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It’s finally acquaintance night.

Students are glamoured and suited up for the event. Tuxedos, gowns, and formal attires are all over the place. They are all wearing their bests for the event.

Jeonghan wears a creaseless striped grey suit that fit him just right. He looks dazzling in it and girls swoon over him as he enters the hallway. He's looking forward as to how his princess dresses for this occasion. Last year, for the year-end music clash, she looked gorgeous, he remembers. But this year, she will surely look stunning.

And he is right. By the time Seunghee enters the venue, he just can't take his eyes off her. She wears this white dress too. It's simple but elegant. Her hair flows down her shoulders in a wavy curl. And she's seriously alluring. He has to have a moment with her tonight, he ponders.
 
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"You didn't come with Jeonghan-shi today?" Sorn asks.

The group has already seated at their chosen seats at the venue. Sehun, Areum, Sorn, Jun and Seunghee.

"He said he's going with his friends. And their attires are at Seungcheol-shi's place. So he's basically not home today," Seunghee explains.

"He just doesn't know how to steal the moment," Sehun shakes his head.

"Maybe he really just doesn't like you even a bit noona," Jun utters.

They all give Jun a stare. He just doesn't give up till now.

"Don't worry, till today, I’m not expecting anything from him. It's okay," Seunghee says at his face.

Silence takes over for a bit then Sorn blurts out something.

"That dress really fits you unnie."

"Thanks," Seunghee replies.

At a far corner, Jeonghan, Seungcheol and Jisoo are standing and observing the crowd. Seungcheol is checking out the hot girls.

"Wow, there are lots of good ones today!" he exclaims.

"Are you fishing again?" Jisoo comments.

"Of course!" Seungcheol answers.

Jeonghan is only looking at one girl though. Even at this distance, he will never fail to watch over her.

"Have you gone up the ladder with her?" Jisoo whispers to him.

"I'll try tonight," Jeonghan says. "Wish me luck."

"Well then. Good luck," Jisoo tells him.

Jeonghan plans to tell her tonight. But he doesn't foresee something that will turn everything around.

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The ball kicks off with a band performance. They play the song “Intuition” and almost everyone sings along with them. The crowd is enjoying the event from the top. It’s like the year-end music clash without the competition. Deafening screams fill the hall after the act. The purpose of this event is actually to relish music and set aside the annual rivalries of students.

“For tonight, let’s enjoy the music!!!” the male lead yells.

Groups perform one after another. It is a non-stop concert for the music students who work their hardest each year to reach their dreams.

And as continuous music surrounds the hall, there is also abundant supply of cocktail drinks and food. Jun is the first one to try the drink.

“Wow, this is different,” he exclaims after sipping on it then he gulped a whole glass. “More!”

Jun scoops another round for his glass.

Sorn tries to slow him down. “Hey, you might get drunk Jun. It’s not a juice drink.”

“I know alright. I’m not gonna get drunk with this much,” he answers.

Seunghee is just silent. She knows Jun is still mending from that night. She doesn’t want to talk to him just yet. She doesn’t want to give him another reason to think that she’s keeping him as a backup.

Jeonghan just watches Seunghee from his seat. He will wait for the right time tonight. There will be no other time better.

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But things go a little out of hand. Jun has drunk much more than he’s supposed to due to his broken heart again and because alcohol has gotten the better of him, he starts bothering Seunghee. Sorn has gone to the restroom and Sehun and Areum are with their peers somewhere in the hall.

In his drunk state, he moves to a seat beside her and just suddenly begins being touchy-feely with her. He pokes at her arm that makes Seunghee turn to him with an annoyed face since she is busy watching and listening to the performers.

“Noona… talk to me,” Jun says.

She ignores him and turns her attention back to the stage.

“Noona…” Jun now tugs at her dress.

“Stop it Jun,” she tells him, stirring away from him.

From Jeonghan’s seat, he does not miss what’s going on with Seunghee and Jun. He crosses his eyebrows at the protruding sight. He lengthens his neck almost breaking it only to have a clear sight of them. Jisoo elbows him slightly while Seungcheol is nowhere to be found.

“Hey, why don’t you just come over her and sit with her to end your misery.”

“Something’s up Jisoo.” Jeonghan seriously utters.

Jisoo tries to gaze at them too and sees Jun kinda drunk, pestering on Seunghee with his little touches. It suddenly becomes more evident when Jun puts his hand on her shoulder that Seunghee quickly shoves away.

“That punk!”

Jeonghan takes off his coat and loosens his tie ready to sprint his way to her but Jisoo grabs his arm back.

“Hey, don’t rush into things. Calm down man!” he exclaims.

“I’m not letting him lay his hands on my girl again Jisoo,” Jeonghan madly replies and takes his hand off him.

Jisoo just stays still, he can’t stop him. Not even with Seungcheol around.

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Jeonghan paces his way to Seunghee after seeing Jun continuously pestering on her. His blood boils at the sight and jealousy also starts creeping up his nerves. Sorn, Sehun and Areum have just arrived at their table seeing the angry, fast approaching Jeonghan.

“Isn’t that Jeonghan-shi?” Sorn utters.

Seunghee is surprised and turns to see him. Her friends are also shocked at his sudden appearance near them while Jun is almost down. He’s slumping on his seat trying to support his weight. Jeonghan reaches their table and interrupts them by grabbing Seunghee's right wrist.

"Excuse me, can I borrow her for a minute?" he says.

Without hearing any reply from them and even a word from Seunghee herself, with his hold a little tight, he drags her away from Jun beside her. Luckily Jun doesn't notice him, he’s almost asleep. Sehun motions to follow them but Areum stops him.

“Hey!” Sehun starts.

Areum pulls at his arm, “Stop. Let them deal with it. They’ve suffered long enough.”

Sehun obliges but grips his palm. She’s her cousin, he won’t think twice in beating Jeonghan if he does something that will hurt her. Sorn on the other hand tends to Jun.

“Hey, are you alright? I told you not to drink too much,” she mutters.

Jun just murmurs, “Noona…”

It hurts Sorn to see him like this but she’s got no say in this. She hasn’t even told him her feelings. What right does she have to meddle with him? She’ll just have to be by his side, that’s the only thing she can do.

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Jeonghan is still dragging Seunghee away. She’s so bewildered of what’s happening that she’s tongue-tied about it. When they are at a distance away from the crowd, she finally utters something.

"Jeonghan-shi, what are you doing? Where are you taking me?"

But he stays silent and continues to pull her away from the crowd and out of the venue.

"Jeonghan-shi!"

They end up at the back of the bar, near the parking area, where only a very few people go to at this time. Jeonghan finally lets go of her arm. And without facing her, he puts both his hands on his waistline in an angry manner.

The situation scares Seunghee a bit. His anger is visible and she doesn't have any idea why. Then he drags her in this area where only the two of them are. It's even a little dark cuz only the street lights lit the place.

"Jeonghan-shi, why are we here? Why did you bring me here? Let's go back inside. Oppa and Unnie are waiting for me. Sorn's probably searching for me right now and Jun..."

Just the plain sound of his name coming from her lips makes him mad. He bolts around and faces her with his enraged expression intimidating her. She backs off a bit.

"Jeonghan-shi, are you mad? What are you fuming about? You're quite scaring me here. I'll go back inside okay?" she says.

She tries to turn her back on him and go but he reaches her arm and pulls her back to him, holding both her arms tight now. She's really getting frightened and a little hurt by his grip.

She utters, "You're hurting me Jeonghan-shi... Let me go..."

"Why are you tolerating that guy?" he finally starts talking.

Seunghee is puzzled by who he is talking about though.

"Who are you--?"

"Why do you let him touch you when you know he likes you? He's taking advantage of you, can't you see that? He's not being friendly with you. Any guy who likes a girl always has an ulterior motive!"

Seunghee is shocked of his behavior. Why is he like this?

"Are you talking about Jun?"

"Yes! Who else in that room was all over you? Only that guy!"

"He likes me yes, but I don't think he's like what you're implying. Why are you acting like this? Let go of me!"

She struggles away from him and she breaks free from his touch.

"I'm just protecting you! You're so naive when it comes to men. That guy can't be trusted. Every guy can't be. You're not safe being with him."

"Who are you to judge me? You don't know all of me yet. Don't surmise ideas you're not even allowed making. Jun's just being clingy because he’s upset but he's a good kid. I won't let you label him as to what you think he is."

Jeonghan clenches his teeth. His jealousy just boosted up and he can't control himself.

"Then let me prove to you that no guy is harmless."

He grabs her shoulders again and pushes her flat on the wall behind them. She can't stop him. She's helpless against his strength.

"What are you--?"

Seunghee gets cut by a deep kiss from Jeonghan. He is kissing her in a place where she never expects him to. She forgets about the earlier scenario and for some time gets enchanted by the taste of his kiss. Jeonghan forgets too that he's supposed to protect her and respect her. He indulges himself in the kiss instead. They are finally kissing, that is the thing on both their minds.

But Seunghee remembers he's not supposed to be doing this to her and she's supposed to reject him for doing this right now. He's forcing his kisses on her without being clear as to why he is doing it. So clearing her mind of her feelings for the boy infront of her, she begins pushing him away, striving to empower her weak knees and not give in to this improper act. Feeling her struggle, he snaps back to his rational self, accepts her rejection and slowly set her free. Also regretting the action he just taken. But automatically, her palm hits his face firmly. He flinches at the impact and freezes momentarily.

"How dare you."

She walks away from him, trying to cover up her heating cheeks. She just has to do it. If she let him do as he pleases, he might think she's really gullible and didn't have pride in herself. So even if she’s already feeling lightheaded and her heart is beating unstoppably, she has to make it through to him that he is in the wrong.

Feeling the pain on his cheek, he leans on the wall right after she leaves. He looks up at the starry winter sky and heaves a sigh.

"Damn. I finally did it," he tells himself. "But how can I win her back now?"

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To be continued…

(16.02.05)