhear—especially not Yoona.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sunny whispered. “And neither do you.”
“Oh, I’m perfectly sure I know exactly what I’m talking about.” SooYoung slapped Sunny, and without even giving her a second to recover, grabbed her by the collar and swung her to the floor, jumping on top of her.
“Let go, you freak!” Sunny was no match for SooYoung’s muscle.
“She was the closest thing I had to a sister,” SooYoung growled, shaking her. “And you just went and publicly humiliated her. Why?”
She brought her fist back to punch Sunny, but someone held onto it firmly. She whipped her head back to see WooYoung and Teacher Lee, who were both holding onto her.
“Don’t,” they both said.
Someone grabbed her by the back of her uniform and pulled her up. She was face-to-face with Principal Ha.
“I would like to see you in my office,” he said calmly, not removing his eyes from Sunny, who was glaring up at SooYoung.
Soo brushed herself off, held up her chin defiantly, and walked out with him, knowing she was really in for it. Oh well, at least it was worth it.
**
Yoona scanned the crowd for Taec, trying to hold back tears. Who would have done something like that? Who had been watching them all that time?
And what was that fight about?
Suddenly, someone embraced her from behind. She breathed in Taec’s clean smell and buried her head in his arms.
“It’s gonna be okay. It’s not that bad. At least we looked good on camera,” he said teasingly.
Jessica walked up to them and pointed an accusing finger at Yoona.
“You are not welcome in our group anymore. I knew you were gonna mess up sooner or later, which is why I already took care of a replacement, and now that you’ve publicly humiliated yourself, you can officially count yourself out. Unfortunately, we can’t rearrange the dorm rooms, so you’ll still have to sleep with us, but you should find yourself some new friends, because this is done.”
Yoona took a deep breath, contemplating between whether today was the best or worst day of her life.
**
WooYoung stared in awe as he watched SooYoung walk with Principal Ha, her head held high, a satisfied smirk on her lips. She’d pounced on Sunny so quickly and expertly; and although he didn’t know why she did it, he knew there must have been a reasonable answer to that. SooYoung was a rational girl. She wouldn’t attack for no reason.
Teacher Lee shook her head as she walked past him, muttering something about “all a waste” and “we shouldn’t even try”.
WooYoung turned around to exclaim to NichKhun about the strangeness of things, only to find him unmoved from his original spot. Woo wasn’t even sure if Nich had seen what had happened.
“This whole school is bizarre,” Junho shook his head. “It reminds me of home sometime.”
NichKhun’s head snapped up. “How so?” he asked slowly, careful to not sound too interested.
“Nothing,” Junho said, bowing his head. “I’m gonna go upstairs.”
NichKhun followed him, inspecting the back of his head closesly.
WooYoung shook his head and went after them. Something weird was definitely going on with everybody, but he was out of the loop, as usual.
“Slow down,” his brother warned, taking his chopsticks away from him and devouring his sushi. “You don’t need this food. All the fat goes to your cheeks, anyways.”
For the first time since he’d come to Seoul High, WooYoung had used his free period to meet up with his family. He had mixed feelings about it: guilt for not doing so sooner, happiness because he’d missed his brother so much, and anxiety, because he knew that his brother was going to ask about Dara.
“Hyung*, do you have a girlfriend?”
*(older) brother
“Wouldn’t you know if I had one, moron?”
“Well, it’s not like you have to share your private life with me, you know.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t. Too busy.”
“With what? Zelda?”
“Yes, actually. The new one came out, have you heard? I’m buying it tomorrow. But don’t tell mom.”
“As if.”
“So, now, for the much anticipated question: How is your love life?”
“Sucky, thanks for mentioning it.”
“Did you take my advice?”
“Well, kinda.”
WooYoung filled him in on everything that had happened in the past four weeks, including his sneaking out, the big fight in H.O.D class, and everything else.
“Wow,” his brother pushed the sleeves of his blazer back and leaned back in his chair. “That’s quite a dilemma you’ve got there. You know what I say? Try to concentrate a bit more on your friends. It seems like Nich and Junho are going through a rough time as well, and if you focus on them, it might actually get you somewhere. Besides, bros before hos, remember?”
“Yeah, you’re right. There’s definitely something fishy going on with Junho. I don’t know what it is, but I’m pretty sure it’s not girl-related.”
“Good for you. Hey, isn’t that Eunhyuk headed over here? Holy hell, it is. I haven’t seen him in forever.”
WooYoung grinned. He loved his brother’s friends. They were, to simply put it, awesome: amazingly talented, good-looking, and friendly. They got along with everybody and although they didn’t game intensely like Woo’s brother, they were pretty into StarCraft too.
“Yo,” Eunhyuk plopped down next to WooYoung. “How’s it goin’, little one? Heard you got into that fancy-shmancy school. Any hot chicks over there?”
“Some.”
“Woo’s got one, but she’s a bit crazy. She doesn’t like him. Look at him. Who wouldn’t like those chubby cheeks, that charismatic smile, the button nose?” His brother said, pinching his cheeks.
WooYoung rolled his eyes, causing Eunhyuk to laugh.
“Do they have good dance teachers over there?” he asked earnestly. Eunhyuk was the best dancer WooYoung had ever seen, even better than Junho or SooYoung, and he could rap up a storm. “Maybe I should come over there.”
“Bro, beware. They’ve got major drama, those third years.” His brother moved onto WooYoung’s other plate and wiped that one clean as well.
“How ‘bout the seniors? Any available girls?”
“Well…there is one,” WooYoung couldn’t help but smile. “Her name’s Yuri, and she’s totally your type. Want me to set you up with her?”
“Thanks bro. You’re the best. Oh, look who’s coming. It’s Fishy. He can’t go anywhere without me, you know.”
Donghae, his brother and Eunhyuk’s other best friend, walked over and slapped Eunhyuk on the head.
“You idiot! You just got up and left without paying the bill, and I had to wash the dishes because I didn’t have money on me. And now you’re eating again? You’re a pig, really. And you—“ he pointed at Woo’s brother, “you have the nerve to let Monkey here eat sushi without me? You really are something.”
“Don’t hate me ‘cause I’m beautiful,” his brother said, shrugging easily and eating yet another sushi roll.
WooYoung watched them goof around wistfully. He, NichKhun, and Junho hadn’t been like this for weeks. He wanted everything to go back to normal, but he didn’t know what to do.
“If only there was a reset button,” his brother said, reading his thoughts.
That comment instantly started a rap battle between Donghae and Eunhyuk, and developed into a song, with WooYoung’s brother providing the main vocals.
“Just press the reset, reset. If only you could press the reset, reset.”*
*This whole thing is a huge Super Junior reference. I urge you to do some research.
**
CL piled her long, blonde hair on her head, swiped some lip gloss on her lips, and took a deep breath before knocking on the door of the music room. When nobody answered, she slowly turned the knob and let herself in.
“G-Dragon? Are you there?
A single piano key was struck, given her the answer.
“I need to talk to you.”
G-Dragon looked up, his dark eyes rimmed with purple circles, his mouth drawn into a frown.
“What do you want?”
“I wanted to ask you something.” She came over and sat next to him on the piano bench. “Do you like Dara?”
CL wasn’t one to beat around the bush.
“She’s a good girl and everything but…no. I mean, I can’t think of her like that when she keeps trying to come onto me, you know? She doesn’t give me a chance to even sort out my thoughts.”
“Good,” CL said firmly.
Good?
“I have a proposition for you. It will guarantee keeping her off your back, I promise.”
“What is it?”
**
Suzy picked up her lunch tray and plunked down next to Taec, who was wolfing down a turkey sandwich.
“Hey, Elf Ears.”
Taec looked up.
“Hi,” he said, his mouth full.
“So, how are you?”
Taec stared at the girl, not sure how to respond.
“Ah, I’m good. I’d ask how you were, but we’re not exactly friends, and I’m sorta wondering the reason for why you’re here right now more than how you are.”
“Well, I want to change that. I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Why, though?”
“No reason. Should there be a reason, elf? It’s called being friendly, for god’s sake. Jeez.”
She got up and walked away, blowing her cheeks in and out, a habit she’d picked up from watching WooYoung.
**
On the other side of the room, NichKhun and Junho were seated at a table, awkwardly eating their lunch. Junho was eating salad with one hand, and writing in his Composition notebook with the other. NichKhun opened his mout to ask what was wrong, but a squeal drowned his voice out.
“Oppa!”
“Oh my gosh,” he muttered, burying his head in his hands. “Someone save me now.”
“Oppa, how are you? You should really eat more.”
“Jessica, go away, please.”
“Aish, but you’re really ruining all my fun. I’m giving you a free pass to be with me, and you’re passing it by. That’s really dangerous, NichKhun. You know that, right?”
Junho stared pointedly at NichKhun, waiting for him to give the right answer.
“I really don’t care, you know that right?”
Jessica smile turned into a grimace. “Look here, Thai boy: I’m accustomed to getting exactly what I want, and I will stop at nothing to get a boy. Tell me—is there another girl?”
“Actually, yes. She lives in Thailand, and we’ve been together for four years. You wouldn’t want to cross her.”
Junho gave him a doubtful look. NichKhun winked; he nodded back, understanding the situation.
“Oh well. She’s in Thailand. She’ll never know.”
And now, for the ultimate bomb….
“She’s prettier than you.” NichKhun shut his eyes, grinning.
“What?!?! NichKhun Horvejkul, I’m going to make you regret the day you said that. Just you wait and see. Jessica gets what she wants, and Jessica will get you, no matter what it takes.”
She stormed off, Bom and Yuri following close behind like lost puppies.
“May I question why she was talking in third person?” Junho said, stabbing a cherry tomato.
“Maybe she thinks she’s the Incredible Hulk or something,” NichKhun said, pleased that they were on speaking terms again.
He decided to take it to the next level.
“Junho, what’s bothering you?”
He looked up from his salad. “What do you mean? I’m fine.”
“You’re not, and you know it. Is it a girl? Family stuff?”
Junho heaved a sigh and ran a hand through his perfectly-mussed hair. “Maybe.”
“You know, you never talk about your parents, or your siblings. Is there…a reason for that?”
Junho opened his mouth, closed it, and shook his head.
“I can’t do this. Not here, not now.” He pushed back his chair and left, leaving his Composition notebook behind. NichKhun couldn’t resist the urge; he picked it up and flipped it open. The first few pages were full of song lyrics, but towards the end, there were graphic pictures and names—lots and lots of names. Girl names, boy names, names of places…
NichKhun took out his own notebook and copied down everything he saw, and quickly placed the book back. It was time for him to do a bit of detective work; dig deep into Junho’s history. He just hoped he wouldn’t find something he wasn’t looking for.
**
SooYoung wiped the sweat off her forehead, hoping nobody was watching. She watched Sunny go into the auditorium and caught the door with her foot before it closed, and then went in.
She hid inside a house stage prop and watched on as Sunny wordlessly climbed up the ladder to the projection room, and plugged a flash drive into the main computer. She typed in a password and messed around with the settings before clicking enter. She unplugged the flash drive with a satisfied smirk and exited the auditorium, walking past SooYoung obliviously.
SooYoung shook her head.
“What are you up to now, Sunny?”
**
NichKhun couldn’t believe his eyes. Everything he was searching up…All this information…It didn’t add up.
Gang Heng-Yi, 1962 – Sent to live with guardians after receiving severe beatings from both her older siblngs and her mother.
Cho Gyung,2002 – Sent to boarding school after police found out about the abuse his father put him through.
And then there were orphanage names…Numbers of lawyers.
None of it made sense.
“Junho, what are you hiding?”
**
3 hours later
“Will all students please report to the auditorium immediately? All students report to the auditorium. We will have an assembly.”
Everyone shuffled into the large auditorium, calling their friends over and stretching over the seats to save spots.
WooYoung placed himself between NichKhun and SooYoung, who both looked worried. SooYoung kept looking around for someone, and NichKhun watched Junho’s every moment with intensity.
What was going on?
Principal Ha stepped up to the podium. “Silence, children. We have gathered you here for a presentation about colleges. It is mainly for the third and fourth years, but we want the younger ones to get an idea of what they want to do as well.”
The lights dimmed, and a video started. It was a blurry image of two people on a swing. The camera came into focus, and WooYoung could make out Yoona and Taec, sitting together closely and laughing about something.
“Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest,” a background voice said. “So is forbidden love. Is that why they chose it?”
SooYoung gripped WooYoung’s arm.
It cut to an image of Yoona dancing while Taec applauded her on; them singing a song together at the karaoke; and lastly, the two of them sharing a deep kiss.
“Nothing stays a secret at Seoul High.”
The lights came back on, and everybody stared at each other. SooYoung’s nails were digging into Woo’s arm. She sprung out of her seat and sprinted toward Sunny, who was sitting beside a shaken Yoona and stroking her hair.
Principal Ha looked as shocked as everyone else.
“What just happened?” he boomed into the microphone. “Whose idea of a joke is this? Who’s behind this? I demand to know!”
*
SooYoung ran up to Sunny, who was comforting Yoona.
“It’s gonna be fine,” she heard her say.
“You bitch!” she yelled, yanking Sunny up by the arm. “Why would you do something like that?”
Sunny’s eyes sparkled. “I’m sorry but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You were in here the other day doing something with the computer. What is wrong with you?” she said in a low voice, not wanting anyone to overhear—especially not Yoona.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sunny whispered. “And neither do you.”
“Oh, I’m perfectly sure I know exactly what I’m talking about.” SooYoung slapped Sunny, and without even giving her a second to recover, grabbed her by the collar and swung her to the floor, jumping on top of her.
“Let go, you freak!” Sunny was no match for SooYoung’s muscle.
“She was the closest thing I had to a sister,” SooYoung growled, shaking her. “And you just went and publicly humiliated her. Why?”
She brought her fist back to punch Sunny, but someone held onto it firmly. She whipped her head back to see WooYoung and Teacher Lee, who were both holding onto her.
“Don’t,” they both said.
Someone grabbed her by the back of her uniform and pulled her up. She was face-to-face with Principal Ha.
“I would like to see you in my office,” he said calmly, not removing his eyes from Sunny, who was glaring up at SooYoung.
Soo brushed herself off, held up her chin defiantly, and walked out with him, knowing she was really in for it. Oh well, at least it was worth it.
**
Yoona scanned the crowd for Taec, trying to hold back tears. Who would have done something like that? Who had been watching them all that time?
And what was that fight about?
Suddenly, someone embraced her from behind. She breathed in Taec’s clean smell and buried her head in his arms.
“It’s gonna be okay. It’s not that bad. At least we looked good on camera,” he said teasingly.
Jessica walked up to them and pointed an accusing finger at Yoona.
“You are not welcome in our group anymore. I knew you were gonna mess up sooner or later, which is why I already took care of a replacement, and now that you’ve publicly humiliated yourself, you can officially count yourself out. Unfortunately, we can’t rearrange the dorm rooms, so you’ll still have to sleep with us, but you should find yourself some new friends, because this is done.”
Yoona took a deep breath, contemplating between whether today was the best or worst day of her life.
**
WooYoung stared in awe as he watched SooYoung walk with Principal Ha, her head held high, a satisfied smirk on her lips. She’d pounced on Sunny so quickly and expertly; and although he didn’t know why she did it, he knew there must have been a reasonable answer to that. SooYoung was a rational girl. She wouldn’t attack for no reason.
Teacher Lee shook her head as she walked past him, muttering something about “all a waste” and “we shouldn’t even try”.
WooYoung turned around to exclaim to NichKhun about the strangeness of things, only to find him unmoved from his original spot. Woo wasn’t even sure if Nich had seen what had happened.
“This whole school is bizarre,” Junho shook his head. “It reminds me of home sometime.”
NichKhun’s head snapped up. “How so?” he asked slowly, careful to not sound too interested.
“Nothing,” Junho said, bowing his head. “I’m gonna go upstairs.”
NichKhun followed him, inspecting the back of his head closesly.
WooYoung shook his head and went after them. Something weird was definitely going on with everybody, but he was out of the loop, as usual.
It’s sunny out when we meet up. He’s already sitting there, GameBoy in hand, biting his lips as he tilts the screen back and forth.
“Hey,” I say, plopping down next to him on the swing. “What’s up?”
Alex puts away the GameBoy and looks at me.
“Not much. The usual. You?”
“Same,” I say, refraining from telling him about something funny that happened with the girls. I spare him the girl talk. I don’t want him to see me like other girls. I try my best to fall under the category of girls that he wouldn’t think of like that.
“What are you gonna do during the summer?” I ask, trying to tear my eyes away from his hair. I want to comb it so badly, but I know he’ll find the act to be too motherly, and I’ve kinda been pulling away from that lately. For some reason, we’re growing apart. I haven’t been able to figure out why yet, though. I act like his mom too much already.
“I dunno.”
“Why don’t you find a part-time job?” I persist. It’s hard to get Alex going. He has no determination, unless it’s about a girl or videogames. Videogames, I can understand, but girls, I do not.
I mean, I understand why he’d try so hard, but then again, I don’t. Is it so necessary to pursue someone?
“Eh. Not necessary.”
“Alex, how’s it not necessary?” I ask, trying to not show my exasperation. “Don’t you ever think of your future?”
“I don’t know what I wanna be.”
He’s staring at me now, with those intense eyes, and I can’t help but wonder if…if it’s true. If no matter how sisterly you are to any guy, at one point in their lives, they’ll have to look at you like that. It makes me uncomfortable, his hormones. Or, should I say, my lack of them. I can’t reciprocate his feelings. I don’t like him, but I have no clue how he feels. It would be so stereotypical, wouldn’t it? But it’s not. It’s just confusing.
All I want to do is be a boy for a day, to completely understand their body and brain, and then be me, Sadie, again, so I can figure this all out.
It’s too complex for me. And asking him is like suicide. What is he supposed to respond?
“Oh, no, I’ve always seen you as just a friend, but I can’t believe how conceited you are. Why would you think I liked you?”
Or even worse:
“Oh, no, I’ve always seen you as just a friend, but now that you mention it, you have potential.”
Or the scariest:
“Yes.”
What I hate the most is that we can’t have one conversation where I end up stiff and scared that he likes me. It’s not that I think much of myself more than the fact that I know nothing about how boys think, but I also do.
Then we talk about the future. Alex gets really into it, and he keeps looking at me like expects something from me, but I don’t know what. Advice? Calculus homework? A hug?
As we’ve grown up this year, I’ve minimized the touching, knowing that it freaks guys out. No matter what I might not think about it, god knows what he does think of it.
I pity him for being a guy. He makes both of our lives harder. But then again, it wouldn’t be the same if he was a girl. It really wouldn’t. Like how it wouldn’t be the same if I were a guy.
**
I sit by myself on the swing, playing the newest game on my GameBoy. The sun shines and burns my forhead.
Sadie’s coming over, but I pretend not to see her. Instead, I focus on killing all the beavers on my screen. She sits next to me.
“Hey.”
She’s wearing normal jeans—not too tight, but not too baggy, and a medium-sized green t-shirt with a jacket. Not much skin.
I close the GameBoy before she can lecture me on my lack of communication.
“What’s up?
“Not much. The usual. You?”
“Same.”
I open my mouth, about to spill about how the boys and me were checking out these girls and got thrown out of the café, when I’m reminded that Sadie is one of them. I have a tendency to forget that. She doesn’t act like them much. I mean, her feminine side comes out, but she’s really smart. And she’s not like all the ditzy girls I know and like. I don’t know how I feel about that. I mean, it’s cool to have a rational girl friend, but sometimes I wonder if we’d be just friends if she wasn’t the way she was. She cares about stuff. Important stuff. Not like, nail polish or shoes. It makes it harder for me to talk to her, but easier at the same time.
I’m afraid she’ll judge me about the café thing, so I keep my mouth shut.
“What are you gonna do for the summer?”
Crap. She’s not gonna like my answer.
“I dunno.”
“Why don’t you find a part-time job?” her eyes remind me of a puppy dog’s. They’re big, round, chocolate brown, and full of hope.
“Eh. Not necessary.”
And it isn’t, really. Why should it be? I’ll get it later.
She slides away from me, unaware that she’s doing so. Her body language is so careful and timed. I swear, she’s warning me with her whole body. I’m pretty sure what I’m being warned of, but I don’t want to make any assumptions. If I turn out to be wrong, I’ll be an asshole. A conceited asshole.
“Alex, how’s it not necessary? Don’t you ever think of your future?”
With any other girl, I would’ve probably gotten up and left, but I know Sadie does what she does for a reason. She’s acting like my mom. She’s reminding me of who she is. She’s setting some boundary between us. Normal guys wouldn’t notice, and it’s a miracle that even I did, but I studied. Hard. After becoming friends with her, everything became complicated, so I took some time out of my oh-so busy schedule and did some research. Adolescent psychology and stuff.
“I don’t know what I wanna be,” I feed her the bait. It’s not what she wants to hear.
This starts off a conversation about our future, and my mind wanders. I think about how I don’t even know what size Sadie is ‘cause I’ve never seen her in anything tight. She dresses so normally, and although nobody else would notice it, it sets her aside from all the other girls. The more she tries to blend in, the more she sticks out like a sore thumb.
Sometimes I completely forget she’s a girl, and we’ll do all sorts of crazy stuff, and then one thing will happen. The wind will blow her hair, or I’ll look at her straight, perfect nails, and I’ll remember who she is, and I’ll pull back.
Sometimes I get this urge to hug her or something, but then I’m just like, “Control your hormones, Alex.”
It’s so frustrating. Sometimes I wish she’d just been born a boy. Or she could just give me the “I don’t care if you’re a sexually frustrated boy, it doesn’t disgust me, so you can talk about girls in front of me without me being insulted or puking” signal.
But then again, if she was born a boy, we wouldn’t talk about deep stuff. We’d just play games and laugh. It would be cool, but if she was a boy, I probably wouldn’t be her friend.
“Hey,” I say, plopping down next to him on the swing. “What’s up?”
Alex puts away the GameBoy and looks at me.
“Not much. The usual. You?”
“Same,” I say, refraining from telling him about something funny that happened with the girls. I spare him the girl talk. I don’t want him to see me like other girls. I try my best to fall under the category of girls that he wouldn’t think of like that.
“What are you gonna do during the summer?” I ask, trying to tear my eyes away from his hair. I want to comb it so badly, but I know he’ll find the act to be too motherly, and I’ve kinda been pulling away from that lately. For some reason, we’re growing apart. I haven’t been able to figure out why yet, though. I act like his mom too much already.
“I dunno.”
“Why don’t you find a part-time job?” I persist. It’s hard to get Alex going. He has no determination, unless it’s about a girl or videogames. Videogames, I can understand, but girls, I do not.
I mean, I understand why he’d try so hard, but then again, I don’t. Is it so necessary to pursue someone?
“Eh. Not necessary.”
“Alex, how’s it not necessary?” I ask, trying to not show my exasperation. “Don’t you ever think of your future?”
“I don’t know what I wanna be.”
He’s staring at me now, with those intense eyes, and I can’t help but wonder if…if it’s true. If no matter how sisterly you are to any guy, at one point in their lives, they’ll have to look at you like that. It makes me uncomfortable, his hormones. Or, should I say, my lack of them. I can’t reciprocate his feelings. I don’t like him, but I have no clue how he feels. It would be so stereotypical, wouldn’t it? But it’s not. It’s just confusing.
All I want to do is be a boy for a day, to completely understand their body and brain, and then be me, Sadie, again, so I can figure this all out.
It’s too complex for me. And asking him is like suicide. What is he supposed to respond?
“Oh, no, I’ve always seen you as just a friend, but I can’t believe how conceited you are. Why would you think I liked you?”
Or even worse:
“Oh, no, I’ve always seen you as just a friend, but now that you mention it, you have potential.”
Or the scariest:
“Yes.”
What I hate the most is that we can’t have one conversation where I end up stiff and scared that he likes me. It’s not that I think much of myself more than the fact that I know nothing about how boys think, but I also do.
Then we talk about the future. Alex gets really into it, and he keeps looking at me like expects something from me, but I don’t know what. Advice? Calculus homework? A hug?
As we’ve grown up this year, I’ve minimized the touching, knowing that it freaks guys out. No matter what I might not think about it, god knows what he does think of it.
I pity him for being a guy. He makes both of our lives harder. But then again, it wouldn’t be the same if he was a girl. It really wouldn’t. Like how it wouldn’t be the same if I were a guy.
**
I sit by myself on the swing, playing the newest game on my GameBoy. The sun shines and burns my forhead.
Sadie’s coming over, but I pretend not to see her. Instead, I focus on killing all the beavers on my screen. She sits next to me.
“Hey.”
She’s wearing normal jeans—not too tight, but not too baggy, and a medium-sized green t-shirt with a jacket. Not much skin.
I close the GameBoy before she can lecture me on my lack of communication.
“What’s up?
“Not much. The usual. You?”
“Same.”
I open my mouth, about to spill about how the boys and me were checking out these girls and got thrown out of the café, when I’m reminded that Sadie is one of them. I have a tendency to forget that. She doesn’t act like them much. I mean, her feminine side comes out, but she’s really smart. And she’s not like all the ditzy girls I know and like. I don’t know how I feel about that. I mean, it’s cool to have a rational girl friend, but sometimes I wonder if we’d be just friends if she wasn’t the way she was. She cares about stuff. Important stuff. Not like, nail polish or shoes. It makes it harder for me to talk to her, but easier at the same time.
I’m afraid she’ll judge me about the café thing, so I keep my mouth shut.
“What are you gonna do for the summer?”
Crap. She’s not gonna like my answer.
“I dunno.”
“Why don’t you find a part-time job?” her eyes remind me of a puppy dog’s. They’re big, round, chocolate brown, and full of hope.
“Eh. Not necessary.”
And it isn’t, really. Why should it be? I’ll get it later.
She slides away from me, unaware that she’s doing so. Her body language is so careful and timed. I swear, she’s warning me with her whole body. I’m pretty sure what I’m being warned of, but I don’t want to make any assumptions. If I turn out to be wrong, I’ll be an asshole. A conceited asshole.
“Alex, how’s it not necessary? Don’t you ever think of your future?”
With any other girl, I would’ve probably gotten up and left, but I know Sadie does what she does for a reason. She’s acting like my mom. She’s reminding me of who she is. She’s setting some boundary between us. Normal guys wouldn’t notice, and it’s a miracle that even I did, but I studied. Hard. After becoming friends with her, everything became complicated, so I took some time out of my oh-so busy schedule and did some research. Adolescent psychology and stuff.
“I don’t know what I wanna be,” I feed her the bait. It’s not what she wants to hear.
This starts off a conversation about our future, and my mind wanders. I think about how I don’t even know what size Sadie is ‘cause I’ve never seen her in anything tight. She dresses so normally, and although nobody else would notice it, it sets her aside from all the other girls. The more she tries to blend in, the more she sticks out like a sore thumb.
Sometimes I completely forget she’s a girl, and we’ll do all sorts of crazy stuff, and then one thing will happen. The wind will blow her hair, or I’ll look at her straight, perfect nails, and I’ll remember who she is, and I’ll pull back.
Sometimes I get this urge to hug her or something, but then I’m just like, “Control your hormones, Alex.”
It’s so frustrating. Sometimes I wish she’d just been born a boy. Or she could just give me the “I don’t care if you’re a sexually frustrated boy, it doesn’t disgust me, so you can talk about girls in front of me without me being insulted or puking” signal.
But then again, if she was born a boy, we wouldn’t talk about deep stuff. We’d just play games and laugh. It would be cool, but if she was a boy, I probably wouldn’t be her friend.
Sunny and Seungri sat together at a table, a plate of dumplings between them. Seungri was furiously scribbling in his black notebook, his dark eyebrows pulled together.
“I just don’t get it,” he mumbled. “Why do they even do this? Somehow, they’ve dragged me into it as well. It’s all Daesung’s fault, actually. If he wasn’t so into Minzy, he’d never involve me in it. I don’t want to be part of their drama! All I want is to finish this piece. Mom needs the money as quickly as possible.”
Sunny nodded, not knowing what to say. The whole History of Dance class had ended up being punished for their “rude actions” after Teacher Cho called Teacher Lee and complained about the noise they were making. People like Seungri, who hadn’t even been involved in the whole big fight, had been victims.
“I’m sorry. Do you…need anything?”
Seungri lifted his head, his eyes full of concern. “No. I think I’m gonna go outside. If I don’t send this article by tomorrow, I won’t get the money. That’s not an option.” He heaved a sigh, got up, and left.
Sunny watched him walk away, a frown on her face. Here was a person with actual problems, unlike the ones her friends liked to create. Seungri’s family was poor, and although nobody but his cousin Daesung knew, he was a scholarship student. Every week, he wrote articles for a newspaper company and got money for it. He didn’t want anyone to know, so he was published as ‘anonymous’. He sent every cent he got to his mom and two little sisters.
She fiddled with her fork, staring at the untouched dumplings. The fight had been bad. There hadn’t been one person in the room who wasn’t yelling at another. Sunny had had no idea what to do, and had refrained from joining. Had she done the right thing?
“Hey Sunny!”
Sunny was surprised to see WooYoung walking toward her. They usually didn’t talk, although Sunny did want to be his friend.
“Have you seen SooYoung?”
Sunny’s face fell.
“She’s by the desserts,” she mumbled, pointing.
“Thanks. Hey, you wanna come with me? SooYoung and I are gonna practice for dance class.”
Sunny’s eyes brightened.
“I’d love to!”
**
Yoona stared at her fingers as Taec pushed the swing they were on back and forth with his big feet.
“So Yoo,” he said, easily, inching closer to her. “What do you like doing in your spare time?”
“Me? Oh, I never have spare time. You’re a senior too, you should know!”
“Okay, so what do you do with the girls?”
“They shop; get their hair and nails done, you know, girl stuff.”
“But what do you do?”
“Ya, why do you keep pressing the issue? I don’t do anything!”
“Maybe you should,” Taec said quietly. “Do you even know what you wanna be?”
“Sure. I’ll be a model.”
“But do you like modeling?”
“I…don’t know. I’ve never tried.”
Taec stopped the swing.
“Yoona, you and I are going on an exploration to find your true passion. And maybe, along the way, we’ll discover your personality as well.”
Yoona sighed and shook her head. “It’s about time, anyway.”
They hopped off the swing and walked away, chatting easily. They were both so caught up in each other that they didn’t notice someone watching them from behind an oak tree.
**
SooYoung’s long hair flew around her as she spun and twirled to the beat of the song that their friend, Taeyang, had composed.
“Hold on!” Shouted WooYoung, looking up from his cellphone. She and Sunny stopped, and SooYoung took the opportunity to pull out a hair band and tie her hair back.
“Uh, girls, sorry to cut the practice in half, but, um, my mom wants to, uh, videochat. I think I’ll just—“
“Can we meet your mom, too?” Sunny asked excitedly.
SooYoung elbowed her.
“Sure. But beware: She’s very emotional.”
About fifteen minutes later, the three of them were crowded around WooYoung’s laptop, peering closely into the webcam. When WooYoung’s mother saw them, the first thing she did was burst into tears.
“WooYoungie, you’ve grown so much in two months! Oh my gosh, my little boy!”
And then she stared at the two girls. “So, which one of you is his girlfriend?”
“Ma!” WooYoung buried his head in his hands.
“Is it you?” she asked Sunny, who shook her head from side to side, giggling.
“You?” SooYoung pointed at herself as if to say ‘me?’. She shook her head firmly, her cheeks turning crimson.
“He’s too lame to have a girlfriend,” came a deep voice from the background. A boy was playing Halo on the computer behind his mom. SooYoung couldn’t make out his face, since it was turned away from them, but she guessed him to be in his late teens. Was that WooYoung’s infamou--
“Hey bro.”
“Hey loser,” he didn’t even look up from his game as he expertly lifted a hand in a sign of greeting. SooYoung was impressed.
WooYoung’s mother interrogated them for an hour, asking if they got enough vitamin, wore clean underwear, etc. SooYoung tried her very best to pay attention, but her eyes kept sliding to the other boy’s monitor. His playing was so good and SooYoung loved Halo. If only she could go over there and--
“Well, I guess I can’t keep you kids any longer. Take care.”
“Anyo!” The three of them bowed at the webcam, and WooYoung closed his laptop.
“Sorry about that.”
“No problem. She seems like a nice person,” Sunny said quickly, trying her best to please WooYoung. SooYoung resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Before she could say anything, the doors burst open and Dara came in with G-Dragon, giggling like a little schoolgirl. G-Dragon looked uncomfortable, to say the least. He’d been acting weird around everyone and keeping his distance since the final.
“Oh,” Dara stared at the three of them innocently. “We didn’t know you were in here. We were just gonna practice for dance.”
“Yeah, well, the classroom’s full, so I think I’ll leave,” G-Dragon said, slipping his hand out of hers and turning away.
Dara pouted. “Kiwon!” She shouted, using his real name. “Don’t go! We can study here. WooYoung doesn’t mind, does he?”
“Um, we’re here, too, and to be quite honest, although we don’t mind, it seems like Kiwon doesn’t really want to dance right now,” SooYoung stared at Sunny as if snakes were coming out of her eyes. When had she become so confident and…bitchy?
WooYoung and Dara seemed to be thinking the same thing.
“Gee, I never thought you knew how to stand up for yourself, Sunny,” Dara said, stepping forward. G-Dragon shook his head and left the room, and WooYoung nodded at Soo and followed him. The atmosphere had quickly turned to one similar to the one in History of Dance the other day. There was tension everywhere.
“I never thought you were the kind of girl that desperately followed boys, even when they made it clear that they didn’t wanna be with you, but I guess we both don’t know each other very well, do we?” Sunny was just inches away from Dara now, grateful that Yuri had made her wear three-inch heels that morning.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” SooYoung stepped between them. “We’ve already gotten punished, there’s no need to push this further. Dara—we were already leaving. You can practice as much as you want. Sunny, c’mere.”
She pulled Sunny by the arm.
“Let go!”
“What has gotten into you?” SooYoung yelled as soon as they were outside. “One minute you’re all cute and nice, the next you’re a complete bitch. What are you doing? What’s the point that you’re trying to prove here?”
“You don’t understand anything,” Sunny said, yanking her arm away. She walked away as fast as she could, trying her best not to hobble in her heels.
SooYoung watched her strut away in awe. That fight has sparked something inside of everyone.
**
WooYoung followed G-Dragon as he ran down the hallway.
“Hey! GD! Wait up!”
He rounded a corner and saw that the blonde was nowhere to be found. There was only the balcony door on this floor, and WooYoung didn’t hesitate to fling it open. G-Dragon was standing there, along with…NichKhun?
“Hey,” WooYoung said awkwardly, feeling like an intruder. “Uh, I wanted to talk to you.”
NichKhun stiffened. “I’ll leave.”
“Nah, stay,” G-Dragon held him back.
There was a pregnant silence.
“You know what?” WooYoung said suddenly. “This is extremely awkward. Everyone’s been awkward since the finals. Whatever problem we have, we need to settle it now.”
“Okay,” NichKhun said, looking unamused. “I’ll point out all the problems, and you’ll fix the, won’t you, Woo? The first problem is Dara.”
G-Dragon pulled back and scratched his head, looking away.
“You like Dara—“
“You do?” GD asked, staring at Woo disbelievingly. “I never knew that.”
“It’s beyond obvious,” NichKhun muttered. “Anyways, you like her, she likes GD, and GD doesn’t give a flying fuck. Now, how are you gonna resolve this, WooYoung? Enlighten us.”
“I…”
“Yeah, you can’t. It’s called life. It’s painful, but we’re forced to go through it. Second issue: everyone hates everyone, because apparently we’re all just a bunch of pricks who don’t even care about the anyone else beside ourselves.”
“And thirdly,” G-Dragon said, “We all judge each other without knowing one another’s lives.” He gave NichKhun a sideways glance, which he ignored.
“But how do we fix this?” WooYoung asked, his cheeks blowing up.
“We can’t,” NichKhun said sadly. “We just have to go with the flow. Everything will eventually fix itself. Or not. All’s for the best.”
“Are we…okay now?”
“Yeah, I guess. It’s just…don’t stray away too far, please. Sometimes, when I need you most, I can never find you because you’re always out and about.”
“NichKhun…Are you okay?” WooYoung asked, stepping closer. “You’ve been acting weirder than ever.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”
“No he’s not,” G-Dragon shook his blonde mane. “Tell him.”
“No.”
“He’s your best friend.”
“That’s why I won’t! I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Ah, I’m still here. But I’ll leave. It seems like you two seem like you have something to discuss,” WooYoung smiled, bowed, and left.
Khun shook his head. This was the problem with WooYoung: he was too nice. If anyone else had said that, it would’ve sounded rude, but Woo was completely sincere and he wasn’t trying to offend them. He was too kind.
**
Taec tried not to stare at Yoona as she danced, but he couldn’t resist. She was good. Not the best, but good. And she had a nice bod--
Okay.
The music stopped and Yoona walked toward him.
“How was I?” She undid her bun and let her long hair fall to her shoulders.
“Wow, Yoo, you should leave your hair out more often.”
Yoona blushed. “I had fun, but I don’t really think dancing is my passion. I mean, I don’t get an adrenaline high like SooYoung when I dance. Same with singing. It’s fun and everything, but I don’t get that spark you were talking about when you rap or work out.”
“Well then, I know what we can do next…”
Half an hour later, they were in the seniors’ room, trying to convince CL and Junsu that they’d take care of their cameras.
“If anything happens to it, I’ll kill you,” CL growled. “Film Production is my best class, and I can’t pass it without my camera!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Taec said, lightly punching her. “Chill. We’re responsible adults, right Yoo?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Well, Yoo, now that we’ve got a camera and a script, courtesy of Junsu, do you think you’re gonna be able to do this?”
“Sure! I have a feeling I’m gonna like this.”
For two hours, Taec filmed Yoona act out a short film, playing all the parts. She was really, really good, and Taec didn’t hesitate in telling her so.
“Really? I had so much fun. And I felt the adrenaline! Taec, I think acting’s the thing for me!” She jumped into his arms, and he held her tight, breathing in her mixed scent of washing detergent, violets, and lilacs.
He didn’t want to let go, so he hesitated when she pulled back slightly.
“So…what now?” She asked quietly.
Taec pushed a piece of flyaway hair behind her ear. “I think it’s high time we discovered you.”
With that, he tilted her chin upwards and pulled her towards him, kissing her strongly as the same person from earlier watched on.
**
Junho pulled away from the balcony door, wishing he hadn’t followed WooYoung to see what the fuss was about. Once again, they’d neglected to include him in the conversation. And what was so big that NichKhun couldn’t tell them, but could go share it with that G-Dragon kid?
Was it as big as his secret, or possibly, worse?
He just kept getting more and more hurt by his friends’ actions
He heard approaching footsteps and ran away before anyone could discover him eavesdropping.
**
“Girls, I have an announcement!”
Yuri, SooYoung, and Sunny looked up from what they were doing and stared at Jessica, who was beaming.
“We have an addition to our group. Say hello to Park Bom! She’s recently started dating T.O.P., who is undoubtedly one of the hottest guys in the fourth year, and I saw it fit for her to join us. Introduce yourself.”
“I’ve never heard of T.O.P.,” Sunny said, scrunching up her face.
“You know that sullen but super-cute kid that walks around quietly all the time?” Yuri said. “That’s him.”
“You haven’t heard of him because you’re one of those third years who have low standards, like SooYoung with her Woobsession,” Jessica said.
SooYoung rolled her eyes and didn’t even bother to fight back. “You’re a third year too, smart one. Only Yuri and Yoona are seniors.”
“Speaking of, where’s Yoona?” Sunny asked, her eyes gleaming.
SooYoung shot her a “don’t-start-anything” look, which she took no notice of.
“Wasn’t she supposed to come back from the gym half an hour ago? Hmm…Suspicious…” Sunny continued, grinning wickedly.
“Maybe she’s with a friend. Why’s it any of our business?” SooYoung stared long and hard at Sunny, making it very clear that she’d pay for this.
“Probably with Taec,” Yuri said, stretching.
Jessica’s mouth was set in a straight line. “We’ll deal with that later. Now, Bom, you’ll sleep on the top bunk, and in fifteen minutes, Yuri and I are going through your clothes for an inspection. If you’re gonna hang with us, you gotta look like us.”
Bom shook her head, her long red hair flowing.
“Also, the eyeliner’s gotta go. You look like a kindergartener tried to color on your eyes with a crayon.”
SooYoung smiled at Bom sympathetically, wishing her the best of luck with her eyes.
It wasn’t easy to get in their group, but it was much harder to stay in.
“I just don’t get it,” he mumbled. “Why do they even do this? Somehow, they’ve dragged me into it as well. It’s all Daesung’s fault, actually. If he wasn’t so into Minzy, he’d never involve me in it. I don’t want to be part of their drama! All I want is to finish this piece. Mom needs the money as quickly as possible.”
Sunny nodded, not knowing what to say. The whole History of Dance class had ended up being punished for their “rude actions” after Teacher Cho called Teacher Lee and complained about the noise they were making. People like Seungri, who hadn’t even been involved in the whole big fight, had been victims.
“I’m sorry. Do you…need anything?”
Seungri lifted his head, his eyes full of concern. “No. I think I’m gonna go outside. If I don’t send this article by tomorrow, I won’t get the money. That’s not an option.” He heaved a sigh, got up, and left.
Sunny watched him walk away, a frown on her face. Here was a person with actual problems, unlike the ones her friends liked to create. Seungri’s family was poor, and although nobody but his cousin Daesung knew, he was a scholarship student. Every week, he wrote articles for a newspaper company and got money for it. He didn’t want anyone to know, so he was published as ‘anonymous’. He sent every cent he got to his mom and two little sisters.
She fiddled with her fork, staring at the untouched dumplings. The fight had been bad. There hadn’t been one person in the room who wasn’t yelling at another. Sunny had had no idea what to do, and had refrained from joining. Had she done the right thing?
“Hey Sunny!”
Sunny was surprised to see WooYoung walking toward her. They usually didn’t talk, although Sunny did want to be his friend.
“Have you seen SooYoung?”
Sunny’s face fell.
“She’s by the desserts,” she mumbled, pointing.
“Thanks. Hey, you wanna come with me? SooYoung and I are gonna practice for dance class.”
Sunny’s eyes brightened.
“I’d love to!”
**
Yoona stared at her fingers as Taec pushed the swing they were on back and forth with his big feet.
“So Yoo,” he said, easily, inching closer to her. “What do you like doing in your spare time?”
“Me? Oh, I never have spare time. You’re a senior too, you should know!”
“Okay, so what do you do with the girls?”
“They shop; get their hair and nails done, you know, girl stuff.”
“But what do you do?”
“Ya, why do you keep pressing the issue? I don’t do anything!”
“Maybe you should,” Taec said quietly. “Do you even know what you wanna be?”
“Sure. I’ll be a model.”
“But do you like modeling?”
“I…don’t know. I’ve never tried.”
Taec stopped the swing.
“Yoona, you and I are going on an exploration to find your true passion. And maybe, along the way, we’ll discover your personality as well.”
Yoona sighed and shook her head. “It’s about time, anyway.”
They hopped off the swing and walked away, chatting easily. They were both so caught up in each other that they didn’t notice someone watching them from behind an oak tree.
**
SooYoung’s long hair flew around her as she spun and twirled to the beat of the song that their friend, Taeyang, had composed.
“Hold on!” Shouted WooYoung, looking up from his cellphone. She and Sunny stopped, and SooYoung took the opportunity to pull out a hair band and tie her hair back.
“Uh, girls, sorry to cut the practice in half, but, um, my mom wants to, uh, videochat. I think I’ll just—“
“Can we meet your mom, too?” Sunny asked excitedly.
SooYoung elbowed her.
“Sure. But beware: She’s very emotional.”
About fifteen minutes later, the three of them were crowded around WooYoung’s laptop, peering closely into the webcam. When WooYoung’s mother saw them, the first thing she did was burst into tears.
“WooYoungie, you’ve grown so much in two months! Oh my gosh, my little boy!”
And then she stared at the two girls. “So, which one of you is his girlfriend?”
“Ma!” WooYoung buried his head in his hands.
“Is it you?” she asked Sunny, who shook her head from side to side, giggling.
“You?” SooYoung pointed at herself as if to say ‘me?’. She shook her head firmly, her cheeks turning crimson.
“He’s too lame to have a girlfriend,” came a deep voice from the background. A boy was playing Halo on the computer behind his mom. SooYoung couldn’t make out his face, since it was turned away from them, but she guessed him to be in his late teens. Was that WooYoung’s infamou--
“Hey bro.”
“Hey loser,” he didn’t even look up from his game as he expertly lifted a hand in a sign of greeting. SooYoung was impressed.
WooYoung’s mother interrogated them for an hour, asking if they got enough vitamin, wore clean underwear, etc. SooYoung tried her very best to pay attention, but her eyes kept sliding to the other boy’s monitor. His playing was so good and SooYoung loved Halo. If only she could go over there and--
“Well, I guess I can’t keep you kids any longer. Take care.”
“Anyo!” The three of them bowed at the webcam, and WooYoung closed his laptop.
“Sorry about that.”
“No problem. She seems like a nice person,” Sunny said quickly, trying her best to please WooYoung. SooYoung resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Before she could say anything, the doors burst open and Dara came in with G-Dragon, giggling like a little schoolgirl. G-Dragon looked uncomfortable, to say the least. He’d been acting weird around everyone and keeping his distance since the final.
“Oh,” Dara stared at the three of them innocently. “We didn’t know you were in here. We were just gonna practice for dance.”
“Yeah, well, the classroom’s full, so I think I’ll leave,” G-Dragon said, slipping his hand out of hers and turning away.
Dara pouted. “Kiwon!” She shouted, using his real name. “Don’t go! We can study here. WooYoung doesn’t mind, does he?”
“Um, we’re here, too, and to be quite honest, although we don’t mind, it seems like Kiwon doesn’t really want to dance right now,” SooYoung stared at Sunny as if snakes were coming out of her eyes. When had she become so confident and…bitchy?
WooYoung and Dara seemed to be thinking the same thing.
“Gee, I never thought you knew how to stand up for yourself, Sunny,” Dara said, stepping forward. G-Dragon shook his head and left the room, and WooYoung nodded at Soo and followed him. The atmosphere had quickly turned to one similar to the one in History of Dance the other day. There was tension everywhere.
“I never thought you were the kind of girl that desperately followed boys, even when they made it clear that they didn’t wanna be with you, but I guess we both don’t know each other very well, do we?” Sunny was just inches away from Dara now, grateful that Yuri had made her wear three-inch heels that morning.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” SooYoung stepped between them. “We’ve already gotten punished, there’s no need to push this further. Dara—we were already leaving. You can practice as much as you want. Sunny, c’mere.”
She pulled Sunny by the arm.
“Let go!”
“What has gotten into you?” SooYoung yelled as soon as they were outside. “One minute you’re all cute and nice, the next you’re a complete bitch. What are you doing? What’s the point that you’re trying to prove here?”
“You don’t understand anything,” Sunny said, yanking her arm away. She walked away as fast as she could, trying her best not to hobble in her heels.
SooYoung watched her strut away in awe. That fight has sparked something inside of everyone.
**
WooYoung followed G-Dragon as he ran down the hallway.
“Hey! GD! Wait up!”
He rounded a corner and saw that the blonde was nowhere to be found. There was only the balcony door on this floor, and WooYoung didn’t hesitate to fling it open. G-Dragon was standing there, along with…NichKhun?
“Hey,” WooYoung said awkwardly, feeling like an intruder. “Uh, I wanted to talk to you.”
NichKhun stiffened. “I’ll leave.”
“Nah, stay,” G-Dragon held him back.
There was a pregnant silence.
“You know what?” WooYoung said suddenly. “This is extremely awkward. Everyone’s been awkward since the finals. Whatever problem we have, we need to settle it now.”
“Okay,” NichKhun said, looking unamused. “I’ll point out all the problems, and you’ll fix the, won’t you, Woo? The first problem is Dara.”
G-Dragon pulled back and scratched his head, looking away.
“You like Dara—“
“You do?” GD asked, staring at Woo disbelievingly. “I never knew that.”
“It’s beyond obvious,” NichKhun muttered. “Anyways, you like her, she likes GD, and GD doesn’t give a flying fuck. Now, how are you gonna resolve this, WooYoung? Enlighten us.”
“I…”
“Yeah, you can’t. It’s called life. It’s painful, but we’re forced to go through it. Second issue: everyone hates everyone, because apparently we’re all just a bunch of pricks who don’t even care about the anyone else beside ourselves.”
“And thirdly,” G-Dragon said, “We all judge each other without knowing one another’s lives.” He gave NichKhun a sideways glance, which he ignored.
“But how do we fix this?” WooYoung asked, his cheeks blowing up.
“We can’t,” NichKhun said sadly. “We just have to go with the flow. Everything will eventually fix itself. Or not. All’s for the best.”
“Are we…okay now?”
“Yeah, I guess. It’s just…don’t stray away too far, please. Sometimes, when I need you most, I can never find you because you’re always out and about.”
“NichKhun…Are you okay?” WooYoung asked, stepping closer. “You’ve been acting weirder than ever.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.”
“No he’s not,” G-Dragon shook his blonde mane. “Tell him.”
“No.”
“He’s your best friend.”
“That’s why I won’t! I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Ah, I’m still here. But I’ll leave. It seems like you two seem like you have something to discuss,” WooYoung smiled, bowed, and left.
Khun shook his head. This was the problem with WooYoung: he was too nice. If anyone else had said that, it would’ve sounded rude, but Woo was completely sincere and he wasn’t trying to offend them. He was too kind.
**
Taec tried not to stare at Yoona as she danced, but he couldn’t resist. She was good. Not the best, but good. And she had a nice bod--
Okay.
The music stopped and Yoona walked toward him.
“How was I?” She undid her bun and let her long hair fall to her shoulders.
“Wow, Yoo, you should leave your hair out more often.”
Yoona blushed. “I had fun, but I don’t really think dancing is my passion. I mean, I don’t get an adrenaline high like SooYoung when I dance. Same with singing. It’s fun and everything, but I don’t get that spark you were talking about when you rap or work out.”
“Well then, I know what we can do next…”
Half an hour later, they were in the seniors’ room, trying to convince CL and Junsu that they’d take care of their cameras.
“If anything happens to it, I’ll kill you,” CL growled. “Film Production is my best class, and I can’t pass it without my camera!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Taec said, lightly punching her. “Chill. We’re responsible adults, right Yoo?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Well, Yoo, now that we’ve got a camera and a script, courtesy of Junsu, do you think you’re gonna be able to do this?”
“Sure! I have a feeling I’m gonna like this.”
For two hours, Taec filmed Yoona act out a short film, playing all the parts. She was really, really good, and Taec didn’t hesitate in telling her so.
“Really? I had so much fun. And I felt the adrenaline! Taec, I think acting’s the thing for me!” She jumped into his arms, and he held her tight, breathing in her mixed scent of washing detergent, violets, and lilacs.
He didn’t want to let go, so he hesitated when she pulled back slightly.
“So…what now?” She asked quietly.
Taec pushed a piece of flyaway hair behind her ear. “I think it’s high time we discovered you.”
With that, he tilted her chin upwards and pulled her towards him, kissing her strongly as the same person from earlier watched on.
**
Junho pulled away from the balcony door, wishing he hadn’t followed WooYoung to see what the fuss was about. Once again, they’d neglected to include him in the conversation. And what was so big that NichKhun couldn’t tell them, but could go share it with that G-Dragon kid?
Was it as big as his secret, or possibly, worse?
He just kept getting more and more hurt by his friends’ actions
He heard approaching footsteps and ran away before anyone could discover him eavesdropping.
**
“Girls, I have an announcement!”
Yuri, SooYoung, and Sunny looked up from what they were doing and stared at Jessica, who was beaming.
“We have an addition to our group. Say hello to Park Bom! She’s recently started dating T.O.P., who is undoubtedly one of the hottest guys in the fourth year, and I saw it fit for her to join us. Introduce yourself.”
“I’ve never heard of T.O.P.,” Sunny said, scrunching up her face.
“You know that sullen but super-cute kid that walks around quietly all the time?” Yuri said. “That’s him.”
“You haven’t heard of him because you’re one of those third years who have low standards, like SooYoung with her Woobsession,” Jessica said.
SooYoung rolled her eyes and didn’t even bother to fight back. “You’re a third year too, smart one. Only Yuri and Yoona are seniors.”
“Speaking of, where’s Yoona?” Sunny asked, her eyes gleaming.
SooYoung shot her a “don’t-start-anything” look, which she took no notice of.
“Wasn’t she supposed to come back from the gym half an hour ago? Hmm…Suspicious…” Sunny continued, grinning wickedly.
“Maybe she’s with a friend. Why’s it any of our business?” SooYoung stared long and hard at Sunny, making it very clear that she’d pay for this.
“Probably with Taec,” Yuri said, stretching.
Jessica’s mouth was set in a straight line. “We’ll deal with that later. Now, Bom, you’ll sleep on the top bunk, and in fifteen minutes, Yuri and I are going through your clothes for an inspection. If you’re gonna hang with us, you gotta look like us.”
Bom shook her head, her long red hair flowing.
“Also, the eyeliner’s gotta go. You look like a kindergartener tried to color on your eyes with a crayon.”
SooYoung smiled at Bom sympathetically, wishing her the best of luck with her eyes.
It wasn’t easy to get in their group, but it was much harder to stay in.
NichKhun stared at the dark sky, his thoughts wandering. G-Dragon had been helpful. Maybe not the best friend out there, but certainly a good listener. The balcony had become their hangout place. They would dangle their feet and talk about the Thing. Usually, besides GD, he was the only one who ever came up here, so he was surprised when he heard the door slam. He slowly turned around and came face to face with Taec.
“Hey there.”
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Thinking about things. You?”
“Same. I…Can I tell you something?” Taec looked more than eager to share, and Khun understood immediately that he was one of those really friendly people.
“Sure.”
“I like someone.”
NichKhun snorted. “Don’t we all?”
“Do you?”
Nich shook his head.
“Well…Do you know Yoona?”
“Oh, is she the pretty one who always has her hair in a bun? The one that hangs out with that Barbie doll.”
“Yeah. She is pretty, isn’t she? But…you wouldn’t like her, would you?”
“No. I guess not. I really can’t seem to tell if she has a personality or not, and I’ve talked to her plenty.”
“Yeah, I know. History of Dance is pretty much the most fun class I have. Everyone’s in it.”
“Hah. Yeah. Uh, well, if you like her, why don’t you ask her out?”
“Mm, that’s the problem. We are going somewhere, but with your friend, WooYoung.”
“Oh,” Nich didn’t really know what to say. WooYoung was sure moving fast for someone with zero experience.
“And I don’t know what we’re going to talk about. She was so different when we were children! I don’t see a bit of the old Yoona in her. It’s like someone’s yanking her around on strings. And most of the time, she’s too…vulnerable. I don’t want to be stuck with someone like that. Like this morning? Her friends obviously set her up to mortify her in front of me, and she didn’t even figure that out. If she only had a wild side, and I got to see it, I’d be happy.”
NichKhun’s thick brows furrowed. “Isn’t that asking too much? I mean, nobody’s perfect. Maybe you should help her instead of complaining about it.” He waited for a harsh response, but instead, Taec laughed a big, booming laugh.
“Hey, that’s actually a good idea. Thanks man, you’re really smart.”
“Would it surprise you to know that I haven’t had any experience with girls?” he asked jokingly.
Taec’s ears perked up. “No way!” He punched Khun lightly on the shoulder. “I should probably go talk to her now, shouldn’t I?”
“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”
“It’s so nice talking to someone about this. Thanks, man.”
Nich couldn’t help but feel a bit used. It wasn’t like Taec did it on purpose, but the only reason he was talking to him was because he knew that Khun didn’t know him well enough to go tell someone else all these things.
Little did he know of how much Taec envied him.
**
WooYoung and Dara moved swiftly from left to right, their bodies intertwined.
I’m falling in love, not wanting to, not needing to, but just because.
WooYoung felt little sparks every time she touched her. He couldn’t help but wonder if the feeling was mutual. He twirled her around, and they finished the song in each other’s arms.
“Wow,” Dara pushed back a damp piece of hair. “That was good.”
“I think that’s enough for today,” WooYoung said, throwing a towel at her head. “What are you doing in, say, twenty minutes?”
Dara looked around. “Uh, I think that I have to meet GD. We’re,um, gonna go over the lyrics and see if there’s any necessary changes.”
“Huh. Okay. I’ll see you then. You worked hard.”*
*Placed here because you people are impatient: A way to say “nice working with you” or “you did a nice job” in Korean after a long task.
WooYoung walked away, not looking back. Enough was enough. His brother was right. Let her do whatever she wants. He didn’t want to obsess over it like she did over GD, and it wasn’t necessary for him to spend every waking second with him. He flipped his cellphone open and called Minzy.
“Hey Minz. Where you at?”
“Girls’ dorm. Let’s meet up.”
“Let’s. Where to?”
“Why don’t you just come here?”
“To the girls’ room? You’re a disgrace to every living Asian.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now get your ass here.”
“No. What if Teacher Lee sees us? We’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Whatever. I’ll come to your dorm. There’s no way I’ll get in trouble for that. You boys never get in trouble for things like that.”
“Fine.”
*
“Your room’s…nice, in a sorta bland way,” Minzy clasped her hands behind her back and walked around. “I do like Nich’s bedsheets, although they are a bit too orange. Your yellow goes well with it. Junho’s navy kinda sets it off.”
“Junho’s a man of few words and dark colors.”
“Is he? I really do want to get to know him, but I always feel dumb about him. Speaking of, I’m mad at Dara. Just thought you should know.”
“Why?”
Minzy let out a loud laugh. “Oh please. Like you don’t see the way she drools over G-Dragon. She doesn’t even give a crap about anyone else anymore. She’s in the bathroom for an hour every morning, and she’s barely said more than two words to me these past three days. Why? Because she was with GD. And guess what else? GD invited us all to do something next week, and she told him that we didn’t want to go so she’d be alone with him. That is so pathetic. Who does she think she is, anyway?”
Woo reeled back. Is this what all girls were like when you angered them?
“Ya, Minzy-ah, shut up. You’re supposed to be her best friend.”
“You’re supposed to be her best friend, too. I don’t see you disagreeing.”
“She’s in love.”
“Are you really forcing yourself to believe that? Is that why you’re putting up with it? Because she’s in love and you want her to be happy? Aish, you’re so corny. Eyes on the prize, Woo. Eyes. On. The prize. As my friend RyeoWook would say, ‘If you really love someone, just go for it’.”
“Isn’t that what Dara’s doing though?”
“Look here, Mandu Cheeks. I didn’t come up here for you to get all defensive on me. Jeez, you have no clue how to make a girl happy. You’re supposed to agree with girls, no matter what. Tip for your future love life, but judging from the direction you’re headed, you’re not likely to have one.”
“And how is your life coming along, oh great and powerful Gong Minzy?”
“Quite well, actually. Not that it’s any of your business or anything. Besides, you’re so obvious about liking her. It’s almost as bad as Daragon, which I do not approve of. GD’s cool and all, but his head’s in the clouds. He’s oblivous to everything: her liking towards him, your hatred—“
“I do not hate him! That’s immature!”
“I was saying: how people look at his dyed-blonde hair and extreme outfits. I mean, how much can a guy spice up a school uniform and not look gay?” She buried her head in her hands. “My best friend likes a gay guy! Kill me now!”
Minzy’s phone made a bloop and she lifted her head, a smile creeping onto her face. She opened it, read a text, and snorted.
WooYoung stared at her curiously, wondering what the heck Minzy was doing. He had nothing against her, but she seemed to fierce for anyone at this school.
“Anyways,” she said, snapping her phone shut. “I need to talk to you about something. Tell me all you know about Daesung.”
WooYoung sighed. High school consisted of relationships and nothing else, didn’t it?
**
Junho sat at his piano, all alone in the dimly-lit room. NichKhun and WooYoung were nowhere to be found, and sometimes, that was just the way he liked it. He needed to practice as much as he could. Nobody knew how quickly he’d get sent home if he didn’t get the highest grade on the final. Nobody knew anything about him, for that matter.
**
Sunny, Yuri, and Jessica were practicing in the empty dance studio.
“Faster, better, stronger!” Jessica yelled, blowing on a pink whistle.
“Perv,” Yuri rolled her eyes. A balled up sock was thrown at her head.
“We need to nail this. Do you understand? If we don’t impress everybody, I’m kicking both of you out of the group.”
“Who’re you gonna impress?” Sunny asked, stopping to tie her shoelace.
A smile crept up on Jessica’s face. “You’ll see.”
**
Friday: Day of the Finals
The third years all stood huddled together, talking anxiously. The younger ones had already gone, and it was their turn. First up was “Jessica and the Girls”. WooYoung watched them perform, his cheeks puffed out. He looked for SooYoung, but she wasn’t there, which made him happy. They performed a very girly number with extremely raunchy choreography, and WooYoung couldn’t help but notice how out of place Sunny looked in all of this. She had too much aegyo* to do such sexy dances.
*cuteness, innocence
At the end of the performance, Jessica stepped forward and called out to the crowd, “This song was dedicated to NichKhun oppa. Saranghae, Nich!”
Wooyoung scanned their circle for NichKhun, but couldn’t find him. He heard a door slam loudly, and muttered, “There he goes.”
Next up was SooYoung and Yoona, and they did a song called “Lucky”. Their English was extremely well; their soothing voices went well together.
Minzy and Daesung followed, singing a duet about…falling in love. It seemed to be the theme of the finals so far. They were followed by Bom and T.O.P.
“I heard they’re going out,” a second year next to him whispered to her friend.
Dara sung a solo song, and it was beyond obvious who it was for:
“So here’s my confession: This time, this time, don’t just want you to love me. I want to be your obsession, this time, this time. Oooh, I want you to want me, I want you to need me, I want you to hear my confession: I, I want to be your obsession, oh. Ain’t nothing wrong with OCD, long as it’s for me, long as it’s for…me.”
G-Dragon and Dara’s performance followed. WooYoung didn’t want to admit it, bu their voices were nice, and GD was really good at rapping. They got a lot of applause. Junho was after them. His song was, to simply put it, about being under pressure from everybody. WooYoung knew his friend was talented, but he’d never seen him like this. He dominated the crowd. Woo had never felt so moved and challenged at the same time. He clapped the loudest for Junho.
WooYoung and Dara were next. Woo’s stomach did triple flips as he went onstage. He had no problem performing live, but he’d never done it with a girl that…he thought he had feelings for. Dara slipped her small hand into his and he guided her around the stage. He wanted to talk to her, to confess, but he didn’t want to fail. He looked into her eyes, hoping to find a bit of the glimmer that he’d seen when she’d performed with G-Dragon. Unfortunately for him, it was all but gone. The crowd really liked their performance, but WooYoung just wanted to get out of there. Dara was looking at him the whole time, but it seemed like she was looking through him. What Minzy had said had been completely true.
After they bowed, Dara rushed backstage to GD.
“Nice performance,” he nodded at them both.
Dara gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek, which surprised everybody who was watching. You couldn’t just kiss people like that.
G-Dragon put a hand up to his cheek, then looked at it; and then at Dara, who giggled.
WooYoung turned and left the room, slamming the door hard behind him.
SooYoung, who had been watching the whole thing, shook her head in disgust at Dara and followed him.
“WooYoung!”
He turned around abruptly. “What?”
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Stop playing dumb, for one. Also stop caring so much. I’m not asking you to completely forget Dara, but give her room to grow. You’re turning into her. You don’t want that, do you?”
WooYoung slumped against the wall.
“I just don’t know what to do.”
“You know what? I think it’s high time we left this place. Remember we were going to go to a sushi place? How ‘bout a movie instead? Sound good?”
“But it’s against the ru—oh, let’s go.”
“But we’re gonna have some company. I invited Yoona and Taec, too.”
“Sounds good. Let’s get out of here.”
**
NichKhun was by himself on the balcony, once again. He felt like crap. That blonde girl had embarrassed him in front of everyone, and he barely even knew her. And who did she think she was, calling him oppa?! Some people just didn’t know what limits were.
He heard a rustling noise and looked down to see four figures hoisting each other up to pass the school walled. He peered closely. Two guys…and two girls. One of the guys turned around and the moonlight hit his face.
WooYoung.
There goes someone else with a much better life than mine, he thought to himself.
**
Yoona was petrified. She had no clue what to think or do. She and Taec were sitting at the very back of the cinema, sharing a bowl of popcorn, awkwardly pretending to watch the movie while they tried to catch each other’s eye.
“So,” Taec said, turning his body away from the screen. “You’ve grown quite a lot since I’ve seen you. You’re taller, for one,” he said, nudging her. “But you’ve gotten really ugly.”
Yoona giggled, knowing he wasn’t being serious. He used to tease her about being his guardian angel all the time when they were little.
“You’ve lost your baby fat.”
“What?” Taec stared at her in mock-shock. “I was never fat!”
He then started ranting about how fat his younger brother was. Yoona leaned back, her body relaxed. She’d missed Taec a whole lot.
**
“And now, for the person with the highest score on our six-weeks exam….Lee Junho!”
Junho got up from his seat and walked toward the stage, trying his best to smile. He’d been so scared that he wasn’t going to win that it was more of a relief than a reward. Good. Now his father wouldn’t have another thing to judge him about.
When he received his certificate, Junho specifically looked in at the sea of people, trying his best to find NichKhun’s natural orange highlights, or WooYoung’s pale, puffy face. Both were absent. What little happiness that was starting to form in him died out.
Of course they weren’t there.
“They’re too busy with their oh-so dramatic lives to care about others’,” he mumbled to himself, running up to his room.
**
WooYoung watched in awe as SooYoung downed yet another can of rice beer—her fifth one.
“You sure eat a lot.”
“Is that bad?” SooYoung murmured, not tearing her gaze from the screen.
“I love eating!” WooYoung smiled for the first time that day. SooYoung grinned back.
“That’s nice. Do you like playing videogames?”
“Actually, no. I think my older brother plays them enough for both of us.”
SooYoung laughed. It was nice to be around WooYoung, even as just a friend, because that was what he needed most right now, more than anything, and that’s what SooYoung wanted to give him.
*
They returned at midnight, and went up to their dorm rooms,only to face Teacher Lee. Before any of them could say anything, she held up a hand.
“Monday. After breakfast. My office.”
Taec looked at Soo and WooYoung grinning at each other bashfully, and Yoona biting her lip in worry.
“We are so screwed.”
**
Monday (weekends are when the students leave to visit their families), Teacher Lee’s office
“Let’s be very straight with this,” Teacher Lee said, her arms crossed against her chest. “You’re teenagers; it’s what you do, and no matter how much we punish you, it won’t change a thing. But did you really have to sneak out on finals day? I had to cover up for you guys big-time when they called up your names. I’m gonna let this slip this one time, but next time, I’m making you take classes with the first years for two months. The principal will never hear about this. Capiche?”
The four kids shook their heads in awe and left the room with her; heading straight for History of Dance. The loud talking was muted as soon as WooYoung and Yoona entered the classroom. Everybody stared at the four of them; and then started whispering amongst themselves.
WooYoung took his usual seat next in between NichKhun and Junho.
“Hey guys.”
Junho doodled in his notebook. NichKhun turned around.
“What’s wrong?”
Junho stared out the window.
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong,” NichKhun said, not being able to contain himself. “You’ve been acting strange, you sneaked out of the building without telling us, and you’re all gaga over Dara.”
“You’re one to talk,” Junho shot back, clicking his pen angrily. “All you do is walk around gloomily like something’s up, but you don’t bother to even talk to us about it. And you’re never around. You act like the world revolves around you. And you—“ he pointed his pen at WooYoung, “—I don’t even know what’s wrong with you anymore. You’re so nice to people, but you never get niceness in return, and you let it affect you in all the wrong ways. You’re breaking yourself down instead of building yourself up with all of this negativity. And for god’s sake, for once, please, at least pretend to care about things.”
Both boys stared at him, their mouths open.
“I don’t think NichKhun’s like that,” Jessica called from her spot across the room.
“You,” Nich growled, pushing his chair back. “I’d completely forgotten about you. What do you think you’re doing, embarrassing me like that? Who do you think you are? Do I even know you?”
“But oppa—“
“What the hell, bro?” SooYoung said, also getting up and pushing her sleeves back. “This is the kid you were secretly obsessing over? That is just so wrong on so many levels. You’re such a creep, Jessica.”
“Oh shut up, Soo, you filthy hypocrite,” Jessica rolled her eyes. “The only reason you even talk to WooYoung is because you’ve got a weird tomboy-crush on him.”
“Uh oh,” Sunny covered her eyes. “I don’t wanna see this.”
“Don’t call me oppa ever again,” NichKhun shouted angrily.
SooYoung took in a deep breath, fighting to keep her cool.
“Oh yeah? At least I don’t publicly humiliate myself for a boy, and then get yelled at by him. At least my life, personality, and self aren’t fake. At least I can’t reciprocate feelings. Tell me, when was the last time you said anything nice, or thought of someone else? Can’t answer that, can you?”
Now they were nose-to-nose.
“Lay off, Soo,” Yuri yawned lazily, taking out her nail filer.
“Actually, no,” Yoona said, looking up from the notebook Taec was writing in. “I think she should keep going.”
Sunny covered her ears now.
“At least your friend isn’t being a complete bitch because she wants to impress some guy that doesn’t even care about her like that,” Minzy said to SooYoung, glaring at an oblivious Dara, who seemed to catch it a few minutes too late.
“Shut up. Just because I haven’t immediately gotten myself a boyfriend doesn’t mean I throw myself around at people.”
“You do!” SooYoung, Minzy, and WooYoung shouted.
“Uh, excuse me, but, who the hell are you to be telling me anything?” Dara said, joining Jessica, her eyebrows raised. “I don’t remember ever giving you permission to stick your nose in my business.”
“It’s not her fault you make your business so public,” WooYoung commented, rushing to protect SooYoung. Although what he’d said had been a bit harsh, it just seemed like an innocent defense coming from him.
“And it’s not my fault you’re obsessed with me!” Dara shouted.
Silence fell over the room. No matter what anyone had said, that was just going against everything. The rudest thing was to be conceited, and Dara had exceeded the limit.
“Like you’re obsessed with G-Dragon?” A voice called from the very back of the room, behind Taec. Everybody turned around as Suzy emerged from the shadows.
“Yes, to your surprise, I still exist. And I have a few things to say: Dara, you’re vain, put too much faith in your looks, and have OCD. Chubby Cheeks, you need to loosen up. She’s obviously not worth it. Pretty boy—lose the emo approach and the world’s at your feet. Seriously, what could be so bad about your life that we don’t know about?—“
“There’s a lot you don’t know,” NichKhun muttered.
“And Junho, I have nothing to say to you. You’re completely right. Try not to be so flawless, eh? SooYoung: fights will get you a suspension, as much as I’d like to stir the pot a bit. Jessica, sit your plastic ass down; Yuri, please, for once in your life, give a crap; Sunny, grow up, and Taec and Yoona—you guys are cute together.”
They pulled back.
“We’re just friends,” Yoona whispered.
Suzy gave them a tight smile.
“As much as I’d love to stay and be a part of your drama, because I find it to be extremely interesting, I have some drama of my own to attend to.” With that, she breezed out of the room.
“She’s stupid to skip right after you guys have snuck out,” NichKhun mumbled.
“She thinks she knows so much,” Jessica said.
“But she has no clue,” Yuri added.
Everyone nodded.
“No clue,” Dara muttered.
Teacher Lee walked in, and stopped short, staring at all of them.
WooYoung kept blowing his cheeks in and out, Dara was scribbling furiously on the cover of her binder while Minzy glared at her, NichKhun and Junho were eyeing each other, SooYoung was cracking her neck, eyes focused on Jessica, who was whispering to Yuri, while Sunny was slumped down in her chair, her panda hat pulled over her head, her lips drawn into a pout. Taec and Yoona were discussing something quietly, seemingly in their own world. And Suzy was…absent.
“Okay, class. Let’s get started.”
“Hey there.”
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Thinking about things. You?”
“Same. I…Can I tell you something?” Taec looked more than eager to share, and Khun understood immediately that he was one of those really friendly people.
“Sure.”
“I like someone.”
NichKhun snorted. “Don’t we all?”
“Do you?”
Nich shook his head.
“Well…Do you know Yoona?”
“Oh, is she the pretty one who always has her hair in a bun? The one that hangs out with that Barbie doll.”
“Yeah. She is pretty, isn’t she? But…you wouldn’t like her, would you?”
“No. I guess not. I really can’t seem to tell if she has a personality or not, and I’ve talked to her plenty.”
“Yeah, I know. History of Dance is pretty much the most fun class I have. Everyone’s in it.”
“Hah. Yeah. Uh, well, if you like her, why don’t you ask her out?”
“Mm, that’s the problem. We are going somewhere, but with your friend, WooYoung.”
“Oh,” Nich didn’t really know what to say. WooYoung was sure moving fast for someone with zero experience.
“And I don’t know what we’re going to talk about. She was so different when we were children! I don’t see a bit of the old Yoona in her. It’s like someone’s yanking her around on strings. And most of the time, she’s too…vulnerable. I don’t want to be stuck with someone like that. Like this morning? Her friends obviously set her up to mortify her in front of me, and she didn’t even figure that out. If she only had a wild side, and I got to see it, I’d be happy.”
NichKhun’s thick brows furrowed. “Isn’t that asking too much? I mean, nobody’s perfect. Maybe you should help her instead of complaining about it.” He waited for a harsh response, but instead, Taec laughed a big, booming laugh.
“Hey, that’s actually a good idea. Thanks man, you’re really smart.”
“Would it surprise you to know that I haven’t had any experience with girls?” he asked jokingly.
Taec’s ears perked up. “No way!” He punched Khun lightly on the shoulder. “I should probably go talk to her now, shouldn’t I?”
“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”
“It’s so nice talking to someone about this. Thanks, man.”
Nich couldn’t help but feel a bit used. It wasn’t like Taec did it on purpose, but the only reason he was talking to him was because he knew that Khun didn’t know him well enough to go tell someone else all these things.
Little did he know of how much Taec envied him.
**
WooYoung and Dara moved swiftly from left to right, their bodies intertwined.
I’m falling in love, not wanting to, not needing to, but just because.
WooYoung felt little sparks every time she touched her. He couldn’t help but wonder if the feeling was mutual. He twirled her around, and they finished the song in each other’s arms.
“Wow,” Dara pushed back a damp piece of hair. “That was good.”
“I think that’s enough for today,” WooYoung said, throwing a towel at her head. “What are you doing in, say, twenty minutes?”
Dara looked around. “Uh, I think that I have to meet GD. We’re,um, gonna go over the lyrics and see if there’s any necessary changes.”
“Huh. Okay. I’ll see you then. You worked hard.”*
*Placed here because you people are impatient: A way to say “nice working with you” or “you did a nice job” in Korean after a long task.
WooYoung walked away, not looking back. Enough was enough. His brother was right. Let her do whatever she wants. He didn’t want to obsess over it like she did over GD, and it wasn’t necessary for him to spend every waking second with him. He flipped his cellphone open and called Minzy.
“Hey Minz. Where you at?”
“Girls’ dorm. Let’s meet up.”
“Let’s. Where to?”
“Why don’t you just come here?”
“To the girls’ room? You’re a disgrace to every living Asian.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now get your ass here.”
“No. What if Teacher Lee sees us? We’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Whatever. I’ll come to your dorm. There’s no way I’ll get in trouble for that. You boys never get in trouble for things like that.”
“Fine.”
*
“Your room’s…nice, in a sorta bland way,” Minzy clasped her hands behind her back and walked around. “I do like Nich’s bedsheets, although they are a bit too orange. Your yellow goes well with it. Junho’s navy kinda sets it off.”
“Junho’s a man of few words and dark colors.”
“Is he? I really do want to get to know him, but I always feel dumb about him. Speaking of, I’m mad at Dara. Just thought you should know.”
“Why?”
Minzy let out a loud laugh. “Oh please. Like you don’t see the way she drools over G-Dragon. She doesn’t even give a crap about anyone else anymore. She’s in the bathroom for an hour every morning, and she’s barely said more than two words to me these past three days. Why? Because she was with GD. And guess what else? GD invited us all to do something next week, and she told him that we didn’t want to go so she’d be alone with him. That is so pathetic. Who does she think she is, anyway?”
Woo reeled back. Is this what all girls were like when you angered them?
“Ya, Minzy-ah, shut up. You’re supposed to be her best friend.”
“You’re supposed to be her best friend, too. I don’t see you disagreeing.”
“She’s in love.”
“Are you really forcing yourself to believe that? Is that why you’re putting up with it? Because she’s in love and you want her to be happy? Aish, you’re so corny. Eyes on the prize, Woo. Eyes. On. The prize. As my friend RyeoWook would say, ‘If you really love someone, just go for it’.”
“Isn’t that what Dara’s doing though?”
“Look here, Mandu Cheeks. I didn’t come up here for you to get all defensive on me. Jeez, you have no clue how to make a girl happy. You’re supposed to agree with girls, no matter what. Tip for your future love life, but judging from the direction you’re headed, you’re not likely to have one.”
“And how is your life coming along, oh great and powerful Gong Minzy?”
“Quite well, actually. Not that it’s any of your business or anything. Besides, you’re so obvious about liking her. It’s almost as bad as Daragon, which I do not approve of. GD’s cool and all, but his head’s in the clouds. He’s oblivous to everything: her liking towards him, your hatred—“
“I do not hate him! That’s immature!”
“I was saying: how people look at his dyed-blonde hair and extreme outfits. I mean, how much can a guy spice up a school uniform and not look gay?” She buried her head in her hands. “My best friend likes a gay guy! Kill me now!”
Minzy’s phone made a bloop and she lifted her head, a smile creeping onto her face. She opened it, read a text, and snorted.
WooYoung stared at her curiously, wondering what the heck Minzy was doing. He had nothing against her, but she seemed to fierce for anyone at this school.
“Anyways,” she said, snapping her phone shut. “I need to talk to you about something. Tell me all you know about Daesung.”
WooYoung sighed. High school consisted of relationships and nothing else, didn’t it?
**
Junho sat at his piano, all alone in the dimly-lit room. NichKhun and WooYoung were nowhere to be found, and sometimes, that was just the way he liked it. He needed to practice as much as he could. Nobody knew how quickly he’d get sent home if he didn’t get the highest grade on the final. Nobody knew anything about him, for that matter.
**
Sunny, Yuri, and Jessica were practicing in the empty dance studio.
“Faster, better, stronger!” Jessica yelled, blowing on a pink whistle.
“Perv,” Yuri rolled her eyes. A balled up sock was thrown at her head.
“We need to nail this. Do you understand? If we don’t impress everybody, I’m kicking both of you out of the group.”
“Who’re you gonna impress?” Sunny asked, stopping to tie her shoelace.
A smile crept up on Jessica’s face. “You’ll see.”
**
Friday: Day of the Finals
The third years all stood huddled together, talking anxiously. The younger ones had already gone, and it was their turn. First up was “Jessica and the Girls”. WooYoung watched them perform, his cheeks puffed out. He looked for SooYoung, but she wasn’t there, which made him happy. They performed a very girly number with extremely raunchy choreography, and WooYoung couldn’t help but notice how out of place Sunny looked in all of this. She had too much aegyo* to do such sexy dances.
*cuteness, innocence
At the end of the performance, Jessica stepped forward and called out to the crowd, “This song was dedicated to NichKhun oppa. Saranghae, Nich!”
Wooyoung scanned their circle for NichKhun, but couldn’t find him. He heard a door slam loudly, and muttered, “There he goes.”
Next up was SooYoung and Yoona, and they did a song called “Lucky”. Their English was extremely well; their soothing voices went well together.
Minzy and Daesung followed, singing a duet about…falling in love. It seemed to be the theme of the finals so far. They were followed by Bom and T.O.P.
“I heard they’re going out,” a second year next to him whispered to her friend.
Dara sung a solo song, and it was beyond obvious who it was for:
“So here’s my confession: This time, this time, don’t just want you to love me. I want to be your obsession, this time, this time. Oooh, I want you to want me, I want you to need me, I want you to hear my confession: I, I want to be your obsession, oh. Ain’t nothing wrong with OCD, long as it’s for me, long as it’s for…me.”
G-Dragon and Dara’s performance followed. WooYoung didn’t want to admit it, bu their voices were nice, and GD was really good at rapping. They got a lot of applause. Junho was after them. His song was, to simply put it, about being under pressure from everybody. WooYoung knew his friend was talented, but he’d never seen him like this. He dominated the crowd. Woo had never felt so moved and challenged at the same time. He clapped the loudest for Junho.
WooYoung and Dara were next. Woo’s stomach did triple flips as he went onstage. He had no problem performing live, but he’d never done it with a girl that…he thought he had feelings for. Dara slipped her small hand into his and he guided her around the stage. He wanted to talk to her, to confess, but he didn’t want to fail. He looked into her eyes, hoping to find a bit of the glimmer that he’d seen when she’d performed with G-Dragon. Unfortunately for him, it was all but gone. The crowd really liked their performance, but WooYoung just wanted to get out of there. Dara was looking at him the whole time, but it seemed like she was looking through him. What Minzy had said had been completely true.
After they bowed, Dara rushed backstage to GD.
“Nice performance,” he nodded at them both.
Dara gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek, which surprised everybody who was watching. You couldn’t just kiss people like that.
G-Dragon put a hand up to his cheek, then looked at it; and then at Dara, who giggled.
WooYoung turned and left the room, slamming the door hard behind him.
SooYoung, who had been watching the whole thing, shook her head in disgust at Dara and followed him.
“WooYoung!”
He turned around abruptly. “What?”
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Stop playing dumb, for one. Also stop caring so much. I’m not asking you to completely forget Dara, but give her room to grow. You’re turning into her. You don’t want that, do you?”
WooYoung slumped against the wall.
“I just don’t know what to do.”
“You know what? I think it’s high time we left this place. Remember we were going to go to a sushi place? How ‘bout a movie instead? Sound good?”
“But it’s against the ru—oh, let’s go.”
“But we’re gonna have some company. I invited Yoona and Taec, too.”
“Sounds good. Let’s get out of here.”
**
NichKhun was by himself on the balcony, once again. He felt like crap. That blonde girl had embarrassed him in front of everyone, and he barely even knew her. And who did she think she was, calling him oppa?! Some people just didn’t know what limits were.
He heard a rustling noise and looked down to see four figures hoisting each other up to pass the school walled. He peered closely. Two guys…and two girls. One of the guys turned around and the moonlight hit his face.
WooYoung.
There goes someone else with a much better life than mine, he thought to himself.
**
Yoona was petrified. She had no clue what to think or do. She and Taec were sitting at the very back of the cinema, sharing a bowl of popcorn, awkwardly pretending to watch the movie while they tried to catch each other’s eye.
“So,” Taec said, turning his body away from the screen. “You’ve grown quite a lot since I’ve seen you. You’re taller, for one,” he said, nudging her. “But you’ve gotten really ugly.”
Yoona giggled, knowing he wasn’t being serious. He used to tease her about being his guardian angel all the time when they were little.
“You’ve lost your baby fat.”
“What?” Taec stared at her in mock-shock. “I was never fat!”
He then started ranting about how fat his younger brother was. Yoona leaned back, her body relaxed. She’d missed Taec a whole lot.
**
“And now, for the person with the highest score on our six-weeks exam….Lee Junho!”
Junho got up from his seat and walked toward the stage, trying his best to smile. He’d been so scared that he wasn’t going to win that it was more of a relief than a reward. Good. Now his father wouldn’t have another thing to judge him about.
When he received his certificate, Junho specifically looked in at the sea of people, trying his best to find NichKhun’s natural orange highlights, or WooYoung’s pale, puffy face. Both were absent. What little happiness that was starting to form in him died out.
Of course they weren’t there.
“They’re too busy with their oh-so dramatic lives to care about others’,” he mumbled to himself, running up to his room.
**
WooYoung watched in awe as SooYoung downed yet another can of rice beer—her fifth one.
“You sure eat a lot.”
“Is that bad?” SooYoung murmured, not tearing her gaze from the screen.
“I love eating!” WooYoung smiled for the first time that day. SooYoung grinned back.
“That’s nice. Do you like playing videogames?”
“Actually, no. I think my older brother plays them enough for both of us.”
SooYoung laughed. It was nice to be around WooYoung, even as just a friend, because that was what he needed most right now, more than anything, and that’s what SooYoung wanted to give him.
*
They returned at midnight, and went up to their dorm rooms,only to face Teacher Lee. Before any of them could say anything, she held up a hand.
“Monday. After breakfast. My office.”
Taec looked at Soo and WooYoung grinning at each other bashfully, and Yoona biting her lip in worry.
“We are so screwed.”
**
Monday (weekends are when the students leave to visit their families), Teacher Lee’s office
“Let’s be very straight with this,” Teacher Lee said, her arms crossed against her chest. “You’re teenagers; it’s what you do, and no matter how much we punish you, it won’t change a thing. But did you really have to sneak out on finals day? I had to cover up for you guys big-time when they called up your names. I’m gonna let this slip this one time, but next time, I’m making you take classes with the first years for two months. The principal will never hear about this. Capiche?”
The four kids shook their heads in awe and left the room with her; heading straight for History of Dance. The loud talking was muted as soon as WooYoung and Yoona entered the classroom. Everybody stared at the four of them; and then started whispering amongst themselves.
WooYoung took his usual seat next in between NichKhun and Junho.
“Hey guys.”
Junho doodled in his notebook. NichKhun turned around.
“What’s wrong?”
Junho stared out the window.
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong,” NichKhun said, not being able to contain himself. “You’ve been acting strange, you sneaked out of the building without telling us, and you’re all gaga over Dara.”
“You’re one to talk,” Junho shot back, clicking his pen angrily. “All you do is walk around gloomily like something’s up, but you don’t bother to even talk to us about it. And you’re never around. You act like the world revolves around you. And you—“ he pointed his pen at WooYoung, “—I don’t even know what’s wrong with you anymore. You’re so nice to people, but you never get niceness in return, and you let it affect you in all the wrong ways. You’re breaking yourself down instead of building yourself up with all of this negativity. And for god’s sake, for once, please, at least pretend to care about things.”
Both boys stared at him, their mouths open.
“I don’t think NichKhun’s like that,” Jessica called from her spot across the room.
“You,” Nich growled, pushing his chair back. “I’d completely forgotten about you. What do you think you’re doing, embarrassing me like that? Who do you think you are? Do I even know you?”
“But oppa—“
“What the hell, bro?” SooYoung said, also getting up and pushing her sleeves back. “This is the kid you were secretly obsessing over? That is just so wrong on so many levels. You’re such a creep, Jessica.”
“Oh shut up, Soo, you filthy hypocrite,” Jessica rolled her eyes. “The only reason you even talk to WooYoung is because you’ve got a weird tomboy-crush on him.”
“Uh oh,” Sunny covered her eyes. “I don’t wanna see this.”
“Don’t call me oppa ever again,” NichKhun shouted angrily.
SooYoung took in a deep breath, fighting to keep her cool.
“Oh yeah? At least I don’t publicly humiliate myself for a boy, and then get yelled at by him. At least my life, personality, and self aren’t fake. At least I can’t reciprocate feelings. Tell me, when was the last time you said anything nice, or thought of someone else? Can’t answer that, can you?”
Now they were nose-to-nose.
“Lay off, Soo,” Yuri yawned lazily, taking out her nail filer.
“Actually, no,” Yoona said, looking up from the notebook Taec was writing in. “I think she should keep going.”
Sunny covered her ears now.
“At least your friend isn’t being a complete bitch because she wants to impress some guy that doesn’t even care about her like that,” Minzy said to SooYoung, glaring at an oblivious Dara, who seemed to catch it a few minutes too late.
“Shut up. Just because I haven’t immediately gotten myself a boyfriend doesn’t mean I throw myself around at people.”
“You do!” SooYoung, Minzy, and WooYoung shouted.
“Uh, excuse me, but, who the hell are you to be telling me anything?” Dara said, joining Jessica, her eyebrows raised. “I don’t remember ever giving you permission to stick your nose in my business.”
“It’s not her fault you make your business so public,” WooYoung commented, rushing to protect SooYoung. Although what he’d said had been a bit harsh, it just seemed like an innocent defense coming from him.
“And it’s not my fault you’re obsessed with me!” Dara shouted.
Silence fell over the room. No matter what anyone had said, that was just going against everything. The rudest thing was to be conceited, and Dara had exceeded the limit.
“Like you’re obsessed with G-Dragon?” A voice called from the very back of the room, behind Taec. Everybody turned around as Suzy emerged from the shadows.
“Yes, to your surprise, I still exist. And I have a few things to say: Dara, you’re vain, put too much faith in your looks, and have OCD. Chubby Cheeks, you need to loosen up. She’s obviously not worth it. Pretty boy—lose the emo approach and the world’s at your feet. Seriously, what could be so bad about your life that we don’t know about?—“
“There’s a lot you don’t know,” NichKhun muttered.
“And Junho, I have nothing to say to you. You’re completely right. Try not to be so flawless, eh? SooYoung: fights will get you a suspension, as much as I’d like to stir the pot a bit. Jessica, sit your plastic ass down; Yuri, please, for once in your life, give a crap; Sunny, grow up, and Taec and Yoona—you guys are cute together.”
They pulled back.
“We’re just friends,” Yoona whispered.
Suzy gave them a tight smile.
“As much as I’d love to stay and be a part of your drama, because I find it to be extremely interesting, I have some drama of my own to attend to.” With that, she breezed out of the room.
“She’s stupid to skip right after you guys have snuck out,” NichKhun mumbled.
“She thinks she knows so much,” Jessica said.
“But she has no clue,” Yuri added.
Everyone nodded.
“No clue,” Dara muttered.
Teacher Lee walked in, and stopped short, staring at all of them.
WooYoung kept blowing his cheeks in and out, Dara was scribbling furiously on the cover of her binder while Minzy glared at her, NichKhun and Junho were eyeing each other, SooYoung was cracking her neck, eyes focused on Jessica, who was whispering to Yuri, while Sunny was slumped down in her chair, her panda hat pulled over her head, her lips drawn into a pout. Taec and Yoona were discussing something quietly, seemingly in their own world. And Suzy was…absent.
“Okay, class. Let’s get started.”
WooYoung stared at his blinking laptop screen, waiting for it to give him a sign of what he should do next, when he felt someone watching him. He slowly turned around, hoping it wasn’t SooYoung. He was relieved, and a bit confused, to find Teacher Lee instead.
“Shouldn’t you be practicing for your final? You only have five days, you know.”
“Yes, but…I’m a bit confused and frustrated about something. I wanted to clear my brain before I started rehearsing. It’s never good to dance without an empty mind.”
“True, true. What’s bothering you? Is it family? A girl?”
WooYoung cocked his head to the side. He knew he could trust Teacher Lee, but he himself didn’t know how, exactly, he was feeling. Would he be able to put it in words for someone else?
“Maybe. I mean, I don’t know. I have a friend who might like someone, but I think it’s dangerous.”
“And why are you interfering? If you really want her to be safe, let her fall flat on her face. That’s how you learn.”
“But—“
“You care for her. Yes, I know. It’s typical. You teenagers are all the same; you have no originality. No offense. Just let her choose her own path. She’ll come around eventually.” With that, she got up to leave.
“Teacher Lee?”
“Hmm?”
“Is it true that you were raised in America.”
“What do you think?”
It sure would explain a lot.
Woo stared at his computer once again. Who could he turn to for help in a situation like this?
He took out his cellphone and pressed one.
Hopefully his bro--
“Hello?”
“Uh, hey hyung. What’s going on over there?”
“It’s been a while since you called. I was beginning to worry about you. Mom’s going crazy. She cries every day. You’d think she’d have her hands full with three other kids, but no, her little Woo is probably all hungry and losing weight over at that school. Oh, how hard they make you work over there, according to her. Me? I say you’re probably having the time of your life. No mom, no annoying siblings, and more than enough time to play StarCraft.”
WooYoung smirked. His older brother’s obsession with videogames hadn’t decreased one bit.
“So why’d you call? Something happen?”
“Well…yeah. I have a friend that—“
“Girl or boy?”
“Girl?”
“Why are you so uncertain of her gender? Is she…you know…?”
“No. Just…don’t judge, okay?”
“Let me guess—you like her, she likes someone else, you don’t like the person she likes, and none of you get what you want. Am I correct?”
“How did you—“
“Been there, done that. It’s always the same old story. Lemme just say that every story doesn’t have the same ending, although it may follow a similar plotline. Sometimes you’ll get a happy ending, and sometimes…you won’t. Is she pretty?”
“Yeah. But…listen. I don’t even know if I like her. She’s my best friend. What if I just want to make myself believe that I like her because that’s the way it always is?”
“Good point. How do you feel around her?”
“Like…I dunno. Like myself?”
“That’s good. Look, as your older brother, I’m supposed to give you amazing advice, but I think you shouldn’t try to speed things up. I know it’s hard, but if she likes someone else, you can’t force her to stop liking him. You’ve just gotta go with it. You can try dating other girls, but I say that’s a flop. I don’t believe in jealousy, and I don’t believe in one-timers. If you’re gonna love someone, do it right. Don’t mess up. Life isn’t a fairytale. I don’t want reality to slap you in the face one day, so I’m doing it myself.”
“Thanks hyung. This really helped, actually. Tell mom I really liked the fried meat-and-rice she sent me, although it wasn’t necessary; we do have food here, you know. And tell me if you ever pass Level 45. Not that you will or anything.”
WooYoung closed the phone before his brother could protest, smiling to himself.
Thank god he wasn’t the oldest child. It was so much work.
**
NichKhun and Junho sat at a table, their heads bent over WooYoung’s Composing notebook. It was full of absurd lyrics:
Do you ever think, I’ll be the one, for anyone?
Will the stars ever align themselves for me?
Will I ever be the one, the only one, for anyone?
“This is nonsense,” NichKhun spat out, shaking his head in disgust. “It almost sounds…”
“Gay,” Junho sniffed. “Is he in love or something? You still haven’t told me what’s going on. You don’t expect me to cluelessly stare on as I watch you make weird faces and say random things to Woo, do you?”
“I thought that you, Captain Obvious, would’ve figured it out by now: He likes Dara.”
“Well…that’s an interesting assumption. Are you sure, though? I don’t like jumping to conclusions. Assuming things can make you look like a complete ass at times.”
NichKhun stared at Junho. There he goes, defending WooYoung again. Would he ever do that for me?
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I mean, he practically said it the other day.”
“Just…don’t make him feel uncomfortable. Don’t press him about it, or he’ll blow. Trust me, I know. My sister’s like that.”
Just then, WooYoung walked into the cafeteria, smiling as he talked into his phone.
“Who’s he talking to?”
“His brother, most likely.”
NichKhun felt inexplicable envy towards this brother. He wanted to have WooYoung’s attention. All of it. He felt as though he deserved it, although he hadn’t particularly done anything for it. It frustrated him so much that he didn’t have anyone that knew everything about him; that he could share all his secrets with.
But…wait…He’d completely forgotten about G-Dragon. He’d played the whole thing so coolly that NichKhun had failed to remember that he knew about the…thing. He slowly got up and ruffled his hair, which stood up on its burnt orange ends.
“I…I’m gonna…I have to leave,” Junho looked up from the notebook, a surprised look on his face.
“Uh…okay. Sure.”
“See you…later.”
NichKhun shook his head and walked away as quickly as his feet would take him. What would they think if they knew his secret? Would they ever look at him the same way? Nich highly doubted it. He didn’t have any regrets about telling someone, but he was having second thoughts about choosing GD; not particularly because he’d tell more than the fact that WooYoung, whom he considered to be his closest friend, despised him, despite his overexaggerated denial of the obvious fact.
He went straight up to the balcony, knowing that GD would be there.
**
Yoona stroked her pillow over and over, fighting back the tears that were threatening to spill over and ruin the foundation that she’d let Yuri apply on her. Her fingers were shaking, and she could feel the hiccups beginning at the bottom of her stomach.
Why did she always agree to stupid things? She wasn’t stupid, and she knew it, so why did she act so defenseless? It was her fault that she was in this position, not anyone else’s.
There was a soft knock on the door. Yoona buried her face in the pillow. A more forceful knock followed.
“Ya, unnie, open the door, or I’ll break it!”
Yoona wiped her face and got up to open the door.
“Hey SooYoung.”
“Don’t ‘hey SooYoung’ me. I’m headed over to beat the literal crap out of Yuri and Jessica, and wanted to stop by to ask if you’d like to give them a last message.”
“No, no, no. You can’t do that. Sit down.”
“No! I’ll do what you never do! I should’ve done it a long time ago, anyways. You know that.”
Yoona couldn’t deny that SooYoung was…a bit of a tomboy. She was breathtakingly gorgeous, but she spent all her time watching sports, playing videogames, and gorging herself on fifty too many kim baps. When she wasn’t doing that, she was dancing.
“Yeah, but…I mean, you’re an amazing person. We love hanging out with you!”
“Are you sure Jess and Yuri aren’t just hanging out with me because they think I’m pretty? Most of the time, they ignore me, because everything I do is irrelevant to them and their meaningless, Americanized lives. Anyways, that’s not important right now. Those girls completely embarrassed you in front of Taec! Aren’t you mad? Infuriated? Don’t you want to punch them? Why are you so damn calm?” SooYoung tugged at her long hair, her eyebrows pulled together.
Actually, Yoona wasn’t angry. She was just hurt. Why Jessica and Yuri made her up and told her to go wait in front of Taec’s room, only to have him open the door to get out half an hour later and see her, was beyond her. She’d never done anything to them. Was this their idea of revenge for letting the girls go by themselves the other day.
“Soo, to be honest, I like you the best out of all these girls. I mean, I don’t like picking favorites, but I can’t help but love you.”
SooYoung snorted. “Probably because I resemble a boy.” Seeing the look of shock on Yoona’s face, she chuckled. “I kid, I kid. Go on.”
“Sunny’s too desperate. I love the kid, but she’s really gotta let go of things. Without noticing it, she’s letting her life become like those reality shows that her sister watches. As for Yuri, she’s just…whatever. Let’s not even get into that topic, eh? And Jessica is just self-conscious. Why else would someone like her legally change her name, dye her hair, lose 25 pounds, and slather on a bunch of makeup and tell everyone it’s natural?”
SooYoung shook her head and took Yoona’s hand in hers. “To be honest, I’ve been acting kinda self-conscious lately, too. I…really like this kid, WooYoung—“
Yoona’s eyes lit up. “I know that kid! He is so adorable. Good choice.”
“Well, yeah, but I haven’t been acting like myself around him. The other day, when we went to the café, I tried talking to him, and made myself look like a complete fool. I’ve never fired so many questions or acted so girly around any guy. And the thing is, I’ve never had this problem before. This is all so new to me.”
Yoona ducked her head, so SooYoung wouldn’t see her beaming. All she’d ever wanted in the world was to be a big sister to someone, and here was her chance.
“We’ve all been there. You act differently because you think that he won’t like your true self, but I’ve seen him around plenty, and I think he’s more into girls that express themselves. He also hangs out with really nice people. That Junho kid can dance.”
SooYoung nodded. “You’re right. I’m being crazy. We’ve got a date, anyways. Hey! You and Taec can come along! That’d fix the awkwardness between you two.”
Yoona closed her eyes as she flashed back to herself standing in front of the door; Taec asking her what she was doing; her hopefully replying that she thought he wanted to talk to her; him shaking his head and walk away.
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. He doesn’t want to talk to me.”
SooYoung’s face took on a more stern look. “You’re coming.”
Yoona sighed. “I’ll think about it.”
“But this time, don’t tell the girls, and don’t wear makeup. You’re naturally so pretty that it looks scary on you,” she got up, blew a kiss at Yoona—“Saranghaeyo, Yoo,” —and left.
Yoona sighed once again. She’d left out the part about WooYoung constantly staring at Dara.
**
Everyone was practicing for the rehearsal in the auditorium when WooYoung and Daesung arrived. Girls and boys doing choreography, practicing their songs, and some in the corner, writing or reading. Daesung rushed over to them, his sketchbook tucked under his arms.
WooYoung joined Dara, CL, and G-Dragon, who never seemed to leave and watched them try to choreograph a dance for “Just Can’t Get Enough”. Woo scrunched his face up.
“Whose song is this?”
“Mine,” GD said, wiping his face with a towel. “Why?”
“What’s its special meaning to you?”
“I like it. And I can never get enough of anything, you know? Everything gives me an adrenaline high. I have fun while doing whatever thing.”
“That’s stupid.”
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Dara said, stepping up and pouting at WooYoung.
“Nah, not a problem. Take it easy, man,” GD said, clapping Woo on the shoulder and shooting a grin at him.
“Whatever. Anyways, Dara, I need your help with something. How would you like to be my dance partner for the final?”
“Actually,” CL, who’d been staring at GD’s shaggy blonde hair like she expected something to pop out of it, said, “she’s doing a number with G-Dragon.” She didn’t look all too pleased with it.
“Isn’t your dance going to be solo?” WooYoung asked, trying not to blow his cheeks out, something he did when he was really nervous.
“Ah, yeah, but I’m also gonna sing, and I need a female part. She volunteered.”
Dara wouldn’t meet WooYoung’s eyes.
“But I really need you.”
“I’ll do her part with you, GD,” CL said.
“But you rap. I need a girl with a soft voice.”
CL’s face changed color, and her smile disappeared as quickly as it’d appeared. “Fine then.” She stormed off, her long blonde ponytail swinging ferociously from side to side.
“Um, excuse me? Yeah, uh, sorry to interrupt. I’m Bom,” a girl with long, auburn hair emerged out of nowhere and shook hands with all of them. “I don’t want to seem like I was listening, but I overheard you guys having a discussion about the finals, and I think you’ll be pleased to hear that you can partner up more than once with different people.”
Although it was supposed to make them happy, this news didn’t seem to do any good to ease the tension between the three Asians.
“Uh, okay. Just thought you should know.”
“Well then. That’s good, isn’t it?” WooYoung’s childish demeanor had completely disappeared, and something new, different, and fierce had taken its place.
“Um, I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to chill,” G-Dragon said before walking away.
“The nerve of him!” WooYoung rolled his eyes. Dara hit him.
“Ow!”
“Don’t talk to him like that! He has feelings, too.”
“Really? He really doesn’t show them much, does he?”
“Oh shush,” Dara playfully hit him on the arm this time, trying to ease his uneasiness.
WooYoung watched her walk away, jogging slightly to catch up to G-Dragon.
If I ever left, would she run to catch up with me?
“Shouldn’t you be practicing for your final? You only have five days, you know.”
“Yes, but…I’m a bit confused and frustrated about something. I wanted to clear my brain before I started rehearsing. It’s never good to dance without an empty mind.”
“True, true. What’s bothering you? Is it family? A girl?”
WooYoung cocked his head to the side. He knew he could trust Teacher Lee, but he himself didn’t know how, exactly, he was feeling. Would he be able to put it in words for someone else?
“Maybe. I mean, I don’t know. I have a friend who might like someone, but I think it’s dangerous.”
“And why are you interfering? If you really want her to be safe, let her fall flat on her face. That’s how you learn.”
“But—“
“You care for her. Yes, I know. It’s typical. You teenagers are all the same; you have no originality. No offense. Just let her choose her own path. She’ll come around eventually.” With that, she got up to leave.
“Teacher Lee?”
“Hmm?”
“Is it true that you were raised in America.”
“What do you think?”
It sure would explain a lot.
Woo stared at his computer once again. Who could he turn to for help in a situation like this?
He took out his cellphone and pressed one.
Hopefully his bro--
“Hello?”
“Uh, hey hyung. What’s going on over there?”
“It’s been a while since you called. I was beginning to worry about you. Mom’s going crazy. She cries every day. You’d think she’d have her hands full with three other kids, but no, her little Woo is probably all hungry and losing weight over at that school. Oh, how hard they make you work over there, according to her. Me? I say you’re probably having the time of your life. No mom, no annoying siblings, and more than enough time to play StarCraft.”
WooYoung smirked. His older brother’s obsession with videogames hadn’t decreased one bit.
“So why’d you call? Something happen?”
“Well…yeah. I have a friend that—“
“Girl or boy?”
“Girl?”
“Why are you so uncertain of her gender? Is she…you know…?”
“No. Just…don’t judge, okay?”
“Let me guess—you like her, she likes someone else, you don’t like the person she likes, and none of you get what you want. Am I correct?”
“How did you—“
“Been there, done that. It’s always the same old story. Lemme just say that every story doesn’t have the same ending, although it may follow a similar plotline. Sometimes you’ll get a happy ending, and sometimes…you won’t. Is she pretty?”
“Yeah. But…listen. I don’t even know if I like her. She’s my best friend. What if I just want to make myself believe that I like her because that’s the way it always is?”
“Good point. How do you feel around her?”
“Like…I dunno. Like myself?”
“That’s good. Look, as your older brother, I’m supposed to give you amazing advice, but I think you shouldn’t try to speed things up. I know it’s hard, but if she likes someone else, you can’t force her to stop liking him. You’ve just gotta go with it. You can try dating other girls, but I say that’s a flop. I don’t believe in jealousy, and I don’t believe in one-timers. If you’re gonna love someone, do it right. Don’t mess up. Life isn’t a fairytale. I don’t want reality to slap you in the face one day, so I’m doing it myself.”
“Thanks hyung. This really helped, actually. Tell mom I really liked the fried meat-and-rice she sent me, although it wasn’t necessary; we do have food here, you know. And tell me if you ever pass Level 45. Not that you will or anything.”
WooYoung closed the phone before his brother could protest, smiling to himself.
Thank god he wasn’t the oldest child. It was so much work.
**
NichKhun and Junho sat at a table, their heads bent over WooYoung’s Composing notebook. It was full of absurd lyrics:
Do you ever think, I’ll be the one, for anyone?
Will the stars ever align themselves for me?
Will I ever be the one, the only one, for anyone?
“This is nonsense,” NichKhun spat out, shaking his head in disgust. “It almost sounds…”
“Gay,” Junho sniffed. “Is he in love or something? You still haven’t told me what’s going on. You don’t expect me to cluelessly stare on as I watch you make weird faces and say random things to Woo, do you?”
“I thought that you, Captain Obvious, would’ve figured it out by now: He likes Dara.”
“Well…that’s an interesting assumption. Are you sure, though? I don’t like jumping to conclusions. Assuming things can make you look like a complete ass at times.”
NichKhun stared at Junho. There he goes, defending WooYoung again. Would he ever do that for me?
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I mean, he practically said it the other day.”
“Just…don’t make him feel uncomfortable. Don’t press him about it, or he’ll blow. Trust me, I know. My sister’s like that.”
Just then, WooYoung walked into the cafeteria, smiling as he talked into his phone.
“Who’s he talking to?”
“His brother, most likely.”
NichKhun felt inexplicable envy towards this brother. He wanted to have WooYoung’s attention. All of it. He felt as though he deserved it, although he hadn’t particularly done anything for it. It frustrated him so much that he didn’t have anyone that knew everything about him; that he could share all his secrets with.
But…wait…He’d completely forgotten about G-Dragon. He’d played the whole thing so coolly that NichKhun had failed to remember that he knew about the…thing. He slowly got up and ruffled his hair, which stood up on its burnt orange ends.
“I…I’m gonna…I have to leave,” Junho looked up from the notebook, a surprised look on his face.
“Uh…okay. Sure.”
“See you…later.”
NichKhun shook his head and walked away as quickly as his feet would take him. What would they think if they knew his secret? Would they ever look at him the same way? Nich highly doubted it. He didn’t have any regrets about telling someone, but he was having second thoughts about choosing GD; not particularly because he’d tell more than the fact that WooYoung, whom he considered to be his closest friend, despised him, despite his overexaggerated denial of the obvious fact.
He went straight up to the balcony, knowing that GD would be there.
**
Yoona stroked her pillow over and over, fighting back the tears that were threatening to spill over and ruin the foundation that she’d let Yuri apply on her. Her fingers were shaking, and she could feel the hiccups beginning at the bottom of her stomach.
Why did she always agree to stupid things? She wasn’t stupid, and she knew it, so why did she act so defenseless? It was her fault that she was in this position, not anyone else’s.
There was a soft knock on the door. Yoona buried her face in the pillow. A more forceful knock followed.
“Ya, unnie, open the door, or I’ll break it!”
Yoona wiped her face and got up to open the door.
“Hey SooYoung.”
“Don’t ‘hey SooYoung’ me. I’m headed over to beat the literal crap out of Yuri and Jessica, and wanted to stop by to ask if you’d like to give them a last message.”
“No, no, no. You can’t do that. Sit down.”
“No! I’ll do what you never do! I should’ve done it a long time ago, anyways. You know that.”
Yoona couldn’t deny that SooYoung was…a bit of a tomboy. She was breathtakingly gorgeous, but she spent all her time watching sports, playing videogames, and gorging herself on fifty too many kim baps. When she wasn’t doing that, she was dancing.
“Yeah, but…I mean, you’re an amazing person. We love hanging out with you!”
“Are you sure Jess and Yuri aren’t just hanging out with me because they think I’m pretty? Most of the time, they ignore me, because everything I do is irrelevant to them and their meaningless, Americanized lives. Anyways, that’s not important right now. Those girls completely embarrassed you in front of Taec! Aren’t you mad? Infuriated? Don’t you want to punch them? Why are you so damn calm?” SooYoung tugged at her long hair, her eyebrows pulled together.
Actually, Yoona wasn’t angry. She was just hurt. Why Jessica and Yuri made her up and told her to go wait in front of Taec’s room, only to have him open the door to get out half an hour later and see her, was beyond her. She’d never done anything to them. Was this their idea of revenge for letting the girls go by themselves the other day.
“Soo, to be honest, I like you the best out of all these girls. I mean, I don’t like picking favorites, but I can’t help but love you.”
SooYoung snorted. “Probably because I resemble a boy.” Seeing the look of shock on Yoona’s face, she chuckled. “I kid, I kid. Go on.”
“Sunny’s too desperate. I love the kid, but she’s really gotta let go of things. Without noticing it, she’s letting her life become like those reality shows that her sister watches. As for Yuri, she’s just…whatever. Let’s not even get into that topic, eh? And Jessica is just self-conscious. Why else would someone like her legally change her name, dye her hair, lose 25 pounds, and slather on a bunch of makeup and tell everyone it’s natural?”
SooYoung shook her head and took Yoona’s hand in hers. “To be honest, I’ve been acting kinda self-conscious lately, too. I…really like this kid, WooYoung—“
Yoona’s eyes lit up. “I know that kid! He is so adorable. Good choice.”
“Well, yeah, but I haven’t been acting like myself around him. The other day, when we went to the café, I tried talking to him, and made myself look like a complete fool. I’ve never fired so many questions or acted so girly around any guy. And the thing is, I’ve never had this problem before. This is all so new to me.”
Yoona ducked her head, so SooYoung wouldn’t see her beaming. All she’d ever wanted in the world was to be a big sister to someone, and here was her chance.
“We’ve all been there. You act differently because you think that he won’t like your true self, but I’ve seen him around plenty, and I think he’s more into girls that express themselves. He also hangs out with really nice people. That Junho kid can dance.”
SooYoung nodded. “You’re right. I’m being crazy. We’ve got a date, anyways. Hey! You and Taec can come along! That’d fix the awkwardness between you two.”
Yoona closed her eyes as she flashed back to herself standing in front of the door; Taec asking her what she was doing; her hopefully replying that she thought he wanted to talk to her; him shaking his head and walk away.
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. He doesn’t want to talk to me.”
SooYoung’s face took on a more stern look. “You’re coming.”
Yoona sighed. “I’ll think about it.”
“But this time, don’t tell the girls, and don’t wear makeup. You’re naturally so pretty that it looks scary on you,” she got up, blew a kiss at Yoona—“Saranghaeyo, Yoo,” —and left.
Yoona sighed once again. She’d left out the part about WooYoung constantly staring at Dara.
**
Everyone was practicing for the rehearsal in the auditorium when WooYoung and Daesung arrived. Girls and boys doing choreography, practicing their songs, and some in the corner, writing or reading. Daesung rushed over to them, his sketchbook tucked under his arms.
WooYoung joined Dara, CL, and G-Dragon, who never seemed to leave and watched them try to choreograph a dance for “Just Can’t Get Enough”. Woo scrunched his face up.
“Whose song is this?”
“Mine,” GD said, wiping his face with a towel. “Why?”
“What’s its special meaning to you?”
“I like it. And I can never get enough of anything, you know? Everything gives me an adrenaline high. I have fun while doing whatever thing.”
“That’s stupid.”
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Dara said, stepping up and pouting at WooYoung.
“Nah, not a problem. Take it easy, man,” GD said, clapping Woo on the shoulder and shooting a grin at him.
“Whatever. Anyways, Dara, I need your help with something. How would you like to be my dance partner for the final?”
“Actually,” CL, who’d been staring at GD’s shaggy blonde hair like she expected something to pop out of it, said, “she’s doing a number with G-Dragon.” She didn’t look all too pleased with it.
“Isn’t your dance going to be solo?” WooYoung asked, trying not to blow his cheeks out, something he did when he was really nervous.
“Ah, yeah, but I’m also gonna sing, and I need a female part. She volunteered.”
Dara wouldn’t meet WooYoung’s eyes.
“But I really need you.”
“I’ll do her part with you, GD,” CL said.
“But you rap. I need a girl with a soft voice.”
CL’s face changed color, and her smile disappeared as quickly as it’d appeared. “Fine then.” She stormed off, her long blonde ponytail swinging ferociously from side to side.
“Um, excuse me? Yeah, uh, sorry to interrupt. I’m Bom,” a girl with long, auburn hair emerged out of nowhere and shook hands with all of them. “I don’t want to seem like I was listening, but I overheard you guys having a discussion about the finals, and I think you’ll be pleased to hear that you can partner up more than once with different people.”
Although it was supposed to make them happy, this news didn’t seem to do any good to ease the tension between the three Asians.
“Uh, okay. Just thought you should know.”
“Well then. That’s good, isn’t it?” WooYoung’s childish demeanor had completely disappeared, and something new, different, and fierce had taken its place.
“Um, I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to chill,” G-Dragon said before walking away.
“The nerve of him!” WooYoung rolled his eyes. Dara hit him.
“Ow!”
“Don’t talk to him like that! He has feelings, too.”
“Really? He really doesn’t show them much, does he?”
“Oh shush,” Dara playfully hit him on the arm this time, trying to ease his uneasiness.
WooYoung watched her walk away, jogging slightly to catch up to G-Dragon.
If I ever left, would she run to catch up with me?
WooYoung joined Minzy and Dara, who was looking around anxiously for someone.
“What are you guys going to do?” he asked.
“Dance,” Minzy answered, as Dara said “G-Dragon.”
WooYoung and Minzy looked at her confusedly.
“I-I mean, he’s coming here. Look!”
She was right. G-Dragon was walking up to them with a relieved-looking NichKhun.
“What are you going to do for the final?” Dara asked quickly, her eyes shining.
“Dunno yet. I’ll scrap something up. “
“Scrap something up. Scrap something up?! Who the heck do you think you are?” Minzy asked, stepping forward and jabbing a finger at his chest. “This is a final. You know, something that people work to pass, and not scrap up stuff for.”
“Lay off, Minz,” NichKhun said, stepping forward defensively. The tension hanging in the air was so thick that WooYoung could slice it with a knife and spread it on his seaweed. Not that he’d ever want to, of course.
Junho, who had been chatting with T.O.P. and CL a few feet away, cut his conversation and hurried over. “What’s the theme?” he asked hurriedly. Leave it to Junho to be the peace-maker.
“The theme,” CL said, sauntering over, “is to make something like a song or a painting or whatever, that represents something to you.”
Everyone stared at her dumbfoundedly. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
“That means, kiddies, that, for example, if you’re a dancer—“Minzy perked up,”—you pick a song that means a lot to you, or sends a clear message to everyone, or a special someone in the audience, and you dance to it. You have to put all of your emotion into it and make the judges feel everything that you’re feeling. Same goes for song. If you’re a writer or painter or any of those boring things, then you have to create something that expresses your feelings. Understood?”
G-Dragon patted her arm. “Lemme explain, Chae Lin--"he'd used her real name."So I’m a singer, right? I sing and dance. I either compose or choose a song that is currently relevant to my life, and I perform it with all I’ve got. Simple as that.”
CL rolled her eyes again. “You guys are weird.” She left, shaking her head and mumbling something.
T.O.P. walked over. “Don’t mind her. She thinks she’s really misunderstood; and she loves making things more complex than they should be.”
WooYoung was surprised. This was the first time he’d heard T.O.P talk; he had a deep, rich voice that most Asians didn’t posses, and he looked everyone square in the eye when he talked to them, which could be uncomfortable, but undoubtedly showed confidence.
“So what’s the point of this?” he asked.
Minzy shrugged. “I dunno, but I’m hungry. Wanna go grab something to eat?”
Woo looked over at Dara. “You coming, San?”
Dara’s eyes were locked on GD. “Wh-What? Oh, yeah, sure. Hey…G-Dragon, you wanna come?”
GD looked up from his always-present cell. “Yup. I’m hungry.”
WooYoung gave Dara a questioning look, which she openly ignored. Why was she acting this way? They were really good friends. What did Americans say? Best friends. What was she hiding?
**
Sunny watched Dara, WooYoung, G-Dragon (who was having a loud conversation with Minzy), and NichKhun walk out the double doors. It was Friday, and all of them had free periods. They were probably going to have a bunch of fun while Sunny was stuck here with the girls, who wanted to go shopping.
Why would you want to go shopping when your school had a uniform? Did it even make sense?
Sunny turned around just in time to catch SooYoung staring at WooYoung. An idea started to form at the back of her brain. Could she? Was it too risky?
“Jessica, we’re not coming with you,” she blurted out, before she could stop herself.
Jessica turned around and arched an awkwardly plucked eyebrow. “We? And who might this we be?”
“SooYoung and me.”
“SooYoung and I,” SooYoung corrected nervously. “And who said I’m not going?”
Sunny pulled her aside. “Look Soo, you know as much as I do that it’s gonna be super boring to go with them. They shop for the same things all the time, and besides, you like WooYoung—“ She reddened. “—Wouldn’t you rather be closer to him?”
“Do you think they’re gonna invite us to go with them?”
“No…But we could go where they went.”
“God, you’re such a stalker. You wanna go because you wanna be friends with them, don’t you?”
Sunny looked down at her Yuri-approved high tops.
SooYoung sighed. “You’re crazy. But I really like him, so fine. But if we get in trouble with Jessica, I’ll tickle you until you pee.”
Sunny giggled. SooYoung was nice, she was just a bit spineless.
Oh please, like you’re not, she thought.
They both turned around. “We have to…buy books for our after-school psychology classes,” SooYoung said. “Besides, we don’t wanna waste any money.”
“But we need someone to carry our bags,” Yuri rolled her eyes.
“Find someone else,” Yoona shot back, a stern look on her face. “Their studies are more important than your clothes. Just carry them yourself, if you love them so much,” She turned to them. “Go ahead girls. We’ll go together next time.” She winked at them and tilted her head in WooYoung’s direction. “See you later.”
Sunny was ecstatic; Yoona was finally showing some spine of her own and they were free!
**
WooYoung walked with NichKhun and Dara, watching GD and Minzy, walking a bit ahead, argue about what was easier: breakdancing or freestyle. Woo and Nich were making faces at each other over Dara’s head, trying to figure out what was wrong with her. NichKhun’s thick eyebrows shot up and he glanced at G-Dragon, and pointed to him.
WooYoung was confused. Had GD done something to his best friend? They had four classes together, and they sat together in all of them, almost instantly forming a bond. But she’d been acting weird and unlike herself lately. Maybe GD had made fun of her… But why?
The two boys watched as she edged closer and closer to Minzy, and joined their conversation, desperately trying, and failing, to come up with reasons for why breakdancing was better (a shocked Minzy stared on).
“You’ve…never liked breakdancing,” Minzy’s voice faltered a bit. This was something she took seriously.
“It’s awesome!” GD butted in. Dara shook her head eagerly. Minzy hesitantly stepped back and joined WooYoung as they chatted on.
“She likes him,” Nich stated, as if it were a well-known fact.
“Definitely,” Minzy agreed.
“How do you know?” Woo felt it his duty to defend his best friend.
“Don’t be naïve,” Minzy rolled her eyes. “It’s obvious. Very obvious. Dara hates breakdancing. And she’s always trying to talk to him.”
“It just doesn’t seem that way to me…”
“Why so defensive? Do you like her?” They’d arrived at the café.
WooYoung’s chubby cheeks flushed with color. “What? No. ‘Course not.”
Minzy raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth, but NichKhun stepped in between them quickly and dragged Minzy and WooYoung inside.
“Let’s eat!”
**
Sunny and SooYoung sat at a small table, Soo nursing a latte (??) and Sunny staring at a plate of dumplings. Across from them sat Dara’s group, all of them talking animatedly; NichKhun and WooYoung in whispers, giving sideways glances at Dara and GD, who were laughing about something, along with a bored Minzy who lifted her head only to make snide comments about things Sunny couldn’t hear very well from her position.
“The back of his head is so cute!” SooYoung squealed.
Sunny stared at Woo’s head. It looked like…the back of a person’s head. Nothing special.
“Yeah. It’s shaped like a pear.”
“You’re getting to sound like your sister more and more every day,” Soo commented, avoiding Sunny’s burning gaze. She hated being compared to Yuri.
Sunny opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a loud boom.
Both girls turned around to see Dara and co., which was now officially Sunny’s nickname for them, banging on the table. G-Dragon got on top of it and started rapping.
“Itjanha jogeum aju jogeum na sujumpjiman neon molla sokeun taeyangboda ttegeoweo nae mam jow arajweo. TV show-e na oneun girl deureun mudae-eseo bichi nandedo neon eonjena!”*
* You know, I'm a little bit shy sometimes, you don't know but you're burning like the sun, please understand my feelings.
Even though those girls that appear on TV shows are sparkling; you're always be the one, the star, in my eyes.
Sunny’s eyes automatically went to Dara, who was blushing like crazy. To be honest, it didn’t really seem like GD was singing directly to anyone, but just singing in general, but it seemed as if Dara took it very personally. Especially when he and Minzy started dancing; Sunny had never seen anyone look so embarrassedly furious.
“She likes him,” she thought out loud.
SooYoung’s tumbling locks flew as she turned to face Sunny, her cheeks blazing. “Who? Who likes WooYoung?? Is it that Dara girl?”
“No. I’m talking about Dara and the blonde kid.”
“Oh…Psh. Way to state the obvious,” she rolled her eyes and tossed her hair back. “I’m gonna go talk to him.” She pushed her chair back and went over to where GD and Minzy were now freestyle rapping back and forth while WooYoung and NichKhun danced in the background, completely lost in their own world, laughing like they were having the time of their lives. Dara watched WooYoung and GD, clapping for both of them. Sunny wished Jessica and Yuri would do something like that in the middle of the mall. Well, even if they did, it would probably involve a lot of sexy choreography, and would be thoroughly planned, down to the outfits. Sunny just wanted friends who went with the flow of things and understood each other without words. Was that too much to ask?
**
NichKhun’s face scrunched up as he tried to copy WooYoung’s fast movements. Backward, forward, to the left, to the rig--
“Oh screw this!” he shouted out in frustration, making WooYoung laugh. “I’m just gonna dance my way!”
WooYoung lightly hit him on the head. “You’re not a bad dancer,” he proclaimed. “You just need to find your own style.”
Just then, a waitress stepped forward timidly, keeping her head low. “Um, excuse me, sir. We’d like you kindly ask that you either sit down or leave.”
“Oh…” All four of them stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at her. The girl’s face turned crimson as she tried her best not to stare at NichKhun.
“Please don’t misunderstand. The customers like your performance, but our boss is very strict, and he doesn’t.”
“We’ll leave,” Minzy said quickly. “But don’t think I won’t talk to Boss McTightPants later.”
All of them stared at her.
“That doesn’t even make sense,” WooYoung and GD blurted out. NichKhun just laughed.
Another girl walked up to them, which made WooYoung wanna scratch his head. What was with girls talking to them today? As she got closer, he recognized her as SooYoung, or Apple Cheeks, as Suzy had named. She was…literally everywhere he was. He wondered if there was a specific reason for it. Did she want something?
NichKhun nudged him and waggled his full eyebrows suggestively, making weird gestures.
“Hi,” SooYoung said, a radiant smile plastered onto her face. “How are you?”
“Uh…good.” NichKhun elbowed him; he glared at him as best as he could without looking like a chubby-cheeked freak. “Ah…yeah.”
It didn’t look like she was leaving anytime soon; she’d pulled up a chair and was posed on it like some sort of model, hands folded on her lap, legs crossed, chin up.
“Draw me like one of your French girls!” NichKhun whispered, just loud enough for Woo to hear.
“So, WooYoung…Your name sounds like mine.”
“Yeah. Yeah…”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Um…yellow. What’s yours?”
“Blue. What’s your favorite band? Where are you from? What do you like to do in your spare time? Have you ever had a girlfriend? Do you have one now? Who is she? What kind of girl do you like?”
WooYoung reeled back, taking a step with every question she shot his way.
“Um…I don’t have a favorite band; I’m from Seoul, I dance, no, no, no, and I don’t know?”
“Real smooth,” NichKhun snorted.
“So…Do you want to go out for sushi sometime?” SooYoung cocked her head to the left and stared at him expectantly like some sort of American “puppy”.
“Um…Okay?” WooYoung didn’t understand why he kept answering questions with questions, but he was feeling extremely awkward and uncomfortable. SooYoung was the exact opposite. Besides the frequent, unexpected flush in her cheeks, she looked completely cool and laid-back, as if this was something she did every day. And knowing her close friends, she probably did.
WooYoung had no idea what he was getting himself into, but he hoped it wouldn’t be so bad.
“See you at school,” SooYoung abruptly got up, a look of satisfaction on her face.
WooYoung and NichKhun watched her leave. NichKhun turned to him and grinned. “You’re either an idiot, or the smartest person I’ve met. You just picked up a girl without even wanting to. C’mon, let’s get out of here before they throw us out.”
*
On the way back home, WooYoung signalled NichKhun to go ahead without him. He pulled Dara back and stared at her, hard.
“What’s going on?”
Dara just giggled nervously. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
“Just because I look like a squirrel doesn’t mean I’m stupid. Do you…like somebody?”
She snorted. “Who would I like?”
“Your eyes say otherwise. Is it…NichKhun?”
“No! Of course not. I told you, I don’t like anybody.”
“Ya, do you know how hurtful this is? You’re one of my closest friends, and I tell you everything, from my crazy mother to my eye-catching older brother, who tends to drive me up the wall with how calm he is because he really should be a jerk, with all the attention he’s getting; and you don’t even tell me who you like?”
“Tell me, is it G-Dragon? It is, isn’t it? Does he know?”
“Stop it!” she yelled suddenly. “You’re not my older brother, I don’t have to explain anything to you, least of all my relationship status!”
WooYoung pulled back, hurt.
“I…don’t like this. I don’t like it at all. What if he hurts you?” he mumbled quietly.
“He’s a good guy. You don’t even know him! Actually, you’re really one to talk. I saw you talking to that SooYoung girl. Do you see me interrogating you? No, you do not. Although…I do wonder what she asked you. But I didn’t ask, did I? No, I did not. And there’s a reason for that. Do you know what a private life is? No, you don’t. Because you don’t have one. A lot of people here don’t. All they do is broadcast their thoughts and feelings…”
Dara kept blabbering about random things as WooYoung looked on, his mind wandering.
It bothered him so much that she liked G-Dragon. G-Dragon didn’t deserve such a sweet, kind, funny girl to like him. But then again, what had he ever done to Woo that made him dislike him this much? Was it the fact that he was too Americanized?
That was ridiculous. There had to be another reason.
*
Later; nighttime
“Hey Junho?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No, chipmunk. I don’t really care much for girls. I mean, I do, but my future comes first. Besides, I haven’t met anyone I really like yet.”
“Oh….Do you have any close girl friends?”
“Some.”
“Would you ever like them?”
“I don’t know. I think it depends on the person. Some people can’t fall in love with people that they know too well, and others prefer it.”
“Ah…So it all depends on you.”
“Yes, WooYoung, thank you for that deep philosophical statement. Now shut up and go to sleep, both of you.”
“Easy for you to say, Khun. You’re like, the star of this school when it comes to looks, right there next to Taec.”
“And yet he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“You don’t either, Junho.”
“Meh.”
“Meh my ass. Go to sleep, both of you. Girls aren’t something you should dwell so much on, WooYoung. Because they might like other people and you wouldn’t want their crazy obnoxious dancer friends finding out, would you?”
“Now if only I wasn’t so out of the loop. What’s going on, Woo?”
“You’re mistaken, Nich. G’night, Junho.”
“Uh…”
“Ass.”
“What are you guys going to do?” he asked.
“Dance,” Minzy answered, as Dara said “G-Dragon.”
WooYoung and Minzy looked at her confusedly.
“I-I mean, he’s coming here. Look!”
She was right. G-Dragon was walking up to them with a relieved-looking NichKhun.
“What are you going to do for the final?” Dara asked quickly, her eyes shining.
“Dunno yet. I’ll scrap something up. “
“Scrap something up. Scrap something up?! Who the heck do you think you are?” Minzy asked, stepping forward and jabbing a finger at his chest. “This is a final. You know, something that people work to pass, and not scrap up stuff for.”
“Lay off, Minz,” NichKhun said, stepping forward defensively. The tension hanging in the air was so thick that WooYoung could slice it with a knife and spread it on his seaweed. Not that he’d ever want to, of course.
Junho, who had been chatting with T.O.P. and CL a few feet away, cut his conversation and hurried over. “What’s the theme?” he asked hurriedly. Leave it to Junho to be the peace-maker.
“The theme,” CL said, sauntering over, “is to make something like a song or a painting or whatever, that represents something to you.”
Everyone stared at her dumbfoundedly. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
“That means, kiddies, that, for example, if you’re a dancer—“Minzy perked up,”—you pick a song that means a lot to you, or sends a clear message to everyone, or a special someone in the audience, and you dance to it. You have to put all of your emotion into it and make the judges feel everything that you’re feeling. Same goes for song. If you’re a writer or painter or any of those boring things, then you have to create something that expresses your feelings. Understood?”
G-Dragon patted her arm. “Lemme explain, Chae Lin--"he'd used her real name."So I’m a singer, right? I sing and dance. I either compose or choose a song that is currently relevant to my life, and I perform it with all I’ve got. Simple as that.”
CL rolled her eyes again. “You guys are weird.” She left, shaking her head and mumbling something.
T.O.P. walked over. “Don’t mind her. She thinks she’s really misunderstood; and she loves making things more complex than they should be.”
WooYoung was surprised. This was the first time he’d heard T.O.P talk; he had a deep, rich voice that most Asians didn’t posses, and he looked everyone square in the eye when he talked to them, which could be uncomfortable, but undoubtedly showed confidence.
“So what’s the point of this?” he asked.
Minzy shrugged. “I dunno, but I’m hungry. Wanna go grab something to eat?”
Woo looked over at Dara. “You coming, San?”
Dara’s eyes were locked on GD. “Wh-What? Oh, yeah, sure. Hey…G-Dragon, you wanna come?”
GD looked up from his always-present cell. “Yup. I’m hungry.”
WooYoung gave Dara a questioning look, which she openly ignored. Why was she acting this way? They were really good friends. What did Americans say? Best friends. What was she hiding?
**
Sunny watched Dara, WooYoung, G-Dragon (who was having a loud conversation with Minzy), and NichKhun walk out the double doors. It was Friday, and all of them had free periods. They were probably going to have a bunch of fun while Sunny was stuck here with the girls, who wanted to go shopping.
Why would you want to go shopping when your school had a uniform? Did it even make sense?
Sunny turned around just in time to catch SooYoung staring at WooYoung. An idea started to form at the back of her brain. Could she? Was it too risky?
“Jessica, we’re not coming with you,” she blurted out, before she could stop herself.
Jessica turned around and arched an awkwardly plucked eyebrow. “We? And who might this we be?”
“SooYoung and me.”
“SooYoung and I,” SooYoung corrected nervously. “And who said I’m not going?”
Sunny pulled her aside. “Look Soo, you know as much as I do that it’s gonna be super boring to go with them. They shop for the same things all the time, and besides, you like WooYoung—“ She reddened. “—Wouldn’t you rather be closer to him?”
“Do you think they’re gonna invite us to go with them?”
“No…But we could go where they went.”
“God, you’re such a stalker. You wanna go because you wanna be friends with them, don’t you?”
Sunny looked down at her Yuri-approved high tops.
SooYoung sighed. “You’re crazy. But I really like him, so fine. But if we get in trouble with Jessica, I’ll tickle you until you pee.”
Sunny giggled. SooYoung was nice, she was just a bit spineless.
Oh please, like you’re not, she thought.
They both turned around. “We have to…buy books for our after-school psychology classes,” SooYoung said. “Besides, we don’t wanna waste any money.”
“But we need someone to carry our bags,” Yuri rolled her eyes.
“Find someone else,” Yoona shot back, a stern look on her face. “Their studies are more important than your clothes. Just carry them yourself, if you love them so much,” She turned to them. “Go ahead girls. We’ll go together next time.” She winked at them and tilted her head in WooYoung’s direction. “See you later.”
Sunny was ecstatic; Yoona was finally showing some spine of her own and they were free!
**
WooYoung walked with NichKhun and Dara, watching GD and Minzy, walking a bit ahead, argue about what was easier: breakdancing or freestyle. Woo and Nich were making faces at each other over Dara’s head, trying to figure out what was wrong with her. NichKhun’s thick eyebrows shot up and he glanced at G-Dragon, and pointed to him.
WooYoung was confused. Had GD done something to his best friend? They had four classes together, and they sat together in all of them, almost instantly forming a bond. But she’d been acting weird and unlike herself lately. Maybe GD had made fun of her… But why?
The two boys watched as she edged closer and closer to Minzy, and joined their conversation, desperately trying, and failing, to come up with reasons for why breakdancing was better (a shocked Minzy stared on).
“You’ve…never liked breakdancing,” Minzy’s voice faltered a bit. This was something she took seriously.
“It’s awesome!” GD butted in. Dara shook her head eagerly. Minzy hesitantly stepped back and joined WooYoung as they chatted on.
“She likes him,” Nich stated, as if it were a well-known fact.
“Definitely,” Minzy agreed.
“How do you know?” Woo felt it his duty to defend his best friend.
“Don’t be naïve,” Minzy rolled her eyes. “It’s obvious. Very obvious. Dara hates breakdancing. And she’s always trying to talk to him.”
“It just doesn’t seem that way to me…”
“Why so defensive? Do you like her?” They’d arrived at the café.
WooYoung’s chubby cheeks flushed with color. “What? No. ‘Course not.”
Minzy raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth, but NichKhun stepped in between them quickly and dragged Minzy and WooYoung inside.
“Let’s eat!”
**
Sunny and SooYoung sat at a small table, Soo nursing a latte (??) and Sunny staring at a plate of dumplings. Across from them sat Dara’s group, all of them talking animatedly; NichKhun and WooYoung in whispers, giving sideways glances at Dara and GD, who were laughing about something, along with a bored Minzy who lifted her head only to make snide comments about things Sunny couldn’t hear very well from her position.
“The back of his head is so cute!” SooYoung squealed.
Sunny stared at Woo’s head. It looked like…the back of a person’s head. Nothing special.
“Yeah. It’s shaped like a pear.”
“You’re getting to sound like your sister more and more every day,” Soo commented, avoiding Sunny’s burning gaze. She hated being compared to Yuri.
Sunny opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a loud boom.
Both girls turned around to see Dara and co., which was now officially Sunny’s nickname for them, banging on the table. G-Dragon got on top of it and started rapping.
“Itjanha jogeum aju jogeum na sujumpjiman neon molla sokeun taeyangboda ttegeoweo nae mam jow arajweo. TV show-e na oneun girl deureun mudae-eseo bichi nandedo neon eonjena!”*
* You know, I'm a little bit shy sometimes, you don't know but you're burning like the sun, please understand my feelings.
Even though those girls that appear on TV shows are sparkling; you're always be the one, the star, in my eyes.
Sunny’s eyes automatically went to Dara, who was blushing like crazy. To be honest, it didn’t really seem like GD was singing directly to anyone, but just singing in general, but it seemed as if Dara took it very personally. Especially when he and Minzy started dancing; Sunny had never seen anyone look so embarrassedly furious.
“She likes him,” she thought out loud.
SooYoung’s tumbling locks flew as she turned to face Sunny, her cheeks blazing. “Who? Who likes WooYoung?? Is it that Dara girl?”
“No. I’m talking about Dara and the blonde kid.”
“Oh…Psh. Way to state the obvious,” she rolled her eyes and tossed her hair back. “I’m gonna go talk to him.” She pushed her chair back and went over to where GD and Minzy were now freestyle rapping back and forth while WooYoung and NichKhun danced in the background, completely lost in their own world, laughing like they were having the time of their lives. Dara watched WooYoung and GD, clapping for both of them. Sunny wished Jessica and Yuri would do something like that in the middle of the mall. Well, even if they did, it would probably involve a lot of sexy choreography, and would be thoroughly planned, down to the outfits. Sunny just wanted friends who went with the flow of things and understood each other without words. Was that too much to ask?
**
NichKhun’s face scrunched up as he tried to copy WooYoung’s fast movements. Backward, forward, to the left, to the rig--
“Oh screw this!” he shouted out in frustration, making WooYoung laugh. “I’m just gonna dance my way!”
WooYoung lightly hit him on the head. “You’re not a bad dancer,” he proclaimed. “You just need to find your own style.”
Just then, a waitress stepped forward timidly, keeping her head low. “Um, excuse me, sir. We’d like you kindly ask that you either sit down or leave.”
“Oh…” All four of them stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at her. The girl’s face turned crimson as she tried her best not to stare at NichKhun.
“Please don’t misunderstand. The customers like your performance, but our boss is very strict, and he doesn’t.”
“We’ll leave,” Minzy said quickly. “But don’t think I won’t talk to Boss McTightPants later.”
All of them stared at her.
“That doesn’t even make sense,” WooYoung and GD blurted out. NichKhun just laughed.
Another girl walked up to them, which made WooYoung wanna scratch his head. What was with girls talking to them today? As she got closer, he recognized her as SooYoung, or Apple Cheeks, as Suzy had named. She was…literally everywhere he was. He wondered if there was a specific reason for it. Did she want something?
NichKhun nudged him and waggled his full eyebrows suggestively, making weird gestures.
“Hi,” SooYoung said, a radiant smile plastered onto her face. “How are you?”
“Uh…good.” NichKhun elbowed him; he glared at him as best as he could without looking like a chubby-cheeked freak. “Ah…yeah.”
It didn’t look like she was leaving anytime soon; she’d pulled up a chair and was posed on it like some sort of model, hands folded on her lap, legs crossed, chin up.
“Draw me like one of your French girls!” NichKhun whispered, just loud enough for Woo to hear.
“So, WooYoung…Your name sounds like mine.”
“Yeah. Yeah…”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Um…yellow. What’s yours?”
“Blue. What’s your favorite band? Where are you from? What do you like to do in your spare time? Have you ever had a girlfriend? Do you have one now? Who is she? What kind of girl do you like?”
WooYoung reeled back, taking a step with every question she shot his way.
“Um…I don’t have a favorite band; I’m from Seoul, I dance, no, no, no, and I don’t know?”
“Real smooth,” NichKhun snorted.
“So…Do you want to go out for sushi sometime?” SooYoung cocked her head to the left and stared at him expectantly like some sort of American “puppy”.
“Um…Okay?” WooYoung didn’t understand why he kept answering questions with questions, but he was feeling extremely awkward and uncomfortable. SooYoung was the exact opposite. Besides the frequent, unexpected flush in her cheeks, she looked completely cool and laid-back, as if this was something she did every day. And knowing her close friends, she probably did.
WooYoung had no idea what he was getting himself into, but he hoped it wouldn’t be so bad.
“See you at school,” SooYoung abruptly got up, a look of satisfaction on her face.
WooYoung and NichKhun watched her leave. NichKhun turned to him and grinned. “You’re either an idiot, or the smartest person I’ve met. You just picked up a girl without even wanting to. C’mon, let’s get out of here before they throw us out.”
*
On the way back home, WooYoung signalled NichKhun to go ahead without him. He pulled Dara back and stared at her, hard.
“What’s going on?”
Dara just giggled nervously. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
“Just because I look like a squirrel doesn’t mean I’m stupid. Do you…like somebody?”
She snorted. “Who would I like?”
“Your eyes say otherwise. Is it…NichKhun?”
“No! Of course not. I told you, I don’t like anybody.”
“Ya, do you know how hurtful this is? You’re one of my closest friends, and I tell you everything, from my crazy mother to my eye-catching older brother, who tends to drive me up the wall with how calm he is because he really should be a jerk, with all the attention he’s getting; and you don’t even tell me who you like?”
“Tell me, is it G-Dragon? It is, isn’t it? Does he know?”
“Stop it!” she yelled suddenly. “You’re not my older brother, I don’t have to explain anything to you, least of all my relationship status!”
WooYoung pulled back, hurt.
“I…don’t like this. I don’t like it at all. What if he hurts you?” he mumbled quietly.
“He’s a good guy. You don’t even know him! Actually, you’re really one to talk. I saw you talking to that SooYoung girl. Do you see me interrogating you? No, you do not. Although…I do wonder what she asked you. But I didn’t ask, did I? No, I did not. And there’s a reason for that. Do you know what a private life is? No, you don’t. Because you don’t have one. A lot of people here don’t. All they do is broadcast their thoughts and feelings…”
Dara kept blabbering about random things as WooYoung looked on, his mind wandering.
It bothered him so much that she liked G-Dragon. G-Dragon didn’t deserve such a sweet, kind, funny girl to like him. But then again, what had he ever done to Woo that made him dislike him this much? Was it the fact that he was too Americanized?
That was ridiculous. There had to be another reason.
*
Later; nighttime
“Hey Junho?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No, chipmunk. I don’t really care much for girls. I mean, I do, but my future comes first. Besides, I haven’t met anyone I really like yet.”
“Oh….Do you have any close girl friends?”
“Some.”
“Would you ever like them?”
“I don’t know. I think it depends on the person. Some people can’t fall in love with people that they know too well, and others prefer it.”
“Ah…So it all depends on you.”
“Yes, WooYoung, thank you for that deep philosophical statement. Now shut up and go to sleep, both of you.”
“Easy for you to say, Khun. You’re like, the star of this school when it comes to looks, right there next to Taec.”
“And yet he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“You don’t either, Junho.”
“Meh.”
“Meh my ass. Go to sleep, both of you. Girls aren’t something you should dwell so much on, WooYoung. Because they might like other people and you wouldn’t want their crazy obnoxious dancer friends finding out, would you?”
“Now if only I wasn’t so out of the loop. What’s going on, Woo?”
“You’re mistaken, Nich. G’night, Junho.”
“Uh…”
“Ass.”
Sandara tried to breathe, but she really and truly couldn’t. Love at first sight wasn’t something she believed in, but oh my Buddha, this kid was Mr. Perfect.
“Who’s that kid that just walked in?” she whispered anxiously to Sunny, who shrugged and turned around.
He had very blonde, very shaggy hair, thin lips, pixie-like features, and the most beautiful pair of black eyes she had ever seen. He sauntered across the room and handed the teacher a heavy-looking manila folder. As she looked through it, he surveyed the room, taking everything in. His eyes caught Sandara’s, and they had a silent staring match. For some unknown reason, she couldn’t look away. A knowing smirk crept onto his lips, and he winked at her before turning his head away.
“The nerve of him!” Min Ji exclaimed. Sandara turned around and gave her a confused look, wondering if she was as red as she felt. “He is such a flirt!”
“He…is?”
“Of course!” Min Ji yelled. “Did you not see the way how he made all of you watch him? What a player.”
Sandara felt the need to defend him. “Don’t say things like that. You don’t even know him.”
“Of course I know him! He’s Kiwon Jiyong!”
Right, like that cleared everything up.
“The Kiwon Jiyong! Remember that one dance battle in Seoul City Center? Please tell me you went. Everyone was there.”
“Yeah…”
“Remember that kid who out-rapped everyone even though it was a dance competition?”
“I do!” Sunny desperately chimed in; she immediately blushed when she thought of how they must have thought she was an eaves-dropper.
“Right,” Min Ji continued, not even glancing at Sunny. “That was him. Everyone talked about it for weeks. His English was flawless. Well, at least better than mine.”
Sandara and Sunny watched him leave.
“He’s good looking,” Sunny commented, scrunching up her face as if she was scrutinizing him.
“If he’s your type, I guess,” Min Ji said, making a face. “Personally, I prefer more Asian men. But maybe that’s just me.” She gave Sandara a sideways glance.
Her cheeks flushed; she turned back to her design and began to sketch furiously, wishing she wasn’t embarrassed so quickly all the time.
**
WooYoung’s head was spinning. He wasn’t used to any of this; and he was pretty sure that NichKhun wasn’t, either. Everything was moving so fast-paced. It was only the first day of school, but already, cliques had been formed, phone numbers exchanged, and he’d even seen some people flirt. Didn’t those things take time? Well, they did in his world. He couldn’t, for the life of him, think about liking a girl just like that. He had to get to know her first. So who should he get to know?
He shook his head. He was getting to be just like everyone else, who treated the school like it was a free dating campus. He’d also noticed that most of the people were really, really Americanized. Like that blonde girl in his gymn class? What was her name? Jesse…Jessa…Jess-something-really-American. He wasn’t fond of people like that; people who didn’t act like themselves, and tried to act like people from another culture to be different. You could be different in your own way, right?
I’m overthinking things again, he thought. He had a tendency to do that.
He stared down at his egg roll, suddenly having lost his appetite.
“You want?” he said, offering it to Junho, who anxiously nodded and took it. WooYoung had a hard time understanding Junho, mainly because he seemed so flawless, but he was great to be around, and he acted 100 percent like himself, which was what mattered most. Across their lunch table, NichKhun was chatting animatedly with Seungri and Daesung, who were cousins, and seemed nice enough, although they both seemed to be more interested in things that required pens and pencils: Seungri wanted to be a professional writer, and Daesung was crazy about art.
“Look who’s coming,” Junho nudged him. “Teacher Lee. Wonder what she’s got to say.”
“Can I have your attention please? Guys? Hello? YO!” The last word caught everyone by surprise, and it was suddenly quiet. “That’s better. Now, listen up. As long as you’re in this school, you’re a future artist; you must have a stage name. Especially those going into show biz: If your names are long or common, change them. Let’s start with a few examples. You, over there! What’s your name?”
Elf Ears looked up. “TaecYeon.”
“Too long; not masculine enough,” she said, shaking her head. “Try to think of something else.”
“How about Taec?”
“Not bad, not bad. See what he did there? He didn’t even change his name. He abbrievated it. Let’s do someone else…Oh, you! What’s your name?”
Su Ji frowned at the teacher, as if was her fault that she didn’t know her name. “Su Ji.”
“This is a great example for everyone who has names that end in “Ji”. Since we pronounce it like the “Z” in English, you can change it to Suzy, like the American name, and it will sound the same.”
That seemed to make sense to WooYoung, but he had no clue what to change his name to. When Teacher Lee asked him, he puffed his cheeks and shook his head.
“That’s okay,” she said. “Not everyone’s name has to be changed. Besides, WooYoung is memorable. Every “Young” name is. Keep it the way it is. You’re not an ‘easy-to-forget’ person, anyways.”
“At least his cheeks aren’t,” NichKhun chortled. WooYoung had the sudden urge to throw something at his head. He hated his cheeks. He wasn’t someone who was really caught up about looks, but he was tired of the endless teasing that had earned him many nicknames, including “Mandu Cheeks”, “Blowfish”, and very recently, “Chubby Cheeks”. Although his sister said they were cute, he didn’t really think so. Why couldn’t he have really prominent cheekbones, like his brother? It wasn’t really fair.
He looked around the room. Almost everyone was wearing nametags with their new names, which was a relief, since he didn’t know who most of them were.
Min Ji had become Minzy, like Suzy; Sandara had simply abbreviated her name to “Dara”, and was staring at a blonde kid, whose nametag read “G-Dragon: GD for short”. What sort of name was that? It seemed to extreme. He kept looking. Blonde girl = Jessica. Auburn-haired girl next to her = Yuri. A girl who was staring shyly around next to them = Sunny. Well, that was a nice name. He liked it. And then there was that girl that had helped him, the nice one who’d been embarrassed by Taec = Yoona. And that other big guy who’d gotten in trouble with Taec that morning was Chansung. Although they’d been in classes together, WooYoung felt like this was when he unofficially met everyone. This was a clever way for them to be introduced to each other without actually needing to talk. He wanted to know who everyone was, so he wouldn’t be confused later on.
There was that silent guy who had to share a room with Chansung and Taec, the one that seemed annoyed by them that morning. What was his name? WooYoung squinted his already-small eyes to read the nametag: T.O.P. What did that stand for? He didn’t dare ask. He seemed to him like the kind of person that got mad really easily. And then there was that senior kid Junsu, who seemed to be sort of a diva, from what WooYoung had seen, that had come to their class and handed out bamboo-paper notebooks. Then, there was that blonde girl who looked oddly like she could be related to that GD kid. She also had that fierce air about her; her nametag read CL. What was with all of these names? And then there was Taeyang, who was also in the morning gymn class. WooYoung had no idea what he was like, but he didn’t want to find out. He wasn’t the most social noodle in the plate. He’d identified almost everyone that he’d ever seen. Except…
He turned his head and caught a girl with huge eyes and appley cheekbones staring at him. Her namecard informed him that her name was SooYoung. She’d been in his gymn class. Right? He didn’t remember. He hadn’t really looked at the girls. Why was she still staring at him? And why were her awesome cheeks turning pink? WooYoung didn’t understand why girls always turned pink. It was so random and weird.
**
1 Month Later
WooYoung and Junho twirled around as NichKhun watched on.
“Right foot, left foot, hands out, twirl, step up, step down, jump!” Taeyang commanded, scribbling something in his black notebook, as he sat next to Nich and watched the boys dance. As a senior, he felt that it was his duty to help the lower classes, and he’d handpicked the best dancers from every room, and trained them daily.
NichKhun looked down at his hands. As much as he loved being with Junho and Woo, he always had fleeting thoughts that they’d leave him, mainly because their interests weren’t common. They never disappointed him, but he was still suspicious about how faithful Koreans were, and always kept his guard up. He knew that if he ever told the guys; they’d be hurt. It wasn’t their fault that Khun had trust issues. They didn’t know about his past. It was not their fault. He hated how he he had to keep reminding himself of that.
“WooYoung, you’re doing great. Junho, move your hair back, it’s plastered to your forehead. Let’s see your expression when you’re dancing! Otherwise, you’re great!”
Of course they are, Khun thought proudly. They’re the best male dancers in the whole school. As much as it amused him to watch his friends dance, especially WooYoung, whom completely lost his boyish personality, and changed into a beast as soon as the music started, he wanted to be alone for a while. His homesickness hadn’t really disappeared yet, and he needed some time to think about things. He left the room and started wandering around. He passed by giggling girls, who hushed each other as soon as he walked by, two boys composing music in a corner, and Minzy, who was yelling into her cellphone, her face turning purple.
He found himself in the balcony on the third floor. He peered below. Students were passing by, everyone looking like they had something important on their minds. So many people with so many untold stories. So many hidden secrets and unknown pasts…Just like his. He heard someone sniff and whirled around. There wasn’t anyone on the balcony but him.
“Looking for someone?” a blonde boy emerged from the shadows. “Or something?”
“Hey, G-Dragon. What brings you here?” NichKhun and GD weren’t the best of friends, but they always politely acknowledged each other, and although he was a bit unusual, Nich liked him. Apparently, he was phenomenal, but Khun didn’t know why, as G-Dragon was Korean.
“Talking to the sis,” he said, pointing to his cell phone. “She won’t shut up about the boys here. I don’t know how to respond.”
"Ya, Kiwon! Leave me alone. I never said anything about boys!"
NichKhun chuckled to himself. Must be nice to have siblings, he thought.
G-Dragon muttered something to his sister, then shouted “I LOVE YOU!” in English, before snapping the phone shut.
“I swear, she’s crazy. All she does is ask me if there are cute boys. Now how does a guy answer that?”
There was a pregnant silence as NichKhun made a “dunno” face. It is not his fault that he brought up siblings. Not his fault. Stop blaming him. Stop it, Khun. Stop, right now.
“Yo, man, are you okay? You don’t look too well. Wanna talk about it?”
NichKhun did not know G-Dragon. Not enough, anyways. But something in him told him that he should get to know him. It was time for him to branch out and make new friends, anyways. He couldn’t stick to WooYoung and Junho forever like Japanese superglue.
“Actually, yeah. Something is wrong.”
G-Dragon’s blonde eyebrows shut up. “Spill.”
And he did.
**
Later that day; during free period
It was jam-packed in the cafeteria. There was literally no room to breathe, which wasn’t really a problem, since everyone was too busy talking to stop for a breath.
Sunny pushed through the crowd until she found Seungri, her new friend, who had previously apologized for being so cold on that first day.
“What’s going on?”
“You haven’t seen it yet?”
“Seen what?”
“Our first six-weeks final.”
“Oh no.” She’d completely forgotten that at the end of every six weeks, they were supposed to put on a mini-show, as a way of passing. She hadn’t even given it a thought; she was so busy trying to befriend people and finish all of Yuri and Jessica’s untouched homework.
“Here,” he handed her a flyer.
SEOUL HIGH: FIRST FINAL GRADE OF THE YEAR
When: Next Friday. Starting Time = 9 AM. Finishing Time = Undetermined.
Where: Auditorium (Third floor)
Who: All second, third, and fourth years wishing to pass their classes.
Why: At the end of every six weeks, to determine if you have learned all of your lessons, we ask you to put on a show for us. This includes, but is not limited to: acting, singing, dancing, drawing, etc.
If you are not there, do not bother to continue attending classes here anymore. We advise you pack your bags and leave immediately.
It was obvious that Teacher Lee had written the paper; her bitter sarcasm was all there. But…what was she going to do, on such short notice?
What was anyone going to do?
“Who’s that kid that just walked in?” she whispered anxiously to Sunny, who shrugged and turned around.
He had very blonde, very shaggy hair, thin lips, pixie-like features, and the most beautiful pair of black eyes she had ever seen. He sauntered across the room and handed the teacher a heavy-looking manila folder. As she looked through it, he surveyed the room, taking everything in. His eyes caught Sandara’s, and they had a silent staring match. For some unknown reason, she couldn’t look away. A knowing smirk crept onto his lips, and he winked at her before turning his head away.
“The nerve of him!” Min Ji exclaimed. Sandara turned around and gave her a confused look, wondering if she was as red as she felt. “He is such a flirt!”
“He…is?”
“Of course!” Min Ji yelled. “Did you not see the way how he made all of you watch him? What a player.”
Sandara felt the need to defend him. “Don’t say things like that. You don’t even know him.”
“Of course I know him! He’s Kiwon Jiyong!”
Right, like that cleared everything up.
“The Kiwon Jiyong! Remember that one dance battle in Seoul City Center? Please tell me you went. Everyone was there.”
“Yeah…”
“Remember that kid who out-rapped everyone even though it was a dance competition?”
“I do!” Sunny desperately chimed in; she immediately blushed when she thought of how they must have thought she was an eaves-dropper.
“Right,” Min Ji continued, not even glancing at Sunny. “That was him. Everyone talked about it for weeks. His English was flawless. Well, at least better than mine.”
Sandara and Sunny watched him leave.
“He’s good looking,” Sunny commented, scrunching up her face as if she was scrutinizing him.
“If he’s your type, I guess,” Min Ji said, making a face. “Personally, I prefer more Asian men. But maybe that’s just me.” She gave Sandara a sideways glance.
Her cheeks flushed; she turned back to her design and began to sketch furiously, wishing she wasn’t embarrassed so quickly all the time.
**
WooYoung’s head was spinning. He wasn’t used to any of this; and he was pretty sure that NichKhun wasn’t, either. Everything was moving so fast-paced. It was only the first day of school, but already, cliques had been formed, phone numbers exchanged, and he’d even seen some people flirt. Didn’t those things take time? Well, they did in his world. He couldn’t, for the life of him, think about liking a girl just like that. He had to get to know her first. So who should he get to know?
He shook his head. He was getting to be just like everyone else, who treated the school like it was a free dating campus. He’d also noticed that most of the people were really, really Americanized. Like that blonde girl in his gymn class? What was her name? Jesse…Jessa…Jess-something-really-American. He wasn’t fond of people like that; people who didn’t act like themselves, and tried to act like people from another culture to be different. You could be different in your own way, right?
I’m overthinking things again, he thought. He had a tendency to do that.
He stared down at his egg roll, suddenly having lost his appetite.
“You want?” he said, offering it to Junho, who anxiously nodded and took it. WooYoung had a hard time understanding Junho, mainly because he seemed so flawless, but he was great to be around, and he acted 100 percent like himself, which was what mattered most. Across their lunch table, NichKhun was chatting animatedly with Seungri and Daesung, who were cousins, and seemed nice enough, although they both seemed to be more interested in things that required pens and pencils: Seungri wanted to be a professional writer, and Daesung was crazy about art.
“Look who’s coming,” Junho nudged him. “Teacher Lee. Wonder what she’s got to say.”
“Can I have your attention please? Guys? Hello? YO!” The last word caught everyone by surprise, and it was suddenly quiet. “That’s better. Now, listen up. As long as you’re in this school, you’re a future artist; you must have a stage name. Especially those going into show biz: If your names are long or common, change them. Let’s start with a few examples. You, over there! What’s your name?”
Elf Ears looked up. “TaecYeon.”
“Too long; not masculine enough,” she said, shaking her head. “Try to think of something else.”
“How about Taec?”
“Not bad, not bad. See what he did there? He didn’t even change his name. He abbrievated it. Let’s do someone else…Oh, you! What’s your name?”
Su Ji frowned at the teacher, as if was her fault that she didn’t know her name. “Su Ji.”
“This is a great example for everyone who has names that end in “Ji”. Since we pronounce it like the “Z” in English, you can change it to Suzy, like the American name, and it will sound the same.”
That seemed to make sense to WooYoung, but he had no clue what to change his name to. When Teacher Lee asked him, he puffed his cheeks and shook his head.
“That’s okay,” she said. “Not everyone’s name has to be changed. Besides, WooYoung is memorable. Every “Young” name is. Keep it the way it is. You’re not an ‘easy-to-forget’ person, anyways.”
“At least his cheeks aren’t,” NichKhun chortled. WooYoung had the sudden urge to throw something at his head. He hated his cheeks. He wasn’t someone who was really caught up about looks, but he was tired of the endless teasing that had earned him many nicknames, including “Mandu Cheeks”, “Blowfish”, and very recently, “Chubby Cheeks”. Although his sister said they were cute, he didn’t really think so. Why couldn’t he have really prominent cheekbones, like his brother? It wasn’t really fair.
He looked around the room. Almost everyone was wearing nametags with their new names, which was a relief, since he didn’t know who most of them were.
Min Ji had become Minzy, like Suzy; Sandara had simply abbreviated her name to “Dara”, and was staring at a blonde kid, whose nametag read “G-Dragon: GD for short”. What sort of name was that? It seemed to extreme. He kept looking. Blonde girl = Jessica. Auburn-haired girl next to her = Yuri. A girl who was staring shyly around next to them = Sunny. Well, that was a nice name. He liked it. And then there was that girl that had helped him, the nice one who’d been embarrassed by Taec = Yoona. And that other big guy who’d gotten in trouble with Taec that morning was Chansung. Although they’d been in classes together, WooYoung felt like this was when he unofficially met everyone. This was a clever way for them to be introduced to each other without actually needing to talk. He wanted to know who everyone was, so he wouldn’t be confused later on.
There was that silent guy who had to share a room with Chansung and Taec, the one that seemed annoyed by them that morning. What was his name? WooYoung squinted his already-small eyes to read the nametag: T.O.P. What did that stand for? He didn’t dare ask. He seemed to him like the kind of person that got mad really easily. And then there was that senior kid Junsu, who seemed to be sort of a diva, from what WooYoung had seen, that had come to their class and handed out bamboo-paper notebooks. Then, there was that blonde girl who looked oddly like she could be related to that GD kid. She also had that fierce air about her; her nametag read CL. What was with all of these names? And then there was Taeyang, who was also in the morning gymn class. WooYoung had no idea what he was like, but he didn’t want to find out. He wasn’t the most social noodle in the plate. He’d identified almost everyone that he’d ever seen. Except…
He turned his head and caught a girl with huge eyes and appley cheekbones staring at him. Her namecard informed him that her name was SooYoung. She’d been in his gymn class. Right? He didn’t remember. He hadn’t really looked at the girls. Why was she still staring at him? And why were her awesome cheeks turning pink? WooYoung didn’t understand why girls always turned pink. It was so random and weird.
**
1 Month Later
WooYoung and Junho twirled around as NichKhun watched on.
“Right foot, left foot, hands out, twirl, step up, step down, jump!” Taeyang commanded, scribbling something in his black notebook, as he sat next to Nich and watched the boys dance. As a senior, he felt that it was his duty to help the lower classes, and he’d handpicked the best dancers from every room, and trained them daily.
NichKhun looked down at his hands. As much as he loved being with Junho and Woo, he always had fleeting thoughts that they’d leave him, mainly because their interests weren’t common. They never disappointed him, but he was still suspicious about how faithful Koreans were, and always kept his guard up. He knew that if he ever told the guys; they’d be hurt. It wasn’t their fault that Khun had trust issues. They didn’t know about his past. It was not their fault. He hated how he he had to keep reminding himself of that.
“WooYoung, you’re doing great. Junho, move your hair back, it’s plastered to your forehead. Let’s see your expression when you’re dancing! Otherwise, you’re great!”
Of course they are, Khun thought proudly. They’re the best male dancers in the whole school. As much as it amused him to watch his friends dance, especially WooYoung, whom completely lost his boyish personality, and changed into a beast as soon as the music started, he wanted to be alone for a while. His homesickness hadn’t really disappeared yet, and he needed some time to think about things. He left the room and started wandering around. He passed by giggling girls, who hushed each other as soon as he walked by, two boys composing music in a corner, and Minzy, who was yelling into her cellphone, her face turning purple.
He found himself in the balcony on the third floor. He peered below. Students were passing by, everyone looking like they had something important on their minds. So many people with so many untold stories. So many hidden secrets and unknown pasts…Just like his. He heard someone sniff and whirled around. There wasn’t anyone on the balcony but him.
“Looking for someone?” a blonde boy emerged from the shadows. “Or something?”
“Hey, G-Dragon. What brings you here?” NichKhun and GD weren’t the best of friends, but they always politely acknowledged each other, and although he was a bit unusual, Nich liked him. Apparently, he was phenomenal, but Khun didn’t know why, as G-Dragon was Korean.
“Talking to the sis,” he said, pointing to his cell phone. “She won’t shut up about the boys here. I don’t know how to respond.”
"Ya, Kiwon! Leave me alone. I never said anything about boys!"
NichKhun chuckled to himself. Must be nice to have siblings, he thought.
G-Dragon muttered something to his sister, then shouted “I LOVE YOU!” in English, before snapping the phone shut.
“I swear, she’s crazy. All she does is ask me if there are cute boys. Now how does a guy answer that?”
There was a pregnant silence as NichKhun made a “dunno” face. It is not his fault that he brought up siblings. Not his fault. Stop blaming him. Stop it, Khun. Stop, right now.
“Yo, man, are you okay? You don’t look too well. Wanna talk about it?”
NichKhun did not know G-Dragon. Not enough, anyways. But something in him told him that he should get to know him. It was time for him to branch out and make new friends, anyways. He couldn’t stick to WooYoung and Junho forever like Japanese superglue.
“Actually, yeah. Something is wrong.”
G-Dragon’s blonde eyebrows shut up. “Spill.”
And he did.
**
Later that day; during free period
It was jam-packed in the cafeteria. There was literally no room to breathe, which wasn’t really a problem, since everyone was too busy talking to stop for a breath.
Sunny pushed through the crowd until she found Seungri, her new friend, who had previously apologized for being so cold on that first day.
“What’s going on?”
“You haven’t seen it yet?”
“Seen what?”
“Our first six-weeks final.”
“Oh no.” She’d completely forgotten that at the end of every six weeks, they were supposed to put on a mini-show, as a way of passing. She hadn’t even given it a thought; she was so busy trying to befriend people and finish all of Yuri and Jessica’s untouched homework.
“Here,” he handed her a flyer.
SEOUL HIGH: FIRST FINAL GRADE OF THE YEAR
When: Next Friday. Starting Time = 9 AM. Finishing Time = Undetermined.
Where: Auditorium (Third floor)
Who: All second, third, and fourth years wishing to pass their classes.
Why: At the end of every six weeks, to determine if you have learned all of your lessons, we ask you to put on a show for us. This includes, but is not limited to: acting, singing, dancing, drawing, etc.
If you are not there, do not bother to continue attending classes here anymore. We advise you pack your bags and leave immediately.
It was obvious that Teacher Lee had written the paper; her bitter sarcasm was all there. But…what was she going to do, on such short notice?
What was anyone going to do?
The girl sat on the soft grass and stretched her legs, a book in her hand. She’d already checked the mailbox once, twice, but nothing was there.
Now she would have to wait. She opened her book, read a few pages, closed it, and looked around. She stared wistfully at the mailbox that was a couple of feet away from her, knowing fully that it was empty.
She still got up to check it.
Nope. No mail. She sighed, then looked around once again, at the grass.
The trees.
The people passing by.
People walking their dogs, jogging, in cars, talking on the phone.
But no bikes.
Not even one.
She tried to concentrate on her book, but it was impossible. She stared at the page until it went blurry. The girl closed her eyes and leaned back, soaking up the sun.
Maybe her hair would turn a lighter color because of all the waiting.
Just maybe…
She stared at her hands; played with them, counted her wrinkles and scars.
The girl changed positions. Now she was leaning against the red pole and fingering the old, broken “LAUGH” sign that used to hang from it.
No, she couldn’t laugh. Not when her letter hadn’t come.
She flung the sign out onto the street, then automatically regretted it.
She sighed, opened her book once again, and read the first verse.
Today my letter came in the mail.
She let out a frustrated sigh and stared at the sky. Why was everyone but her getting letters?
Hers was the one that mattered most.
At least that was what she thought.
Her heart started pounding quickly and her mouth went dry as she thought about the letter. How her fingers itched to open it, to read those words, to finally feel happiness.
She had to have it. The letter had to come.
Now.
She got up.
Maybe she could go get it.
No, that was rude.
And desperate.
She didn’t want to seem desperate.
All she wanted was the letter. Her letter. Their letter.
She waited and waited.
The sun went down; the weather changed; the girl clung to her loose sweater.
She wouldn’t go inside.
She couldn’t.
It was going to come.
It had to.
Her mother called her inside.
No. No. No. No.
She had to go in.
But she was there the next day, with a notebook in her hands. She wrote and wrote: about the letter, what exactly it would say, and how she’d react.
She wrote and wrote and wrote.
And wrote.
Everytime she heard something, her ears perked up, but everytime disappointment greeted it.
Oh well. It would come. Eventually.
The girl waited a week; then two. She drew, wrote, read, and waited.
Weeks turned into months, months into a year; yet the girl faithfully waited outside, always five feet away from the black mailbox: enough distance for her to sprint as soon as it came, but not be so close to it.
As the time passed, though, there was a noticeable change in the girl.
Her long, orange, tumbling locks were gone; replaced with close cropped black hair.
The childish smile was replaced with a sort of grimace.
The cute, girly dresses were traded for the tight, circulation-cutting jeans and loud t-shirts.
But it was the eyes that had changed the most. Long gone were the doe-like, big-as-marbles moss green eyes. Heavily-lined, sparkling cold emeralds took its place.
She still waited, but she didn’t jump up and down every time she heard a bike bell ring anymore. She didn’t whip her head up every single time she heard a boy’s voice.
It was one of those days.
The girl was leaning against the red pole lazily, blasting music from her phone, her eyes closed; her head lolling back and forth.
She heard someone coming.
She heard the bike tires screech as they stopped by the black mailbox.
She opened an eye.
It was him.
She didn’t get up; didn’t make any motions, just watched with interested eyes.
He dropped the letter in the box, carefully avoiding her gaze, and left as quickly as he had come.
She got up slowly, making her way toward the mailbox.
Had it always been this far away?
She took the letter out.
It was heavy.
She glanced at it; at the green envelope that matched her eyes so perfectly, and tucked it into the pocket of her jeans.
She’d read it later.
Now she would have to wait. She opened her book, read a few pages, closed it, and looked around. She stared wistfully at the mailbox that was a couple of feet away from her, knowing fully that it was empty.
She still got up to check it.
Nope. No mail. She sighed, then looked around once again, at the grass.
The trees.
The people passing by.
People walking their dogs, jogging, in cars, talking on the phone.
But no bikes.
Not even one.
She tried to concentrate on her book, but it was impossible. She stared at the page until it went blurry. The girl closed her eyes and leaned back, soaking up the sun.
Maybe her hair would turn a lighter color because of all the waiting.
Just maybe…
She stared at her hands; played with them, counted her wrinkles and scars.
The girl changed positions. Now she was leaning against the red pole and fingering the old, broken “LAUGH” sign that used to hang from it.
No, she couldn’t laugh. Not when her letter hadn’t come.
She flung the sign out onto the street, then automatically regretted it.
She sighed, opened her book once again, and read the first verse.
Today my letter came in the mail.
She let out a frustrated sigh and stared at the sky. Why was everyone but her getting letters?
Hers was the one that mattered most.
At least that was what she thought.
Her heart started pounding quickly and her mouth went dry as she thought about the letter. How her fingers itched to open it, to read those words, to finally feel happiness.
She had to have it. The letter had to come.
Now.
She got up.
Maybe she could go get it.
No, that was rude.
And desperate.
She didn’t want to seem desperate.
All she wanted was the letter. Her letter. Their letter.
She waited and waited.
The sun went down; the weather changed; the girl clung to her loose sweater.
She wouldn’t go inside.
She couldn’t.
It was going to come.
It had to.
Her mother called her inside.
No. No. No. No.
She had to go in.
But she was there the next day, with a notebook in her hands. She wrote and wrote: about the letter, what exactly it would say, and how she’d react.
She wrote and wrote and wrote.
And wrote.
Everytime she heard something, her ears perked up, but everytime disappointment greeted it.
Oh well. It would come. Eventually.
The girl waited a week; then two. She drew, wrote, read, and waited.
Weeks turned into months, months into a year; yet the girl faithfully waited outside, always five feet away from the black mailbox: enough distance for her to sprint as soon as it came, but not be so close to it.
As the time passed, though, there was a noticeable change in the girl.
Her long, orange, tumbling locks were gone; replaced with close cropped black hair.
The childish smile was replaced with a sort of grimace.
The cute, girly dresses were traded for the tight, circulation-cutting jeans and loud t-shirts.
But it was the eyes that had changed the most. Long gone were the doe-like, big-as-marbles moss green eyes. Heavily-lined, sparkling cold emeralds took its place.
She still waited, but she didn’t jump up and down every time she heard a bike bell ring anymore. She didn’t whip her head up every single time she heard a boy’s voice.
It was one of those days.
The girl was leaning against the red pole lazily, blasting music from her phone, her eyes closed; her head lolling back and forth.
She heard someone coming.
She heard the bike tires screech as they stopped by the black mailbox.
She opened an eye.
It was him.
She didn’t get up; didn’t make any motions, just watched with interested eyes.
He dropped the letter in the box, carefully avoiding her gaze, and left as quickly as he had come.
She got up slowly, making her way toward the mailbox.
Had it always been this far away?
She took the letter out.
It was heavy.
She glanced at it; at the green envelope that matched her eyes so perfectly, and tucked it into the pocket of her jeans.
She’d read it later.
“You were picked among hundreds of students. As the school is new, you are the first ever students to go here. If you graduate from this school and become famous, your names will go down in school history. They will be written on the stars in the entrance.
“This is not just a school, but also a test; a competition—and you must pass. You have nine whole months to plan for our end-of-the-years showcase, and to prove yourself. Your grades must stay high for you to maintain your place here. If you do not have a 4.0 GPA, or fail to do the assignments, you will be expelled, no excuses or exceptions.
“I hope you enjoy your stay here.” He smiled grimly and left the stage.
Teacher Lee rolled her heavily-lined eyes and stepped up to the podium. Way for Principal Ha to start off the school year by trying to get everyone to jump at each other’s throats. Oh, well. Maybe it would be good for her to sound intimidating as well. She grabbed the microphone and cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention.
“I am Teacher Lee, the vocal lessons instructor. Since it is mandatory to take that class, I will see all of you in it. For those of you who have picked Instrumental, I will be teaching that as well. I am also the upper grades’ counselor and the head of the girls’ dormitory. Do not hesitate to come to me when and if you need anything, but know that I will not deal with any foolishness.
“Classes will be challenging; you will only get to see your family once a week, and there will be no sneaking off school campus. You may pick up your schedules after the assembly. Breakfast is always ready by six and classes begin exactly at seven, so be on time, and not a minute later. Dinner is optional. Also, those of you have come from outside, you are to report to me at 3:00 sharp today. Thank you. You are dismissed.”
***
“And the witch has spoken,” a girl next to NichKhun grumbled. He looked up, startled.
“Min Ji,” the girl said, cocking her head to the side and sticking out her hand.
“NichKhun. These are my roommates: Junho and WooYoung.” The boys bowed quickly and excused themselves to go find their schedules.
Nich knew he had to improve his people skills; why shouldn’t he start with Min Ji?
“Aren’t you gonna get your schedule?”
“Hmm? No. My roomie offered to bring it to me.”
“Oh. Um, where are you from?”
“Here,” she replied, flicking a short strand of hair behind her hair. “My family lives forty-five minutes away.”
Lucky, thought Khun.
“Real question’s where you’re from. You definitely look like a foreigner, and word has it that you’re a transfer student from Russia.”
“Ah, no…I’m a Thailand boy.”
“Huh,” Minzy said, squinting at something behind NickHun. “That friend of yours sure has puffy cheeks.”
NichKhun didn’t have to turn around to see who she was talking about. It wasn’t like he had many friends here, although people seemed to already be spreading crazy rumors about him.
Junho came up behind him, waving two folders in his hand.
“We got your schedule! Open it to see if we have any classes together.”
Min Ji, Nich, WooYoung and Junho all crowded around the folders.
“Well, we all have gym together,” Woo pointed out. “And…we all have History of Dance...”
“You and I have vocal lessons and dance practice together on Mondays,” Junho said to him.
“And Instrumental…” NichKhun said.
“Your schedules are exactly the same,” Min Ji commented.
NichKhun tried to hide his disappointment. He really liked his roommates, but it looked like he wasn’t going to see much of them during the day. And what if their bond grew stronger in classes that he wasn’t in? They were both Korean…
A loud wailing noise interrupted his thoughts. He looked around to see that it was coming from the mouth of an exotic-looking girl. Was it even possible for humans to make sounds like that?
“Yo Minz!” she shouted, sauntering towards them. “I got your sched!” She thrust over a green folder.
WooYoung cocked his head at the girl, who turned around.
“I’m Sandara,” she said, smiling brilliantly. “And you must be that American boy.”
“Thai,” he, Minzy, Woo, and Junho replied at the same time.
“Ya,” a voice came from behind Dara, accompanied by the face of that sullen-looking girl who kept bugging WooYoung. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”
“Sorry Su Ji,” Dara said, not looking too sorry.
“Pft. Whatever. Let’s compare schedules.”
“Who has History of Dance?” Dara shouted.
“Who doesn’t?” Su Ji snorted. “Almost everyone picked that as the mandatory dance class choice.”
NichKhun was relieved. At least he’d see familiar faces.
After exchanging schedules, the girls left, saying they had to unpack.
“Those poor girls,” WooYoung said as he watched them leave. “They have to leave with that crazy Su Ji.”
“She freaks me out,” Junho added, nodding his head.
“Eh, I’ve seen worse,” Khun replied. “C’mon, let’s get out of here.”
***
Next day
Junho rolled over in sleep, grinning.
As he hit the last note, Junho heard the crowd go crazy. He gave a slight bow and opened his mouth.
“I would like to thank my mother for CHI CHI CHI CHI OOOH OOH NA NA NA!”
Junho woke up with a start, bumping his head against the ceiling. He looked around surprisedly.
“Turn that damn phone off!” He yelled at NichKhun, who was snoring below. He threw a pillow at him, which didn’t do anything.
“Ya, Khun!” He climbed down from the top bunk and grabbed Nich’s cell phone, putting the volume on high. He threw it on Khun’s bed, which made him jump as high as he possibly could in the lower bunk.
“I’m up, I’m up!” he mumbled.
Junho dragged his body towards WooYoung’s bed in the corner.
“Woo, up and at ‘em, bro! First day of hell. C’mon, let’s go.”
WooYoung mumbled something inaudible and turned around, pressing his pillow against his head.
“Yo, if you’re not up in ten minutes, I’ll sit on you!”
“Ash.” Woo suddenly jumped out of bed and whirled around, his eyes suddenly huge. He wandered around like he was looking for something, and then fell to the floor and started sleeping again. Without Junho had time to say anything, he woke up, rubbed his eyes, and stared at Junho with a doe-like expression, his bottom lip sticking out.
“Good morning.”
“Is it a morning habit of yours to dance your way out of bed, only to fall asleep in a random place for a few moments, and then wake up again looking like Bambi?”
“Uh…the dancing part…yeah..I always jump out of bed, for some reason. And I end up anywhere: the couch, the floor, the closet… Sorry I forgot to tell you.”
Right at that moment, a loud crash was heard from the other side. Junho and WooYoung ran to the next room which was joined by the bathroom, only to find a muscular boy sprawled on the floor, laughing.
“ATTACK!” Another boy with elf ears jumped out of the top bunk and landed on the boy’s legs. “Next time I won’t go so easy on you!” he yelled, laughing.
A gloomy looking boy with dark feautures stepped out of the closet and stared at the two of them; then shook his head and left the room, nodding at the two neighbors that had just entered.
“What is going on in there?” Teacher Jang, who had introduced himself as the head of the boys’ dorm the day before, stormed in. “You two: Principal’s office, now.”
WooYoung followed the boys outside, where a handful of boys where watching the guilty-looking culprits pass by.
Some girls were also peering from the windows, most of them watching the big-eared boy. WooYoung caught Sandara’s attention and waved. She smiled back; then made a point of staring at Woo’s legs.
Shorts? she mouthed.
Woo looked down to see that he was still in his pijamas. He turned around and ran back to the room, his ears turning a nice shade of red.
An hour later, they were in gym class, which, to NichKhun, was a horrible way to start the day. Right in the middle of running laps, the doors bursted open and the two boys from the morning entered, laughing and slapping each other on the back.
WooYoung noticed a bunch of girls whispering in a corner, obviously trying to get the guys’ attention.
He saw Su Ji walk up to them, exchange a few words, and left, looking satisfied.
Woo wondered what was going on, but didn’t do anything.
Elf Ears, as WooYoung noticed he’d been started calling him, walked toward that nice girl that had helped Woo and asked her something. The girl turned red and shook her head. WooYoung caught the words “Sorry” and “do that sometimes”.
He turned around and headed back to where Junho was chatting with Seungri, who they’d met minutes ago.
It wasn’t any of his business anyways.
***
Yoona nodded and apologized once again, her face burning. She watched Taec walk away, shaking his head. She turned around and stared at Jessica pointedly.
“What?” she asked nonchalantly, examining her pink nails. “It’s not like we care what that Su Ji girl says. Nobody would believe her.”
“Taec did,” Yoona tried to keep from yelling.
“Ah, he’ll get over it. He’s got the hots for you. I can tell.”
“How can he not? You guys have known each other for three years!”
“Yeah, well, that was when we were children. Before he left for America. He’s not the same anymore. Besides, you can’t just say that a boy ‘likes’ someone just because they were childhood friends.” Yoona replied, trying her best not to blush.
Truth was, she’d had, well, a crush (she realized how childish that sounded, coming from a senior’s mouth, but she had no clue how else to put it) on TaecYeon since fifth grade, when he’d given her money to buy candy.
It was corny and unrealistic, but Yoona hoped Taec would fall for her one day. She had to have some hope to hang on to, what with her mom and all…She had to escape from real life sometimes and live in her little fairytale, where everything was okay and Taec loved her. She didn’t expect anyone to understand her; mainly because they hadn’t lived through all the things she had, but she sure as hell wished they would respect her and her privacy.
It was as if all of her thoughts were broadcasted, either by Jessica or Yuri. That’s why, after all the girls had applied for their classes together, so they wouldn’t be seperated, Yoona had ‘accidentally forgotten’ her purse, and had went back and changed her schedule to things she actually wanted to do. She was a senior, and she wanted to enjoy her last year of school how she wanted to.
The girls didn’t know about this yet, but they’d find out soon enough. They hadn’t bothered opening their folders, and just looked at Yoona’s schedule, which lead them to gym.
Yoona had taken a peek at SooYoung’s schedule right before they’d left, and she’d noticed that they had a free period right now. She really wanted to say something, because this was unusually mean of her to misguide them, but she felt as if they somehow deserved it for letting Su Ji tell Taec that Yoona was the one who had told Teacher Jang about the boys this morning. Why had she done such a thing, anyways? Yoona barely knew her.
She shook her head and turned to SooYoung, who was too busy staring at that WooYoung boy, who was lucky enough to have the room next to Taec’s. It was obvious she hadn’t heard about the discussion between the girls.
Jessica also seeemed to notice.
“You can do so much better, Soo,” she said, stepping to the side to block her view.
SooYoung’s head snapped up. “But can I?”
“Have some confidence, for god’s sake. You’re one of the Dolls. One of us. You can get anyone. Why that kid?”
“He’s okay, but Jessica’s right,” Yuri chimed in. “He’s a nobody. Nobodies don’t go out with somebodies.”
SooYoung didn’t say anything, which was her way of telling them that she wasn’t giving up or going against them.
Yoona stared at her sneakers. Where did the girls come up with such phrases? ‘Nobody’? What did being a nobody even mean? Yoona felt like they dramatized everything too much, probably because their lives were uninteresting and needed spicing up. Yoona knew Jessica wasn’t pure evil, but she sure acted like it sometimes. Being older, she tried to keep an eye on Jessica, so she wouldn’t exceed the limit, but it was hard trying to act like the older sister to someone like Jess. She was just so… Yoona didn’t know how to describe her.
So…blonde?
***
Sunny groaned and put her hot hands up to her face. This was impossible. How was she supposed to draw and make the designs for a dress in two hours? She didn’t even know what kind of dress to draw! Why had she even taken Fashion Design?
Oh, right. Because it interested her. Lately, she’d been feeling like a puppet, pulled around either by Yuri or Jessica, and ocassionally, SooYoung. She was annoyed by them, but Yoona was the one she was angry with. She was nice, she was the leader, and she never did any of the things they did, so why didn’t she ever try to stop them? Sunny knew it wasn’t because she had no control, unlike her, so what was keeping her back? Was Jess dangling one of her deep, dark secrets or something?
Yoona was one of those girls that turned heads and walked with an air of confidence, so you’d expect her to be a natural bitch, but she wasn’t. She was exceedingly sweet and never said anything bad about anyone. But wasn’t watching someone do bad worse than actually doing the bad thing? You could stop them but you didn’t. It was like being the president but not doing what you wanted to. Sunny didn’t understand, at all.
“You having trouble?”
Sunny gave her partner Sandara a tight smile and nodded.
“Why don’t you go with formal? The design can be simple, and if you make it a long dress, it can be one color, so it’ll be simply elegant. You won’t have to worry about complex designs.”
Sunny’s chocolate-colored eyes lit up.
“Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Add a belt,” Min Ji suggested, coming from behind them with her partner, a guy named Soo-Hyeun. “It’ll be classy.” She handed her own design to Sandara, who nodded in approval. “I’m going to use shiny black leather for the material,” she added.
Sunny’s eyes widened. “Isn’t it too…soon to start using such slippery material? I mean, shouldn’t you practice on simpler fabric first?”
“I’m not afraid of a challenge,” she said, making some more sketches on her paper.
Sunny had only known Min Ji for a little while, but she loved her confidence. She already liked her better than Yuri, and wished that she and her sister were close like Sandara and Min Ji were.
Sunny’s eyes began to tear up as she thought about how she had used to be so close to Yuri. For about…seven years. And then Yuri had changed; decided that her older friends were better to hang out with.
They’d completely stopped talking, and the day Sunny turned 13, Yuri had come up to her and told her that, because of her patheticness that made Yuri look bad, so, to Yuri’s dismay, the Dolls had invited Sunny to hang out with them.
Sunny, thinking that it would bring them back together again, left all her friends behind and went to be with the Dolls. (What kind of name was that, anyways?)
Long story short: It didn’t.
Whatever, she thought. At least I got out of having all of my classes with them by saying that I needed the credits.
Sunny was growing farther and farther away from the Dolls, but she didn’t really have friends. Even if she had been at her old school, her old friends wouldn’t have accepted her. She did ditch them, after all.
She wondered if Sandara and Min Ji would be interested….
But Min Ji was so…bold. And Sandara was so boyish. Would they like Sunny’s shy personality?
As she was about to open her mouth to ask what they were going to do during the free time, the door creaked open and someone entered.
“This is not just a school, but also a test; a competition—and you must pass. You have nine whole months to plan for our end-of-the-years showcase, and to prove yourself. Your grades must stay high for you to maintain your place here. If you do not have a 4.0 GPA, or fail to do the assignments, you will be expelled, no excuses or exceptions.
“I hope you enjoy your stay here.” He smiled grimly and left the stage.
Teacher Lee rolled her heavily-lined eyes and stepped up to the podium. Way for Principal Ha to start off the school year by trying to get everyone to jump at each other’s throats. Oh, well. Maybe it would be good for her to sound intimidating as well. She grabbed the microphone and cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention.
“I am Teacher Lee, the vocal lessons instructor. Since it is mandatory to take that class, I will see all of you in it. For those of you who have picked Instrumental, I will be teaching that as well. I am also the upper grades’ counselor and the head of the girls’ dormitory. Do not hesitate to come to me when and if you need anything, but know that I will not deal with any foolishness.
“Classes will be challenging; you will only get to see your family once a week, and there will be no sneaking off school campus. You may pick up your schedules after the assembly. Breakfast is always ready by six and classes begin exactly at seven, so be on time, and not a minute later. Dinner is optional. Also, those of you have come from outside, you are to report to me at 3:00 sharp today. Thank you. You are dismissed.”
***
“And the witch has spoken,” a girl next to NichKhun grumbled. He looked up, startled.
“Min Ji,” the girl said, cocking her head to the side and sticking out her hand.
“NichKhun. These are my roommates: Junho and WooYoung.” The boys bowed quickly and excused themselves to go find their schedules.
Nich knew he had to improve his people skills; why shouldn’t he start with Min Ji?
“Aren’t you gonna get your schedule?”
“Hmm? No. My roomie offered to bring it to me.”
“Oh. Um, where are you from?”
“Here,” she replied, flicking a short strand of hair behind her hair. “My family lives forty-five minutes away.”
Lucky, thought Khun.
“Real question’s where you’re from. You definitely look like a foreigner, and word has it that you’re a transfer student from Russia.”
“Ah, no…I’m a Thailand boy.”
“Huh,” Minzy said, squinting at something behind NickHun. “That friend of yours sure has puffy cheeks.”
NichKhun didn’t have to turn around to see who she was talking about. It wasn’t like he had many friends here, although people seemed to already be spreading crazy rumors about him.
Junho came up behind him, waving two folders in his hand.
“We got your schedule! Open it to see if we have any classes together.”
Min Ji, Nich, WooYoung and Junho all crowded around the folders.
“Well, we all have gym together,” Woo pointed out. “And…we all have History of Dance...”
“You and I have vocal lessons and dance practice together on Mondays,” Junho said to him.
“And Instrumental…” NichKhun said.
“Your schedules are exactly the same,” Min Ji commented.
NichKhun tried to hide his disappointment. He really liked his roommates, but it looked like he wasn’t going to see much of them during the day. And what if their bond grew stronger in classes that he wasn’t in? They were both Korean…
A loud wailing noise interrupted his thoughts. He looked around to see that it was coming from the mouth of an exotic-looking girl. Was it even possible for humans to make sounds like that?
“Yo Minz!” she shouted, sauntering towards them. “I got your sched!” She thrust over a green folder.
WooYoung cocked his head at the girl, who turned around.
“I’m Sandara,” she said, smiling brilliantly. “And you must be that American boy.”
“Thai,” he, Minzy, Woo, and Junho replied at the same time.
“Ya,” a voice came from behind Dara, accompanied by the face of that sullen-looking girl who kept bugging WooYoung. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”
“Sorry Su Ji,” Dara said, not looking too sorry.
“Pft. Whatever. Let’s compare schedules.”
“Who has History of Dance?” Dara shouted.
“Who doesn’t?” Su Ji snorted. “Almost everyone picked that as the mandatory dance class choice.”
NichKhun was relieved. At least he’d see familiar faces.
After exchanging schedules, the girls left, saying they had to unpack.
“Those poor girls,” WooYoung said as he watched them leave. “They have to leave with that crazy Su Ji.”
“She freaks me out,” Junho added, nodding his head.
“Eh, I’ve seen worse,” Khun replied. “C’mon, let’s get out of here.”
***
Next day
Junho rolled over in sleep, grinning.
As he hit the last note, Junho heard the crowd go crazy. He gave a slight bow and opened his mouth.
“I would like to thank my mother for CHI CHI CHI CHI OOOH OOH NA NA NA!”
Junho woke up with a start, bumping his head against the ceiling. He looked around surprisedly.
“Turn that damn phone off!” He yelled at NichKhun, who was snoring below. He threw a pillow at him, which didn’t do anything.
“Ya, Khun!” He climbed down from the top bunk and grabbed Nich’s cell phone, putting the volume on high. He threw it on Khun’s bed, which made him jump as high as he possibly could in the lower bunk.
“I’m up, I’m up!” he mumbled.
Junho dragged his body towards WooYoung’s bed in the corner.
“Woo, up and at ‘em, bro! First day of hell. C’mon, let’s go.”
WooYoung mumbled something inaudible and turned around, pressing his pillow against his head.
“Yo, if you’re not up in ten minutes, I’ll sit on you!”
“Ash.” Woo suddenly jumped out of bed and whirled around, his eyes suddenly huge. He wandered around like he was looking for something, and then fell to the floor and started sleeping again. Without Junho had time to say anything, he woke up, rubbed his eyes, and stared at Junho with a doe-like expression, his bottom lip sticking out.
“Good morning.”
“Is it a morning habit of yours to dance your way out of bed, only to fall asleep in a random place for a few moments, and then wake up again looking like Bambi?”
“Uh…the dancing part…yeah..I always jump out of bed, for some reason. And I end up anywhere: the couch, the floor, the closet… Sorry I forgot to tell you.”
Right at that moment, a loud crash was heard from the other side. Junho and WooYoung ran to the next room which was joined by the bathroom, only to find a muscular boy sprawled on the floor, laughing.
“ATTACK!” Another boy with elf ears jumped out of the top bunk and landed on the boy’s legs. “Next time I won’t go so easy on you!” he yelled, laughing.
A gloomy looking boy with dark feautures stepped out of the closet and stared at the two of them; then shook his head and left the room, nodding at the two neighbors that had just entered.
“What is going on in there?” Teacher Jang, who had introduced himself as the head of the boys’ dorm the day before, stormed in. “You two: Principal’s office, now.”
WooYoung followed the boys outside, where a handful of boys where watching the guilty-looking culprits pass by.
Some girls were also peering from the windows, most of them watching the big-eared boy. WooYoung caught Sandara’s attention and waved. She smiled back; then made a point of staring at Woo’s legs.
Shorts? she mouthed.
Woo looked down to see that he was still in his pijamas. He turned around and ran back to the room, his ears turning a nice shade of red.
An hour later, they were in gym class, which, to NichKhun, was a horrible way to start the day. Right in the middle of running laps, the doors bursted open and the two boys from the morning entered, laughing and slapping each other on the back.
WooYoung noticed a bunch of girls whispering in a corner, obviously trying to get the guys’ attention.
He saw Su Ji walk up to them, exchange a few words, and left, looking satisfied.
Woo wondered what was going on, but didn’t do anything.
Elf Ears, as WooYoung noticed he’d been started calling him, walked toward that nice girl that had helped Woo and asked her something. The girl turned red and shook her head. WooYoung caught the words “Sorry” and “do that sometimes”.
He turned around and headed back to where Junho was chatting with Seungri, who they’d met minutes ago.
It wasn’t any of his business anyways.
***
Yoona nodded and apologized once again, her face burning. She watched Taec walk away, shaking his head. She turned around and stared at Jessica pointedly.
“What?” she asked nonchalantly, examining her pink nails. “It’s not like we care what that Su Ji girl says. Nobody would believe her.”
“Taec did,” Yoona tried to keep from yelling.
“Ah, he’ll get over it. He’s got the hots for you. I can tell.”
“How can he not? You guys have known each other for three years!”
“Yeah, well, that was when we were children. Before he left for America. He’s not the same anymore. Besides, you can’t just say that a boy ‘likes’ someone just because they were childhood friends.” Yoona replied, trying her best not to blush.
Truth was, she’d had, well, a crush (she realized how childish that sounded, coming from a senior’s mouth, but she had no clue how else to put it) on TaecYeon since fifth grade, when he’d given her money to buy candy.
It was corny and unrealistic, but Yoona hoped Taec would fall for her one day. She had to have some hope to hang on to, what with her mom and all…She had to escape from real life sometimes and live in her little fairytale, where everything was okay and Taec loved her. She didn’t expect anyone to understand her; mainly because they hadn’t lived through all the things she had, but she sure as hell wished they would respect her and her privacy.
It was as if all of her thoughts were broadcasted, either by Jessica or Yuri. That’s why, after all the girls had applied for their classes together, so they wouldn’t be seperated, Yoona had ‘accidentally forgotten’ her purse, and had went back and changed her schedule to things she actually wanted to do. She was a senior, and she wanted to enjoy her last year of school how she wanted to.
The girls didn’t know about this yet, but they’d find out soon enough. They hadn’t bothered opening their folders, and just looked at Yoona’s schedule, which lead them to gym.
Yoona had taken a peek at SooYoung’s schedule right before they’d left, and she’d noticed that they had a free period right now. She really wanted to say something, because this was unusually mean of her to misguide them, but she felt as if they somehow deserved it for letting Su Ji tell Taec that Yoona was the one who had told Teacher Jang about the boys this morning. Why had she done such a thing, anyways? Yoona barely knew her.
She shook her head and turned to SooYoung, who was too busy staring at that WooYoung boy, who was lucky enough to have the room next to Taec’s. It was obvious she hadn’t heard about the discussion between the girls.
Jessica also seeemed to notice.
“You can do so much better, Soo,” she said, stepping to the side to block her view.
SooYoung’s head snapped up. “But can I?”
“Have some confidence, for god’s sake. You’re one of the Dolls. One of us. You can get anyone. Why that kid?”
“He’s okay, but Jessica’s right,” Yuri chimed in. “He’s a nobody. Nobodies don’t go out with somebodies.”
SooYoung didn’t say anything, which was her way of telling them that she wasn’t giving up or going against them.
Yoona stared at her sneakers. Where did the girls come up with such phrases? ‘Nobody’? What did being a nobody even mean? Yoona felt like they dramatized everything too much, probably because their lives were uninteresting and needed spicing up. Yoona knew Jessica wasn’t pure evil, but she sure acted like it sometimes. Being older, she tried to keep an eye on Jessica, so she wouldn’t exceed the limit, but it was hard trying to act like the older sister to someone like Jess. She was just so… Yoona didn’t know how to describe her.
So…blonde?
***
Sunny groaned and put her hot hands up to her face. This was impossible. How was she supposed to draw and make the designs for a dress in two hours? She didn’t even know what kind of dress to draw! Why had she even taken Fashion Design?
Oh, right. Because it interested her. Lately, she’d been feeling like a puppet, pulled around either by Yuri or Jessica, and ocassionally, SooYoung. She was annoyed by them, but Yoona was the one she was angry with. She was nice, she was the leader, and she never did any of the things they did, so why didn’t she ever try to stop them? Sunny knew it wasn’t because she had no control, unlike her, so what was keeping her back? Was Jess dangling one of her deep, dark secrets or something?
Yoona was one of those girls that turned heads and walked with an air of confidence, so you’d expect her to be a natural bitch, but she wasn’t. She was exceedingly sweet and never said anything bad about anyone. But wasn’t watching someone do bad worse than actually doing the bad thing? You could stop them but you didn’t. It was like being the president but not doing what you wanted to. Sunny didn’t understand, at all.
“You having trouble?”
Sunny gave her partner Sandara a tight smile and nodded.
“Why don’t you go with formal? The design can be simple, and if you make it a long dress, it can be one color, so it’ll be simply elegant. You won’t have to worry about complex designs.”
Sunny’s chocolate-colored eyes lit up.
“Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Add a belt,” Min Ji suggested, coming from behind them with her partner, a guy named Soo-Hyeun. “It’ll be classy.” She handed her own design to Sandara, who nodded in approval. “I’m going to use shiny black leather for the material,” she added.
Sunny’s eyes widened. “Isn’t it too…soon to start using such slippery material? I mean, shouldn’t you practice on simpler fabric first?”
“I’m not afraid of a challenge,” she said, making some more sketches on her paper.
Sunny had only known Min Ji for a little while, but she loved her confidence. She already liked her better than Yuri, and wished that she and her sister were close like Sandara and Min Ji were.
Sunny’s eyes began to tear up as she thought about how she had used to be so close to Yuri. For about…seven years. And then Yuri had changed; decided that her older friends were better to hang out with.
They’d completely stopped talking, and the day Sunny turned 13, Yuri had come up to her and told her that, because of her patheticness that made Yuri look bad, so, to Yuri’s dismay, the Dolls had invited Sunny to hang out with them.
Sunny, thinking that it would bring them back together again, left all her friends behind and went to be with the Dolls. (What kind of name was that, anyways?)
Long story short: It didn’t.
Whatever, she thought. At least I got out of having all of my classes with them by saying that I needed the credits.
Sunny was growing farther and farther away from the Dolls, but she didn’t really have friends. Even if she had been at her old school, her old friends wouldn’t have accepted her. She did ditch them, after all.
She wondered if Sandara and Min Ji would be interested….
But Min Ji was so…bold. And Sandara was so boyish. Would they like Sunny’s shy personality?
As she was about to open her mouth to ask what they were going to do during the free time, the door creaked open and someone entered.