2 days later...

~[JOSHUA]

After that day I stopped talking to Haeyoon altogether.

I figured out that it's better to approach her once the coast was clear rather than making multiple failed attempts because it might make our situation a lot more saltier than it already was.

And also because, I was hurt.

I had been crying up and throwing tantrums to myself since that day as I literally pledged to never look at her face again and even to forget her existence. But the very next moment conscience slapped bringing me back to reality as I pondered that this stupidity of mine is exactly the same to what Jeonghan did. I would get swayed away by thoughts thus preventing me from getting to the actual point and she would continue living a lie once again, for jesus knows how long.

Which brings me to my next point, that is, about Yerin. I was honestly taken aback by the fact that she didn't complain to her dad because my dad hasn't said anything to me about it yet which is quite concerning, if you take a deeper look into it.

Her moves are not sitting right with me.

For some unknown reason, I'm having a hunch that she is plotting something against her.

It could be a one-one attack from both sides or a double attack. I don't know which one it is.

I was sitting in the library mindlessly flipping the pages of some random book as my mind pondered over various things.

Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked to see Jun chewing something.

"Woah Joshua, are you a bookworm too?" Jun said as he pulled out a chair beside me, a bit loudly though.

"Not really, just killing some time. Also, keep your volume down. This is a library." I said reminding him.

"Oh yeah, sorry about that."

"Hm so...what brings you here? And what are you masticating by the way?"

"Hey! I'm having lemon candies! I understand you can't stand lemon flavour but you can't disrespect my candies like that!" He humphed.

Gosh, make him an ambassador for some lemon candy brands already.

"Aish, sorry sorry." I laughed softly.

He bobbed his head and said, "So what's the beef between you and Jeonghan this time?"

I dropped my back over the chair as I slammed the book over my face and said groaningly, "Jesus, not him again-"

"No no, I mean I'm aware of everything. It's just that uh..." He played off his words.

"That what? Speak up Jun."

"I mean um...how are you so sure that all of this is a lie?" He said looking directly into my eyes.

"What do you mean? Elaborate your point."

"I mean how are you so sure that Haeyoon didn't ditch the presentation herself? It might-"

"How is Jeonghan so sure of his views, or let's say, others' views, huh? Explain this to me. I'm all over the ears." I retorted back.

He stayed silent.

"She was his what again? Childhood best friend and crush, right? Honestly speaking, I never knew the definition of best friend was so cheap for him. It sucks to even look at him." I slammed shut the book and got up, "...and thank god she didn't end up with a boyfriend like him." I murmured out the last words.

I was walking back to the book shelf when I heard him talking again.

"I can help you to find out." He said in a shaky and low volume.

I took an about-turn from my position and faced him.

"Help me to find out what? His lost brain or dick?" I shot at him with raised brows.

"The truth." He looked at me with hope in his eyes which I kind of, found odd.

"And how?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest.

"CCTV footage. We can look into the cctv footage of the hallways from two days back and can find out."

I thought for a while. He wasn't wrong.

"Solid idea, but are students allowed to check CCTV footage? Are students even allowed to enter the security room?"

All of a sudden, Jun suddenly grabbed my arm and dashed outside.

"What the, what are you- Moon Junhui tell me something!!" He momentarily stopped in front of his locker and used his free hand to open and take and slid something in his pockets and made a sprint again, this time the gents washroom.

Wait, what the holy fuck?

He pushed me inside one of the stalls and got in there himself as well and locked the door. Now it was both of us inside the stall.

Thank god, no one saw us.

"What the fuck is wrong with yo-"

"Shut up and take this." He whispered out as he placed a bunch of keys in my hand.

I was dumbfounded. Before I could say anything, he spoke, "Duplicate keys to all rooms in this school. I had made them some years back. This is the key to the security room." He pulled out a specific key from the bunch.

I was still not in my senses.

"A-and are you not afraid that you might get caught for this?" I stuttered out.

He looked at me and said with a blank expression, "The worst they can do is expelling us out and I don't care if they do so to me on finding out about this." He gave a pat on my shoulder and spoke up again, "Class is gonna start in 5 minutes. Come soon." Saying this he walked away while I stood there with my mouth hanging open widely.

Sliding it inside my pocket, I too exited the washroom.

Never thought the bubbly lemon-candy guy would smuggle seeds to grow lemons.

...

Throughout the lesson, my mind flew off to various places while my eyes took occasional glances of her I-don't-give-a-fuck face.

I was waiting for the perfect timing for my mission. And the perfect time was...lunch time.

...

TIME SKIP~LUNCH TIME

I told the guys that I was having a headache and skipped lunch with them. I wasn't that hungry anyways.

Walking through the quieter part of the school building, really gave off an eerie feeling, but for the sake of our friendship and her life, I gotta take the risk.

My feet stopped in front of a big brown wooden door that read 'SCHOOL SECURITY STAFF ONLY'. I took a deep breath and looked for any possible cameras or people.

None. The coast was clear.

Inserting the key inside the keyhole, I gingerly twisted the door handle and lo! it opened.

I scanned the room for the presence of any earthly figures. Finding none, I sprinted off to the already unlocked computer. I clicked on a folder entitled 'School' and it brought me up to another bunch of files.

"15-03, 15-03..." I said to myself as I searched for the required file.

"There!" I said as I found and instantly clicked on it.

The video was playing smoothly until all of a sudden the screen went black.

"What the fuck!?" I cursed as I replayed it again and got the same result.

I checked the timestamp.

13:00 p.m. . The exact time when the clip suddenly cut off.

And that was exactly 15 minutes before our presentation started.

Which proved my guess that something wrong went on there and she was framed once again.

I was thinking of some other plan and decided to leave the place when out of all the most unfortunate coincidences, I came face to face with Mr. Lee.

Holy fucking crap. What now.

"What are you doing here?" His deep elderly voice questioned me.

"S-sir I m-mean...I-I...." I was at a loss of words.

"Say properly!"

"S-sir I left my m-maths book here....so..." I said some gibberish nonsense.

He stayed silent for a moment.

"Follow me." He commanded me.

Without a word more, I quietly followed him like a timid ass deer with head bowed down.

Should I run away? He isn't looking at me so I mean I can-

Gosh, Joshua stop digging your own grave. You already jumped into a pool.

He stopped in front of his office and turned around.

"Let's hear it from the beginning. Why did you go to the security room?"

"Sir I-I lost my maths book and th-thought I might find it there so...gave a try."

"Why didn't you inform your teacher? Didn't you know that the security rooms are off-limits to students?"

I nervously shook my head, a white lie for sure.

"How did you get access to the room?"

"S-sir the door was open so..."

"Really?"

"Yes sir..."

A moment of silence before he spoke again.

"Alright, since you were unaware you'll get a 2-hour detention for 3 days only, excluding today. Otherwise it would have led to serious circumstances. Beware next time."

I vigorously nodded my head as he finally let me go.

That was a very close call.

...

TIME SKIP~SCHOOL DISMISSAL

I texted Jun earlier stating what happened. He assured me that he would take care of the keys and that I should focus on myself.

He could work as a spy, someday. I mean why not.

"I heard you got detention today?" I snapped out of my thoughts on hearing Yerin's voice, "for sneaking into the security room, eh?"

"None of your business. Just leave already."

"Oh, what were you doing there, mhm? Were trying to look for cctv footage? Oh honey, you're so naive. Hah! Look!" She dangled a pen drive in front of my face.

I took a glance at it and didn't pay much attention to it but deep within my heart, a turmoil had already started.

Turns out, I was right all along the way.

"I don't know what you're talking about, and why the heck would I try to look for cctv footage? For what even? I just mistook the security room for the storeroom and that's why everything got messed up." I said nonchalantly.

Her face suddenly dropped as she seemed to fall for my lies.

"R-really?"

"Yes. And what pen drive were you talking about-"

"F-forget it okay! I'll go first-"

"Yerin wait!" She froze in her spot.

I went in front of her and said, "Sorry about that day. I was in a bad mood."

"Are you being for real, Joshua Hong?"

"Of course! And that's why I was wondering if you're free tonight, I want to take you to a restaurant. My treat." I faked a genuine smile at her.

"Really?! Oh my god yes yes! I'm totally free!!"

"Okay then, I'll pick you up at 7? Is it alright?"

"Yes!! Joshua Hong you're the best! I love you!" She suddenly pecked my cheeks and ran away.

I immediately took out my handkerchief from my pocket and wiped my cheeks as I watched her figure disappear.

'Too naive to fall for my tricks...' I thought as a smirk appeared on my lips.

Slinging the backpack over my shoulders, I exited the classroom and walked towards the detention room.

...

I slid the door open. The classroom was almost empty except for one student.

Her.

I walked inside and took a seat a bit far from her.

"You here?" She asked me with surprised eyes.

"Why? Can't I be here? Is doing mistakes only your right?"

"What the hell? I didn't mean that. What did you do now that brings you here?"

"I um...scribbled on Mr. Lee's desk." I said scratching my head.

Tsk.

"What are you- gosh, you're really something."

"I thought you didn't talk to playboys..."

"Sure. I wasn't talking though, I was stating facts."

"If you're done, then let me do my own thing." I rolled my eyes.

I didn't hear another word from her and continued to take out a notebook and doodling over it.

Jesus, now I have to pick on her to talk. Save me, great heavens.

2 hours, no talk....how boring.

...

45 minutes left for my detention to be over.

I was actually planning on how to get that pen drive from that sneaky slut while circling over the page when all of a sudden I heard sobs.

Not loud but those faint ones.

I looked at her instantly. She was sleeping.

I turned back to the front and continued doing my thing, trying to ignore her.

The sobs continued.

I looked at her once again.

Shit.

I couldn't resist myself anymore.

I got up and went to her seat. She was not sobbing but literally crying. I removed the strands of her hair that was covering the tiny visible part of her sleeping face and tucked it behind her ear.

"Haeyoon...?"

No response.

Wait no. She was mumbling something.

I quietly sat down beside her and bent down to hear her mumbles.

It wasn't very clear but some words really stood out and that was enough to sting my heart.

"Mumma....papa.... please take me with you......... nobody likes me...no one likes me....please take me....I miss you..."

Gently hugging her, I rubbed my thumb over her fingers while trying to soothe her.

"Hold on a little more, my princess. Everything will be alright for you. I'm always with you. Just hold on a little more...please." I whispered to her as I eventually watched her calm down a bit.

I was always with her for the entire detention.

After all, it was worth the risk.