MOOD: Misty Road — Ben

“Noona,”

The female that was busying herself with fixing her uniform, turned her head just to find her little brother in his middle school uniform – it was his first day of middle school and also first day of bright summer. She grinned widely, welcoming her approaching brother and gazed at him up from head to toe before raising her thumb proudly. “Ah, my Chanyeol is already grown up. He’s so handsome now. What should I do, I think I would fall for you…,” she teased and patted her younger brother’s crown of head before staring back at her reflection. “How does noona look Chanyeol? Am I pretty already?”

“Um,” he nodded vigorously. “You always look the most beautiful for me noona. You’re so pretty like a painting.” He couldn’t help but blush at his own cheesy words that caused his older sister raised her brownish brow before letting out teasing laugh.

“Aigoo, my Chanyeol is so adorable!” She was few inches taller than the younger, so when he was pulled for a hug, he was simply just as tall as her shoulders. “You’ll be tall and handsome and charming. I think noona would have hard time to let you date anyone later.”

“I don’t think I could find anyone as perfect as you are noona,” Chanyeol mumbled and his sister turned his head and raised her brow with a small smile. “And I think you’re one of a kind. No one can be compared to my beautiful, kind, and flawless Yura noona.”

Park Chanyeol was born as the youngest child of Park household, his older sister named Park Yura; she was five years older than Chanyeol. Unlike Chanyeol that was a bit timid and careful, Yura was a total opposite; she was carefree, loud, and rather careless for her own. Because their parents were too immersed on their thoughts to expand their business, Yura eventually took over becoming mother for Chanyeol; just like changing his diapers when he was baby, calming him down in the middle of nights, teaching him how to ride bicycle, and punching the bullies that physically abused her brother because Chanyeol was fat for his young age. She was also the only person that encouraged and supported him to lose weight, to make people widen their eyes once they see him.

Park Chanyeol always, always adored his sister. She was everything for him; his entire life, his reason to breathe, his sunlight, his home, his only family. He always wanted the bests for his sister because Yura has been wonderful for thirteen years of his life, and lately Chanyeol noticed a reason for her beams.

It’s natural for people to fall in love, it’s what he watched on TV long time ago but didn’t understand the meaning until lately. Park Yura started to smile more, started to learn makeups from the maids in their mansion, started to learn how to cook, started to look way more feminine than ever. Old Park Yura was wearing short pants and T-shirt and didn’t give a damn for going out bare-faced. New Park Yura started to wear tight skirt and dresses and touched up herself a bit. It’s beautiful to see. Chanyeol was happy because his sister was beyond happy. It took Chanyeol for almost four months until finally he knew who the lucky man was.

Kim Jinyoung, her fellow schoolmate and happened to be Kim Jisoo’s older brother. Kim Jisoo was Chanyeol’s best friend, the best of the best since they knew each other since elementary school. Jinyoung was a good-looking man that was adored by many in school, he was friendly and fun, he liked to talk to Chanyeol about games and latest news on headlines, and the most important of all; he’s as much in love as Yura.

“Will you stay for dinner tonight noona?” Chanyeol asked as his sister started to walk off, with bag slung over her shoulder. “I’m bored to eat alone. Ommoni and Abeoji are not home yet.” The younger had the gall to pout at his sister – which he knew that she’s so weak on that.

Park Yura has been leaving home since she was in Second grader, she stated that her apartment was closer to school and she didn’t want everyone to know who she was – well that’s a flaw too for someone like her to make friends, because people could just want to befriend her since she was coming from wealthy family. But no need to worry much because on Day One she already befriended a family across her new home, Byun family.

Yura gazed at her brother, she actually went home because she wanted to see Chanyeol on his uniform and it wouldn’t hurt anyone just to stay for dinner right? So she nodded and grinned happily, “Of course I would, for my beloved little dongsaeng.” Again, she patted his crown of head and caused the younger grinned way too happily.

They are happy, or to say at least they both were happy that time.

It was either Chanyeol’s fault or she was in rush and didn’t notice anyone, the accident was happened. Chanyeol just stepped out of his car and just about to walk in to his new school when the accidental bump happened. The boy was pushed and luckily he didn’t fall, while the person that bumped into him fell on the ground, and whined in pain.

Chanyeol, as a gentleman like his sister always mentioned, squatted down and glanced at her skirt – her knee, it was scraped. “Hey are you okay?” he asked quietly and the girl glanced up to see him. Chanyeol noticed her eyes were thin and almost covered by her dark bangs, she didn’t cry even though her eyes were watery. He quickly took out band aids of his backpack and handed them to her – it was skull patterned. “Oh sorry, I don’t have any other than this…,” he said worriedly, afraid that she might not want them since the pattern was so not girls.

But she did anyway, and muttered a soft “Thank you,” before suddenly a figure rushed in and he was gasping. “COME ON EUNJI. We’re so grounded if we’re late. Come on!” he was a boy with dark bangs, just like the girl’s – he had oval face, funny expressions when he was gasping like that, and also small eyes. He helped the girl that was supposedly named Eunji before he mumbled and embraced her to support her walking.

They did send each other meaningful glances before they broke them apart – she was walking away and Chanyeol was being called by someone that caused a wide grin of his.

The reason of his grin was Kim Jisoo and Chae Soobin, two of his bests that he adored more than anything in this world. They were the people that according to Yura, supposed to be protected and deserved all best things in life. They were the family after Yura that he admitted and loved.

Kim Jisoo was a bit taller than him (and Chanyeol swore he would be taller than him), he had jet black hair that was styled up, with his slanted-eyes that would always create mere slits when he smiled, sharp nose, childish facial expression, and thick lips. Kim Jisoo was the younger brother of Kim Jinyoung and he’s good, really good at playing basketball. He waved eagerly at him before jogged to reach Chanyeol. Now he has his eyes widened because he couldn’t believe Chanyeol could get so thin after elementary school.

Behind Jisoo was Chae Soobin, the girl that made Chanyeol’s heart go badump badump and the main reason for Chanyeol losing weight. He promised himself that once he lost those fats, he would confidently come to her and ask her to date him – because Chanyeol was finally handsome. Chae Soobin was the kind of girl that Chanyeol always liked; the calm one that always laughed so prettily with covering with her hand, the elegant one in dresses since they often meet in families’ parties, the one with long hair that Chanyeol always liked to caress, and also the one that made Chanyeol wanted to spend his minutes with.

“Goodness Chanyeol, is that you?” she asked as she approached them, Jisoo was smacking his shoulder and Chanyeol had to catch Jisoo’s hand before he created bruises. “Wow, you look different.”

“In a good way or bad way?” he wondered quietly, eyeing the girl that now beamed at him. Somehow Chanyeol has the addiction of seeing this girl smiled directly at him.

“In a good way of course!” Soobin couldn’t help but sounded so proud with his change. She stepped closer to him just to pinch the boy’s cheek and was amazed, “Wow. Why did I never figure that you are actually so cute?”

Chanyeol’s cheeks flushed red and Kim Jisoo just grinned as he watched two of his beloveds were talking. Then, per usual Chanyeol would help Soobin by taking over her tote bags – since the girl would have her extra courses after school. “It’s our first day school and your mom already set classes for you. I don’t know whether she’s really concerned with your future or just not want you to hang out with us,” Chanyeol muttered and groaned as she realized her tote bags were kind of heavy. “You bring them all the way?” he asked as he shook his head.

“She’s just wanted the bests for her children.” Soobin replied with a mere smile and Chanyeol just nodded. “And hey, I still can hang out with you two. You both are my best friends. I would make time for my best boys…” she grinned and it sent burning sensation to Chanyeol over his spine.

He was so much in love with his best friend and now he’s so willing to do anything for her. He then turned his head and found Jisoo wasn’t following them. Chanyeol raised a brow before tried to call him. “What are you thinking?” the boy with big, protruding ears let out a question as Jisoo jogged to reach them.

“Nothing,” he shook his head. “Just wondering what they have for lunch. I’m craving for apple pie.” The boys let Soobin walked off first, she was greeted by her female friends and decided that it would be best if she left with them – Chanyeol had something to say anyway. “What is it?” Jisoo asked wonderingly. He checked his best friend’s facial expression and continued, “… What is it that you have to push Soobin away?”

“You have to promise me that nobody would know. Not until I tell the person personally about this.” Chanyeol sounded so serious and he rarely used that tone, so Jisoo grew curious as well.

“Well yeah, of course dude. When did I ever spill your secrets to anyone?” he asked rhetorically, just to earn a glare from his best friend. “Kidding, sorry…”

“Okay…,” Chanyeol sighed and then he fixed Soobin’s bag position before he continued. Jisoo watched intently, from how his paled cheeks colored in pink shades, from he was confident grew anxious and nervous, from the way he his lips and bit the bottom part. “… Jisoo, I think I’m in love.”

Jisoo blinked confusedly before he replied, “Well it’s good, isn’t it? It’s healthy! Wow I can’t believe you could be in love…. I thought you’d worship Yura noona until you die as a —” but before Jisoo was finished with his ramblings, Chanyeol already cut him off.

“—I think I’m in love with Soobin since ages ago.” Chanyeol finished his sentence and huffed proudly, damn, who knows admitting the fact that he’s so much in love with his best friend would be this hard. Chanyeol gazed at Jisoo and mistook his silence as astonishment, so he continued, “And I planned on confessing to her soon….,” he turned to Jisoo and his best friend’s eyes were blank. “Jisoo?”

What does being rich mean?

Does it mean having the most expensive cars, the biggest houses and the most luxurious holidays? Or does it mean being able to use your money to do what you want, enjoying yourself and maybe, just maybe helping others at the same time?

Park Yura learned that being rich could give you best things in life; name it clothes and shoes, fine dining, friends, or nice holidays anywhere she wished to go. Every year too her parents would throw her a majestic birthday party – no, it wasn’t because they loved her and wanted her to have fun with her friends—they do love her a bit, but there’s also an untold reason, such as inviting business colleagues and make them see that they would make great parents so why not having mutual working contract.

At the age of sixteen, on her very first year of high school Park Yura created a change. She decided to move out of their mansion and bought an apartment near her school – reasoning that it would be so much closer than she had to ride from home. Yura has been always a free-spirited soul, so their parents couldn’t do much ever since. All mattered for them was Yura would attend their parties and managed to behave well.

And lately, their father seemed unpleased with her attitude; with the fact that now Yura was in romantic relationship with Kim Jinyoung, the son of his unspoken rival. He also didn’t quite enjoy seeing his son hanging out with the sibling of Kim Jinyoung, but instead of speaking it out loud, he just did it with soft sneers at both of his children.

Yura never liked dining table – it’s quite terrified her because she always wasn’t ready with her parents’ questions or speech. Yura didn’t like the feeling of wet palms and averting eyes, she hated to sound and seem so weak under her parents’ eyes. But again, Chanyeol invited her for dinner – it’s been awhile since she’s home and had dinner with her brother. So she thought why not, moreover her parents weren’t home, so she might breathe a little relieved.

Chanyeol was asking about female stuffs animatedly, wondered to her sister about this and that, just like his nature he always wanted perfection for everything. Yura watched her brother and grinned, whoever won his heart would be very lucky. Yura saw the sparkles inside his eyes and the smile that reached his eyes. Chanyeol seemed happy, and it made her feeling the same too.

“Young Mistress, Young Master… Your parents are home.” Their trustworthy butler Lee said as their parents coming to their sight. Both of the children stood up on their feet and greeted their parents, the mother pecked them lightly on their cheeks while the father took the seat in the middle and his gaze fell upon Yura.

“Why are you here?” he asked, didn’t mean harm but it was enough to pinch anyone’s ego.

“I invited Yura noona for dinner, Abeoji.” Chanyeol replied in charge of his sister. “She dropped me off school today…, it’s my first day anyway.”

“Oh right…, today is our Chanyeol’s first day of middle school! How was it son? Do you meet new friends there – ah Soobin too! Soobin goes to same school like you, right? And who else? I heard Professor Do’s grandson is going to same school as you—” Their mother couldn’t finish her words because the Head of Park Household decided to cut her off.

“—Son, could you please go to library and find me a journal? I don’t really remember the title, but the writer named Springer. Could you go and check it for me?” Chanyeol nodded and excused himself, leaving for the library.

Yura squinted her eyes, knowing there’d be something her father would like to talk and it would be inappropriate for her younger sibling to hear. So she cleared and fixed the napkin, readied for this talk – anything.

“Are you still going out with that Kim kid?” Their father didn’t need work or weather talk, it’s not like Yura expected any from him. She nodded. “I don’t like him. Break things off with him.”

This made Yura widened her eyes; why, how. “Why Abeoji, what did he do? I thought you don’t mind me dating him.” She couldn’t accept any of this. Several months ago her father didn’t even give any about him, so why now he wanted her to end her relationship?

“I don’t—didn’t mind until recently.” He watched his daughter glared at him, which he didn’t like it. “I just realized that his parents are too soft, too weak. They don’t even have the audacity to evict those people from the local district. We don’t have much time and they were like…, couldn’t you give them more time to find better places to stay? They are too pathetic and if his parents’ mentality is that weak, how do you think their son would be? He’d be nothing but a burden for you.”

“But I love him Abeoji!” Yura smashed the dining table. Her mother widened her eyes in surprise while her father didn’t see it coming. “Jinyoung is different! He’s everything I wanted in my life Abeoji! You can’t just think that he’s not good for me and decide that oh tonight I’ll ask my daughter to break up with her boyfriend. You aren’t even there when things are hard for us, so don’t you dare think I’d willingly do that for you!!”

He slapped her. “Give some respect for your father, would you? I’m the one that feed you – not that ing retard. When I say break things off, you’d better do it before I interfere. Break up with him.”

Yura was taken aback – she definitely didn’t expect a slap on her cheek. She sent her mother hopeful gaze but she looked away. Yura knew her mother wasn’t as tough as her father, but she was just always too scared of him. “Do you even remember today is Chanyeol’s first day Abeoji?” she asked and her father just breathed out, ignoring her. “Do you even know our favorite food?” she asked again, and now her father had his eyes on her.

She smirked. “Of course you don’t, you both are just too busy and immersed with your plans on expanding the business. You hand everything to our maids, believing they would treat us right…, well money could buy souls right?” Yura gulped. “… Jinyoung’s parents are not pathetic Abeoji, they think about humanity. And that’s why I choose to be with him, because he has a human heart…, unlike you and your robotic emotion.”

Yura packed her things up before she bolted out of the mansion, definitely ignored her father’s loud break up with him before I do it for you, her mother’s worried expression, and also Chanyeol that already standing near the cabinet but decided not to walk in.

Chanyeol bit his lips, realizing something; his sister was crying for the first time in his life watching his sister. It was either for these two reasons – the slap she received earlier or the fact that she had to break up with Jinyoung.

Soobin grinned happily as she actually passed the Cheerleading tryout, which meant that she’s officially a member now. After dreaming on joining the team and also because her oldest sister once joined and also became the Captain, made her unconsciously forced to join as well by her mother. But it’s okay, her mother would be happy if she found out that she’d be a member.

She’s about to leave the dressing room once she heard some noises outside, she was the only person left inside since she waited for others to leave to wash up. It was the current Captain Im Jinah, Coach Shin, and also the Headmistress Zhang. Peeking her head a bit from the door, she was curious of what they were talking about.

“I watched the tryout, congratulations Jinah, you find some hidden gems here.” Headmistress Zhang said with an amused smile. Jinah smiled thinly and Coach Shin tapped her back proudly. “So, since the performance is coming soon and we can’t use third graders anymore as flier, I heard from Coach Shin that you planned on using the newbies.”

Im Jinah blinked confusedly before she could understand Coach Shin’s glare meant. “Oh—oh yes. Coach Shin actually thinks there are two girls that are brilliant…, these girls are beautiful and willing.”

Headmistress Zhang nodded indifferently. “I know, I know. But Jinah…, there’s only one person could be main flier for our upcoming performance right?”

Jinah blinked. “You are saying Headmistress…?”

Headmistress Zhang didn’t say anything but showed the video on Coach Shin’s cellphone. “I want her to be our main flier. She’s beautiful, energetic, and seeing the performance she gave on tryout…., I believe she’s flexible for your moves.”

Jinah was stunned and then gazed at Coach Shin, on which she didn’t say anything. She gulped, “But Headmistress Zhang, Chae Soobin too is flexible. She took ballet classes on her young age and she did give me an impression. She’s also a beauty Headmistress Zhang—”

“—yes, beautifully boring.” Headmistress Zhang cut her off. “I expect a lot from her actually since her sister once a masterpiece for Cheerleading team…, but I guess she doesn’t do much. Just do what I say, Jinah. Coach Shin already agreed on this term.”

Without saying anything else, Headmistress Zhang and Coach Shin walked off, leaving Im Jinah with heaving out deep sigh and Chae Soobin was taken aback in her dressing room, couldn’t believe what just happened now.

She had to do something, before things got too late. She had to change the Headmistress Zhang’s mind before she really picked Soojung for the performance. No, imagining her mother would frown and refuse to talk to her for days were already disturbing her. She had to do something.

It’s been several weeks after the incident at their house and Chanyeol got pretty hard time to ask his sister to come and visit him again. There would be always an excuse and the boy slowly felt enough with it.

With the help of her neighbor, also happened to be his classmate Byun Baekhyun, Chanyeol could enter her apartment building and now standing in front of her home. Gulping, the boy managed to almost press the bell when he realized the door wasn’t fully closed. It left small space that it was enough for anyone to just push the doorknob to walk in to her place.

Thinking that it’s fine, he opened the door and went in. As soon as he was inside, the weird smell was lingering his nose that he had to cover it with the handkerchief. He walked by the living room, just to find his sister and Kim Jinyoung were doing something.

What are they doing?

“Noona?” Chanyeol called and both of them were startled. They widened their eyes as soon as they saw Chanyeol was in. Jinyoung tried to cover everything on the table with his back and Yura quickly pulled her brother by his wrist and pushed him out of his apartment.

“Noona…, what was it?” Chanyeol blinked innocently and Yura hurriedly pushed Chanyeol into the elevator. Her eyes showed fear, worry, and nervous. Chanyeol narrowed his eyes and yanked his arms off his sister. “You’re using drugs… aren’t you?” he asked in hushed tone, refusing to be pushed inside the elevator.

“No we’re not. We’re just… doing nothing. Now go. Before Abeoji calls and thinks you’re out for nothing. You’re supposed to be in your extra class—” she was cut off.

“YOU ANSWER ME FIRST, PARK YURA.” Both Park siblings were surprised with sudden yell of Chanyeol. “Answer me noona, am I right? You both are using inside…”

Yura either nodded or shook her head, but her answer hinted everything. “You don’t understand Chanyeol. It’s only for Jinyoung’s medication, Channie. He’d be taking all of them alone if I didn’t do it with him. It’s for his safety. I almost lost him once, I don’t want to—”

“—NOONA!” Chanyeol shouted again, trying to regain his sister’s sense back. “Noona, you can’t—you can’t do this! What would Abeoji do if they find out you’re like this? Noona, get your sense back! You can’t do this! Baekhyun’s father is a police! What would you do if he finds out?! You’d rot in jail noona!” Chanyeol shook his sister’s body tremblingly. He was terrified. This person wasn’t his sister he knew.

“Please no. Don’t tell Abeoji, don’t tell anyone! Chanyeol…, I do this because I have to. This is the only way to keep Jinyoung sane. Do you think both of us are happy doing this? This is the only way to flee from those nightmares, those obligations…, those expectations—yes exactly just like what you see in me Chanyeol.” Yura smirked darkly. “I know you expect a lot from me. How? How does it feel to see your older sister is not like what you always imagined….”

Chanyeol gritted his teeth before pushed his sister back. He’s the rational one here, he needed to remain calm. “How long have you been like this noona?”

“… Couple of months,” she mumbled inaudibly.

“HOW LONG?!” Chanyeol yelled at her, he knew it was a lie. From what he saw, Yura was a bit too pro for someone doing for couple of months.

“Four months!”

He hissed, his sister has been dating Kim Jinyoung for seven months. So three months of paradise and they got sick with usual kind of dates? Chanyeol was holding back his anger. “Who knows about this noona?” he asked. “Besides me, who knows about this?”

“… Jisoo,” she said in small murmur.

“What?” Chanyeol’s face went closer as he tried to read his sister’s lips.

“Jisoo knows.” Yura replied with a shrug. “He knows and he’s the only person that makes sure that we won’t be found out. He even once took Jinyoung from the club down street when Jinyoung collapsed and almost OD.”

Chanyeol broke in to Kim’s mansion and pushed every maid aside, as he stepped on the stairs to have good talk with his best friend. He needed to know why on earth Jisoo let that happen and also didn’t stop either of them. He was about to storm in when he held the doorknob and found something very amusing, something that made him let out a disbelieved smirk.

There were Kim Jisoo and Chae Soobin inside, sitting very close on a rather wide sofa and she was giggling over something Jisoo whispered to her ears. He pressed his tongue on his inner lip and realized he was just been backstabbed for a quite long time then. No wonder his best friend looked blank when he confessed that he was in love with Soobin.

“Wow.” Chanyeol said in a pretty loud noise to make them widen their eyes and stand up abruptly. “Never expect to see something like this. Puppy love I believe?” he pointed at both of them and made a funny face. “… Wow,” he repeated. “For how long this actually already happen?” Soobin and Jisoo swallowed down, of course they didn’t expect Chanyeol to walk in and found them. “But never mind. Let’s just talk about something else shall we, Jisoo?” Chanyeol sent a meaningful stare at him and it didn’t take long time for him to understand.

Jisoo quickly went to Chanyeol’s side and whispered a quiet “Not here Chanyeol, she’s here.” But he was just pushed aside and Chanyeol made a face; it was a new expression that both Jisoo and Soobin have never seen before. It was a look, simply full with hatred and betrayal but with a decent smirk – something that could send frightening sensation over his spine.

“You know all along and you don’t have any plans on telling me about them Jisoo?” Chanyeol swallowed. “She’s my sister! And I deserve to know anything related to her! How could you let her stay with like him?”

Jisoo knew, he knew that the boy across him was furious about the way he hid about this behind his back. “They are in love with each other Chanyeol. I tried to talk with your sister but she just won’t listen. She insisted me Chanyeol. She’s the one insisting that she has to stay—”

“—oh so you think because they’re in love with each other, you should let them be and die like Romeo and Juliet?!” Chanyeol barked.

“It doesn’t what I mean, Park Chanyeol!” Jisoo was sick with the way Chanyeol looking at him. It’s as if Jisoo was a traitor that wasn’t supposed to have anything in this life, it’s as if ages of friendship was nothing compared to this conversation.

“They both could die, damn it! Don’t you use your brain before you decide this?!” Chanyeol pushed him until he fell on the ground. “For God’s sake Jisoo… If you really are my best friend, you supposed to let my sister go!” Chanyeol was on top of him, hands holding the hem of his shirt. “You supposed to kick her out of your brother’s life and let her move on! You can’t use her!! She’s my sister, you ing ! She’s my whole life! Now she’s ruined! Because of you and your brother! How would you save her?! Tell me dickhead, how would you save her!”

Jisoo couldn’t say a word, neither Soobin nor Chanyeol that was too tired of this. They were supposed to be a regular First Graders that were talking about how the anime movie went or why holiday season passed by too fast. They weren’t supposed to be fighting and concerning about their siblings’ future – because , aren’t they older and should be wiser than just First Graders?

“I really believe that we’re friends, best friends. But maybe I give you too much of my life huh. I can’t believe I’ve been deceived like this, by someone I really like and the one that called himself as best man.” Chanyeol gulped, his face was as red as ripe tomato, as he stood up and balled his fists. Why couldn’t he just hit his face? “… you Jisoo, for Christ’ sake…, you.”

The friendship that started at the age of six was inexpressibly ended with the final curse and turned back of Park Chanyeol. The two persons left behind had different thoughts; one thinking of way to fix it while the other thinking it could be a ticket to win an ambition.

Kim Jinyoung and Park Yura were expelled from the school for personal reasons a week after Chanyeol confronted Jisoo. People wondered, but thank goodness the school’s board decided not to speak up the reason why they would let go a student as smart as Kim Jinyoung or a social butterfly like Park Yura.

From what Chanyeol heard, Kim Jinyoung now was staying at home. His parents were still deciding on further plans for his eldest son, unlike Yura’s parents that already made up some plans for her future. Yura was remained a hostage in her own home; maids aren’t allowed to walk in to visit her longer than fifteen minutes, her parents placed two men standing by her room, and even Chanyeol aren’t allowed to meet his sister.

“What would you do to Yura noona, Abeoji?” Chanyeol asked as he walked in to his office room. From the calls he made recently, something was not right.

“I would send her abroad for rehabilitation next week. I was right, wasn’t I? That Kim kid is nothing but a burden.” He then gazed down at his son before he touched his shoulder. “Now son, I expect a lot from you. You’re the only child in this family.”

“But Yura noona—”

“—she’s no longer your sister. You’re the only child in family. Learn to remember that,” His father tapped his son’s shoulder before walked off of his office room, leaving the innocent child swallowing down alone.

Soobin was warming up before the practice begins, along with some friends from Cheerleading squad and also Soojung. They were chatting happily, as if nothing happened. Soobin seemed to be in a very good mood, even after she was abandoned alone by two males with their own reasons. She was giving some inside jokes, until the door was banged open and showed a very furious Park Chanyeol with his face reddened.

“You, you come with me.” Chanyeol used to be very gentle on Soobin, he didn’t even dare to grip her because Soobin was too fragile, but today was a different day and Chanyeol is different now. He had no problems with gripping her full power and dragged her away from the indoor gym.

He brought her to an empty, silent storage room before pushing her back to the cold tiles. He towered her and let out a dangerous smirk. “It was you, wasn’t it?” his voice was low but sounded holding back his curses.

Soobin was positively trembling but tried to remain cool. “What—what are you talking about?” she pretended while in fact she knew where this conversation was flowing.

But instead of answering her tricky question, Chanyeol continued. “You even aren’t supposed to be the flier, are you?” The question hit the jackpot because she widened her eyes. “Of course I know. Just like you, someone snitched. They told me that it should be Jung Soojung to be main flier, but because of something Headmistress Zhang let you be.”

Soobin scoffed. “Whoever told you that is definitely lying. Why would I do something so cheap like that for this? I’m not that desperate. And uh, so you like Jung Soojung better than me? I thought you went apart from us because you’re jealous with Jisoo.”

Soobin thought distracting him with Jisoo’s name would make him stop. But she was wrong. She now faced an all-new Park Chanyeol; unreadable, emotionless, and hating her.

“Using Jisoo to make me mad is no longer beneficial babe.” Chanyeol smirked as he pushed her, they were exchanging breathe now. “I TRUSTED YOU.” He pressed his tone venomously as he hit the wall with his knuckles. “I thought I letting you in his room was the right thing to do, for Christ’s sake. It was a fool of me to think that you actually could care about me.”

Soobin tried to push Chanyeol away by hitting his chest with both of her hands, just to be caught and pulled on top of her head by the male. “Does it feel good? Does it feel nice to take advantage from your friends?”

The term of friends triggered Soobin to sneer. “Friends?” she asked as if he was joking, she too was putting off her mask. “There’s no such thing as friends, you fool. No matter how close you consider a friend, there is always possibility of being stabbed in the back, when you need others the most they become as distant and cold as ever.” Soobin let out a cocky smirk. “After all, we are animals conditioned to believe otherwise, but we are just as wild as any.”

Chanyeol realized he was making a big mistake; by thinking Chae Soobin would be a perfect fit for him. Seeing how someone could do this, he realized he was the only one that being naïve.

“Guilt is a weight that will crush you whether you deserve it or not,” he said and loosened his tightening grip on the female. He gritted his teeth when he spared the girl a look before he turned his back on her, just for few steps before he continued, “No guilt is forgotten so long as the conscience still knows of it.”

Soobin touched where Chanyeol gripped earlier and groaned because he left reddish mark on her upper arm before she fell on her trembling knees. She nibbled her lower lip terrifyingly – because what Chanyeol said was true. Would she feel guilty, would she feel anxious after this?

“So it was you?”

Soobin was stunned hearing the familiar voice, as she turned her head up just to see Jisoo walked in from the door where Chanyeol walked out some minutes ago. His eyes darkened and it scared the hell out of her because what if he heard Chanyeol? He stepped closer with his hands on the pocket, gritting his teeth.

“You reported my brother to school?” he repeated and now he snorted in disbelief. “Just for what…, to be the ing main flier?” this was dangerous, Jisoo being like this was never happened so this was dangerous. “… Of all people in this school Soobin, I expected you would be the last person reporting this. I even thought it was Chanyeol…” he trailed off. “But okay, never mind with it. I just can’t believe that you used Chanyeol’s sister, my brother for your own advantage.” He shook his head and balled his fists, he couldn’t control his temper.

Soobin reached for his arm and thought this could be the last time he would talk to her. She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Jisoo…, I didn’t… I didn’t even expect things would go like this… Jisoo, please. Let me—let me explain okay? I was scared—Headmistress Zhang said she would use Soojung as main flier, I mean… look at me! I’m Chae Soobin! Why would she pick her—when there’s me?! No—Jisoo hear me out!” Soobin was pushed back harshly by the taller male.

“For your ego pleasure?” Jisoo seemed so disgusted now. “I can’t believe any of this.” He raised his hands in defeat. “You ruined everything Soobin! You ruined our friendship—oh but wait, you don’t think both of us as your best friends,” he clicked his tongue. “You ruined my brother’s future, you ruined Yura noona’s as well! Damn girl…, I bet you are so pleased now.” Jisoo averted his eyes. “Good luck on being main flier, Soobin.”

“Jisoo—”

“We are growing up,” Jisoo halted on his track. “If people ask why three of us separate our ways…, just say that we are growing up.”

And with that, Jisoo left Soobin broke down alone without turning around, not even once.

Yura was supposed only to bring some stuff from her apartment a day before her departure. She wasn’t supposed to be left alone that time. Chanyeol knew it, he knew she couldn’t be let off-guard.

“An eighteen years old female student of Seoul High was found overdosed, alone in her apartment, tonight at 8pm. Rumors stated that she was a daughter of a family-owned conglomerate and was expelled from school for personal reasons. Police claimed it was suicide, but they are investigating the reason of her death and planning on reaching her family—”

The television was turned off, and the only sound filling the silence was soft sobs of poor boy that officially losing a sibling.

Jisoo always reminded himself that something like this would come, sooner or later. He knew after Park Yura gone, this day would come. He knew and understood, but never realized his imagination would come out as a reality, as the worst nightmare.

“We’re so sorry to inform you like this Mister Kim. But we hope it’s a right thing to do since you’re the only contact he wrote down on his emergency contact list. Deep condolences for you and your family, Kim Jinyoung has passed away several minutes ago. We found him drowning in his bath tub. He left a note for you Mister Kim. Would you like to—”

His mind was in a mess and Jisoo didn’t even realize he was now crossing the street. A loud honking from a car pulling out of his mind but when he looked at his side, the car’s front lights are blinding and so close…

This is it, he thought.

He closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable hit. But instead the feeling of the hard cold metal of the car hood on his body, he felt something warm and firm around his body. He felt himself being dragged to somewhere not far.

“Hey, are you insane?!” The warmth around him moved to warm hands holding on his shoulders, and just now Jisoo braved himself to open his eyes. There was a female standing in front of him, looking at him with worried-angry eyes. “Hey answer me! Are you insane?!” The girl asked again.

“What…, what happened?” he managed to croak out, mind hazy.

“You almost got hit by a car just before, you stupid bonehead! Unfortunately, I was on the scene and I saw the car before you, and I managed to pull you quick enough before the car can hit you.” The girl in front of him sighed, even though she was cursing at him, Jisoo could tell her hands were trembling like crazy. She’s afraid too, he guessed.

“I’m sorry…”

She looked up immediately, eyes wide in surprise even though it was almost covered by her bangs. “You’re sorry?” There’s an obvious telltale of mockery. “What the are you sorry for? Because you almost kill yourself?!”

The guy scratched the back of his head, looking at everywhere but her. “For everything I’ve done?” he tried quietly.

“Life is always going to put you on your lowest state man, but seriously… Killing yourself won’t solve anything. You’d just add another trouble, no I mean another burden—yes that’s what you’ll be if you kill yourself…, you’d just be a burden for your family. You’re a guy, like for ’s sake! Grow some balls and face your problems instead running away from them!!” The girl in front of him gasped after her speech finished, looked rather amused on her words.

She picked up a lollipop from her pocket jacket and opened Jisoo’s palm – it’s a strawberry milk flavor. “If you ever feel like to kill yourself again, have this. It helps, trust me…” She then tapped his upper arm for a friendly gesture before walked off, leaving Jisoo with a crooked smile on his face.

Jisoo’s decision on studying abroad after the incident was maybe the right thing he did, because his parents agreed right away and settled things for him. All he had to do was waiting for a call. And today was the day.

Jisoo was standing in front of the private jet that his parents kindly rented for him, after hugged his parents. What he didn’t expect was Park Chanyeol would spare some of his time and stopped by as well. His parents quickly left as soon as they saw the younger sibling around, left Chanyeol with his thin smirk and Jisoo with anxious eyes.

“So starting anew huh?” Chanyeol asked, his tone was nothing but emotionless. Old Chanyeol’s eyes would fill with disappointment, sadness and he would do anything to stop Jisoo from going. But new Chanyeol’s eyes were dangerous; they were full with nothing but hatred. “It would be fun. I heard your new place would be so pretty when summer.”

Jisoo just smiled, he didn’t know what he supposed to retort. “I heard you befriending that Byun lately.” Jisoo tried not to sound prying much. “Wish he could understand your new personality,”

“Well thanks, I’d definitely inform him about this…,” he pointed at himself from head to toe and smiled cheekily. “But to answer your nosiness, yes I befriend that Byun lately. Because hey, he’s the only person that could get me out of that room—not that I expect my former best friend would have the nerve and come to talk with me,” he shrugged nonchalantly

“What would we do when we are fated to meet again?” Jisoo pondered as he stepped closer to his former best friend. Deep inside Jisoo still thought of him as his best man, but after things that happened, he wondered Chanyeol still wanted him to be his friend.

“I don’t know, we’ll be old by then…” Chanyeol shrugged imperturbably. “But if you insist, the answer would be… next time around, I would win the girl—whoever she is. Just like how you stole her from me when you knew I’m head over heels for her, I would also steal any female that is in love with you.” Chanyeol replied calmly, eyeing the former best man in his life.

“I didn’t steal her from you Chanyeol—”

“—you also didn’t tell me that you both actually liked each other.” Chanyeol pressed his tone, cutting him off.

“You talk big for a middle schoolboy,” Jisoo chuckled but Chanyeol didn’t. “Even if she’s my wife?” he asked and raised one of his thick brows.

“Even then,” Chanyeol nodded. “Safe flight, have a good restart there.” Chanyeol motioned to nod lightly at him before he turned his back on Jisoo and started to walk away.

“What about Soobin?” Jisoo croaked out, tone worried. “She doesn’t mean harm Chanyeol, you know it too. She’s just confused, unstable. Maybe she didn’t know that things would end up like that—”

“—I would make her pay.” Chanyeol turned over his heels to see him one more time. “Thank you for your concern Kim Jisoo, but I guess it’s no longer your business. She took away my sister, and I’d personally make sure she’d lose someone important for her too. So my advice for you is, why don’t you just hop in that private jet and let it bring you to anywhere your parents decide? When you’re back later…, we’d have a very nice long talk about this. Okay?” Chanyeol smiled at him, the fake smile that he used to hate to wear before walked off.

Jisoo balled his fists, sighing. Is this how a friendship supposed to end?

Chanyeol and Jisoo stared at each other with meaningful glances, that only heaven could know what it meant.

Today was another day on their Field Trip and the teachers decided to play some games with the students after lunch. The game was simple, Yoochun’s words not theirs and his first rule was having two sides against and Yoochun decided to pull the tallest students from 2-5 as the leaders of each team.

“So Captains,” Yoochun’s tone was light and cheerful. “Do any of you have special person that you’d like to keep before we decide your members?” They both nodded; one of them already fell his gaze upon the person, while the other chose to remain motionless. “Great! Then who is it?”

“Jung Eunji.”

They both said at the same time, with the same bored tone, until they blinked their eyes in surprise. They just called the same person, didn’t they?

Baekhyun and Sungjae eyed each other before they heaved deep sighs. Becoming each other’s sidekick after their friendship ended made them understand what kind of thing Chanyeol and Jisoo had; their relationship, their goals, their hidden emotions.

Chae Soobin folded her arms against her chest with quiet telltale of disbelief, the past is about to take a repeat and now it wouldn’t be her anymore. You are replaceable, that one quote of Yoochun needlessly popped in her mind.

Chanyeol and Jisoo stared at each other again, now they finally understood their game and the reason after all years they were separated, they couldn’t manage to mend their friendship. It seemed like the vow is about to play.

September 18th 2016.

I AM BACK PEOPLE! I AM BACK! ANYONE MISSES ME?

as I said on previous chapter, I finally decided on writing what happened between Chanyeol-Soobin-Jisoo. some of you already got the hint about what happened in the past, so I was merely just explaining some of the details.

I know this is a bit too much for a middle school students, so forgive this too-much-watching-drama author okay? (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ and I'm sorry for making you wait, senior year is surely drilling me ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

anywaaay, future chapters will not talk about dark pasts like this (hopefully) and since they are on Field Trip, is there any of you have good ideas for 2-5's bonding moments? it could be anyone (Jieun-Jiae, for example), any otp (Kyungsoo-Bomi, Sungjae-Sooyoung, Baekhyun-Kyungsoo). you can drop comments below or reach me on personal messages if you have ideas or plans. :)

hehe, have a good day ahead and happy reading good people! I'll see you super soon! ♥