Just an important note:

If there are any further changes or additions, I’ll post them in the A/Ns in the future. Continue reading :3

-Chapter 10-

She ran away again, and this time, it was from a few seniors who had trashed away her locker because JongDae smiled at her in music class – that to them both was a very friendly gesture that was not in a flirty way. Yes, those people were definitely stupid. She brought herself to the back of the school, probably a secret garden or something she didn’t really pay attention to. The girl sobbed as she collapsed to the ground. It hurts a lot. Their words had always hurt her, and JuYeon had tried so hard to avoid creating trouble for everyone. She just wanted to be accepted and looked upon her as her own person and achievements, not because she’s ‘elephants’ long lost daughter that was left behind’ or that she ‘can’t afford plastic surgery to save her life’, not because her father was a ‘useless hoodlum’ and a ‘disappointment of society’ or her mother was an ‘ugly scullery maid or probably had to turn to ion for money’ (she was very humiliated and livid at the last statement though). But she can’t ask of that society didn’t work that way – weather or not she thought it was unjust or unfair.

“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” A deep bass voice asked her from behind, and JuYeon quickly wiped away her tears, not replying for fear that her voice would betray her. When did that person come, anyway? How did he come here anyways? Did he know she was here and followed her? “So why would a pretty girl like you cry on such a day?” He asked again, smiling cheerfully at her as though he completely forgotten the fact that there was evil and greed in the world, like there was only sunshines and rainbows in his own. He asked her so casually though he had known her for so long, no prejudices her way. “Nothing. Why are you talking to me? You are not supposed to be talking to losers who are ‘an embarrassment to the society’. And I’m not the slightest bit of pretty. Please leave me alone.” There was desperation and plea in her voice as the girl whispered weakly, but still loud enough for the male to hear her.

However, instead of leaving her like what she had just requested of him to do, he only laughed out loud, as if she just told him something hilarious and ridiculous. “What loser? I don’t see a loser here or anywhere.” He squinted his eyes around the area for perfect measure. “The only one I see is a very cute girl who shouldn’t be crying on a beautiful day, but should let the world see her very cute smile with her dimples on both sides of her face.” He sighed sadly, settling himself beside her as JuYeon closed her eyes. “Stop saying things you don’t mean.” She placed an arm on her forehead as she mumbled loudly, wishing she could easily forget the harsh and cruel world she was living in, with the judgemental and prideful people in it.

“But I do mean every word I say. My mom says it’s a not a good thing to lie or Santa Claus won’t give me the new guitar I wanted this Christmas.” There was a slight tease in his voice, and the girl chose to just stay silent, not responding to this weird junior of hers that kept bothering her even though it was kind of clear she wanted to be left alone. After a few minutes of silence, the male broke it as he cleared his throat, making his senior turn her head towards him. He smiled sheepishly – that infamous, eye-blinding toothpaste commercial-worthy smile of his – and took hold of his guitar (which she didn’t even notice he had brought it over earlier), one that she had seen quite a few times when they bumped into each other for music classes. “Do you want to hear me play? Music’s good for healing souls they say.” He tried to convince her. Not knowing how to respond to him anymore, JuYeon just nodded.

The first few strums of his guitar had already stole her attention; the sad melody tugging at the female’s heartstrings so as if it can be related to her. Following the next chords, she actually found herself enjoying the song*, hypnotized by the way he strummed the mellow tune on the strings, the consoling music had her heart wrenching for more that the girl was surprised herself when she hadn’t realized that it was over. It was truly a piece of art in the form of music, the soulful song had a story of it’s own. And even though JuYeon was sure this was not any artist’s original song from the radio station she listened to, if it was what the junior beside her had created himself, he was surely and truly an artist that does not need a title to confirm.

JuYeon turned to the boy who had a proud smile etched on his face, knowing he had just accomplished his mission of the day. “Well, was it good or was it awesome? Wait, don’t answer that question, I know the answer; of course it’s awesome!” He pumped his chest seemingly elated by his success, and the elder girl couldn’t help but let out a breath of chuckle in amusement threatening to burst into laughter. “Don’t get so cocky now.” She rolled her eyes as she gave him a pointed stare. “Oh, you got me, sunbaenim. Guilty as charged.” The younger boy raised both his hands in the air in mock surrender before chuckling to himself too.

“Well, now that we have finished playing our intro cue, how about a real introduction instead?” He grinned elfishly, something JuYeon found herself looking at him endearingly for it was one of his most charms and it was absolutely adorable. The girl, not being able to deny his request, then nodded her head slightly as a sign of agreement. “Hello, I am Park ChanYeol, and I am your junior.” He held out his hand for a friendly handshake. JuYeon stared at the open hand in hesitance, her mind running through all sorts of doubts of what-could-happens if she did and if she didn’t. “JuYeon. Jung JuYeon.” She took a deep inhale and took his welcoming hand. There was just something that made her feel as though she was appreciated as a person when their hands met for a few seconds, even though they were actually strangers to each other. And although the elder female didn’t want to admit it, the thought of having a new friend excited her and scared her at the same time, even if the guy was a year her junior.

JuYeon went back to the school building with ease, no more traces of sadness burdening her face features nor her heart, feeling quite lighter and delighted at having a newfound acquaintance she actually didn’t mind getting to know more of and grateful of their encounter, even though she knew that it was only going to be a one time thing and she was probably not going to meet him again especially in a situation like this. She knew that he was a junior from one of the richest heirs, so she thought he wouldn’t be feeling the same feeling as hers; the sense of blossoming friendship. But she didn’t mind that.

The tall said male stared at her retreating figure with another smile, mysterious and knowing.

‘She really is one of a kind. Just like what he said.’ He thought.

“I know your name already, noona.” His eyes wandered around the trees, locking his sight one of the trees where a figure was leaning against, nodding at him as a sign of a job well done. “If only you knew.” He muttered, followed by a hopeless sigh as he too left the area. Honestly, he hoped that the girl would always be happy as he always saw her so gloomy and sad when EunHwa was not around the girl, faking her smiles and laughters that ChanYeol had came to despise as they were so forced, just as a façade not to make her best friend worry over the girl. But today, today he had made an achievement by seeing her actually not only seeing, but making her adorning that smile on her face that was not fake. So pretty and genuine to him along with her dimples denting her face in beautiful curves.

ChanYeol saw the other male staring at her silently, the girl oblivious to her surroundings, and the boy shook his head.

Hopeless indeed.

“I don’t know what to do, omma. It’s been days and honestly, I’m so scared.” JuYeon sighed, stirring her hot cup of coffee as she stared into space in dilemma. Mrs. Jung gazed at her daughter with a warm smile. Her little girl had grown up so much - from the cute, chubby and clumsy pigtailed hair of a five year old girl to a calm, collected and composed elegance of a twenty six year old woman. Her daughter was the one pillar that kept giving their family strong hopes and determination to continue to live in the mismatched society full of danger and prejudice, picking up where everyone had fell off to the ground just to rise up again with more fire in her eyes to strive towards a more better future for all of them. She couldn’t help but be very proud of JuYeon, who gave her brother JaeHyun a role model to follow his own dreams just like his older sister, and SaRang and SeHyung, who has yet to see and face the challenges of the real world an older sister for support if they ever fall down. She was proud; that JuYeon gave her a better hope in seeing her own children grow maturely against the pressuring surrounding.

That was why the mother of four wasn’t worried the least that her daughter was going to make a decision that could either be both a good or a bad turn for all of their lives – she wasn’t deterred by the many what-ifs doubting her mind – for she knew how well her daughter was. JuYeon would be able to make that decision all by herself without anyone’s help if it wasn’t the useless doubts clouding her mind, that is. Mrs. Jung trusted her.

“Dear, have faith in yourself. And have faith in him too. If he was so willing to marry you just so for that man to get off our tails once and for all, I don’t think it would necessarily be a bad thing for you to trust the young man. And while that happens, the two of you can still lead a great marriage, it doesn’t have to be out of force, especially if you can learn to love each other. As long as you have faith, trust and commitment. I believe you.” Mrs Jung went to stand up and leave, but her last words implanted themselves in her mind. “And JuYeon-ah, I know a good young man when I see one. Just one look in his eyes, if there was someone I trust to take care of you when I’m gone one day without a worry, it would be him.” Then she left the young woman to herself.

JuYeon stopped stirring, sighing again before she brought the mug to her lips. In about less than twenty minutes, she would have to meet up with JoonMyun again and this time, with a decision that would turn 180 degrees to all of their lives that were pending on her answer either way. That night after the horrifying incident with the wretched man that was their supposed father, JaeHyun had been filled in on everything once he arrived back home from his wonderful date with DaHee; from the encounter with him until JoonMyun’s spontaneous spur-of-the-moment sort-of proposal of a marriage between his elder sister and the young CEO. Surprised wouldn’t be enough of a word to actually describe the architect’s emotions that night. It was the understatement of the century. “I was gone for half a day and this is what happens? Our lives should be a twisted Disney with a lot of twists or something.” JuYeon just rolled her eyes at his grumble.

“Noona.” Speaking of, her younger brother came, leaning his hips against the kitchen counter as he crossed his arms over his chest, eyes casting a shade of worry as he stared at his one and only elder sister; One he absolutely loves too much to let anything harmful hurt her. Blinking, she turned her hea