A week later...

Ever since the talk of that day, Haeyoon and I became good friends. We always hang around together, though she never joined me during lunch hours because of the presence of Jeonghan. She knew how much the boy hates her so she chose not to mess to with him unnecessarily. She told me that during that time she either sleeps in the class or goes to the library so I was not that much worried about leaving her alone. Except for that, it's always either us meeting up in her café or texting each other and sending random memes.

Of course, our friendship had barely got any support as expected. Numerous obstacles and distractions collided us for example in the form of Jeonghan and his friends, Haeyoon's manager Seolhyun and last but not the least, our class president, Seo Yerin.

Haeyoon was genuinely scared of them. But finding me by her side everytime she was kind of relieved.

Right now we're sitting in the class, chatting about random topics while waiting for our teacher to enter.

As for my seatment, well, I decided to sit permanently beside her, or atleast again before any changes are made.

"...but brown and pink colour combination doesn't sound that nice as black and white.." she said chewing, practically feasting on her nails, not looking at me.

"Tsk, black and white is such a common combination now. You should try out something new with all colours. Create your own-" I got interrupted with sound of the door sliding open.

I sat straight to face the front when Mrs Hwang entered the class.

"Good morning class. I have an announcement to make so please be attentive to what I'll be saying." she said, making all of us, turn to look at each other and whisper about what the announcement could be about.

"Okay, so since the summer break is in about three weeks from today so I'll be assigning you a project to be worked in pairs. The topic of the project is KOREAN HISTORY and you'll be pointing out the details, characteristics, flow etc. that is your project should be detailed with information when it is put on for presentation. Your deadline will be next week Friday. And the worst part for many of you is that, this time I get to select the partners for you and not you guys yourself."
a synchronous groan was heard when she said the last line.

"Okay silence please. I'm calling out the names and you guys may exchange your seats for your partners and start working on your ideas after I'm done. Okay first we have, Jaehyun and Heeseung..." she called out the names while we waited patiently for us to be called.

After some time our names were finally called out but there stood a problem.

"Jeonghan and Haeyoon. And lastly, Yerin and Joshua."

"WHAT!?" I snapped out instantly as I stood up from my seat on hearing my name.

Haeyoon tried to calm me down by pulling my sleeve, trying to make me sit back.

"Sit quietly Mr. Hong. Do not repeat this again. I do not condone such behaviour in my class."

"But ma'am-"

"I ask you one last time. Sit down and stop shouting, Joshua Hong."

"Psst Joshua, sit down. It's alright..." Haeyoon softly whispered out to me.

I had no choice but to sit back down.

"This is unbelievable! This is a fucking set-up man..!" I whisper-shouted to her while sitting back.

"I know, but we're helpless, Joshua. Shouting and screaming we'll get us to nothing."

Turning my body completely towards her, I asked her gently, "Will you be okay with Jeonghan, Yoonie-ah?"

She jolted around to look at me as soon as she heard the nickname.

I mean I didn't intend to but, it just kind of slipped out of my mouth.

But soon the surprise on her face disappeared and it got replaced with look of disappointment as she glued her eyes to the ground.

"I don't know...I will be okay...I guess so.." she said as she played with her fingers mindlessly.

I don't know why but in reflex, I held her palms making her lift her eyes as me as I said, "Promise you'll tell me everything that happens between you both-"

"No no! I-I mean it's alright! He wouldn't be that bad haha. You don't have to worry about me. Chill man!"

"How can I chill when I can see how much you're scared of him?"

Her eyes darted back to the wooden floor.

Before either of us could say anything else, a whistling sound interrupted us. It was from Jeonghan.

"I can see you two are super close best friends but unfortunately, you guys need to part off your ways for we gotta do the project, for your kindest information." Jeonghan spat out sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes to his eyes and faced her again.

"Listen, for now sit beside Jeonghan. I'll sit beside Yerin so in that way I can keep tabs on both of you. Alright?"

She nodded her head slowly after a minute.

"Good, now let's go."

And with that, we went to sit beside our 'partners' tables.

Partners my ass.

~[HAEYOON]

I never thought someone would still think of to be friends with me after knowing all the rumours.

But that's what Joshua did.

Words cannot describe the happiness I feel when he shows up in the café or when he texts me at hours when I'm utterly tired and anguished of being bullied and insulted by others the whole day.

His simple yet funny texts always find a way to light me up everytime I'm down.

He is like my serotonin booster.

When he saw bruises on my arms, I could see he didn't buy my lame excuses but he didn't get pushy which I'm glad for.

I cannot tell him that I was hit the previous night for not completing the homeworks of other students just like that. I can't ruin my image in front of him.

Sometimes I felt the urge to hug him tightly and cry all my problems out.

Just like right now.

I wanted to tell him how bad I was scared of Jeonghan and his friends despite ignoring them.

But obviously, I had to hold my urge back.

I have no intention of making myself a weirdo, atleast in front of him.

I gingerly walked up to Jeonghan's seat and quietly sat down beside him.

Atleast Joshua is right in front of me. I somewhat calmed down myself as I thought of it.

"I ain't working out that shit with you. Do it yourself." Jeonghan sneered out as he excused himself to go to the washroom.

I mean, what more can you expect from him?

Yoon Jeonghan wasn't always like this. He used to be a helpful and happy pill.

Not gonna lie, but Joshua indeed sometimes remind me of the old Jeonghan.

I closed my eyes putting a stop to my intrusive thoughts and let out a deep sigh as I turned on the laptop kept in front of me.

Good thing, the day was cut short for the teachers would be attending an important meeting, which meant I wouldn't have to deal with this crap the whole day.

...

The bell rung.

Everyone was saving their projects and moving out of the classroom.

Joshua turned back to say something but was interrupted by Yerin.

"Hey Joshua, do you want to complete this at my place or yours?" Yerin asked him.

"Uh... but we can do this tomorrow, right?" Joshua said to her.

"Yeah but...we might fall behind, you know.."

"Uh...I mean, you're not wrong...uh okay then, at your place at 8 today? Is that okay?"

"8! Are you kidding me!? My dad won't allow anyone after 7!"

"But I'll be busy before that-"

"Which is more important Joshua? Grades or your other works?"

Smooth girl smooth.

You fucking pushed the perfect buttons.

Suit yourself, fuck you Yerin.

Joshua took one last glance at me before giving her his reply, "Yeah, you're right, grades are more important."

"Perfect! My place at 5 today. Okay?" she basically squealed out of excitement as she pulled him out of the classroom.

I'd be lying if I say I was not jealous of what happened right now. I let out my frustrations and anger on the tiny piece of paper in my hand so bad that it crumpled into a torn tissue paper.

I sighed and was about to turn off the laptop when suddenly Mingyu and some other guys interrupted me.

"Oh is the dumbhead of the century doing projects? I never knew people of mentally retarded category too get a place to do this?" Mingyu asked sarcastically.

I decided to ignore him but Soonyoung suddenly snatched away the laptop from my table.

"Oh let's see what do we have here..." Soonyoung spat out evilly.

"Give it back Soonyoung!" I stood up and raised my arms trying to aim for that damn laptop but they are way taller than me.

"Oh you need it back? But first say please?"

"What?" My eyes automatically squinted at his demand.

"Say please and I might give it back to you." he gave me a dirty smirk.

I sighed.

"Please Soonyoung give it back to me."

No matter how much I wanted to throw up, I kept myself cool.

"Not satisfied. Say it in a cuter way." He said arrogantly.

What the fuck now.

I sighed and gulped down before finally replying, "Please Soonyoung, please give it back to me~" I gave my best in doing that aegyo shit from which I was cringing so hard.

"Hm, better but you went overboard with your aegyo. So as a punishment I will..." he moved his fingers towards the delete option.

"NOO!!!"

But I was late.

He fucking deleted my file, my everything.

The damn file that had everything that I searched the whole period.

I just felt the urge to turn the rumour about me into reality with him being my first victim but controlled myself to only slapping him hard on the right cheek as the others continued to laugh at me.

"HOW DARE YOU-"

I was interrupted when I felt my hair being harshly pulled back. My back instantly collided with the wall as Mingyu threw me harshly while he spat, "How fucking dare you touch Soonyoung, you pathetic bitch!" my ears rung in pain from his loud yells.

He was about to yell more but stopped when Jeonghan made everyone aware of his presence.

"What's this fuss all about?" He asked nonchalantly as he walked over to us.

"Your little ex-friend over here decided to mess with us by slapping Soonyoung so Mingyu was teaching her a lesson." Seungcheol said while sitting on the desk.

"You did what?!" He turned to face me, his voice in a much lower octave.

"B-but they deleted the file-"

Slap.

He slapped me.

I was so shocked that I couldn't even face him.

I wasn't prepared for this. Especially from him.

"Dare you lay your filthy fingers on my friends and I'll not hesitate to choke and dispose off your dead body. No one will ever find out." He hissed out his words.

"You are a bitch, a traitor, a fucking murderer. Your breath, your existence, everything about you stinks. You are the reason why my sister is not alive today!! Do you get that!? You are the fucking reason, Park Haeyoon!!" he grabbed my hair harshly and tossed me towards another wall where I hit my head.

"Sometimes I even wonder how the hell did you get admitted here, huh?? He said walking up to me as he supported his hand by my side, partially trapping me.

"Or let me ask, how many nights did you sleep with our principal that he got so pleased and allowed you here, hmm?" I finally jolted up to face him, his face displaying a demonic smirk.

I couldn't believe my ears what I heard just now.

This isn't the Jeonghan I used to know.

Tears threatened to fall from my eyes but I was trying to best to prevent them from falling.

He seemed to notice it as he said, "Aww did I make you cry? Well, it's unfortunate that a slut like you cannot take in the truth. What a shame! Although your existence itself is a shame."

Everyone continued to laugh and mock me while I stood there helplessly.

Finally he calmed down from laughing his ass off and cleared his throat and said, "My place at sharp 7 today and kindly bring your own materials. I won't let you use mine."

"M-my work shift ends at 7:30..." I whispered out which he seemed to hear.

"Aww you work? Why? Did your parents abandon you after finding out your nasty little deed, huh?"

Shut up Jeonghan. You fucking don't know anything.

"I wonder which club closes at 7:30. Anyways, it doesn't matter to me. You will be coming in my house sharp at 8."

"Café. I work at a caféteria...." I whispered but he probably didn't seem to hear it.

Should I let my satanic thoughts overpower me right now?

I was contemplating now. It was becoming too much for me to bear.

"I-I don't have a l-laptop, J-jeonghan..."

"Aww really? Are you guys that broke that you had to sell your laptop for money? So sad to hear it, well, not really." they laughed out again.

He cleared his throat again as he said, "Alright, since you already let me know this earlier, I'll let you use my laptop only. Let's go guys, her stench wrecks me out."

And they walked out with Seungcheol kicking my knees hard, making me collapse on the ground. Leaving me alone, of course.

Once I realized they were all gone I bawled my eyes out crying, not getting up from my position.

I hate being like this.

I hate being an easy target for everyone.

I fucking hate my life.

I fucking hate myself.

"Will this nightmare ever stop.." I hopelessly questioned myself as I finally stood up and grabbed my things and dashed for the exit.

...

TIME SKIP~7:57 p.m.

I managed to complete my work quickly today at my café.

Joshua texted me earlier saying he was sorry for not being able to come today.

It's okay. I know how strict his dad is. He is helpless because of him too.

I didn't tell him about my encounter with Jeonghan because I don't want to ruin their friendship.

I mean, Jeonghan does has a point of hating me so why should I complain to Joshua even? He's neither my boyfriend nor guardian angel or anything like that, right?

We're just friends.

Yet, with his little acts he never fails to make my heart flutter and give me butterflies.

And eventually I didn't even realize that I began to have a thing for him.

It sounds so crazy of me but it's true. I never make it that obvious but I'm afraid of his observant nature.

I don't want him to know this.

I don't want him to push me away from him.

I was okay with admiring him from a distance and in silence but I was afraid of being left alone. Again.

Just how Jeonghan did it in the blink of an eye.

I closed my eyes and bit my lips as my phone beeped at 20:00.

Inhaling a deep sigh, I finally moved towards his door and knocked on it.

"Come in." A voice was heard from inside.

I let myself in and looked around.

'It's been 4 years since I last came here...' I thought as I walked over a photo frame hung over the wall.

A photo of me, Jiyeon and Seolhyun.

I raised my hand to touch Jiyeon's face but hearing someone coming downstairs I quickly retreated back.

"What are you standing there for? Start your work right away." He said while walking into the kitchen.

I put my bag down as I sat on the sofa and took out a notebook and pen.

I opened his laptop. Thankfully it didn't have any password or else I would have to ask him again.

Which I clearly didn't want to.

I saw him sitting on the sofa opposite to me as he switched on the TV and put in on its highest volume while he continued munching on his food.

I sighed and started my work.

...

|•|

~[JEONGHAN]

"Should I take some for her as well?" I thought as I momentarily stopped pouring the chips on the plate.

"Nah, she must be full." I went with my last decision and ended up taking the chips for me only.

I went to the living room to find her already on with the project.

The atmosphere was seemingly so eerie that I had to turn on the TV to brush it off.

I would be lying if I say I do not feel bad a bit for saying and treating her like that.

I honestly do. But everytime the thought of her killing my sister crosses my mind, I can't help but take out my anger on her.

She deserves this.

But somewhere in my heart, I feel extremely guilty when I remember the days we used to hang out together as kids.

I miss those times. Life used to be so beautiful back then.

I glanced at her.

She's still the same.

Beautiful and hardworking.

I couldn't help but take occasional glances at her.

For some reason I was happy that I was partnered with her because she knows how to crack those project grades with a perfect hit.

But whenever I think of her being friends with Joshua I can't help but feel an unnecessary blood boil within me.

How can someone who is a killer live so happily?

But that was not the actual reason.

Rather I should word it as, how can someone who I used to like, be friends with someone else who just joined?

It's really hypocritical of me to think like this because she came to talk to me for minimum like a thousand times but each time I pushed her away. Sike.

I was engulfed in my thoughts when suddenly I heard the sound of a stomach rumble.

I looked over to her and she had an embarassed ghostly look over her face as she did the same.

"Sorry..." I heard her mumbling out.

So she was not full.

I looked over to my half-eaten plate of chips.

"Have it." I said as I placed the plate on front of her.

"N-no! I-its alright! I'm full-"

"Stop lying. I hate it when people lie. Eat it up."

"B-but J-jeonghan-"

"Do you want me to shove it in your mouth or what?"

Shit I snapped again.

I was actually trying myself to not fall for her again but damn, I messed it up.

I looked at her and I could see she was shook by my volume.

"N-no." she finally took one even though I could see her hands shaking.

I hate it when you stutter Haeyoon.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to scare you.

But wait a minute.

What's that reddish thing on her nape?

It doesn't look like her hair either, what's that?

Hold the fuck up.

It's a bruise!

But how come?

I don't remember hitting her with any sharp object that would do this to her, did Mingyu do it?

But my friends wouldn't do anything like this without my consent.

Who did that?

I don't know why but once again I could feel my blood boil.

"Haeyoon?" I gently called out to her.

She was surprised by the sudden change in my voice but replied calmly, "Yes?"

"What's that?"

"What?"

"The reddish thing in your nape, what's that?"

She touched that area. Her eyes went wide and instantly met mine when she understood the particular spot I was talking about.

"I-its n-nothing I just- just- uh- fell-" she said while trying to pull up her shirt and covering it with her long hair.

"Cut that crap. Who did that?" I removed her hair as I scooted a bit closer to take a better look at it.

"N-no no one did th-that! I just f-fell that's it-"

"You've never been good at lying. Stop playing games with me."

I don't what happened but she suddenly looked up to me.

Her emotionless eyes suddenly turned bloodshot red as she lunged out in anger.

"Oh so you do think I've been lying to you all through these years, huh? Why do you think everything fits into your bubble Yoon Jeonghan!?"

"Haeyoon not this right now-"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT RIGHT NOW!? YOU CAN CHOOSE WHETHER TO FUCKING TREAT ME WORSE THAN TRASH AND NOW YOU TALK ABOUT KNOWING ME ABOUT BEING A TRUTHBIRDIE AND ALL!?! ALL YOU KNOW IS JUST TO FRAME AND DEGRADE ME YOU SON OF A BITCH!!! JUST GO FUCKING ROT IN HELL!!!" she screamingly spat out the words onto my words while tears streamed down her cheeks.

Before I could even know she suddenly dashed towards the door and ran out, leaving all of her stuff behind.

"YAH HAEYOON WHAT ARE YOU DOING...." But she had already disappeared into the darkness.

My scream faded off into the thin air, just like how she faded off into the night streets.

Closing the door, I retreated back as I plunged down on the sofa.

My computer, her notebook, pen and bag, all laid wide open as if they were saying to me, 'You had one chance Yoon Jeonghan and you chose to fucking crush it. Regret it for lifetime now.'

My mind replayed back everything. Every damn thing I did to her.

Guilt and regret filled me as the more I thought about the mysterious bruise on her nape.

'What happened to you Haeyoon?'