Dedicated to those re-reading this series.

x x x

"One thing about Baekhyun, though: He doesn't really like locking doors."

BYUN BAEK HYUN

"HEY, BAEKHYUN!"

The earphones I am wearing today aren't exactly noise-proof so when I heard my name, I tugged one out of my ear and turned towards the joyful sound. I smiled when I realized it's the sports news editor of the school paper, Son Seungwan. She's this pretty girl from my class who wears colorful sweatshirts all the time. Today, my grey hoodie and black pants definitely contrast her paint splattered sweats.

"Hello, Seungwan, good morning," I greeted her.

"Yeah, good morning, too," she smiled, tugging her pink bag over her shoulder. "I am actually already late for a meeting but I just wanted to tell you that the pictures you took for the school paper are so great! We even got to place the basketball team's picture on the front page!"

"Oh?" I gasped. "Really? That's great! Thank you."

Seungwan wiggled her eyebrows. "Surely it's not because your boyfriend's on the team so you're extra good at taking their pictures during the play, right?"

I know I blushed hard on that but I refused to be flustered. "No, of course not," I told her, trying to keep a straight face. "I just— I just think I'm good at sports photography. That's all."

"Oh, you're good at photography in general!" she smacked my arm. "Deal with it! No need to be so modest about it!"

I chuckled at her enthusiasm then checked my watch. "Um, aren't you running late already?"

Seungwan shrieked. "SHIT! You're right! I gotta go!" She gave my arm multiple pats before running away without another word. I followed her with my gaze and a small smile, chuckling a little when I saw her and Park Chanyeol dodge each other clumsily before waving 'Hello' then walking their opposite ways. My boyfriend grinned widely when he saw me watching, jogging his way towards my direction with a canned coffee in one hand.

"Oh my god, I should have asked you to buy me one, too," I sighed just when Chanyeol reached me, one of his arms slithering around my waist as he planted a soft, quick kiss on my lips.

"Hey, baby, good morning," Chanyeol smiled widely. "Were you referring to this?" He lifted the coffee to my face as we started to head towards my building. This giant just normally walks me to my first class every damn morning because apparently, he wouldn't feel at ease if he doesn't see me off first thing. If that isn't clingy (or sweet), I don't know what is.

"Well, yeah," I said, answering his question. "I literally just forgot mine on the kitchen table. I thought I was running late."

"No problem, you can have it," Chanyeol handed me the can. "I'll just go buy one later."

"It's still early. Let's just go buy one now," I suggested, beaming up at his handsome face. "Besides, I don't want to go to class yet. Let me spend a little more time with my boyfriend, hm?"

A huge, pleased smile spread on Park Chanyeol's face and he moved to intertwine our fingers instead as we walked. "If that's what my baby wants," he winked before pressing another kiss on my hair. "I actually bought this coffee from the vending machine beside the gym. It's the only one with this flavor."

"Does it have cappuccino, too?"

"Yeah, I think so," Chanyeol nodded slowly, thoughtful. "Let's go? I'll treat you."

I giggled, shaking my head. "You don't have to, babe."

"No, no. Let me. It's actually a 'thank you' for taking great pictures for the school paper and for being our team's emergency photographer during that photoshoot last week when that other photographer ditched us," my boyfriend explained. "Even the coach's undeniably thankful for the help."

A blush might have creeped up my face but I tried to hide it by looking down. "You guys paid me for the job quite generously, so it's fine," I mumbled. "And you were all so nice. It was great meeting everyone."

Chanyeol reached up with his free hand to gently brush my cheeks. "It was actually the team's first time meeting you," he laughs a little. "They may or may not have kept talking about you even after you left."

"Seriously?" My eyes went wide. "But why? W-What were they saying?"

But Park Chanyeol just shrugged with a smug look on his face as he sipped from his canned coffee. "I'm not going to tell you verbatimly..." he started. "But let's just say they're pissed I got to talk to you first during that audition."

I smacked his chest. "Stop messing with me, Park Chan," I whined. "Come on! Be honest!"

"Well— I am! Everyone practically fell for you the very moment you started laughing!" Chanyeol exclaimed. "And you laughed at all their lame jokes! Only you laugh at my teammates' lame jokes, babe."

"They are funny!" I chuckled, defending myself. "Besides, even you make the lamest jokes and I laugh my ass off at all of them, love."

Chanyeol stopped walking just so he could look down at me directly. "Aw, babe," he pouts, obviously touched. "You just made my heart jump. Please keep calling me that."

He suddenly looked so cute and soft and everything in between, but I teasingly shook my head and squinted my eyes. "I'll call you whatever I want, big-eared giant."

"HEY—!" And then Chanyeol started to practically drag me towards him. "NO! I'm your boyfriend!" he protested. "I deserve the 'love' label. I'm entitled to it!" He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started to shower my cheek with kisses until I was laughing and pushing him off. Chanyeol kept begging me to call him "love" by winning me with kisses, and I would have been steadfast with depriving him if he's not this charming.

I ended up hugging his waist and burying my face against his neck before giving him a peck. "I love you, my love," I murmured. "So, please let's hurry to that vending machine now."

"Aw, I love you, too, Byun Baek," he chuckled, blushing faintly. "Alright, alright, let's go." Chanyeol unwrapped his arms around me just so he could take my hand again.

It has always been like this, the both of us wrapped around our own little bubble of rainbows and butterflies. Ever since we became more open about our relationship, I think we became more comfortable about ourselves and our feelings. We became closer in more ways than one. And it's the opportunity and privilege to be this free which makes me undeniably grateful. 

We reached the said vending machine in no time.

Park Chanyeol enthusiastically bought me my coffee and we were just hanging around the machine, gulping down our own drinks whilst laughing to ourselves, when a group of cheerleaders marched out of the practice gym nearby. There were five of them in their sexy cheerleading white and blue uniforms, and one of them named Lee Eunmin, threw me the cruelest glare the very second she met my eyes.

Lee Eunmin is the cheerleading captain for the university's teams, the twin sister of the football team's captain, and, most importantly, one of the school paper's official photographers. We competed for the latest issue's front page picture last time and she lost. So from that day on, she started to just, you know, loath me.

Their group started to walk away, I guess, but Eunmin suddenly had other plans in mind when she saw me. She told her friends to go ahead without her before strolling towards my direction wearing her overly exposing cheerleading outfit she designed herself whilst flipping her long, blonde hair back. She could be really pretty, like a doll, if only she's not such a stupid brat.

Eunmin stopped in front me for a second, glared at my face disgustingly, before bumping me away with her shoulder to get to the vending machine. "Sorry," she huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest while looking over the bottles displayed. "I just had this sudden urge to interrupt disgustingly clingy couples. I mean, get a room already, perverts. No one wants to see shit."

Chanyeol and I shared a look and tried not to laugh. My boyfriend knows her, of course, because the cheerleading squad often uses their court for practice especially when the weather's unforgiving. He tells me about her sometimes and how one of his teammates almost punched her on the face for being such a bitch about everything.

"Oh, sorry. Were we offending your single soul, Lee Eunmin?" I muttered sarcastically, rolling my eyes without really looking at her.

A bottle of diet coke rolled out the vending machine and Eunmin snagged the drink rather angrily. "Pretty much," she said before lazily pointing a finger towards us. "All this gayness is making my eyes burn in disgust."

"Burn? Well maybe not as much as when I saw the pictures you submitted for the paper, Eunmin," I snapped back. "No wonder the EIC turned to me for help."

Lee Eunmin's eyes blazed in anger when she looked at me, but I'm just so done with all the shit she's been throwing since day one to really care anymore. I just don't know what I did for her to hate me this much. Does she hate to lose? Does losing over someone like me hurt her ego that much? Well, sorry Lee Eunmin if the world doesn't revolve around you and your fake blonde curls!

Just when I thought she's going to curse at me like last time, Eunmin smacked her lips and sighed shakily before moving to stand before me. "You know what, you're right," she mutters. "You're probably better than me, that's why the EIC asked you to take the pictures during the basketball championship." Eunmin gave Chanyeol a quick, dagger-like glance. "And maybe, maybe that's the reason why my brother, Eunwok, wants to hire you for their team's photoshoot."

The last statement caught me off guard. "What?"

"Yeah," Eunmin sighed. "He asked me to talk to you about it."

Wait. I am utterly confused. Lee Eunwok is Eunmin's twin brother, for sure, and the captain of the ever famous football team. Although we're not really close, I can say he is the nicer twin. But why the sudden hiring? And why am I hearing this from such an untrustworthy source?

"Eunwok and I have Literature together," I frowned. "Why can't he ask me that instead?"

"Well— I'm beating him to it!" Eunmin exclaimed. "And they're paying you. It's for a magazine or something. I don't really care."

"Why can't he ask his twin sister that favor instead—"

"You know what, bitch?" Eunmin snapped. "If you don't want the job—"

"Hey, don't talk to Baekhyun like that," Chanyeol stepped in the conversation this time, his eyes narrowed into slits as he looked down at Eunmin.

But the cheerleading captain stands unfazed. She just rolled her eyes. "Whatever, okay?" she grumbled. "Talk to him or whatever! Again, I don't really care!" And then without another word, she turned on her heels and stomped away, hands gripping the soda so tightly it might actually crumble.

"What a..." But Chanyeol didn't finish his sentence. He just shook his head in annoyance before giving me a glance. "You okay, baby?" he reached for my arm, squeezing gently.

"Yeah, of course," I smiled up at him. "Just confused, is all."

"Confused because Eunwok's asking for your help instead of his sister?" He raised a brow.

"Yeah..." I nodded slowly. "I mean, if the football team's going to hire me for their team's photoshoot for whatever reason, that's a big thing, right? Maybe this sideline photography job isn't a bad idea after all... Right?"

"Of course, love," Chanyeol smiled widely. "And I'm proud of you."

I returned his grin because Chanyeol suddenly looked so happy. "Thank you," I muttered as my boyfriend wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "But maybe— Maybe Eunmin was just bluffing..."

Fortunately, Lee Eunmin was not bluffing.

The very moment I got a hold of his twin brother, I walked straight up to him and asked about the job. We got third subject together so it wasn't hard to see him amidst all these students in this huge university. Lee Eunwok looks so much like his sister but he has a better smile and kinder eyes, though they were kind of dancing in amusement when I asked him. He had his varsity jacket on and looked fresh and cute as ever— Not that he's any cuter than my Park Chanyeol.

"Oh, hey, Baekhyun," he grinned when I approached him. "Yeah... I didn't know you were into that kind of job. I was actually surprised when my sister told me we could hire you."

"Well... I've been doing it for a few months now, I guess," I smiled. "So where do we do the photoshoot?"

"Photoshoot?" Eunwok chuckles in amusement like I just told him a joke. "Okay... That's a really peculiar way to call it... But I guess the studio one of my teammates owns would be fine. Would that be okay with you?"

"Yeah, sure," I nodded. "What time?"

Eunwok shrugged. "Um, six? Tonight?"

"Well..." I hesitated a bit because Chanyeol and I were supposed to get dinner together. "Um... I guess I'll just inform Chanyeol then. He'll understand."

"Oh, yeah, about him," Eunwok started. "Does he know you'll be with us tonight?"

I nodded. "Yeah, of course."

"Is he... Is he cool with it?"

I frowned. "Why wouldn't he be cool with it?" I asked. "Are you two not okay? Are you fighting?"

"No. It's not that," Lee Eunwok shrugged again, unsure. "I-I don't know... Just... It's kinda weird—" then he sighed, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Actually, whatever. If everyone's cool with it, then I am cool with it."

My frown deepened. Huh...? What is he blabbering about?

"Okay...?" I nodded slowly though I'm still a little confused. "Well, see you then, Eunwok," I muttered under my breath before turning away. When I glanced back, Lee Eunwok was still watching me with curiosity and amusement.

There he is again with that face. Weird. 

Red flags. I should have noticed them the very first time they were waving to my face.

I should have noticed them on Lee Eunwok's cheeky face and cocky smile; On how the supposed-to-be eleven member team showed up with just five people; On how their curious eyes traveled all over me like hawks; or on how the photography studio we were supposed to take pictures at smelled suspiciously like smoke and alcohol.

Reluctantly, I entered the studio with the boys in tow. It must have been instincts, but my heart was suddenly pounding heavily inside my chest and my hands were shaking as I looked around— Noting the awful smell first thing and the incredibly dark studio lights the second. I could hear the team talking amongst themselves behind me but I tried ignoring them as I looked for a spot to set up my camera.

There was the very faint click of a lock.

I whipped my head back. "H-Hey—"

"So, who goes first?" Lee Eunwok asked me before his eyes fell on the camera I am holding. "Oh? So, you really brought a camera, huh? Aren't you kinky, Byun Baekhyun?"

Wait.

Did I just hear him right?

"E-Excuse me?" I choked out.

Another one from the team, Junghoon, I think, started to remove this jacket. "Come on," he smirked. "There's no need to play innocent now. It's just the six of us. Don't tell me you can't have sex with all of us tonight when we're willing to pay you triple."

Blood rushed to my face in rage and fear. "What the hell?" I hissed. "You told me this is a fucking photoshoot—"

"Isn't that the alias you use for sex?" Eunwok frowned. "Since you're selling yourself at school?"

Oh.

Wow.

I cannot believe this. I just can't. And there I was thinking he's the better twin. I should have seen this coming. I should have known nothing good ever happens when I get myself tangled up with these kind of people.

"You know what? Fuck you!" I said before I strode towards the door, hoping to get out of this hell hole as soon as possible. However, to my horror, it's locked. The door's locked. And it was as if a cold pail of ice washed through my entire body as I looked back at the five men. "W-What— Why—"

Hachul, the team's goalkeeper, snickered at my reaction. "Is this how you play, Baekhyun?" he asked. "Like you don't like it? I admit... It's kinda hot."

"What the fuck are you saying?!" I shouted. "Open this goddamn door!"

"You know we can't do that," Hachul chuckled. Then he looked around at his friends. "I always knew Byun Baekhyun's a slut! I told you guys! I just didn't know he's this much of a cocksucker." Then he eyed me again, black orbs traveling all over my body as he watched me slam my fist fiercely on the door.

"Help! Is someone out there?" I called out as loudly as I could. "Help me! Please help me!"

"Seems like he likes roleplaying, too, hm?" A deep voice called out and I looked back at the fifth guy, Seojun, who seemed to mock me with his piercing eyes.

"Ya, Byun Baekhyun! Stop the act!" Junghoon shouted, slightly annoyed already. "We don't have the whole night."

"I'm not acting!" I screamed. "Let me out of this fucking room or I'm gonna sue you all!" I continued banging on the door. My hands are starting to hurt, my skin reddening from both fear and pain, but I'm numb. I don't even care if I broke my arm. I don't even care if my throat bleeds from shouting. Without even pausing from calling out the door, I fished my phone from my pocket. I'm calling the police. I don't even care if I'm with fellow students right now.

Just when I'm starting to dial 112, the one with brown curls, Dohun, walked towards me and knocked my phone off my hand, his face unshaken by my reaction.

"What the fuck—" I moved to take my phone back but he suddenly smashed it on the floor, making me gasp and step back. I didn't even have enough time to realize what's happening before he brutally trapped me between the door and his body as he literally grabbed my face. The motion was harsh and quick, and my teeth managed to cut the inside of my cheeks. I can't help but cry out in pain.

"We know you're too pretty to be a guy," Dohun smirked down at me. "But I must admit, it came as a shock when we learned you take money for sex, Byun Baekhyun."

"Let me go," I said between gritted teeth, ignoring the sting from where he's holding me. "Just fucking let me go, Dohun."

"Is this how you like it?" Dohun tightened his hold instead. "You want it rough?"

I started to tremble from fear as I stared into his eyes. Everyone looks so determined, so sure of what's going to happen tonight and I do not have any idea when these pretty quiet boys from the university started to turn to these awful human beings who look at me like I'm some kind of prey. There is this sudden coldness in me, throwing me out of breath and numb.

"I-I don't make money from sex..." I sneered, trying in vain to fight off my tears. "It's a photography job— That's what—"

He gripped my waist. "At this point I don't really care anymore," he breathed, his face suddenly so close to mine. Dohun looked me over very carefully, then he clucked his tongue. "I can't believe Park Chanyeol's hitting this every time he likes. Must be nice having a whore for a boyfriend."

It was like his words snapped a nerve and I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat. "Don't you dare speak of Chanyeol that way," I hissed, my eyes glaring. "He's nothing like you, fucking asshole!"

"Shut up!" Dohun screamed in my face. "Shut your fucking mouth and just deal with it!"

"Fuck you!" I screamed back, looking around the room for anything— Pity, hesitance— Anything. I'm taking anything. I just want to get out of this place. "I don't know what happened or what Lee Eunwok told everyone of you but I'm not a fucking slut!" My voice trembled as I choked back sobs. "I-I'm here to work. I'm here for a—"

"You talk too much," Dohun deadpanned and before I knew it, I'm already thrown to the ground. Air knocked off my chest from the surprisingly heavy impact and I gasped sharply, my gaze turning black for a second.

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"N-No—" I choked as I started clawing the carpeted floor, trying to sit up. "Please— I don't know— I don't know why I'm here..." Still gasping for air, I managed to gather enough power to grab the door handle again. I turned it around, tugged on it, but still no one's coming to help me. The door won't budge and the men behind me didn't even bother pulling me away.

They know I won't be able to escape. There's nowhere to go.

Tears sprung to my eyes as I started to breathe heavily from terror. "Please... Please... Please..." I sobbed as I tried opening the door. "P-Please let me out... Please..." I was crying loudly, the only thing I had in mind was running away and hiding myself. I failed to notice how the air around me started to quiet, how the only ones I could hear were my own breathing and whimpers. I didn't stop slamming my hands on the door, I didn't stop screaming and calling for someone to help me.

Suddenly, huge hands grabbed me by the shoulders and started to pin me on the ground. It was Dohun and his face was a mixture of desire and evilness as he stared down at me. He's a football player and I shouldn't have been surprised at how strong he was, but it caught me off guard. I froze beneath his steely grip and ragged breathing.

"Don't waste my time," he smirked. "I'm taking what I can pay for."

"NO!" I screamed through all the crying. "Stop! Stop—! Please—!"

"What are you doing?!" Someone suddenly shouted. "Dohun—! What the fuck?!"

Lee Eunwok stepped forward to push an enraged Dohun off me. I took the opportunity to crawl back and away from them before I even realized how badly I was shaking. Without question, I know I can fight for myself, but taking down five bulky athletes is out of the question. They're gonna kill me, I thought as I hugged and buried myself in a corner, sobbing as I looked up at the group of guys probably here to abuse me. They'll take what they want and then kill me after. No one would want word about this out.

To my surprise, Eunwok moved to stand between me and Dohun. I looked up at him and he very quickly caught my glance. His face is a mixture of confusion, and regret, and embarrassment, and I don't know what to make of it. I do not even understand anything now.

"You called us here and said we'll get Byun Baekhyun to ourselves!" Dohun shouted at Eunwok. "I cancelled important plans, asshole! What— Just because he doesn't like it at first—"

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Eunwok shouted back, shoving Dohun away. "Baekhyun obviously doesn't know what's happening!"

"Do you think I care?!" Dohun boomed. "I don't care if we fuck the life out of this bitch—" but he wasn't able to finish his sentence because Junghoon already punched him in the face, his passed out body falling to the ground with a loud thud.

I stared at Dohun's figure in horror, my breath coming in and out short from my parted lips. Instantly, there's this deafening silence filling the entire room. Everyone was looking at each other, sharing glances I do not know the meaning of. I continued pressing my body against the corner, dreading whatever's about to come.

Is it over? Am I safe? Will I ever get out of this room alive?

I let out a startled scream when someone grabbed my arm out of nowhere. "N-No— Stop—!"

"Byun Baekhyun!" Lee Eunwok shouted to my face, getting my full attention. When I finally took a good look at his face, I realized he's wearing that same expression again. Confusion. Regret. Embarrassment. It's just that this time, it's tainted with worry. Incredible worry. "Come on," he tugged on my arm. "Get up. I'll take you to the bus stop."

Still shaking a little bit, I let him pull me to my feet but immediately pushed off his hand that's gripping my arm. "I-I can take care of myself," I muttered, cautious, as I wiped tears off my face. "J-Just let me get out—"

"What did my sister tell you?" Eunwok suddenly asked out of nowhere. He is only looking at me, ignoring how his friends dragged an unconscious Dohun out of the studio and to somewhere I don't even care about. The other three won't meet my eyes, and I guess they also didn't expect the turn of events that happened this night.

I let out a shaky breath just as Hachul left the room, leaving me and Eunwok to talk. "Lee Eunmin..." I glared at Eunwok. "She told me you're hiring me for a photoshoot. A legit photoshoot. N-Not some fucking alias for sex or whatever."

Eunwok frowned. "That's not what she told me," he said. "She told me you're... Well... She told me you're taking money for sex and you want to spend a night with the football team. So she... She kind of forced me into... Um... Into checking out whatever you have to offer...?"

"What?!" I don't think I ever wanted to murder someone this bad before. "And you fucking believed her?! What are you? A fucking imbecile?!"

"We barely know each other!" Eunwok protested. "How would I fucking know what kind of sideline jobs you get yourself into?!"

"Park Chanyeol's my boyfriend!" I screamed. "You go to championships together! You attend training camp together! You're practically friends! How would you even think of fucking his boyfriend—"

"And that's why I asked you if he's cool with this!" Eunwok shouted back. "I-I didn't—" he ran a hand through his hair, obviously beyond frustrated. "I didn't know Eunmin was trying to get you in trouble. If I had known—"

"You brought four of your friends to supposedly have sex with me—" I choked out the words as I tried to stop myself from crying. "Y-You're Chanyeol's friend... You're n-not supposed to— That's not... That's not what friends do, Eunwok..."

Lee Eunwok's eyes traveled all over my face. "I-I didn't know... I'm sorry..." he whispered. "It was all a misunderstanding."

A misunderstanding?

How could he even take everything that happened so lightly?

"You know what, I don't care," I said, looking at him with a determined face. "I'm going to report this. I'm going to make sure your sister will pay for what she did. I'm going to sue everyone who tried to hurt me—"

"Baekhyun—" Eunwok tried to hold my arm but I stepped back abruptly.

"Don't touch me."

"I'm not going to—"

"DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Both Eunwok and I were startled by my own sudden outburst. 

I was just handling the situation real well. I was just arguing with him real good. But the angry, strong façade I was building would never be enough to patch out the fact that I was nearly assaulted. Sexually. And by my own so-called schoolmates who I believed wouldn't ever do such a thing. Before I even knew it, I was already crying so hard, my knees giving away as I broke down. I was so afraid. I was beyond terrified. I didn't understand what was happening and why it was happening to me. All I know was that they wanted to hurt me, and the fact that I knew that I wouldn't stand a chance against them made everything a million times more horrible.

There was this swallowing pain in my chest and I pathetically gasped for air as I cried. Lee Eunwok was quick to sit by my side, hesitantly holding my shoulders and fishing out his own phone. I heard him talking to someone with urgency, maybe an ambulance or the police, but I filtered him out. I tried filtering everything out. I don't even want to hear his voice nor see his face. I don't want him anywhere near me. I don't want anyone near me right now.

With all the remaining energy I have, I stood up from my spot on the floor then ran. I ran as fast as I could. I ran down the old building into the streets of Seoul, ignoring everyone who casted worried and curious glances because I'm not dressed with enough layers and my face is basically wet with tears. I dodged people, not really knowing where to go. I just wanted to get away. I ran and walked towards wherever until I could feel as if my legs were about to give up.

After a few minutes of running away, I found myself stumbling towards a lone bus stop. A few students were seated on the bench and I moved to take the space beside them.

"Ah, fuck," I cursed to myself when I realized I left all my things at the studio. I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration, pressing my head on the wall behind me as I let out a long sigh. I have no cash nor card. And my phone was smashed. "What the fuck... How am I supposed to go—"

And then I saw him.

If he's not my six-year boyfriend, I probably would have passed my gaze over his figure and ignored him entirely. But he is. And I don't think I've ever been this thankful to see him.

Park Chanyeol is currently playing basketball in one of those outdoor courts across the street. He's wearing a black baseball cap, grey hoodies, and some joggers. He's laughing loudly when he misses a shot, I could clearly hear his guffaws from where I am sitting. I didn't even care about the place or how I stumbled towards the pedestrian lane, practically pushing people ahead of me with my eyes fixated on Chanyeol. I jogged around the court, trying to find the entrance but Chanyeol hasn't seen me yet. Not surprised. He loves basketball so much.

"Aw, man, you should have done that the first time!" I heard Chanyeol chuckle.

"I know!" someone exclaimed and that's when I realized he's with Kim Jongin. There's just the two of them at the court, both laughing amongst themselves as they play ball. "Hey, Chanyeol, watch me do that thing where I— HEY! Is that— BAEK?"

Almost instantly, Park Chanyeol looked back and his eyes automatically landed on mine. It was kind of dark so he probably didn't make out much of my face but he smiled widely upon seeing me. "Babe!" he called out happily, dropping the ball he's holding to run to me. "Hey! How have you been? How was the—"

"Park Chan..." I breathed just as he reached me.

"Hey..." Chanyeol's voice was almost like a whisper. He held me by the arms as he studied my face. He pushed away some strands of my hair that clung to my forehead before brushing my cheeks. Chanyeol noted all the dried up tears, the cracked lips, and heavy breathing. "W-What..."

"I-I—" I started to say but every emotion got the better of me and before I knew it, I'm already sobbing. "I-I was so scared, Chanyeol—" I choked up. "T-They thought I was making money from sex— They thought—"

"What?" He breathed and I swear Park Chanyeol's jet black eyes just got even darker from rage. "What did you say?"

"I-I'm not a slut..." I sobbed, my eyes begging. "I-I'm nothing like that— I'm not, Park Chan. I-I'm so sorry—"

Chanyeol pulled me into his arms in a second. He held me so tight as I cried against his chest, and there I was thinking all along that I already cried every tear on my way here. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have told him everything that happened like this. But everything in me just suddenly felt so weak and in need of safety. And it has always been Park Chanyeol who gives me a whole lot of that. Always.

"Of course, my love," Chanyeol murmured against my hair. "You're right, I believe you. It's okay... Everything's going to be fine..."

"Hey, Baek, you okay?" I heard Jongin's voice, his footsteps hurried.

I would have answered him right away if not for the fact that I'm still a little traumatized and I do not fancy going over everything that has happened. Not yet, anyway. Chanyeol looked down at me again, his eyes more focused now, more careful, as he noticed a tinge of blood staining the sides of my lips. His voice was obviously controlled when he asked, "They hurt you, baby?"

For a second, I didn't know what he was talking about until I felt his thumb graze my lip. "I-I don't know—" I hiccuped. "B-But someone grabbed my face— Must have b-been—"

"Someone grabbed you?" And I don't think I have ever seen Park Chanyeol this furious before. He then gave Jongin a quick glance before looking at me again. "Where are they?" he asked through gritted teeth. "Where are those—"

"No—" I grabbed his shirt as I shook my head. "Please, don't— I don't want to go back there—"

"I'll send you home then Jongin and I could go—"

"No, no, no!" I cried out as I held onto Chanyeol tighter. "There's five of them there. You'll get hurt— I can't let you get hurt, Park Chanyeol!"

"Babe, it's going to be okay—"

"Stop! You're not—"

"I will just go and talk to them."

"NO!" I shouted and that's when Chanyeol finally pursed his lips as he met my eyes. "You listen to me! I-I'm beyond scared right now, Park Chanyeol," I stammered. "And I don't want anything— I don't want anything else but for you to stay with me." There's this sudden fear of seeing him face those guys and not knowing what's going to happen. I've been in such a mess tonight. I've been in so many unfortunate events even before this. And the last thing I want to see is the love of my life getting hurt trying to fight for me.

Chanyeol let out a breath. "Baekhyun—"

"P-Please?" I whispered between sobs. "Can you please... Please just stay with me... I-I'm begging you..."

At that moment, I could clearly see it in his eyes. Park Chanyeol wasn't ready, and would never be ready, to let everything slip. I may have told him almost nothing— No details, no stories— but the fear on my face was enough to tell him one thing— That I was hurt, and it would not be something he would let go that easily.

With trembling hands, I reached up and gently held his face. "I'm here," I whispered. "I'm already here... So please, just don't leave me, love... That's all I ask."

No. Park Chanyeol would never let everything slip so easily.

But he wouldn't not listen to me either.

Nodding slowly, Chanyeol took me back into his arms. "Okay," he whispered, his voice breathy. "Okay, Byun Baek. I got you... I'm right here. I won't leave you."

"Thank you..." I whispered back as I squeezed my eyes shut and let him hold me tighter. Chanyeol let me hold onto him as we walked towards Kim Jongin's condominium located nearby. Even Jongin didn't ask more questions. He was just looking at me with those serious, worried eyes and he didn't stop studying me until I gave him a small reassuring smile. He even made me hot chocolate so Chanyeol wouldn't have to.

That night, my friend and boyfriend made a couple of calls and the next morning, everything seems to slowly fall into place. Lee Eunmin was expelled as well as Kim Dohun. The rest would have been expelled, too, if not for the fact that they were given false information therefore the way they acted, so the school board decided a suspension and tarnished conduct record would be enough punishment.

I never really received an apology from Lee Eunmin or Kim Dohun. Lee Eunwok and his friends were kicked out of the football team, and even after they apologized to me in person, I don't think I could ever trust them again in any way.

My boyfriend, Park Chanyeol, talked to them one time— it didn't turn out well. He was too angry not to land at least one punch on Eunwok's face and a kick to Dohun's nose. He got detention for that. But that was it... And I can't say I wasn't a little bitsy touched by the gesture.

Life went by like always after that. The world doesn't stop just because something bad happened to one person, the universe doesn't work like that. I managed to somehow bury the memories of that night.

However, there would always be something about closed doors that frightens me when I'm alone. There would always be the lingering fear of not being able to escape for whatever reason. There would always be the fear of being trapped.

I've hated it. Even now, I still hate it.

But maybe there's just things that scars you and unfortunately, do not really fade with time.

Some people really find it weird and worrying how I seem to constantly attract unfortunate events in my life. Park Chanyeol found it peculiar, too, so he has always been this overly caring and attentive partner one could only maybe see in books. Even when I became Park Baekhyun, Chanyeol has stayed the same. Patient. Warm. Enduring. Careful. He sees me. And he sees me in ways other people don't. So that 'dramatic husband' that he is, it didn't really stem from nowhere.

On a lighter note, that was the last disastrous event that happened to me during university. The rest of our remaining months were generally uneventful...

Well, maybe aside from that one when I got engaged during my last year.

But hey! That's a story we already know.